Softwr

Education · head to head

Blackboard vs DataCamp

Blackboard logo

Blackboard

Education

Comprehensive learning platform for educational institutions

From
$10/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DataCamp logo

DataCamp

Education

Learn data science and AI skills online

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only DataCamp 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  • Each has a real cost: Blackboard user interface is outdated, cluttered, and unintuitive with hidden menus and excessive clicks; DataCamp free tier limited to first chapter of every course only
  • They diverge on capability: Blackboard covers Course management, DataCamp covers Interactive courses.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blackboard and DataCamp actually diverge.

Attributes where Blackboard and DataCamp differ
AttributeBlackboardDataCamp
Starting price$10/yearFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, Mobile
Founded19972013

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Education).

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
  • Analytics
  • Accessibility
  • SIS systems

Only in DataCamp

  • Interactive courses
  • Hands-on projects
  • Skill assessments
  • Career tracks
  • Certifications
  • Workspace
  • Practice mode
  • SSO

Both cover

  • Mobile app
  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Blackboard

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

DataCamp

  • Interactive data science and AI education with 790+ coursesnot Blackboard
  • Career-track learning (36-44 hours) for role-specific competencynot Blackboard
  • Team upskilling with admin dashboards and learning activity trackingnot Blackboard
  • Hands-on projects, certifications, and industry-recognised credentialsnot 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  • User interface is outdated, cluttered, and unintuitive with hidden menus and excessive clicks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

DataCamp

  • Free tier limited to first chapter of every course only
  • Premium plan requires annual billing with no monthly option
  • Teams plan requires minimum 2+ users with annual upfront billing
  • Free tier excludes access to 790+ courses and skill assessments

Pricing, plan by plan

Blackboard

$10/year

No published plan breakdown. See the Blackboard review.

DataCamp

Free
  • BasicFree
    • First chapter of every course
    • All cheat sheets and tutorials
    • Mobile learning
  • Premium$28/month
    • 790+ courses
    • Projects
    • Certificates
  • Teams$28/month_per_user
    • Everything in Premium
    • Admin dashboard
    • License management

Which should you pick?

Choose Blackboard if

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

Choose DataCamp if

  • You need interactive courses.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want hands-on projects.
DataCamp review

Questions people ask

Is Blackboard or DataCamp better?
Neither clearly leads. Blackboard starts at $10/year and DataCamp at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blackboard or DataCamp?
DataCamp has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10/year for Blackboard and Free for DataCamp.
Does Blackboard or DataCamp run on more platforms?
Blackboard runs on Web. DataCamp runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use DataCamp for free?
Yes. DataCamp 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 DataCamp is typically brought in for.
What can Blackboard do that DataCamp cannot?
Blackboard covers Course management, Assessment tools, Discussion boards, Virtual classroom. DataCamp covers Interactive courses, Hands-on projects, Skill assessments, Career tracks. Both handle Mobile app, Web support, IOS support, Android 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
DataCamp: What does DataCamp's free plan include?

DataCamp Basic is free and includes access to the first chapter of every course, all cheat sheets, tutorials, mobile learning, live code-alongs, competitions, a professional profile, and skill assessments.

Source
DataCamp: How much does DataCamp Premium cost annually?

Premium costs $28 per month when billed annually, and DataCamp advertises savings of $90 with yearly billing compared to monthly rates. Premium unlocks 790+ courses, projects, certificates, and priority support.

Source
DataCamp: Does DataCamp offer team or multi-user pricing?

Yes, DataCamp Teams is available for teams of 2 and up at $28 per user per month billed annually. It includes admin dashboard, license management, team performance reports, and SSO options (Google or Microsoft).

Source
DataCamp: What currencies does DataCamp accept?

DataCamp pricing is available in USD, GBP, CAD, AUD, EUR, BRL, MXN, and INR, allowing customers to pay in their local currency.

Source
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