Software · head to head
Blackboard vs Schoology
Blackboard
Software
Comprehensive learning platform for educational institutions
- From
- $10/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Schoology 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- Each has a real cost: Blackboard user interface is outdated, cluttered, and unintuitive with hidden menus and excessive clicks; Schoology schoology (now PowerSchool's Schoology Learning) gates its full feature set behind a separate Enterprise package; the free version is a limited LMS tier, per the vendor's own archived K-12 page (2019), with no dollar figure published for the Enterprise upgrade.
- They diverge on capability: Blackboard covers Assessment tools, Schoology covers Assessment builder.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Blackboard and Schoology actually diverge.
| Attribute | Blackboard | Schoology |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $10/year | Free |
| Pricing model | Unknown | subscription |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web | Web, IOS, Android |
| Founded | 1997 | 2009 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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
- Assessment tools
- Virtual classroom
- Accessibility
- SIS systems
- Zoom
- API support
Only in Schoology
- Assessment builder
- Resources library
- Parent portal
- PowerSchool SIS
Both cover
- Course management
- Discussion boards
- Gradebook
- Mobile app
- Analytics
- Turnitin
- Microsoft 365
- Google Workspace
- LTI tools
- Web support
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Blackboard
- Course delivery
- Student engagementnot Schoology
- Assessment
- Virtual learningnot Schoology
Schoology
- Course delivery
- Assessment
- Collaborationnot Blackboard
- Parent communicationnot Blackboard
Both are used for course delivery, assessment, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
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- User interface is outdated, cluttered, and unintuitive with hidden menus and excessive clicks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
Schoology
- Schoology (now PowerSchool's Schoology Learning) gates its full feature set behind a separate Enterprise package; the free version is a limited LMS tier, per the vendor's own archived K-12 page (2019), with no dollar figure published for the Enterprise upgrade.
Pricing, plan by plan
Blackboard
$10/yearNo published plan breakdown. See the Blackboard review.
Schoology
Free- BasicFree
- Course management
- Assignments
- Gradebook
- Enterprise$undefined/month
- SIS integration
- Analytics
- Standards alignment
Which should you pick?
Choose Schoology if
- You need assessment builder.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want resources library.
Questions people ask
- Is Blackboard or Schoology better?
- Neither clearly leads. Blackboard starts at $10/year and Schoology at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Blackboard or Schoology?
- Schoology has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10/year for Blackboard and Free for Schoology.
- Does Blackboard or Schoology run on more platforms?
- Blackboard runs on Web. Schoology runs on Web, IOS, Android.
- Can I use Schoology for free?
- Yes. Schoology 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, student engagement and virtual learning are not what Schoology is typically brought in for.
- What can Blackboard do that Schoology cannot?
- Blackboard covers Assessment tools, Virtual classroom, Accessibility, SIS systems. Schoology covers Assessment builder, Resources library, Parent portal, PowerSchool SIS. Both handle Course management, Discussion boards, Gradebook, Mobile app.
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.
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