Is Canvas Free-for-Teacher Still Free?
Nope, not anymore The big limit: Status: Shut down in May 2026. The last export window closed Oct 6, 2026
Free-for-Teacher (ended)
Free Plan Limits
| Limit | What you get | How sure we are |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Shut down in May 2026. The last export window closed Oct 6, 2026 | Confirmed sites.udel.eduLast checked October 17, 2026 |
| Replacement | Canvas Lite (free): 5 published courses, 50 learners per course, 500 MB per course, teacher ID and selfie check | Confirmed www.instructure.comLast checked October 17, 2026 |
| Lost in the switch | No course analytics, Roll Call attendance, API tokens or Classic Quizzes in Canvas Lite | Confirmed sites.udel.eduLast checked October 17, 2026 |
Cheapest Paid Plan
Not stated on the vendor's page: Full Canvas is an institution license with no public price. Canvas Lite is free.
Unknownwww.instructure.comLast checked October 17, 2026Privacy
Vendor says: Not stated on the vendor's page: We haven't read this privacy page yet
Unknownwww.instructure.comLast checked October 17, 2026We don't rate privacy. For that, read the vendor's own privacy and FERPA pages.
Notes
Old account logins
Free-for-Teacher logins don't carry over. You need a new Canvas Lite account.
community.instructure.comLast checked October 17, 2026Inactive accounts
Canvas Lite accounts inactive for 6 months in a row may be deleted.
community.instructure.comLast checked October 17, 2026Other Pages We Checked
- https://www.instructure.com/resources/blog/say-hello-canvas-lite
Instructure: Canvas Lite announcement (Sep 11, 2026)
- https://community.instructure.com/en/kb/articles/387052-comparing-canvas-core-to-canvas-lite
Instructure: Canvas Core vs Canvas Lite
- https://www.canvasinsider.blog/p/the-final-days-of-free-for-teacher
Canvas Insider: The Final Days of Free-for-Teacher (Sep 10, 2026)
- https://www.instructure.com/policies/canvas-lite-terms-conditions
Canvas Lite Terms and Conditions (effective Sept 30, 2026)
What Changed
- EndedCanvas Free-for-TeacherNope, not anymore
One-week export window for old Free-for-Teacher courses → Old Free-for-Teacher content no longer available
What the source said
"After October 6, the old content is no longer available."
www.canvasinsider.blog - ReplacedCanvas Free-for-TeacherNope, not anymore
Free-for-Teacher (shut down in May 2026) → Canvas Lite launched as the free replacement, with 5 course, 50 learner and 500 MB caps
What the source said
"Canvas Lite goes live worldwide on September 30, 2026, at canvaslite.instructure.com."
www.instructure.com