Canvas LMS

Self-Hosted

Open-source learning management system for educational institutions

Overview

Canvas LMS is a robust open-source platform tailored for K-12, higher education, and corporate training. It empowers instructors to build interactive courses with modules, assignments, quizzes, and discussion boards. Key features include gradebook management, LTI 1.3 integration for third-party tools, real-time collaboration, and mobile accessibility. Self-hosted deployment offers full data control and customization, with support for Linux servers (Ubuntu/Debian) and Docker setups. It scales to large user bases and complies with accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1) for diverse learners.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  canvas_lms:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: canvas-lms
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Customizable course creation with modules and interactive content
Integrated gradebook and assessment tools (quizzes, rubrics)
LTI 1.3 integration for third-party educational apps
Mobile-responsive design for on-the-go learning
Accessibility compliance for inclusive education

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Canvas LMS hard to install?

Canvas requires a Linux server (Ubuntu/Debian preferred) with Ruby, PostgreSQL, and Redis. While Docker images simplify setup, production instances need technical skills for server configuration, scaling, and security. Official documentation from Instructure guides self-hosting steps.

? Is it a good alternative to Blackboard Learn?

Yes—Canvas offers a modern UI, better mobile experience, and flexible customization (via self-hosting) compared to Blackboard. It supports core features like course management and grading, and is widely adopted in educational institutions globally.

? Is it completely free?

The self-hosted Canvas LMS is open-source (AGPLv3 license) and free to use. However, costs may apply for server hosting, maintenance, or third-party support. The cloud-hosted version by Instructure is a paid service.

Top Alternatives

Blackboard Learn Search Google

Schoology Search Google

Google Classroom Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Learning and Courses

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Full data privacy control via self-hosting
⊕ No subscription fees for open-source version
⊕ Highly customizable for institutional needs
⊕ Scalable to support large student/faculty bases

Cons

⊖ Requires technical expertise for production deployment
⊖ Resource-intensive for large-scale instances
⊖ Steeper learning curve for admin configuration
⊖ Regular maintenance needed for security updates