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Ralph
What Ralph is
Ralph is a free, open-source learning analytics toolkit available as an HTTP API server, command-line interface, and library. It is designed for Linux and self-hosted deployment. The LRS server works with Elasticsearch, MongoDB, and ClickHouse; documented library connections also include OVH Log Data Platform, OpenStack Swift, Amazon S3, filesystems, other LRS systems, and WebSockets. Ralph follows xAPI version 1.0.3, but not xAPI 2.0. The server supports HTTP Basic authentication and OpenID Connect over OAuth 2.0, and can enable either or both. Statement access can be limited by authority, while user scopes can restrict endpoints or functionality; both controls are off by default. The LRS can forward statements to other LRS servers with configurable retries and timeouts. Sentry integration monitors the server and CLI. The CLI converts some OpenEdX events to xAPI statements, but only a defined set. Ralph is distributed as a Python package and Docker image under the MIT License. Its API documentation notes unimplemented attachment support, filters, and response formats.
Who it suits
Ralph suits teams building learning analytics workflows that need an xAPI-compatible LRS and are prepared to self-host or work with its API, CLI, or library. It also welcomes community contributions, including questions, design feedback, issues, and code changes.
What it does well
- Free and MIT licensed.
- LRS supports Elasticsearch, MongoDB, and ClickHouse.
- Offers HTTP Basic and OpenID Connect authentication.
- Can forward statements to other LRS servers.
- Available as a Python package and Docker image.
What to know first
- Does not support xAPI 2.0.
- Access controls are disabled by default.
- Some API attachments, filters, and formats are unimplemented.
- OpenEdX conversion covers only a set of events.
Limits
The free Open source plan costs nothing and is MIT licensed. Ralph follows xAPI 1.0.3 rather than xAPI 2.0, and some API features are not implemented.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | MIT licensed · Python package and Docker image | Free |
As openfun.github.io lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Ralph website.
- Choose the Python package or Docker image distribution.
- Deploy Ralph on Linux or in a self-hosted environment.
- Select an LRS data backend: Elasticsearch, MongoDB, or ClickHouse.
- Configure HTTP Basic authentication, OpenID Connect, or both as needed.
Verdict
Ralph provides a free, self-hostable learning analytics toolkit with several database backends and authentication options. Check its xAPI version and documented API gaps against your requirements before adopting it.
Questions
How much does Ralph cost?
The Open source plan is free.
Is Ralph open source?
Yes. Ralph is released under the MIT License.
Where can Ralph run?
Ralph supports Linux and self-hosted deployment. It is distributed as a Python package and Docker image.
Which xAPI version does Ralph support?
Ralph follows xAPI specification version 1.0.3 and does not currently support xAPI 2.0.
Which databases can Ralph LRS use?
The LRS supports Elasticsearch, MongoDB, and ClickHouse.
Who maintains Ralph?
The project describes itself as community-driven and invites questions, design feedback, issues, and code changes.
Facts from Ralph's own pages
- Access controls
- Ralph can restrict statement access by authority and limit endpoints or functionality with user scopes; both controls are disabled by default. · openfun.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Authentication
- The API server supports HTTP Basic authentication and OpenID Connect on top of OAuth 2.0, and either or both can be enabled. · openfun.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Data backends
- Ralph LRS supports Elasticsearch, MongoDB, and ClickHouse databases. · openfun.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Data conversion
- The CLI can convert OpenEdX events to xAPI statements, but conversion is supported only for a set of OpenEdX events. · openfun.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Distribution and license
- Ralph is distributed as a Python package and Docker image and is released under the MIT License. · openfun.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Intended audience
- The project describes itself as community-driven and invites people to contribute questions, design feedback, issues, and code changes. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Known API gaps
- The API documentation marks statement attachments, several filters, and some response formats as not implemented. · openfun.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Monitoring
- Ralph provides Sentry integration to monitor its LRS server and CLI. · openfun.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Other integrations
- The library documents backends for OVH Log Data Platform, OpenStack Swift, Amazon S3, filesystems, other LRS systems, and WebSockets. · openfun.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Ralph is a learning analytics toolbox available as an LRS HTTP API server, a command-line interface, and a library. · openfun.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Statement forwarding
- The LRS can forward received xAPI statements to other LRS servers, with configurable retries and timeouts. · openfun.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- xAPI support
- Ralph follows xAPI specification version 1.0.3 and does not currently support xAPI 2.0. · openfun.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
Where Ralph stands on Freedom251
- Learning Record Store Software#7 of 23