Brandwave

Canvas LMS vs Thinkific:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Canvas LMS had more branded searches than Thinkific among learning management systems worldwide. Canvas LMS had about 90,500 branded searches, while Thinkific had 61,500. Canvas LMS made up 0.62% of all learning management system searches we track, and Thinkific accounted for 0.42%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about learning management systems, Thinkific appeared in four of the five answers and Canvas LMS in three. Canvas LMS was mentioned before Thinkific in three out of five answers.

Among learning management systems worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Canvas LMS, about 47% more searches than Thinkific

Canvas LMS 90.5K searchesThinkific 61.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Thinkific, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Canvas LMS in 3

Thinkific in 4 of 5Canvas LMS in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Canvas LMS, named ahead of Thinkific in 3 of 5 answers

Canvas LMS first in 3Thinkific first in 2

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Top learning management systems in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Thinkific was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Canvas LMS was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Canvas LMS was listed before Thinkific in three out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Moodle1st
  2. TalentLMS2nd
  3. Thinkific3rd
  4. Canvas LMS4th
  5. Kajabi5th
  6. Docebo6th
  7. 360Learning7th
  8. Schoology–
  9. D2L–
  10. Blackboard–
  11. +1 more

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Moodle5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Thinkific4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • TalentLMS4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Canvas LMS3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Kajabi2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • 360Learning2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Docebo1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Schoology0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • D2L0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Blackboard0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

+1 more

See every answer about learning management systems

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is Canvas LMS or Thinkific more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Canvas LMS and Thinkific by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 learning management systems we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Canvas LMS and Thinkific among learning management systems worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Canvas LMS, Thinkific. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMoodleSchoologyD2LCanvas LMSKajabiThinkificTalentLMS360LearningDoceboBlackboardArticulate
Oct 202552.7%35.2%8.6%1.2%0.95%0.53%0.34%0.23%0.23%0.07%<0.01%
Nov 202555.2%30.2%11%0.82%1.2%0.68%0.35%0.24%0.24%0.11%<0.01%
Dec 202555.4%30.4%9.1%1.8%1.5%0.68%0.41%0.25%0.3%0.13%<0.01%
Jan 202649.6%33.2%12.1%1.6%1.6%0.75%0.39%0.27%0.33%0.1%<0.01%
Feb 202650%33.5%12.2%0.9%1.6%0.75%0.39%0.27%0.33%0.08%<0.01%
Mar 202656.1%30.7%9.2%1%1.2%0.69%0.44%0.25%0.3%0.06%<0.01%
Apr 202659.5%26.7%9.7%1.1%1.3%0.6%0.44%0.26%0.32%0.05%<0.01%
May 202655.8%30.6%9.2%1.2%1.5%0.69%0.44%0.2%0.3%0.06%<0.01%
Jun 202663.1%23.1%8.5%1.1%1.7%0.95%0.6%0.34%0.51%0.06%<0.01%
Jul 202659.5%21.9%9.8%2%2.9%1.6%1%0.48%0.72%0.1%0.01%
Aug 202635%52.3%8.6%0.95%1.4%0.65%0.41%0.19%0.35%0.1%<0.01%
Sep 202651.1%34.1%12.5%0.62%0.62%0.42%0.25%0.18%0.18%0.05%<0.01%

How has the Canvas LMS and Thinkific comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for learning management systems worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Canvas LMS rose from 5th to 4th among learning management systems worldwide.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Thinkific worldwide fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 75.3K to 61.5K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

6 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Canvas LMS’s and Thinkific’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Canvas LMS

1 branded search term

  • canvaslms

Thinkific

5 branded search terms

  • thinkific
  • thinkific app
  • thinkific course
  • thinkific courses
  • thinkific online courses

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among learning management systems

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