Meet some of our customers
Meet some of our customers
Meet some of our customers
- Queensland
- The University of Auckland logo
- De La Salle University Logo
- University of Oxford logo
- Harvard University
- Penn State University Logo
What is a learning management system (LMS)?
A learning management system (LMS) is the backbone of modern education. It’s the digital platform where students access course materials, submit assignments, receive feedback, and engage with teachers and peers, whether they're in the classroom, at home, or learning on the go.Common features include customisable course creation, real-time progress tracking, and integration with tools like Google Workspace and Microsoft Teams.
In the Asia-Pacific region, where flexibility, scale, and digital-first learning are fast becoming top priorities, the right Learning Management System (LMS) is essential for success. Schools, universities, and training providers across APAC—from Australia and Singapore to the Philippines and beyond—are turning to LMS platforms to power blended and remote learning. With growing demand for flexible, scalable education solutions, LMSs like Canvas, Moodle, and Blackboard are helping institutions improve learning outcomes while streamlining teaching and administration. As the region continues its digital education transformation, choosing the right LMS can make all the difference.
What is Canvas LMS?
Canvas LMS is the world’s most widely used learning management system, trusted by schools, universities, and training providers in more than 70 countries. Built to support teaching and learning at any scale, it’s a secure, cloud-based platform designed for ease of use, flexibility, and connection.
Every Ivy League university in the United States uses Canvas, and it’s fast becoming the platform of choice across the Asia-Pacific region thanks to its modern interface, robust features, and deep commitment to education.
Canvas LMS was built to make teaching and learning easier for everyone.
What are the benefits of using an LMS?
An LMS helps streamline learning and simplify education delivery, whether in-person, online, or hybrid. It’s especially valuable in fast-growing education systems where scale, consistency, and engagement matter.
With an LMS, you can:
Centralise
a cloud-based LMS is hosted online, with no need for servers
Support
a cloud-based LMS usually comes with a lower upfront cost since schools will not need to invest in servers, perpetual licenses, IT team, hosting services, etc
Provide
a cloud-based LMS can be accessed from anywhere, on any device without any software installation required
Enable
the best cloud-based LMSs deliver 99.99% uptime since it doesn’t need to be unavailable for server maintenance, software upgrades, etc
Reduce
the best cloud-based LMSs have an easy-to-use interface that readjusts to any device, helping drive adoption
Improve
the best cloud-based LMS are multi-tenant and designed to scale to tens of millions of users
For many universities, schools and training providers across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, adopting an LMS is a crucial first step towards more scalable, data-informed, and student-centred education.
Why choose a cloud-based LMS?
Cloud-based learning management systems are hosted online, not on your institution’s servers. That means no infrastructure headaches, lower maintenance costs, and the flexibility to access learning from anywhere, on any device.
Canvas LMS is built natively in the cloud, meaning your platform is always secure, up to date, and ready to scale as your needs grow. There’s no need for manual upgrades or internal IT support to maintain performance. Whether you’re supporting a single campus or an entire university system, Canvas grows with you.
Supporting employee training and workforce learning
In addition to formal education, Canvas supports training providers, registered training organisations (RTOs), and companies delivering compliance or skills-based learning.
With the same ease of use and scalability, Canvas is well-suited for onboarding, certification, and upskilling initiatives—helping organisations support learning throughout people’s careers.
What does an open source LMS mean?
In a nutshell, an open source LMS means that the source code of a Learning Management System is open for all users to look at and modify.
An open source LMS allows users to access its source code to customize their learning platform. With an open source LMSs users have the flexibility to create a personalized e-learning solution with a unique look and exclusive capabilities.
One of the main benefits of open source LMS is the transparency and assurance around system security and code integrity. When a source code is open, anyone can test it for vulnerabilities—and talk about it. Otherwise, there is no way for users to check if vulnerabilities are fixed. A trusted Learning Management System shows transparency not only in its code but also in terms of costs.
There is a common misunderstanding of the terms “free” versus “open source” LMS platforms. Free means that “it does not have a price tag,” while open source means “users can access the source code.” Although users can view most open source Learning Management Systems code at zero cost, every LMS implementation involves investment. Whether it is related to servers, additional software, hardware upkeep, or security, some LMSs can become a scalable investment. An LMS that provides an all-inclusive cost structure is an excellent alternative to prevent potential hidden costs.
What is Canvas LMS?
Canvas LMS is a cloud-based, open source Learning Management System with advanced LMS functionalities. It can be easily accessed from any device, from anywhere, anytime. With more than 30 million active users around the globe, Canvas LMS is used by people of all ages, from kindergartens to all Ivy League Universities in the United States.
Canvas LMS is the number one Learning Management System. It helps educators streamline their education experience to support students achieve success. Canvas LMS makes online learning, in-person, or a mix of the two, more efficient by serving as the central hub for all classroom materials and interactions.
Through open APIs and adherence to LTI standards, Canvas LMS provides easy integration with a network of 400+ education technology partners including Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Adobe. It allows administrators and faculty to innovate and customize courses while giving students a personalized and engaging experience.
As a commercial open source platform, Canvas LMS maintains and develops one source code tree, but offers two licenses—providing transparency (anyone can view its code) and enterprise-level support. With the commercial license, Canvas LMS is able to migrate clients’ courses, integrate with their SIS and advance their institution into the 21st century of learning management technology. All this is under an all-inclusive cost structure, with no hidden fees or extra costs as your school community grows.
Why is Canvas LMS the best Learning Management System for schools, colleges and universities?
There are many options to choose from in terms of Learning Management Systems, but your institution deserves the best. Canvas LMS is the best Learning Management System with more than a decade of experience, 30 million active users around the globe, advanced capabilities, an easy-to-use interface, and an array of tools for integration and customization, not to mention a huge community of enthusiasts worldwide that is always ready to collaborate.
Canvas LMS streamlines interaction and builds strong relationships between teachers, educators and students, across a physical, hybrid, or fully online classroom. Canvas LMS is part of the Instructure Ed-cosystem, an open, reliable, extensible learning ecosystem that offers the best educational tools and applications. The Instructure Ed-cosystem includes: Canvas by Instructure, Mastery by Instructure, Elevate by Instructure and Impact by Instructure. Combined, these solutions support all aspects of education for schools, colleges and universities.
Canvas by Instructure encompasses Canvas LMS, Canvas Studio, Canvas Catalog and Canvas Credentials. With Canvas Studio educators can make video learning more engaging and interactive, utilizing a variety of features that enable content creation, in-video discussions, embedded quizzes, and more. Canvas Catalog is a great application for administrators to promote courses. It streamlines and modernizes registration and enrollment. Canvas Credentials enriches higher education by supporting students as they map their academic and skill-building journeys for job readiness.
Instructure Awards
Instructure, the creators of Canvas LMS, has been recognized over the years for trustworthiness, openness, commitment, innovation, and more. In 2022, we received the following exciting awards: Best LMS by G2 Learning Hub, Best LMS Software by Online Degree, Best Academic LMS by Talented Learning LMS Awards, among others. Nothing makes us prouder and more fulfilled than making a difference in every student and teacher's life, ultimately contributing to a better world. Being recognized for our commitments to the educational community means everything to us!
Telly Award
TrustRadius
G2 Learning Hub
The best schools in the United States choose Canvas LMS as their Learning Management System
Some Schools
Some Schools
- Penn State University Logo
- Southern University Logo
- California Community Colleges
- Salt Lake Community College eLearning software development services, educational software development services
Partners
Partners
Innovation in a Hybrid Environment: Champlain College and Canvas LMS
Canvas LMS is a versatile partner for Champlain's upside-down, outside-the-box learning philosophy serving a half on-campus and half online student population. Watch the video to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canvas LMS an open source learning management system?
Canvas LMS is an open-source Learning Management System. It means Canvas LMS’s technology runs in one digital environment (digital platform) to provide students and teachers with learning tools. In this environment or platform, an open-source (code available to anyone to view) application enables teachers and students to manage educational materials and interactions.
What is an LMS?
LMS is the short form for Learning Management System. An LMS is an application that helps teachers and students store, manage and personalize all online learning materials and interactions. An LMS can be a software application hosted locally in the school/corporation's server or cloud-based, hosted in a web server. An LMS can have its source code available to anyone to view and inspect (open source) or closed (no one has access besides its developers).
What is an example of LMS?
Canvas LMS is an example of a Learning Management System (LMS). Canvas LMS allows teachers to organize their classrooms from course management to grading and feedback and collaboration with colleagues to communicate with students and families. Canvas LMS simplifies activities while amplifying teaching so that educators can impact student achievement in-depth and at scale.
What is a cloud-based Learning Management System?
A cloud-based Learning Management System is a web-based technology that is hosted in the cloud on a web server. A cloud-based LMS allows students and teachers to access their online courses and materials from anywhere, anytime, on any device. Users only need an internet connection to log in to a cloud-based Learning Management System.
What are the advantages of the Learning Management System?
A Learning Management System (LMS) offers schools and corporations many competitive advantages while bringing innovation to any learning environment. An LMS simplifies teaching and learning with technology; it is the central hub for online, hybrid, and in-person classrooms. A Learning Management System (LMS) can give students the flexibility to learn from anywhere, anytime, while allowing institutions to expand their offerings to a broader range of learners.
Is there a free version of Canvas LMS to try out?
Yes, Canvas LMS offers Free-for-Teacher, providing basic functionality to students and teachers to explore courses and learn basic Canvas LMS features. Educators can deliver courses, create content, and personalize learning with Mastery Paths, Outcomes, and standards-based gradebooks. Users can also utilize Canvas mobile app suite and integrate external applications to its free Canvas LMS version.
Is Canvas LMS a cloud-based or self-hosted Learning Management System?
Canvas LMS is a cloud-based learning platform. Canvas LMS was born in the cloud to provide education for all. Canvas LMS was built to deliver the best possible end-user experience and unparalleled reliability and security. Canvas LMS has been a native SaaS from the start and has stayed true to its promise of delivering 99.99% uptime.
Can students use Canvas LMS for free?
Yes. Canvas LMS is 100% free for students. You can access your free Canvas LMS student account if your school uses Canvas or through a free (non-school-associated) Canvas LMS account. Students can log in to their learning management system account by clicking here.
Is Canvas LMS a SaaS?
Yes. Canvas LMS has been a native SaaS (Software as a Service) from the start and has stayed true to its promise of delivering 99.99% uptime. Canvas LMS is a reliable learning management system. It offers a multi-tenant SaaS architecture supported by Amazon Web Services providing seamless hosting, security, backups, and hands-free updates requiring no downtime.
How long has Canvas LMS been around?
Canvas LMS was launched in 2011 by Instructure. In 2012, Instructure began offering open, online courses for everyone, everywhere. It soon became the leading learning management system, unseating the most popular LMSs in the educational industry.
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