Best Alma SIS Alternatives in 2026
The top Alma SIS alternatives are Canvas LMS, Moodle LMS and Blackboard Learn: 15 education software our editors would look at instead of Alma SIS, in our ranking order.
Alma SIS: A web-based SIS covering core student, classroom, enrollment, and administrative workflows. Where it falls short: requires contacting sales for pricing.
Switching from Alma SIS? For most education software buyers the best Alma SIS alternative is Canvas LMS, built for schools needing a mature, connected LMS. On a budget, Kahoot! starts at $3/mo. Moodle LMS has a free plan, which Alma SIS does not.
Why People Look for an Alma SIS Alternative
- Requires contacting sales for pricing
- Available as a web application only
- Documentation is the listed support channel
- No free plan — 8 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallCanvas LMS9.3
Schools needing a mature, connected LMS
Visit Canvas LMS - Lowest priceKahoot!8.3
Paid plans from $3/mo
Visit Kahoot! - Best free optionMoodle LMS9.2
Has a free plan (Alma SIS has none)
Visit Moodle LMS
All 15 Alma SIS Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forSchools needing a mature, connected LMS
- Better than Alma SIS:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 6.3
A connected LMS for course delivery, assessment, grading, and learner progress.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Canvas LMS -
Best forOrganizations wanting a flexible open-source LMS
- Better than Alma SIS:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.2 vs 6.3
A flexible LMS with self-hosting, MoodleCloud plans, and tools for courses and assessment.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Moodle -
Best forLarge institutions seeking a full-featured LMS
- Better than Alma SIS:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 6.3
An institution-focused LMS for course delivery, assessment, grading, and progress reporting.
9.1/10★★★★★Try Blackboard Learn -
Best forInstitutions needing analytics and assessment tools
- Better than Alma SIS:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 6.3
Course delivery, assessment and analytics for institutions seeking configurable learning tools.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit D2L -
Best forSchools wanting an affordable classroom platform
- Better than Alma SIS:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.8 vs 6.3
Google Classroom combines classwork, grading, mobile access, and Google Workspace integration.
8.8/10★★★★☆Try Google Classroom -
Best forTeams building open online courses
- Better than Alma SIS:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.6 vs 6.3
A flexible course platform for organizations prepared to operate or arrange hosting.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Open edX -
Best forOrganizations wanting a free self-hosted LMS
- Better than Alma SIS:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.3
A capable open-source LMS for organizations prepared to manage their own deployment.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Chamilo LMS -
Best forEducators creating interactive learning content
- Better than Alma SIS:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.4 vs 6.3
An open-source authoring tool for interactive lessons, not a full LMS.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit H5P -
Best forTeachers running interactive live lessons
- Better than Alma SIS:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.3
A live lesson engagement tool with quizzes, polls, Q&A, and reporting.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Kahoot! -
Best forSchools wanting LMS and SIS connections
- Better than Alma SIS:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.0 vs 6.3
A K–12 LMS connecting courses, gradebooks, mobile apps, and SIS workflows.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Schoology -
Best forSchools focused on admissions and reenrollment
- Better than Alma SIS:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.3
A focused admissions system for schools managing applications through reenrollment.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Blackbaud -
Best forInstitutions wanting a self-hosted LMS with exams
- Better than Alma SIS:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.3
A self-hosted LMS with course tools, exams, certificates, and standards support.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit ILIAS -
Best forSchools needing an all-in-one student platform
- Better than Alma SIS:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.3
A broad student platform spanning SIS, academics, administration, billing, and transport.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Classter -
Best forK-12 schools needing broad SIS workflows
- Better than Alma SIS:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.3
A broad K-12 SIS linking academic, family, enrollment, and financial workflows.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit FACTS SIS -
Best forDistricts needing student records and gradebooks
- Better than Alma SIS:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 6.3
A broad K–12 SIS for records, attendance, grading, portals, payments, and scheduling.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit PowerSchool
Alma SIS Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Alma SIS?
Canvas LMS: #1 in our Education Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A connected LMS for course delivery, assessment, grading, and learner progress.
Is there a free alternative to Alma SIS?
Yes. Moodle LMS, Google Classroom, Open edX, Chamilo LMS and H5P have a free plan or a free tier (8 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Alma SIS alternatives?
Requires contacting sales for pricing; Available as a web application only; Documentation is the listed support channel.
How do I switch from Alma SIS?
Export your data from Alma SIS (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Alma SIS.
How to Switch from Alma SIS
- Export your data from Alma SIS (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Alma SIS.
Alma SIS vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Alma SIS | No | 6.3 | |
| 1 | Canvas LMS | No | 9.3 | |
| 2 | Moodle LMS | Yes | Free | 9.2 |
| 3 | Blackboard Learn | No | 9.1 | |
| 4 | D2L Brightspace | 9.0 | ||
| 5 | Google Classroom | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 6 | Open edX | Yes | Free | 8.6 |
| 7 | Chamilo LMS | Yes | Free | 8.5 |
| 8 | H5P | Yes | Free | 8.4 |
| 9 | Kahoot! | Yes | $3/mo | 8.3 |
| 10 | Schoology Learning | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 11 | Blackbaud Enrollment Management System | 7.9 | ||
| 12 | ILIAS | Yes | Free | 7.9 |
| 13 | Classter | No | 7.9 | |
| 14 | FACTS SIS | 7.8 | ||
| 15 | PowerSchool SIS | 7.7 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update