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Blackboard vs Udacity

Blackboard logo

Blackboard

Software

Comprehensive learning platform for educational institutions

From
$10/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Udacity logo

Udacity

Software

Nanodegrees for in-demand tech skills

From
$249/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Blackboard user interface is outdated, cluttered, and unintuitive with hidden menus and excessive clicks; Udacity expensive compared to many online learning alternatives at $249/month or annual commitments
  • They diverge on capability: Blackboard covers Course management, Udacity covers Nanodegree programs.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blackboard and Udacity actually diverge.

Attributes where Blackboard and Udacity differ
AttributeBlackboardUdacity
Starting price$10/year$249/month
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android
Founded19972011

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), free tier (No), 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

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

Only in Udacity

  • Nanodegree programs
  • Real-world projects
  • Mentorship
  • Code review
  • Career services
  • Industry partnerships
  • Mobile learning
  • Enterprise platforms

Both cover

  • 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 Udacity
  • Student engagementnot Udacity
  • Assessmentnot Udacity
  • Virtual learningnot Udacity

Udacity

  • Tech skill developmentnot Blackboard
  • Career transitionnot Blackboard
  • Upskillingnot Blackboard
  • Team trainingnot 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  • User interface is outdated, cluttered, and unintuitive with hidden menus and excessive clicks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

Udacity

  • Expensive compared to many online learning alternatives at $249/month or annual commitments
  • Course certificates lose value after subscription ends if not continuously maintained
  • Limited offline access to course materials
  • May lack breadth of non-tech courses compared to general learning platforms

Pricing, plan by plan

Blackboard

$10/year

No published plan breakdown. See the Blackboard review.

Udacity

$249/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Udacity review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Blackboard if

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

Choose Udacity if

  • You need nanodegree programs.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want real-world projects.
Udacity review

Questions people ask

Is Blackboard or Udacity better?
Neither clearly leads. Blackboard starts at $10/year and Udacity at $249/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blackboard or Udacity?
Blackboard starts at $10/year and Udacity at $249/month.
Does Blackboard or Udacity run on more platforms?
Blackboard runs on Web. Udacity runs on Web, iOS, Android.
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 Udacity is typically brought in for.
What can Blackboard do that Udacity cannot?
Blackboard covers Course management, Assessment tools, Discussion boards, Virtual classroom. Udacity covers Nanodegree programs, Real-world projects, Mentorship, Code review. Both handle 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
Udacity: How is Udacity priced?

Udacity offers subscription-based pricing: $249/month or $846 for 4 months (approximately $212/month with 15% discount). One subscription covers 500+ courses and all 80+ Nanodegree and Executive programs. Month-to-month subscriptions are cancellable anytime.

Source
Udacity: Does Udacity offer degree programs?

Yes, Udacity offers a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence ($199 enrollment fee plus subscription) and MBA in AI Product Management, both priced under $5,000 total, approximately 90% cheaper than traditional programs.

Source
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