# Canvas by Instructure vs Blackboard

The clearest difference is chart position: Canvas by Instructure at #4 against Blackboard's #84. Canvas by Instructure also leads on review sentiment (27% vs 14%) and ratings volume (2.8M vs 443K). Blackboard's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Canvas by Instructure against 4.6 for Blackboard. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Canvas by Instructure has 2.8M ratings behind it against 443K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 27% of Canvas by Instructure's written reviews are positive against 14% of Blackboard's.

Canvas by Instructure ships an update every 3 weeks, Blackboard monthly. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Canvas by Instructure | Blackboard |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2.8M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canvas-by-instructure/id480883488/reviews)** | [4.6 (443K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackboard/id950424861/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.8M** | 443K |
| Positive reviews | **26.8% of reviews** | 14.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#4** | #84 |
| Size | 209 MB | 172 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Instructure Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/418441198) | [Anthology Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1676499025) |

## What reviewers say

### Canvas by Instructure

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canvas-by-instructure/id480883488)

**Currently charting:** #4 Top Free · Education, #181 Top Free (US App Store)

Access your courses and stay organized with this learning app. Track assignments, submit work, participate in discussions, and even study offline. It supports integrated tools and accessibility features for a seamless educational experience.

**Highlights:** View grades and track assignments, Submit assignments and take quizzes, Join class discussions, Download courses for offline access, Receive push notifications and reminders, Integrated classroom tools and dark mode

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

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


### Blackboard

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackboard/id950424861)

**Currently charting:** #84 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

This app connects students and instructors to their institution's learning management system. Access course materials, submit assignments, track grades, and communicate with peers and instructors on the go.

**Highlights:** Course updates and announcements, Assignment submission and testing, Grade tracking, Discussion board management, Material organization, Real-time notifications

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🔒 Secure login process
- 💡 Helpful for busy students

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔄 Constant need to re-login
- 🕰️ Slow loading times
- 📱 Not optimized for mobile/tablets

**Reported bugs**

- Activity stream not loading properly
- Inconsistent behavior across mobile and web
- Inability to view full assignment details

**Requested features**

- Ability to customize course order
- Improved notifications and alerts
- Split-screen functionality for multitasking
- Offline access to course materials


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Canvas by Instructure free?

Canvas by Instructure is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Blackboard free?

Blackboard is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Canvas by Instructure or Blackboard?

Canvas by Instructure is rated higher. Canvas by Instructure averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.8M ratings, while Blackboard averages 4.6 from 443K ratings.

### Do Canvas by Instructure or Blackboard have ads?

Neither Canvas by Instructure nor Blackboard shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Canvas by Instructure or Blackboard?

Canvas by Instructure ships an update every 3 weeks, and Blackboard monthly. Most recently, Canvas by Instructure was updated on September 25, 2026 and Blackboard on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Canvas by Instructure or Blackboard?

Canvas by Instructure currently peaks at #4 in the App Store charts, and Blackboard at #84. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*