BigBlueButton
BigBlueButton is an open-source virtual classroom software designed specifically for online learning, providing teachers with essential tools like real-time polling, breakout rooms, and multi-user whiteboards to engage students effectively.
Degreed
Degreed is a learning experience platform that helps you track, measure, and certify all your professional skills and educational content in one centralized place to accelerate your career growth.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | BigBlueButton | Degreed |
|---|---|---|
| Website | bigbluebutton.org | degreed.com |
| Pricing Model | Free | Custom |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2007 | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Ottawa, Canada | Pleasant Grove, USA |
Overview
BigBlueButton
BigBlueButton is a specialized web conferencing system built by and for educators. Unlike general-purpose meeting tools, you get a platform designed specifically for the dynamics of a classroom. You can engage your students through integrated tools like multi-user whiteboards, real-time polling, and shared notes, all within a browser-based interface that requires no software installation for your participants.
You can easily manage large groups by moving students into breakout rooms for collaborative work or using the 'raise hand' and emoji features to maintain order. Because it is open-source, you have the flexibility to host it on your own servers for maximum privacy or integrate it directly into your existing learning management systems like Moodle, Canvas, or Schoology.
Degreed
Degreed is a flexible learning experience platform (LXP) that helps you manage your professional development by consolidating all your learning resources. Instead of jumping between different apps, you can access internal training, external courses, videos, and articles in one unified dashboard. You can set personal skill goals and receive AI-driven recommendations that match your specific career path and interests.
The platform focuses on skill-building rather than just compliance. You can track your progress through skill ratings and analytics that show exactly where you excel and where you need to grow. It is designed for mid-market and enterprise organizations that want to foster a culture of continuous learning and internal mobility by connecting people with the right opportunities based on their verified abilities.
Overview
BigBlueButton Features
- Multi-User Whiteboard Collaborate with your students in real-time by letting them draw and annotate directly on your presentation slides.
- Breakout Rooms Group your students into private sub-sessions for team projects and collaborative problem-solving exercises during your live class.
- Real-Time Polling Check for student understanding instantly by launching polls and displaying the results to the class in seconds.
- Shared Notes Build a collective knowledge base with your class using a collaborative text editor that everyone can edit simultaneously.
- LMS Integration Connect your virtual classroom directly to Moodle, Canvas, or Sakai to manage your sessions within your existing workflow.
- Session Recording Record your live lectures automatically so your students can review the material and interactive content at their own pace.
Degreed Features
- Unified Learning Feed. Access all your internal company training and external content from across the web in one personalized, easy-to-navigate stream.
- Skill Benchmarking. Measure your current proficiency levels with data-driven assessments to identify exactly which skills you need to develop next.
- AI Content Curation. Receive smart recommendations for courses, articles, and videos based on your unique role, interests, and stated career goals.
- Skill Analytics. Track your team's growth with visual dashboards that highlight skill gaps and progress across your entire organization in real-time.
- Internal Opportunity Marketplace. Find new projects, mentors, or open roles within your company that perfectly match your verified skills and professional aspirations.
- Mobile Learning. Download content and complete your training on the go with native apps that sync your progress across all devices.
Pricing Comparison
BigBlueButton Pricing
- Full source code access
- Self-hosting capabilities
- Unlimited users and sessions
- All educational features included
- Community-based support
- LMS integration modules
- Everything in Open Source, plus:
- Professional server management
- Guaranteed uptime and scaling
- Technical support desk
- Custom branding options
- Simplified setup and updates
Degreed Pricing
Pros & Cons
BigBlueButton
Pros
- Completely free and open-source for self-hosting
- Deep integration with popular learning management systems
- Superior engagement tools compared to generic video tools
- No software downloads required for students or teachers
Cons
- Requires technical expertise to set up and maintain
- High server resource requirements for large sessions
- Interface can feel dated compared to modern SaaS
Degreed
Pros
- Excellent aggregation of diverse content sources
- Highly personalized user interface and experience
- Strong focus on individual skill development
- Easy to track informal learning activities
- Clean and modern visual design
Cons
- Search functionality can feel cluttered occasionally
- Initial setup requires significant administrative effort
- Reporting tools can be complex for beginners