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- D2L Brightspace vs Google Classroom
Which is Best for
Your Class?
How do D2L Brightspace and Google Classroom compare against one another? Find your best digital teaching solution in our comprehensive comparison guide.
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Brightspace vs. Google Classroom
D2L Brightspace and Google Classroom are two of the leading educational software platforms of choice in K-12 classrooms. Both empower teachers to support their students in online learning environments. But how do you know which one is right for your needs?
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Brightspace is a powerful and robust learning management system in the K-12 space. It enables teachers to easily create personalized learning experiences, meeting students where they are. An all-in-one solution, Brightspace is accessible on a range of devices. Boasting templates and tools that make course development and duplication easier, it also integrates with several popular teaching tools, including Zoom and Microsoft Office 365.
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Google Classroom is not a learning management system but does have many of the features typically found in an LMS. A cloud-based online class, Google Classroom lets teachers create an online learning space. They can then invite students to complete and submit assignments, have discussions and more. It integrates seamlessly with the suite of Google Workspace tools (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Meet, etc.) and is free to use for schools.
#1 Easiest to Use LMS
Brightspace has clinched the top spot as the most user-friendly Learning Management System according to G2. With its intuitive interface, seamless navigation, and excellent accessibility features, Brightspace is tailored for your ease.
See why we are #1
Here’s what you’ll find in this comprehensive comparison guide
Feature Snapshot
Looking for a Google Classroom alternative? Here’s how Brightspace compares.
View the comparison
Testimonials
Why students and teachers love Brightspace.
Learn More about why students and teachers love Brightspace
Benefits of Brightspace At A Glance
Built for people who care deeply about helping all students reach their potential.
Learn More about the benefits
Feature Focus
A comprehensive look at how Brightspace compares to Google Classroom.
Learn More and take a comprehensive look
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to some frequently asked questions about D2L Brightspace and Google Classroom.
Learn More by viewing our FAQs
Feature Snapshot
Looking for a Google Classroom alternative? Here’s how Brightspace compares:
Legend:
Full Capabilities = Platform offers all of the specified feature/functionality to users
Some Capabilities = Platform offers some of the specified feature/functionality to users
None = Platform does not offer the specified feature/functionality to users
BrightspaceRequest a Demo |
Google Classroom | |
|---|---|---|
| Easily copy existing content | Full Capabilities | Some Capabilities |
| Create mobile-friendly content using HTML templates | Full Capabilities | None |
| Dedicated portfolio of student work that lasts throughout student’s tenure at school | Full Capabilities | Some Capabilities |
| Customize home pages with branding | Full Capabilities | None |
| Free to use | No | Yes |
| Integrates with Zoom, MS Teams and other Web Conferencing tools | Full Capabilities | Some Capabilities |
| Parents can view child’s activity including upcoming assignments and recent grades | Full Capabilities | Some Capabilities |
| Rich feedback options, including video and audio and multiple assignment types available (images, video, Google Drive) | Full Capabilities | Some Capabilities |
| Quizzes (Question pools and regrading available) | Full Capabilities | None |
| Grade assignments, quizzes, file uploads, text, images and videos | Full Capabilities | Some Capabilities |
| Granular roles and Permissions | Full Capabilities | None |
| LTI standard, v.13 & LTI Advantage | Full Capabilities | None |
| Accessibility Checker | Full Capabilities | None |
| Learning Object Repository | Full Capabilities | None |
| Adaptive Release of course content | Full Capabilities | None |
| Global Announcements | Full Capabilities | None |
| Video Assignments | Full Capabilities | None |
| Automated Teacher Outreach & Intervention | Full Capabilities | None |
| Dedicated Parent & Guardian App | Full Capabilities | None |
| Flexible Assessment | Full Capabilities | Few Capabilities |
| Plagiarism Detection | Some Capabilities | Some Capabilities |
| Dedicated Discussion Tool | Full Capabilities | None |
| Analytics (Core & Peformance+) | Full Capabilities | None |
| Class Progress Dashboard for Educators | Full Capabilities | None |
| Predictive Analytics | Full Capabilities | None |
| User Data Collection and Privacy | Full Capabilities | Some Capabilities |
Don’t take our word for it…
According to G2, an industry leading review site, Brightspace is a powerful learning innovation platform that works for everyone.
G2 testimonials
An excellent LMS to administrate your school courses, good tutorials and big community. Course content creation, many options to create digital courses, interactive content through HTML, adaptable to any other app such as genially, near pod and moreLaura V Technology Coordinator, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Brightspace – great for K-12 students! Accessibility options are excellent and enhance the experience for all learners. D2L staff are responsive and so very helpful – we enjoy working with them! Our students and their families find the LMS very easy to use, and they praise the tools that they access when working in the LMS. Our staff finds the tools very helpful in every aspect of their work – developing courses and content, assessing student work, compiling engagement data, and communicating with students experiencing challenges.Karen F Principal, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
Brightspace is a powerful LMS with many integrated tools. It is a powerful, full-featured LMS. The tools integrate nicely throughout the platform and it allows a lot of customization at both an organization and instructor level.Administrator in Primary/Secondary Education, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
Brightspace has helped me organize my class. What is most helpful in Brightspace is that it is straightforward to use. The content bar was beneficial in organizing my class for my students. It has made our online experience better, with many tools and applications for class and teaching. I love that everything is in one same platform just one click away.Gabriela M Teacher, Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Brightspace is a great tool for students and teachers. What I like best is the way each course can be designed with different amazing formats by the teacher and the versatility of content.Maria Auxiliadora S Graphic Design Teacher, Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
The Benefits of Brightspace, at a Glance
Built for people who care deeply about helping all students reach their potential.
Access
Students can learn at their own pace—and on any device.
Personalization
Engage students with timely, personalized feedback that supports growth and development.
Autonomy
Teach the way you want (with the tools you love) on a flexible platform you can make your own.
Efficiency
Automate administrative tasks and help free up time to personalize the student learning experience.
Transparency
Parents can easily be kept up to date with student activities, lessons and progress.
Centralization
No more switching between systems—manage all your courses on a single platform.
Partnership
Thrive in an educators’ community that grows with you to support the future of K-12 learning.
Experience
Reach your teaching goals faster with a partner that brings more than 20 years of educational experience.
Feature Focus
A comprehensive look at how Brightspace compares to Google Classroom.
System Management
Content
Communication and Collaboration
Assessments
Reporting and Analytics
System Management
Configuring role hierarchies and permissions, how accessible an LMS is and access to SIS integrations all factor into deciding which LMS is best for you.
BrightspaceRequest a demo |
Google Classroom | |
|---|---|---|
| System integrations | Automate creation of online classrooms and appropriate content into each course, along with the enrollment of students, teachers, and principals via SIS and other integrations. Brightspace can be easily integrated to provide Single Sign On for ease of access by all users | Requires manual download and management of users into their courses by teachers unless using Google Workspace for Education Plus edition. (source) Supports SIS integrations through partner products Clever and Elevate Data Sync when using the Google Workspace for Education Plus edition |
| Hierarchy of Roles and Permissions | A role is a mechanism for storing a set of permissions. Assigning permissions to a role dictates what users in that role can see and do in the system. You can create any number of roles for your organization and enroll individual users in different roles for different org units.
| Standard teacher and student roles available, with no customizations. Teacher permissions allow educators to create and manage classes |
| Org units | Org units define the structure of an organization. By default, Brightspace Learning Environment contains org unit types for course offerings, course templates, departments, semesters, and the organization. You can define custom types to match your organization’s structure, such as consortium, college, community of practice, cohort, corporation, association etc. | No default org unit types – must be custom built by institution |
| 3rd Party Integrations with LTI providers | Integrates with 3rd party tools that support the LTI (Learning Tool Interoperability) standard, which provides equitable access to all classroom technologies. | Does not offer integrations with many LTI tools teachers may want to use. Must select from a limited list of custom applications Assignments, as a part of Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals, is available at no charge for educational institutions and supports LTI 1.1 or higher Other integrations must be done through Google Classroom API |
| Accessibility | Accessibility best practices are built into our design and development processes. As part of quality assurance, our products are checked for compliance with the most up-to-date accessibility standards based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Levels A, AA and AAA). Built-in accessibility checker which can help you design course content while considering accessibility attributes Integrates with third-party assistive technologies such as ReadSpeaker | Meets basic requirements. Does not support WCAG 2.1 Level AAA standards. No built-in accessibility checker Depending on your device, Google recommends the following screen readers and browsers:
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Content
The ability to create, duplicate, share and export different types of content is paramount to a teacher’s success. Learn about the various types of content you can create in Brightspace and Google Classroom.
BrightspaceRequest a Demo |
Google Classroom | |
|---|---|---|
| Integration with Content Vendors | Ability to use Brightspace with embedded content from many vendors Content authoring tools such as H5P are also integrated and can be utilized from within the Brightspace Learning Environment to keep educator workflows simple | Ability to use Google Classroom with embedded content from content vendors is limited |
| Teacher Generated Content | Import documents from your computer, Google Drive and the web Use the HTML editor & pre-made templates to build great looking, accessible content within Brightspace Our Creator+ package adds even greater functionality to empower educators to create inspired learning experiences | Import documents from your computer, Google Drive and the web. Can’t create pages within the learning environment, requiring teachers to either use Google Apps documents or a third-party tool Although still in beta, practice sets are a unique feature that help educators transform new & existing content into interactive assignments |
| LOR (Learning Object Repository) | Store individual items or whole units/lessons Taggable and searchable by standards Dynamic linking, meaning any updates are pushed to all courses where the item is embedded Ability to share content to any courses across the organization | Not offered (one third party app does this for Google Classroom, additional cost) Not offered Not offered Not offered |
| User Interface | Icon based navigation for early readers Ability to customize home pages for different ages of learners with look and feel, and tools used (K is different than 12) | Same interface and tools available for all ages of learners No capabilities of icon navigation or to personalize the homepage |
| Copy courses from year to year | Teachers can copy their courses over each year, saving set up time by re-using announcements, content items and more Bulk course copy available | Does not copy all features, or offset due dates, causing more work for teachers. Copied material is also a draft and must be manually published Bulk course copy not available |
| Create differentiated Learning Paths to meet student needs | Control when/how/why learners can move to the next content item via Release Conditions Create groups of students to see content or collaborate on assessments, with invisible differentiation to their peers | No features to support differentiated learning Cannot support creating groups of students for the purpose of differentiated learning |
Communication and Collaboration
Good communication is tantamount to the success of your school. Learn how Brightspace and Google Classroom measure up when it comes to communicating and collaborating with students, admins, teachers and parents.
BrightspaceRequest a Demo |
Google Classroom | |
|---|---|---|
| School pages | Schools can have their own branded and customized landing page that link to courses and other communication channels | No branding or even recognition of which organization the courses are offered through |
| Global Announcements | Push out global announcements (i.e. from central level to all schools) which are presented on every school and course homepages Users can subscribe and receive announcements via text and/or email, in addition to a visual indicator of new activity within the platform | Global announcements are not available Users can subscribe and receive notifications for common course activities only |
| Course Announcements & Activity Feed | Create class-wide announcements or target to only a group of learners Teacher can create video announcements Can include links to documents & activities within Brightspace to Google Docs, external sites/resources and more | Class announcements are available, however, no ability to target a section or grouping of students (can send announcements to selected individual users one by one) No embedded video note tool (confirmed through free Google Classroom account, can provide screenshots) Can include links to documents & activities within Google Docs, external sites/resources and more |
| Automated Teacher Outreach | Automated messages to students based on activity in a course | No automated message support for students Educators can manually email individual students, multiple students and all students or post announcements to an individual class |
| Web Conferencing | Integrations available for MS Teams, Zoom, Google Hangouts and more | Limited to Google Meet and Chat (Hangouts & Meet) |
| Parents & Guardians | Parents have a dedicated mobile application that serves up information about specific components of their child’s course, including the Activity Feed, shared Portfolio artifacts, graded assessments and feedback as well as upcoming Assignments and Quizzes Parents can subscribe to a weekly email report which includes:
| No opportunity for parents to access student work and see progress Parents can subscribe to a weekly email report which includes:
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Assessments
Quizzes, tests, assignments and more. Understand what types of assessments are available in Brightspace and Google Classroom and how each LMS differs when it comes to grading options.
BrightspaceRequest a Demo |
Google Classroom | |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments | Variety of assignment types including in-person, file submission, text-only and video Align assessments and learning objects to standards/learning outcomes/learning objectives Rich feedback options including teacher provided video and audio feedback | File submission and text are the only submission types Cannot align assessments or learning objects to standards or learning objects to standards/learning outcomes/learning objectives No support for video or audio feedback. (recommend chrome extension Mote or Google Keep, as workaround for audio feedback) |
| Discussions | Students can create video, audio, web content and text posts Flexible options for controlling discussions such as anonymous, must post before reviewing other learner responses and much more | Students can only post web content or text posts in discussions No anonymous discussion feature built-in (requires 3rd party tool) |
| Quizzes | Rich summative/formative assessment features for quizzes including date availability, length of time to complete, number of attempts and which submission counts for assessment (first, best, or last) Automated grading of all question types (except written response) Built-in secure quizzing tool Features include question pools, regrading, timer, granting students extra time to complete quizzes and more | Create summative/formative assessments including traditional question types like multiple choice, short answer and more. Automated grading available of some question types Quizzing requires you to use Google Forms. This brings up security concerns as users can easily share and preview the form Missing basic features such as quiz timer, date restrictions, question pools and regrading |
| Gradebook | Assessment tools automatically transfer to the grade book | Gradable items only include Google Apps, file, text and images. |
| Portfolio | Dedicated mobile app designed for students as young as kindergarten to collect artifacts of learning and reflect | Not available |
| Plagiarism Detection | Offered through partners | 5 free reports offered per classroom |
Reporting and Analytics
Tracking and analyzing student progress is a crucial part of their success. See how Brightspace and Google Classroom compare when it comes to reporting and analytics.
BrightspaceRequest a Demo |
Google Classroom | |
|---|---|---|
| Class Progress Dashboard for teachers | Teacher dashboard shows trends across students by reviewing several metrics at any one time, such as content, discussions, assignments, or grades. Detailed metrics of each assessment for teacher to review trends and success of student learning | Teacher dashboards are limited to counts of work submitted and graded Google Classroom itself has no built-in analytics, so it can prove to be quite difficult to track individual students’ contributions, or even specific discussions around readings or activities. |
| User Progress Reporting | Teachers and students can see the same view of student’s progress including overall course progress, time on task for content items, discussion participation, assignment submissions and standards achievement | Can only track progress on individual Google App files. |
| School, Principal, District, and other organizational unit reports | Reports available for schools, principals and districts include login trends, course participation and learner achievement across all courses within a school | Limited reports available to administrators via Google Admin Console Reports include number of active users, classes created, posts created and last active time in Classroom |
| Student Success System with Predictive Analytics | Teachers have predictive analytics and a visual report to spot potential problems sooner, allowing for quicker intervention | Not available |
| User Data Collection and Protection | All user data and course materials are owned by the client, not D2L | Upon graduation, K-12 student users may be prompted to transfer the contents of their school Drive account to a personal Drive account. This may mean they are no longer treated with special protections |
Harness the Power of Partnership
From migration to course design and everything in between, we’re here to help you maximise your results.
Learning Services
Create fantastic learning experiences with our proven course design and development approach.
Learn more about Learning Services
Onboarding Services
Get up to speed quickly with our personalised, people-first approach.
Learn more about onboard and launch services
Customer Support Services
Keep the momentum going post-launch with customised and flexible support.
Learn more about Customer Support Services
Optimization Services
Get the attention and care you need to take your results to the next level.
Learn more about Optimization Services
Frequently Asked Questions
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D2L (which stands for ‘Desire 2 Learn’) is the name of the company that created Brightspace, which is an accessible and powerful learning management system
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There are many factors that go into determining what the ‘best’ learning management system is. D2L Brightspace is a robust, all-in-one teaching platform that enables educators to create truly personalized learning experiences. With multiple integrations available and the ability to create a wide range of content and assessment types (text, image, video, audio), it offers everything you could want in an LMS.
Google Classroom is a free option that integrates with the Google Workspace suite of products, however there are limitations when it comes to content types, sharing and scaling. It’s also not a true LMS, as it is solely cloud-based—however, it does have many features that are typically found in learning management systems.
Ultimately, each institution has to decide what their goals are for their students and work back from there to choose the best LMS for their needs.
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Brightspace and Google integrate seamlessly in multiple ways! Choosing the right online learning tools can be challenging. Having to learn how an entirely new system works can be frustrating—especially if you’re already using tools you love. At D2L, we strive to make teaching and learning easier by helping you use the tools you’re already comfortable with, while also exploring new and exciting features in Brightspace. Brightspace boasts a powerful integration feature that allows educators to continue using what they love in Google, all from the convenience of the Brightspace LMS.
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Yes, it does. As we mentioned above, Brightspace integrates with Google Drive, Gmail, and other tools within the Google Suite of products to simplify your work life. Once you’ve linked your Google Workspace account to your organization account, you’ll be able to view Google Drive directly in the Brightspace ePortfolio.
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Users can try Brightspace free for 30 days to assess if it works for them.
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Brightspace is one of the top-ranked K-12 learning management systems on the market today. Teachers can easily design accessible, personalized learning experiences, create interactive content and track student progress—all from one, centralized platform. Created with the individual student in mind, Brightspace is for people who care deeply about helping all students reach their potential.
Powerful Alone, but Even Better Together
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Improve learner outcomes and performance with adaptive learning and advanced analytics tools.
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Support educators in the efficient development of better learning experiences through engaging course content.
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Whether you’re a first-time or a long-term customer, our services and support can be personalized to your needs to ensure success at every step.
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D2L has made every effort to provide complete and accurate information. The content of this page is based upon information available as of December2022, and it is to be used for informational purposes only. If you identify any information outlined on this page that is inaccurate, please contact us at [emailprotected] with details so we can make the appropriate modification.
