7 Great Blackboard Learn Alternatives

e can’t argue that BlackboardLearn LMS is one of the most popular solutions for education, learning provision, and training. Sure, as an effective end-to-end solution, it offers excellent tools for classroom management and quiz creation. 

Nonetheless, it may not be the best option for business owners or schools that need flexibility. It certainly has some issues that can be a reason for e-learning specialists to switch to other LMS.

That’s why we have a list of the best Blackboard Learn alternatives, fitting both corporate actors, progressive academies, and even schools.

Read on to know more about their features, and pros and cons compared to Blackboard Learn LMS.

Why look for Blackboard Learn Alternatives?

Let’s first shed some light on why it is so popular among specialists in higher education and schools. 

Blackboard Learn is a comprehensive LMS that offers great content authoring capabilities, decent social learning tools, and powerful assignment options. 

Other than that, it provides a great integration with other learning apps and offers mobile software for mobile learning. 

With this in mind, it is fair to say that it is ideal for classroom management, course creation, and communication.  Besides, some customization options regarding user roles are available. 

However, why, if it is so good, do providers seek alternatives to Blackboard? 

Well, the answer lies in the features, cost, and customizability. Other than that, it may lack some automation and vital integrations vital for training and corporate actors. 

Pricing is pretty high

Blackboard LMS takes a quote-based approach, meaning that the users will know the cost upon contact with sales or support. The pricing contemplates a year plan, and as reviews suggest it starts from around $9500/year for a department license. From there, depending on the number of students, it can be even higher. 

For small actors or those without significant budgets, the plan will cost quite a sum, pushing towards searching for a less pricey solution. 

Reporting and automation features

Notably, reporting features are somewhat different from what other LMSs offer. BlackboardLMS has a solid Grade Tab, where an instructor can access data on assignments and student engagement. 

Yet, it significantly overfocuses on the framework used by schools and universities. Other than that, it provides no custom reports and doesn’t support the xAPI format.

The LMS lacks automation in user management and course creation compared to BlackboardLearn competitors. In particular, there is a lack of templates and rules for user addition and management within the groups.

Lack of Customization and Integrations

Unlike some commercial Blackboard alternatives, the platform does not offer advanced branding capabilities. If you are running an academy or school, it is quite important to link identity to online courses. Also, you won’t be able to create multiple cohorts or courses with different designs.

Even though it has many integrations, there is a lack of room for HRIS and CRM apps. Thus, it can be a downturn for a group of course creators, academies, and edupreneurs.

Student experience and outdated design

Lastly, Blackboard Learn LMS is not great in terms of design. It may affect how a student proceeds with an online course or program. Other than that, some find it to be outdated and have a pretty steep learning curve due to the structure of the app.

Best Blackboard Alternatives

Before we jump to the main Blackboard Learn alternatives, we should note that some are best for educational institutions, some are great for training, and some are flexible enough for diverse learning needs.

#1. EducateMe: Best Blackboard Learn Alternative

EducateMe is the best Blackboard Learn alternative, especially in regard to collaborative learning, reporting, and classroom management. Why? This learning management system offers powerful assignment features, has built-in collaboration tools, and adds to user administration via automation. 

Compared to Blackboard Learn, it simply offers a better user interface, flexibility, customization, and analytics. The distinctive features are peer review, group assignments, and a Kanban board. They help an instructor have solid control over the learning process and effortlessly scale. 

It is great to manage large classes and ensure student engagement thanks to automation and the engagement kit. Moreover, it centralizes learning and offers seamless integration with third-party platforms, including Loom, Zoom, Notion, and Slack.

Best for: developing academies, training providers, and groups of course creators with a need for collaboration and management tools.

Read more: Projector Institute Case Study

Key features of this Blackboard alternative:

• Smooth course creation tools and content embedding.
• Engagement kit with peer review, channels, and feedback options.
• Informative dashboard to track student progress.
• Customization and branding options.
• Native integrations, and API access.

Pros 

• Comprehensive and flexible toolset.
• Variety of content and assignment management.
• Cohort-based learning experience with advanced analytics.
• Seamless integration of collaborative tools.

Cons

• Offers no mobile app.

#2. Moodle: Powerful Open-source Platform with Greater Customization

Moodle is a different kind of alternative to Blackboard Learn. It presents an open-source learning management system with advanced features and opportunities for course creation, customization, and reporting. Yet, even though it offers a free version, it is not as simple as a user may need some coding skills.

It stands out from Blackboard Learn by providing a broader range of content and activity formats (20+) and customization options. That way, it is more adaptable to various teaching styles. 

As it is open-source, reliance on third-party tools, plugins, extensions, and API gives both opportunities and headaches. In the end, educational organizations and businesses can leverage LMS nature to tailor the learning environment to their specific requirements.

Key features of this alternative to Blackboard:

• Over 20 activity formats for diverse program creation.
• Exciting dashboard that can be managed.
• Extensive plugin and integration options.
• Bulk editing capabilities.
• Advanced assignment builder with various question types.

Pros:

• Highly customizable and flexible.
• Significant variety of different formats, content, and activities.
• Strong support for integrations and plugins.
• Open-source and cost-effective.

Cons:

• Is quite complex and challenging to use, especially in the beginning.
• Scalability is possible, but not easy with advanced settings.

Pricing: the open-source solution is free; Moodle Cloud, a cloud-based version, starts at $120/year.

Best for: code-savvy teams and learning providers that seek customizable and specific learning programs.

Read more: Moodle vs Google Classroom Comparison

#3. Canvas: Blackboard Learn Alternative with Better Course Structure and Reporting

What about other direct Blackboard Learn Competitors? Well, Canvas LMS is one of them, being a common solution for educational organizations. Just like Moodle, it is an open-source platform, yet, with a better structure and focus on collaboration and reporting.

As a Blackboard Learn alternative, Canvas LMS is more complicated but offers a more intuitive interface, a great structure for lessons, and reporting possibilities. 

Canvas has a robust set of engagement and collaboration tools, like comment sections, BigBlueButton for live sessions, and Podcast Feed. Moreover, its student analytics features, and unique options for attendance tracking and course completion rates.

Overall, it is a solid solution for business academies and schools that can benefit from flexible course management and customization options. 

Key features of this Blackboard alternative:

• User-friendly interface.
• Extensive integration capabilities.
• Student analytics features for tracking performance.
• Templates for course sharing.
• Mobile app for enhanced learning experience.

Pros:

• Comprehensive and customizable.
• Strong engagement tools.
• Robust analytics to track student performance.
• Supports a wide range of integrations.

Cons:

• Can be challenging for non-technical users.
• Lacks community features and management capabilities.

Pricing: offer a free option; advanced plan is available via quote.

Best for: higher education institutions and schools seeking an LMS to enhance their management with course structure and reporting.

Read more: Moodle vs Canvas Comparison

#4. Google Classroom: Free and Intuitive Blackboard LMS Alternative

Google Classroom is for sure one of the simplest and most intuitive BlackBoard competitors, despite its limitations as a learning management platform. Users often switch to BlackBoard LMS from Google Classroom, as the latter is more advanced. Yet, if you need an effective and cost-effective tool for classroom management, the latter can be just what you need.

Google Classroom focuses on assignment management and offers plenty of collaboration tools. Besides, it is very intuitive, while integrating with Google Apps, like Google Docs, Google Hangouts, Google Slides, and Forms. 

Thus, academic institutions and even business companies that favor real-time collaborative efforts and unsophisticated approaches will benefit from this solution. in program or course delivery will 

Key features of this alternative to Blackboard:

• Integration with Google Suite.
• Simple assignment creation and management.
• Basic engagement tools with discussion spaces.
• Separate grading tab for easy grade management.

Pros:

• User-friendly and easy to navigate.
• Free for educational institutions.
• Does not require significant time to implement.

Cons:

• Pretty Limited as a full-fledged LMS.
• Lacks advanced management and reporting features.

Best for: teachers and institutions seeking a simple collaborative tool for handling assignments and classrooms.

Read more: Is Google Classroom Good for Business?

#5. Absorb LMS: Alternative for Businesses that Brings Gamification

What if you are looking for a corporate alternative to Blackboard Learn LMS? Absorb LMS appears as a powerful learning management system with gamification, personalized learning capabilities, AI tools, and decent management. 

Considering business needs, it offers a customizable dashboard, decent content formats, and a library of pre-built courses, including LinkedIn Learning and SkillSoft. It makes it a decent option for enterprises and small companies that need software for various training 

Absorb LMS is pretty flexible, which is key for developing interactive experiences and skill-oriented courses. 

Key features of this Blackboard alternative:

• A dashboard that instructors and corporate trainers can customize.
• Rich option in format choice from videos to checklists).
• A content library of pre-made courses for skill development.
• Gamification features (badges, progress charts, certifications).
• Mobile app for Android and iOS.

Pros:

• Adaptable and flexible for various training needs.
• Rich interactive and skill-oriented features.
• Strong gamification and engagement tools.
• Supports SCORM files.

Cons:

• The pricing structure lacks transparency and can be expensive.
• Less intuitive compared to Google Classroom or EducateMe.

Pricing: upon contact with sales.

Best for: businesses and enterprises seeking a universal and customizable LMS to enhance employee training, engagement, and skill development.

Read more: Best LMS for Enterprises

#6. Talent LMS: Comprehensive LMS for Various Organizations

Another option that suits both business and educational organizations is Talent LMS. This alternative to Blackboard Learn is a comprehensive learning management system with powerful gamification, course creation formats, integrations, and cohort management. 

Unlike Blackboard Learn, TalentLMS offers advanced customization and branch management, implying that you can create sub-accounts for different cohorts or departments. Besides, another advantage of the learning platform lies in its editor. I

This software is pretty versatile in creating customized learning paths and allows integration of SCORM, xAPI files, and presentations. 

Corporate actors can improve their training and upskilling thanks to diverse gamified elements, learning paths, and powerful branch management. The latter can be extremely useful for higher education institutions.

Key features of this Blackboard alternative:

• Course editor with a variety of formats
• Branch features and customizable sub-accounts
• AI support and Gamification (points, badges, levels, leaderboards, rewards)
• Mobile app
• Discussion forums for communication

Pros:

• Easy to use and manage training programs
• Supports diverse content formats
• Powerful gamification features
• Decent branding options

Cons:

• Limited social learning tools
• Restricted API capabilities

Pricing: free trial: pricing starts from $89/mo (20 users).

Best for: businesses seeking an engaging platform for training and upskilling programs.

Read more: Best Training Management Systems

#7. Schoology: Blackboard Alternative for Schools and Educational Institutions

Among Blackboard competitors, there are not so many platforms specifically made for the schools. Schoology is a learning platform that has distinct features for the planning and management of activities for schools. It means it offers tools for workload administration, grading, and assignments. 

Compared to Blackboard, it has the same issues in regard to intuitiveness and design, yet, it offers modules for the involvement of parents. It also has a mobile app that can add to the provision of materials to learners.

Key features of this alternative to Blackboard:

• Workload planning and assignment mapping
• Comprehensive grading system with multiple assessment tools
• Integration with OneDrive and Google Apps
• AI-backed content editor
• Parental access to materials

Pros:

• Powerful integrations with popular tools
• User-friendly management features for instructors and students
• Mobile access

Cons:

• Outdated design
• Limited customization and collaboration tools

Pricing: contact with sales is required.

Best for: schools, educational organizations, as well as nonprofit educational projects.

Read more: Best Platforms for Higher Ed

Overview of Blackboard Learn Alternatives

Here is our small recap of the platforms that can advance your learning to a new level:

Conclusion: Picking the one from all Blackboard competitors 

Blackboard Learn, despite being a comprehensive LMS, has drawbacks such as high cost, limited customization, lack of advanced automation, and outdated design. And they drive users to seek Blackboard alternatives that better suit their learning needs. What are your options?

• For the best flexibility, management, and collaboration, pick EducateMe, as it stands out with its powerful assignment features, built-in engagement tools, and intuitive interface.
• For advanced customization and reporting, pay attention to the open-source LMSs. Moodle is ideal for code-savvy teams, while Canvas provides a user-friendly interface and great reporting for higher education institutions.
• Google Classroom offers simplicity and real-time collaboration, whereas Schoology is a strong choice for schools. 
• For corporate training courses, Absorb LMS excels in gamification and personalized learning, while Talent LMS provides diverse content formats, gamification features, and advanced customization options.

If you are still in doubt about which to choose, try EducateMe free trial or schedule a demo if you have specific needs or a large number of online courses.