Canvas LMS vs Thinkific:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Thinkific had more branded searches than Canvas LMS among learning management systems in New Zealand. Thinkific had about 390 branded searches, while Canvas LMS had 280. Thinkific made up 0.71% of all learning management system searches we track, and Canvas LMS accounted for 0.51%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about learning management systems, Canvas LMS and Thinkific each appeared in two of the five answers. Canvas LMS was mentioned before Thinkific in two out of three answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Thinkific, about 39% more searches than Canvas LMS
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 2 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Canvas LMS, named ahead of Thinkific in 2 of 3 answers
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Top learning management systems in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Canvas LMS and Thinkific were each mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Canvas LMS was listed before Thinkific in two out of three answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Moodle1st
Totara2nd
TalentLMS3rd- Thinkific4th
- Canvas LMS5th
Teachable6th
Docebo–
Blackboard–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Moodle4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Totara3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- TalentLMS3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Thinkific2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Canvas LMS2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Teachable2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Docebo0 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
See every answer about learning management systems
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which learning management system should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best learning management systems in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best learning management system in New Zealand for an online course?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“learning management system nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“online training platform”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand 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 eight learning management systems we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Thinkific, Canvas LMS. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Moodle | Totara | Thinkific | Canvas LMS | TalentLMS | Teachable | Docebo | Blackboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 86.8% | 9.7% | 1.3% | 0.51% | 0.45% | 1% | 0.25% | 0.06% |
| Nov 2025 | 84.1% | 11.5% | 1.5% | 0.49% | 0.55% | 1.5% | 0.27% | 0.09% |
| Dec 2025 | 65.1% | 24.3% | 3.8% | 0.87% | 1.3% | 3.8% | 0.67% | 0.29% |
| Jan 2026 | 65.2% | 23.6% | 4.6% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 3.1% | 0.86% | 0.16% |
| Feb 2026 | 86.4% | 9.7% | 1.2% | 0.8% | 0.46% | 1% | 0.26% | 0.08% |
| Mar 2026 | 92.1% | 5.6% | 0.72% | 0.6% | 0.27% | 0.48% | 0.12% | 0.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 90% | 6.6% | 1.3% | 0.77% | 0.48% | 0.57% | 0.22% | 0.04% |
| May 2026 | 89.7% | 6.7% | 0.86% | 1.6% | 0.32% | 0.57% | 0.21% | 0.11% |
| Jun 2026 | 91.6% | 5.6% | 0.71% | 0.75% | 0.49% | 0.59% | 0.22% | 0.05% |
| Jul 2026 | 91.1% | 5.6% | 0.87% | 1.2% | 0.4% | 0.58% | 0.2% | 0.04% |
| Aug 2026 | 91.6% | 5.5% | 0.71% | 1.1% | 0.27% | 0.59% | 0.13% | 0.05% |
| Sep 2026 | 91% | 6.8% | 0.71% | 0.51% | 0.4% | 0.38% | 0.15% | 0.04% |
How has the Canvas LMS and Thinkific comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Canvas LMS took it in May 2026, Thinkific took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Canvas LMS’s share of searches among learning management systems in New Zealand held steady at 0.51%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 240 to 280.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Thinkific’s share of searches among learning management systems in New Zealand moved from 1.3% to 0.71%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 590 to 390.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand learning management systems in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Canvas LMS lost share of searches among learning management systems in New Zealand, from 1.1% to 0.51%.
In September 2026, Thinkific rose from 4th to 3rd among learning management systems in New Zealand.
How are branded searches counted?
3 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
2 branded search terms
- canvas instructure
- canvaslms
Thinkific
1 branded search term
- thinkific
Other head-to-heads among learning management systems
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