Comparison

Schoology vs Canvas by Instructure

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Schoology

This app provides a powerful learning management solution for iOS devices. It allows users to manage classrooms, create and submit assignments, participate in discussions, and perform assessments. Students and educators can collaborate and engage in academic experiences on the go.

Highlights
  • Classroom management
  • Assignment creation and submission
  • Interactive discussions
  • Assessment performance
  • Peer collaboration
  • Mobile learning access
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Get the award-winning app that extends Schoology’s powerful learning management solution to your iOS device. Manage your classroom, create and submit assignments, participate in interactive discussions, perform assessments, collaborate with your peers, and much more! With Schoology’s iOS mobile app, you can have rich and engaging academic experiences anytime, anywhere.

About

Canvas by Instructure

Stay connected to your courses with this official learning app. Organize assignments, track grades, engage in discussions, and learn on the go, even offline. Supports integrated tools and accessibility features for all learners.

Highlights
  • Organize grades and assignments
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Submit assignments and take quizzes
  • Offline course access
  • Integrated classroom tools
  • Accessibility features
  • AI-powered learning
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Your learning, anywhere. Stay connected to your courses with the official Canvas app for learners. Whether you’re in class, commuting, or offline, Canvas helps you stay organized and engaged. Note for instructors: For teaching and grading features, use the Canvas Teacher app. What you can do • Organize: View grades, track assignments, homework, and schoolwork; get reminders, push notifications and add customizable widgets for quick access • Engage: Send messages, join class discussions and collaborate with classmates in real time • Learn: Submit assignments, PDFs, docs, and media files for teachers to annotate in SpeedGrader, take quizzes, and watch videos on the go • Offline: Download full courses and keep studying even without internet • Integration & inclusivity: Use integrated classroom tools (LTIs), enjoy dark mode, and rely on built-in accessibility for everyone (VPAT 2.2 compliant) • Lifelong learning: Support for continuous learning, career-focused skill based learning programs, and AI-powered learning experience via Career experience Trusted by over 40 million learners worldwide.

Screenshots

Schoology4 screens
Canvas by Instructure4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Canvas by Instructure at 4.7 against Schoology's 1.3. Canvas by Instructure also leads on ratings volume (2.8M vs 133K) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Schoology's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Canvas by Instructure holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Canvas by Instructure has 2.8M ratings behind it against 133K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of Schoology's written reviews are positive against 26% of Canvas by Instructure's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Schoology ships an update every 2 months, Canvas by Instructure every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Schoology versus Canvas by Instructure: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSchoologyCanvas by Instructure
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.3 (133K ratings)4.7 (2.8M ratings) — better
Positive reviews14.0% of reviews26.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings133K2.8M — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#60#10 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size105 MB218 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPowerSchool Group LLCInstructure Inc.

Customer experience

Schoology

All ratings132,510 ratings
Positive8.0%
Neutral1.4%
Negative90.6%
Written reviews1,576 reviews
Positive14.0%
Neutral3.8%
Negative82.2%

Canvas by Instructure

All ratings2,767,852 ratings
Positive91.8%
Neutral2.5%
Negative5.7%
Written reviews1,514 reviews
Positive26.5%
Neutral12.2%
Negative61.4%

User reviews

Schoology

From 133K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Efficient mobile tool
  • 📚 Helpful for organizing schoolwork
  • 🗓 Useful calendar and assignment tracking

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
  • 🤯 Confusing and cluttered interface
  • 🕰 Slow loading times
  • 🔍 Difficult to navigate and find information
  • 🚫 Unable to delete or edit assignments

Canvas by Instructure

From 2.8M App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 📚 Easy access to course materials
  • 💻 Convenient mobile access
  • 📊 Helpful grade tracking
  • 🔔 Useful notification system

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches
  • 🔁 Resets when switching apps
  • 🔍 Difficult to navigate
  • 🙈 Lack of customization options
  • 🗓️ Calendar issues

Bugs and requests

Schoology

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login issues and errors
  • Disappearing or unsubmitted assignments
  • Incompatibility with certain devices/browsers
  • Unreliable syncing and data loss

Requested features

5 requests
  • Improve notification system
  • Add dark mode option
  • Streamline assignment submission process
  • Enhance organization and filtering of courses/assignments
  • Improve mobile compatibility and functionality

Canvas by Instructure

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App freezing and crashing
  • Inability to view all course content
  • Inconsistent behavior across devices
  • Unreliable assignment submission
  • Syncing issues between app and website

Requested features

5 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Improved discussion board functionality
  • Ability to edit posts/comments
  • Integration with personal calendars
  • More granular notification controls

In-app purchases

None

Schoology

No in-app purchases

None

Canvas by Instructure

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Schoology free?
Schoology is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Canvas by Instructure free?
Canvas by Instructure is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Schoology or Canvas by Instructure?
Canvas by Instructure is rated higher. Schoology averages 1.3 out of 5 from 133K ratings, while Canvas by Instructure averages 4.7 from 2.8M ratings.
Do Schoology or Canvas by Instructure have ads?
Neither Schoology nor Canvas by Instructure shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Schoology or Canvas by Instructure?
Schoology ships an update every 2 months, and Canvas by Instructure every 3 weeks. Most recently, Schoology was updated on November 5, 2026 and Canvas by Instructure on November 5, 2026.
Which is more popular, Schoology or Canvas by Instructure?
Schoology currently peaks at #60 in the App Store charts, and Canvas by Instructure at #10. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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