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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Canvas

    Score8.2 out of 10
    N/AInstructure is an educational software company based in Sandy, Utah. It is the developer of the Canvas learning management system, which is a comprehensive software package that competes with such systems as Blackboard Learning System, SumTotal and Saba.N/A

    Edsby

    Score8 out of 10
    Mid-Size Companies (51-1,000 employees)
    Edsby is a cloud-based learning management system (LMS) for K-12 school districts that uses web and mobile technologies to connect teachers, students, parents and administrators in new ways. This LMS allows students and parents to check grades, attendance, homework and more from a browser, tablet or mobile phone. The vendor says what sets this LMS apart from others is that Edsby is designed specifically for the special requirements and needs of K-12. To make district-wide…

    $5

    per user/per year

    Pricing
    CanvasEdsby
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    Edsby
    5+
    per user/per year
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    CanvasEdsby
    Free Trial
    YesNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    YesNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoYes
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeRequired
    Additional DetailsMust contact vendor for pricing information.Edsby charges an up-front fee for initial integration. There are also annual costs, variable with the number of students. Parent, teacher and administrator accounts are free. Certain other features are charged for annually. Special pricing applies for private schools. Contact Edsby for details.
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    CanvasEdsby
    Considered Both Products
    Instructure
    No answer on this topic
    Edsby
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    87%
    Would buy again
    20 Answers
    100%
    Would buy again
    5 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    94%
    Delivers good value for the price
    17 Answers
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    5 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    87%
    Happy with the feature set
    20 Answers
    100%
    Happy with the feature set
    5 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    12 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation went as expected
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    13 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Features
    CanvasEdsby
    Learning Management
    Comparison of Learning Management features of Canvas and Edsby
    Feature
    Canvas
    9.8
    42 Ratings
    18% above category average
    Edsby
    9.0
    1 Ratings
    9% above category average
    Course authoring9.942 Ratings00 Ratings
    Course catalog or library9.839 Ratings00 Ratings
    Player/Portal9.933 Ratings10.01 Ratings
    Learning content9.935 Ratings00 Ratings
    Mobile friendly9.941 Ratings9.01 Ratings
    Progress tracking & certifications9.938 Ratings7.01 Ratings
    Assignments9.942 Ratings9.01 Ratings
    Compliance management9.833 Ratings00 Ratings
    Learning administration9.937 Ratings10.01 Ratings
    Learning reporting & analytics9.939 Ratings00 Ratings
    Social learning9.934 Ratings9.01 Ratings
    Gamification9.63 Ratings00 Ratings
    Single Sign On (SSO) Enabled Learning9.83 Ratings00 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    CanvasEdsby
    Small Businesses
    Google Classroom
    Score8.2 out of 10
    Google Classroom
    Score8.2 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Schoology Learning
    Score9.7 out of 10
    Schoology Learning
    Score9.7 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Axonify
    Score10 out of 10
    Axonify
    Score10 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    CanvasEdsby
    Likelihood to Recommend
    8.6
    (84 ratings)
    8.0
    (4 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    9.3
    (5 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Usability
    10.0
    (8 ratings)
    9.0
    (2 ratings)
    Support Rating
    9.0
    (11 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    In-Person Training
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Online Training
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    8.5
    (2 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Product Scalability
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    CanvasEdsby
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Instructure
    It is really well suited for school situations like knowing what [assignments] need to be done when, getting feedback, getting points, finding the slides that the teacher used for explaining an [assignment] or theory. I think It would be less suited in business situations because it's [primarily] made to be a [one-way] communication tool for schools. Businesses need more control on individual levels I think[.]
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Edsby
    I use only Edsby - I have no use for a google classroom as well as an Edsby page. I try to convince and how teachers how easy it is to use only one system
    Read full review
    Pros
    Instructure
    • Creativity options for teachers to create a virtual space that still has fun graphics and accessibility options.
    • Canvas has versatility in viewing options for assignment due dates such as the calendar built in feature as well as the dashboard options to display upcoming and due assignments.
    • Allowing teachers to create community with each other and collaborate in each-other's space.
    • Discussion platforms within classrooms for students to communicate with each-other and with their teachers.
    • Easy messaging portal within each virtual classroom.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Edsby
    • It has a home page viewable by students in which there is a Journal space. Teachers can post reminders for example for homework or upcoming events.
    • EDSBY has a place where one can create Folders or Unit Assessments which students can access and if need be print themselves a copy of the assessment. These folders can be used for different unit work or for something that is used throughout the semester. For instance, information on The Writing Process is in a folder, as are major assessments.
    • It's easy to set up the Grade Book because of the automatic choices that are offered for semester work and culminating work. Weights can be edited and categories of assessment can be changed quickly, if needed.
    • If you have a problem, you can ask for help from someone in the school or in the system who knows about the program, or you can send a message to EDSBY, and they are very quick in replying with a fix.
    Read full review
    Cons
    Instructure
    • Their integration with Big Blue Button was a bust for distance learning. Would be great to see them collaborate with Zoom or Google Meets.
    • Their "feature request" process is slow and cumbersome at times because it relies on user "up votes" to get ideas addressed by the developers.
    • They seem to have a lot of turn-over with their staff. We get a new Customer Success Manager far more frequently than with other vendors.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Edsby
    • Edsby could make the sorting and collecting of information such as attendance easier.
    • Enhancements to the messaging system are needed - sorting into folders, searching, etc.
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    Instructure
    The other LMS tools have fallen behind. One reason is they are not able to update their systems, features, toolsets in a timely manner. While other LMS providers release bug fixes and new features several times a year, schools struggle to install and implement them in a timely manner. It is not uncommon for a school to take 6 months to a year to fully install and implement new releases on other LMS platforms. With Canvas, those features are released every 3 weeks, and there is nothing for a school to do other than choose to turn them on once released. This has allowed Instructure to innovate faster, and get new features and tools to customers quicker. Other factors include great pricing, customer support, and the innovative way in which LTI is implemented in the tool.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Edsby
    No answers on this topic
    Usability
    Instructure
    The functions in Canvas are well integrated and consistent across the application, and mostly intuitive. Overall navigation and setup is streamlined through integrated features and navigation. The feedback we've gotten from our program participants is that it is easy to learn to use. It also integrates well with third party software like Google Docs and Blackboard Collaborate web conferencing software
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Edsby
    The user interface is widely modelled on a web 2.0 design (e.g. Facebook). This is not a criticism per se, as it makes moving around the site very easy and familiar. The mobile site is also very well designed, it makes good use of space and is also easy to navigate.
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Instructure
    I do not personally use Canvas support since we have a central office that helps us. However, our central office always has the answers we need and are always able to solve our issues - so I would assume that get great support from the Canvas team on their end. They also offer great training, which uses materials directly from Canvas
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Edsby
    No answers on this topic
    In-Person Training
    Instructure
    The training sessions were broken down into several days as well as different levels depending upon the knowledge of the user
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Edsby
    No answers on this topic
    Online Training
    Instructure
    The online tutorials and videos are very clear and addressed the issues/questions that I had about using the system.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Edsby
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation Rating
    Instructure
    Once you purchase and sign the contract there is nothing to install or hardware to buy. You can almost immediately start using it and have courses up and going within weeks. We signed in December and had pilot courses online ready to go for the start of school in January
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Edsby
    No answers on this topic
    Alternatives Considered
    Instructure
    Canvas is more secure, has a cleaner design, and has more features. For the features, they have in common canvas still stacks up against [Smart school] by going for the extra mile. Besidfor e that, [the] canvas looks a lot more [professional] than [Smart school]. I didn't make the decision myself to get canvas instead of [Smart school] but I'm happy they did.
    Read full review
    Edsby
    Edsby and Google Classroom are two entirely different services, yet they can be used together with increased learning effectiveness as the result. When used in tandem, they combine the best features of both platforms and blend them together to get the best learning platform possible.
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Instructure
    • Canvas has helped us provide a more robust online component to our courses.
    • Canvas has helped us better adapt to a rapidly changing educational landscape.
    • Canvas has reduced the time that we have to spend training faculty on how to use our learning management system.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Edsby
    • Better customer service, in the sense that students know clearly what they need to do, and when they need to do it.
    • Better customer service, in that it is easier for teachers to contact parents, with the lap top in front of them and all the relevant data on student progress or lack thereof in front of them.
    • Better customer service, in that students can email the teacher directly through EDSBY to ask a question or see clarification, or make a request.
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    Edsby Screenshots

    Screenshot of the student's dashboard view in EdsbyScreenshot of private teacher observations of students in Edsby, taggedScreenshot of mobile Edsby clients available for iOS and AndroidScreenshot of a teacher's view of an Edsby class, the heart of the Edsby learning and analytics platformScreenshot of the teacher's view of a class gradebook in the Edsby learning and analytics platformScreenshot of a student eportfolio in the Edsby learning and analytics platform