Canvas LMS

Canvas LMS is an open‑source learning management system released under the AGPL‑3.0 license. It can be self‑hosted and is available without a subscription, providing a free tier for institutions that want to run their own instance. The project is maintained by Instructure and includes detailed installation guides for quick start and production deployments.

The platform is aimed at educators, administrators, and institutions that need to deliver and manage online courses. It offers core features such as a gradebook, assignment grading tools, messaging, and course blueprinting, all designed to streamline instructor workflows and support learner progress. Accessibility and inclusive design are emphasized to meet diverse learner needs.

Canvas distinguishes itself through a large ecosystem of integrations, with support for thousands of external tools, and a community‑driven development model that incorporates feedback from educators worldwide. Its architecture is built on open technology, allowing scalable deployment across schools, districts, or larger organizations.