Migrating from Canvas to Moodle helps organizations reduce costs, gain flexibility, and take full control of their learning management system (LMS). Moodle, being open-source, offers greater customization and integration options compared to Canvas.
The migration process includes moving course content, quizzes, assignments, student records, and learning history. Choosing the right approach ensures a smooth transition with minimal disruption.
I recently migrated my site to Mindfield from another host, and the experience couldn’t have been better. Mindfield kept working until they were certain that my site was operating as well as it was before, and they even helped clean up a few issues to improve my site’s performance – issues my prior host never mentioned. I also found Mindfield’s communication to be excellent. Before the migration, they prepared me for what to expect, and during the migration they kept me well-informed. No small feat considering that changing hosts is inherently stressful! They also provided clear and concise explanations when required. I’d highly recommend Mindfield if you’re looking for an IT consultant, developer, or host.
Jim Benedek
Owner, Student First Media Inc.
Review Source: Google Reviews
Outline
Why Migrate from Canvas to Moodle?
Approaches to Migrate Canvas to Moodle
Ways to Migrate from Canvas to Moodle
How Moodle Expert help to Migrate from Canvas to Moodle?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why Migrate from Canvas to Moodle?
- Cost Savings – Moodle is open-source with no licensing fees.
- Customization – Modify Moodle to fit your institution’s needs.
- Data Ownership – Keep full control of user data and learning history.
- Integration – Connect Moodle with third-party tools, plugins, and extensions.
- Scalability – Moodle supports large institutions and growing organizations.
Approaches to Migrate Canvas to Moodle
Assess Existing Canvas Data
- Identify the courses, quizzes, and assignments that need migration.
- Determine if you need user data, learning history, or grades.
- Check Canvas export options (Common Cartridge, IMS, or manual downloads).
Choose the Right Migration Method
- Select a method based on complexity, accuracy, and automation needs.
- Decide whether you will use built-in Moodle tools, third-party software, or a custom migration tool.
Test the Migration on a Small Scale
- Move a few courses first to identify any issues.
- Ensure quizzes, assignments, and files retain their original structure.
Perform Full-Scale Migration
- Once testing is successful, proceed with the entire migration.
- Ensure all users, roles, and permissions are correctly mapped.
Verify and Optimize in Moodle
- Check all courses, quizzes, and assignments for accuracy.
- Adjust broken links, missing content, or formatting issues.
- Optimize Moodle settings for better performance and user experience.
Ways to Migrate from Canvas to Moodle
Manual Migration
This method involves exporting course content from Canvas and manually uploading it into Moodle. Course materials, quizzes, and assignments need to be rebuilt manually in Moodle.
How It Works:
- Download course files, assignments, and other materials from Canvas.
- Recreate quizzes and question banks in Moodle.
- Upload resources and organize them within Moodle’s course structure.
Best For:
- Attachments (which import correctly) and WikiPages, DiscussionTopics, and Assignments (which must be manually recreated).
- Small-scale migrations with a limited number of courses.
- Organizations that prefer full control over course structure.
Challenges & Mitigation:
- Time-consuming for courses with many quizzes, discussions, and assignments.
- Risk of human error when manually reconstructing quizzes and grading criteria.
- Formatting inconsistencies → Create templates in Moodle for a uniform structure before uploading content.
Using Moodle’s Import Tools
Canvas allows exporting courses in Common Cartridge format, which can then be imported into Moodle using Moodle’s built-in import tools.
How It Works:
- Export Canvas courses as a Common Cartridge (.imscc) file.
- Import the file into Moodle using the Restore Course function.
- Review and adjust the content, as some formatting may not transfer correctly.
Best For:
- Works well for Attachments but does not fully support Quizzes, ExternalURLs, Assignments, or WikiPages.
- Schools or businesses looking for a semi-automated solution.
Challenges & Mitigation:
- Quizzes import as unstructured text, requiring manual fixes or a custom converter.
- ExternalURLs and assignments do not transfer fully.
- Loss of user roles and permissions → Set up Moodle roles and permissions before importing user data.
Third-Party Migration Tools
No fully developed tools currently exist for Canvas-to-Moodle migration. Some advertised tools claim support. Verify tool capabilities before purchasing.
How It Works:
- Select a migration tool or plugin (e.g. LMS Migration, Canvas Question Import Plugin).
Note: While there are advertised third-party migration tools for Canvas to Moodle, many of them are still in development. After reaching out, we found that no fully supported, pre-developed tools are currently available. - Connect both Canvas and Moodle to the tool.
- Automate the migration process, allowing bulk transfer of courses and user data.
Best For:
- Organizations looking for faster migration with minimal manual effort.
- Schools and businesses migrating multiple courses at once.
Challenges & Mitigation:
- Licensing fees or additional costs → Compare different migration tools to find one that fits your budget and needs.
- Limited customization options → Choose a tool that allows for some level of customization or manually adjust settings post-migration.
- Data accuracy concerns → Run a trial migration to test how well the tool transfers content before committing to full-scale migration.
Custom Migration Tool (Best Option for Large Migrations)
A custom migration tool is the best option for organizations with a large number of courses, users, and historical data. This approach ensures a fully automated transfer without the limitations of prebuilt tools.
How It Works:
- Develop a custom script or tool that extracts, transforms, and loads (ETL) data from Canvas to Moodle.
- Automatically transfer course content, quizzes, user records, and grades.
- Adjust and customize Moodle settings for a seamless experience.
Best For:
- Automating the migration of Quizzes and ExternalURLs using a converter.
- Attachments transfer successfully, while other elements (WikiPages, Assignments, and DiscussionTopics) require manual recreation.
- Universities, corporations, and institutions with complex course structures.
- Organizations that need a high level of accuracy and automation.
Challenges & Mitigation:
- Requires technical expertise → Work with Moodle migration experts who can build and optimize the tool.
- Initial setup takes time → Plan migration in advance and run test batches before full implementation.
- Custom scripts may need updates for future Moodle versions → Keep a maintenance plan in place to update the tool as needed.
Comparing Various Migration Methods
| Migration Method | Ease | Speed | Accuracy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Moodle Import Tools | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Third-Party Tools | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Custom Migration | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ |
Canvas Object Types and Migration Feasibility
| Canvas Object Type | Importable to Moodle? | Details | Recommended Migration Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz | ❌ No | Quizzes import as unstructured markup text. | Develop a custom converter to reconstruct quizzes in Moodle. |
| Attachment | ✅ Yes | PDFs and media files import successfully. | Use Moodle’s built-in import tools. |
| WikiPage | ❌ No | Content is stored externally in Canvas’ Wiki app and not included in the export. | Manual recreation in Moodle. |
| DiscussionTopic | ❌ No | Only forum titles are included in the export, not the actual discussion content. | Manual recreation in Moodle. |
| ExternalUrl | ❌ No (but possible) | Titles and URLs are available in the IMSCC export, but not formatted for Moodle. | Develop a converter to migrate links properly. |
| Assignment | ⚠️ Partially | Instructions import, but grading rubrics and scoring details are missing. | Manual recreation with grading setup in Moodle. |
How Moodle Expert help to Migrate from Canvas to Moodle?
Migrating from Canvas to Moodle is a complex process. Many institutions attempt DIY migration, but this often leads to missing data, broken courses, and time-consuming fixes.
A Moodle expert ensures a smooth and accurate migration with no data loss or technical issues. Here’s why an expert is the better choice:
- Complete Data Transfer – All courses, quizzes, assignments, and grades are migrated.
- Error-Free Migration – No missing files, broken links, or incomplete quizzes.
- Time-Saving – No need to manually recreate courses or fix migration errors.
- Customization & Optimization – Moodle experts tailor the LMS to your needs.
- Post-Migration Support – Assistance with troubleshooting and training.
Trying to migrate on your own may seem cost-effective, but fixing errors later takes more time and effort. Hiring a Moodle expert ensures a hassle-free transition and allows you to focus on training and education instead of technical challenges.
Migrating from Canvas to Moodle is a smart move for organizations that want cost savings, flexibility, and control over their LMS.
A structured migration approach helps avoid errors, while the right migration method ensures data accuracy and smooth transition. If you want minimal downtime, complete data transfer, and expert support, working with a Moodle migration specialist is the best decision.
