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Education & E-Learning · head to head

Blackboard vs Coursera

Blackboard logo

Blackboard

Education & E-Learning

Comprehensive learning platform for educational institutions

From
$10/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Coursera logo

Coursera

Learning Management

Learn from top universities and companies worldwide

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Coursera has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Blackboard user interface is outdated, cluttered, and unintuitive with hidden menus and excessive clicks; Coursera free audit does not include certificate upon completion
  • They diverge on capability: Blackboard covers Course management, Coursera covers Video lectures.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blackboard and Coursera actually diverge.

Attributes where Blackboard and Coursera differ
AttributeBlackboardCoursera
Starting price$10/yearFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android
CategoryEducation & E-LearningLearning Management
Founded19972012

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Blackboard

  • Course management
  • Assessment tools
  • Discussion boards
  • Virtual classroom
  • Gradebook
  • Mobile app
  • Analytics
  • Accessibility

Only in Coursera

  • Video lectures
  • Quizzes
  • Peer assessments
  • Certificates
  • Mobile learning
  • Offline access
  • Specializations
  • Degrees

Both cover

  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support
  • API support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Blackboard

  • Course deliverynot Coursera
  • Student engagementnot Coursera
  • Assessmentnot Coursera
  • Virtual learningnot Coursera

Coursera

  • Skill developmentnot Blackboard
  • Career advancementnot Blackboard
  • Professional certificatesnot Blackboard
  • Degree programsnot Blackboard

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Blackboard

  • User interface is outdated, cluttered, and unintuitive with hidden menus and excessive clicks
  • Slow response times and platform crashes when opening multiple tabs simultaneously
  • Cannot track detailed student activity beyond most recent login information
  • Limited ability to handle large file uploads for content and assignments
  • Minimal customization options for page and template design

Coursera

  • Free audit does not include certificate upon completion
  • Limited offline access to course materials
  • Paid specializations require monthly subscription rather than one-time purchase

Pricing, plan by plan

Blackboard

$10/year

No published plan breakdown. See the Blackboard review.

Coursera

Free
  • Free AuditFree
  • Coursera Plus$59/month
  • Professional Certificates$39/month

Which should you pick?

Choose Blackboard if

  • You need course management.
  • You also want assessment tools.
Blackboard review

Choose Coursera if

  • You need video lectures.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want quizzes.
Coursera review

Questions people ask

Is Blackboard or Coursera better?
Neither clearly leads. Blackboard starts at $10/year and Coursera at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blackboard or Coursera?
Coursera has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10/year for Blackboard and Free for Coursera.
Does Blackboard or Coursera run on more platforms?
Blackboard runs on Web. Coursera runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Coursera for free?
Yes. Coursera has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Blackboard starts at $10/year.
What is Blackboard best used for?
Blackboard is most often used for course delivery, student engagement, assessment, virtual learning. Of those, course delivery and student engagement are not what Coursera is typically brought in for.
What can Blackboard do that Coursera cannot?
Blackboard covers Course management, Assessment tools, Discussion boards, Virtual classroom. Coursera covers Video lectures, Quizzes, Peer assessments, Certificates. Both handle Web support, IOS support, Android support, API support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Blackboard: What does Blackboard LMS offer?

Blackboard is a learning management system that includes course management, assignment and gradebook tools, discussion forums, and analytics for tracking learner progress in online, hybrid, and in-person courses.

Source
Coursera: Can I audit courses for free?

Yes. Most Coursera courses can be audited for free, allowing access to videos and assignments without a certificate.

Source
Coursera: What is Coursera Plus?

Coursera Plus is a subscription for $59/month or $399/year providing unlimited access to over 7,000 courses and specializations with certificates.

Source
Coursera: Do enterprises get custom integrations?

Yes. Enterprise plans include SSO, APIs, AI-assisted Course Builder, and 30+ LMS integrations with dedicated customer success managers.

Source
Coursera: What is the cost of a degree program?

Coursera offers accredited degree programs starting at $50,000 and above, with costs varying by program and institution.

Source
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Related pages

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