Software · head to head
Blackboard vs Udemy
Blackboard
Software
Comprehensive learning platform for educational institutions
- From
- $10/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Udemy 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- Each has a real cost: Blackboard user interface is outdated, cluttered, and unintuitive with hidden menus and excessive clicks; Udemy course quality varies significantly as Udemy allows anyone to create and sell courses without vetting
- They diverge on capability: Blackboard covers Course management, Udemy covers Video courses.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Blackboard and Udemy actually diverge.
| Attribute | Blackboard | Udemy |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $10/year | Free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 1997 | 2010 |
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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 Udemy
- Video courses
- Quizzes
- Assignments
- Certificates
- Mobile learning
- Offline viewing
- Q&A
- Reviews
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 Udemy
- Student engagementnot Udemy
- Assessmentnot Udemy
- Virtual learningnot Udemy
Udemy
- Skill buildingnot Blackboard
- Career transitionnot Blackboard
- Professional developmentnot 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- User interface is outdated, cluttered, and unintuitive with hidden menus and excessive clicks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
Udemy
- Course quality varies significantly as Udemy allows anyone to create and sell courses without vetting
- No formal credentials or degrees offered, unlike Coursera and edX which offer institution-branded certificates
- Courses are self-paced with no instructor interaction or support, making structured learning difficult for some students
Pricing, plan by plan
Blackboard
$10/yearNo published plan breakdown. See the Blackboard review.
Udemy
Free- Personal$19/month
- 11,000+ courses access
- Team$360/year
- For 5-20 people
Which should you pick?
Choose Udemy if
- You need video courses.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want quizzes.
Questions people ask
- Is Blackboard or Udemy better?
- Neither clearly leads. Blackboard starts at $10/year and Udemy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Blackboard or Udemy?
- Udemy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10/year for Blackboard and Free for Udemy.
- Does Blackboard or Udemy run on more platforms?
- Blackboard runs on Web. Udemy runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Udemy for free?
- Yes. Udemy 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 Udemy is typically brought in for.
- What can Blackboard do that Udemy cannot?
- Blackboard covers Course management, Assessment tools, Discussion boards, Virtual classroom. Udemy covers Video courses, Quizzes, Assignments, Certificates. 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.
SourceUdemy: Does Udemy offer team/business pricing?
Yes, Udemy's Team plan costs $360 per user annually for groups of 5 to 20 people, in addition to individual Personal plan at $19/month.
Source