Open-Source LMS
Free to download does not mean free to run, and that is the first thing to weigh on this shelf. Open-source learning platforms such as Open edX, Chamilo, ILIAS and Sakai give an institution or company the source code, full control of its data and no per-user license, in return for hosting, upgrades, security patches and plugin maintenance handled in-house or by a partner. Several commercial firms sell hosted editions, support contracts or free hosted instances built on these projects, and they are listed here too. What to compare is the size and activity of each project's community, the plugin ecosystem, how painful major version upgrades are, and whether the design suits university courses, corporate training or open MOOC-style enrollment.
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Open-source LMS used by universities, schools and enterprises for managing large-scale learning programs with extensive customization options.
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Free, open source course authoring and LMS platform stewarded by Axim Collaborative, run by universities, governments and companies on their own servers or through providers.
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Chamilo LMS is a free, GPLv3+ licensed open source e-learning platform with 41M+ learners, a certified Digital Public Good, and official administrator and course builder certifications.
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Fully open source LMS created by and for higher education, coordinated by the Apereo Foundation, with lessons, tests, gradebook, LTI integration and free self-hosted or cloud trials.
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Free open source LMS developed since 1998 and released under the GPL, used by universities, companies, schools and public bodies, with SCORM, QTI and LTI support.
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An enterprise LMS with an open code base, used by 1,500+ organizations and 21 million users, delivered through 75+ certified partners for compliance-heavy training.
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Moodle-based learning management system run as a managed cloud service on AWS, with AI tools, reporting and multi-tenancy for universities and organizations.
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Open-source education ERP and LMS on the Odoo framework, with an LGPL-3.0 Free Edition, a cloud edition, 70+ modules, AI course tools and a No-Code Studio.
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Edly builds, hosts and customizes Open edX learning platforms for universities, schools, companies and nonprofits, with its own Studio, Panel, Go app and Discovery storefront.
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Sunbird
NewMIT-licensed set of modular building blocks for learning and training at national scale, developed by EkStep Foundation and the base of India's DIKSHA platform.
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Open-source learning platform for creators, schools and agencies, with a free plan, paid cloud plans from $49 a month and a self-hosted option.
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Open-source platform for selling courses, digital downloads and communities, hosted from $12 a month with no transaction fees or free to run on your own server.
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Free Moodle hosting aimed at small schools in emerging or developing countries, with an ad-supported free plan, a $9.95 Plus plan and a Premium Virtual Server.
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A Moodle-based learning platform from Mediamaisteri with an AI Tutor, over 40 H5P task types, SCORM import and automated user management for companies, schools and associations.
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Swiss Moodle-based LMS with AI authoring, built for organizations that value data sovereignty and open-source flexibility.
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Hosted Moodle 5.1 LMS from Indonesia for schools and companies, with a 12-month free package, AI quiz generation, Safe Exam Browser support and a dedicated-server plan for school exams.
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AGPLv3 open source LMS from BeyondTech IT Solutions, built for organizations in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, with Arabic and English, SCORM and automated certificates.
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Self-hosted Laravel and React LMS bought once on CodeCanyon, for selling courses solo or running a multi-instructor marketplace with commissions and no monthly fees.
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Kprise's MyPass LMS bundles native AMS sync, CE credit tracking, AI course building, proctoring, DRM and ecommerce, with unlimited users self-hosted free or managed from $99 a month.
Frequently asked questions
Are open-source LMS options truly free to use?
While you can download the source code for free, you'll often need to pay for hosting, upgrades, or managed services. Some platforms offer free self-hosted versions, while others provide low-cost monthly plans for cloud-based hosting.
Can I find an open-source platform that includes AI features?
Yes, several options on this list incorporate AI for tasks like course building, quiz generation, or providing an AI tutor. These tools can help automate content creation and student support.
What is the difference between self-hosting and a managed plan?
Self-hosting means you run the software on your own server, which gives you full control but requires you to handle technical maintenance. Managed or cloud plans involve paying a monthly fee to a provider who handles the hosting and technical infrastructure for you.
Do these platforms support selling courses and digital downloads?
Some specific open-source options are built specifically for creators and businesses to sell courses or digital products. These models often feature no transaction fees or allow you to manage your own ecommerce through a self-hosted setup.
Which options are best if I need to comply with strict training standards?
You should look for platforms used by large organizations for compliance-heavy training or those that offer specific features like proctoring and DRM. Certain enterprise-grade options are also delivered through certified partners to ensure they meet professional requirements.