Freedom251 › Open Educational Resource Platforms
MERLOT
What MERLOT is
MERLOT is a free web service for finding, adapting, creating, reviewing and publishing digital materials. Founded in 1997, it includes an open-license filter for locating content with open licensing. Users can remix and adapt materials, create resources with authoring tools, and move work through a publishing workflow. Content review is also part of the service. MERLOT provides API access for programmatic connections. Downloads are available as Common Cartridge, PDF, Zip, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, RTF, TXT, CSV, SAV, SCORM, website, audio, video and image files. Because it runs on the web and has a free plan, users can access these functions without a paid subscription. The combination covers discovery, license filtering, adaptation, authoring, review, publication and export within one online platform.
Who it suits
It suits educators and content creators who need reusable digital materials, open-license filtering, authoring and publishing tools. API access may help users connecting MERLOT with other systems.
What it does well
- Free web-based access
- Open-license filtering
- Remix and adaptation tools
- Broad download format support
- API access and content review
What to know first
- Web platform only
- No paid-plan details are listed
- Founded in 1997
Verdict
MERLOT provides a broad workflow for working with digital learning materials, from finding and adapting content to reviewing, publishing and downloading it. Its free plan makes the listed tools available without a paid subscription.
Facts from MERLOT's own pages
- Founded
- 1997 · merlot.org, 24 Sept 2026
Where MERLOT stands on Freedom251
- Open Educational Resource Platforms#27 of 27