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Software · head to head

D2L Brightspace vs Schoology

D

D2L Brightspace

Software

The LMS built to focus on the learning moment

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Schoology logo

Schoology

Software

LMS that connects learning with the bigger picture

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Schoology has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: D2L Brightspace no pricing tiers or figures are published on the site for Brightspace or its add-on products; the only path to cost is Request a Demo, per d2l.com, August 2026; 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.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which D2L Brightspace and Schoology actually diverge.

Attributes where D2L Brightspace and Schoology differ
AttributeD2L BrightspaceSchoology
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, IOS, Android
FoundedUnknown2009

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 D2L Brightspace

Nothing recorded that Schoology does not also cover.

Only in Schoology

  • Course management
  • Gradebook
  • Assessment builder
  • Discussion boards
  • Resources library
  • Parent portal
  • Analytics
  • Mobile app

What people use each for

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

D2L Brightspace

No use cases recorded yet. See the D2L Brightspace review.

Schoology

  • Course deliverynot D2L Brightspace
  • Assessmentnot D2L Brightspace
  • Collaborationnot D2L Brightspace
  • Parent communicationnot D2L Brightspace

Where each one falls short

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

D2L Brightspace

  • No pricing tiers or figures are published on the site for Brightspace or its add-on products; the only path to cost is Request a Demo, per d2l.com, August 2026

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

D2L Brightspace

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the D2L Brightspace review.

Schoology

Free
  • BasicFree
    • Course management
    • Assignments
    • Gradebook
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • SIS integration
    • Analytics
    • Standards alignment

Which should you pick?

Choose D2L Brightspace if

Nothing in the data separates D2L Brightspace from Schoology on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

D2L Brightspace review

Choose Schoology if

  • You need course management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want gradebook.
Schoology review

Questions people ask

Is D2L Brightspace or Schoology better?
Neither clearly leads. D2L Brightspace starts at On request and Schoology at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, D2L Brightspace or Schoology?
Schoology has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for D2L Brightspace and Free for Schoology.
Does D2L Brightspace or Schoology run on more platforms?
D2L Brightspace 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. D2L Brightspace starts at On request.
What can D2L Brightspace do that Schoology cannot?
Schoology covers Course management, Gradebook, Assessment builder, Discussion boards.
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