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Learning Management · head to head

Canvas vs Kaltura

Canvas logo

Canvas

Learning Management

Open-source LMS for engaging learning experiences

From
$5/student-year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Kaltura logo

Kaltura

Webinar & Virtual Events

Video platform for learning, media, and engagement

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Canvas basic analytics lack predictive intelligence or advanced student success insights; Kaltura the pricing page lists ten separate products and publishes no rate, no minimum and no named cost driver for them, routing visitors to a quote request
  • They diverge on capability: Canvas covers Course management, Kaltura covers Video creation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Canvas and Kaltura actually diverge.

Attributes where Canvas and Kaltura differ
AttributeCanvasKaltura
Starting price$5/student-yearOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWindows, Mac, IOS, Android, Web
CategoryLearning ManagementWebinar & Virtual Events
Founded20082006

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Canvas

  • Course management
  • Assignment submission
  • Gradebook
  • Discussion forums
  • Quizzes
  • Mobile app
  • Video conferencing
  • Zoom

Only in Kaltura

  • Video creation
  • Live streaming
  • Interactive content
  • Mobile apps
  • Canvas
  • Blackboard
  • Moodle
  • Salesforce

Both cover

  • Analytics
  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Canvas

  • Online coursesnot Kaltura
  • Blended learningnot Kaltura
  • Course managementnot Kaltura
  • Student assessmentnot Kaltura

Kaltura

  • Enterprise video portals and internal town hallsnot Canvas
  • Virtual classrooms and lecture capture for universitiesnot Canvas

Where each one falls short

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

Canvas

  • Basic analytics lack predictive intelligence or advanced student success insights
  • Course structure is traditional and may not support competency-based or adaptive learning paths without supplementary tools

Kaltura

  • The pricing page lists ten separate products and publishes no rate, no minimum and no named cost driver for them, routing visitors to a quote request
  • Capabilities are split across separate products such as Webinars, Virtual Events, Town Halls, Video Portal and Virtual Classroom, each licensed on its own

Pricing, plan by plan

Canvas

$5/student-year

No published plan breakdown. See the Canvas review.

Kaltura

On request
  • Starter$400/month
    • Video library
    • Basic features
  • Professional$1000/month
    • Live streaming
    • Analytics
  • Enterprise$2500/month
    • Custom solutions
    • Support

Which should you pick?

Choose Canvas if

  • You need course management.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want assignment submission.
Canvas review

Choose Kaltura if

  • You need video creation.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, IOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want live streaming.
Kaltura review

Questions people ask

Is Canvas or Kaltura better?
Neither clearly leads. Canvas starts at $5/student-year and Kaltura at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Canvas or Kaltura?
Canvas starts at $5/student-year and Kaltura at On request.
Does Canvas or Kaltura run on more platforms?
Canvas runs on Web, iOS, Android. Kaltura runs on Windows, Mac, IOS, Android, Web.
What is Canvas best used for?
Canvas is most often used for online courses, blended learning, course management, student assessment. Of those, online courses and blended learning are not what Kaltura is typically brought in for.
What can Canvas do that Kaltura cannot?
Canvas covers Course management, Assignment submission, Gradebook, Discussion forums. Kaltura covers Video creation, Live streaming, Interactive content, Mobile apps. Both handle Analytics, Web support, IOS support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Canvas: Does Canvas work offline?

Canvas has launched offline access for its student mobile app, allowing students to view pre-selected course content without internet. However, offline access is view-only and submissions require reconnecting to the internet.

Source
Canvas: What integrations does Canvas support?

Canvas supports hundreds of external applications through its App Center using LTI standards, including video platforms, plagiarism detection tools, and digital textbooks through a standardized integration framework.

Source
Canvas: How does Canvas handle course analytics?

Canvas provides built-in reporting that covers grades and student engagement, but lacks predictive analytics or advanced student success insights that some institutions require.

Source
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Related pages

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