SQL LRS

SQL LRS is a self-hosted Learning Record Store for organizations that want xAPI activity in a SQL database they control. It is a strong fit for teams connecting learning records to analytics or business systems, but not for anyone seeking course creation or a hosted learning platform.

Overview

SQL LRS stores xAPI statements, attachments, and documents. It can collect activity from LMSs, AR/VR/XR experiences, and simulations, then support the exchange of learning data with business and AI systems. Its built-in conditional logic can evaluate incoming activity and create internal xAPI statements for validated outcomes, giving teams a way to turn selected activity into further records.

Customers host the software themselves. That gives organizations control over deployment and database choice, but also means they take responsibility for running the service. SQL LRS is an LRS, not an LMS or content store: it neither creates learning data nor hosts learning content.

Key features

SQL storage and analytics

Documentation lists SQLite, Postgres, MariaDB, and MySQL support. Keeping records in these structured databases can suit teams that want to work with learning data using Power BI, Tableau, Looker, or AI stacks designed for structured databases. Apache Superset is also supported, and a visualization demo is provided.

Rules, access, and standards

Conditional logic can assess incoming activity and generate internal statements for outcomes that meet its conditions. OpenID authentication and API credentials with keys, secrets, and scopes provide documented access options. SQL LRS conforms to IEEE 9274.1.1, which makes it relevant for organizations building around that xAPI-related standard.

Deployment and license

The software is available through GitHub, DockerHub, and Platform One’s Iron Bank. The maker says its Iron Bank containers have Certification to Field for deployment in Platform One IL2 and IL4 environments. SQL LRS uses the Apache 2.0 license, permitting commercial use, though customers still need to host it themselves.

Pricing

The SQL LRS plan costs nothing and is open source under Apache 2.0. It is self-hosted, so the free price does not include a hosted service. Implementation and support services are quoted separately by Yet Analytics, and contracts are available for deployments of any size. No multi-tenant support is offered, which may rule it out for organizations that need one service to separate multiple tenants.

Record export is available in CSV. The free plan is most compelling for teams with the infrastructure and technical capacity to operate their own LRS; organizations that need implementation help should account for separately quoted services.

Platforms

SQL LRS supports API, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows environments, alongside self-hosted deployment. The range gives teams several ways to integrate or run the software, but does not change the operational requirement to host it themselves.

Who it's for

SQL LRS suits organizations collecting xAPI activity from learning systems, immersive experiences, or simulations and storing it in a SQL database they manage. It is especially relevant when learning records need to connect with business intelligence or AI systems that work with structured data. It is a poor fit for teams that want a ready-hosted course platform, content authoring, or a service with built-in multi-tenant support.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Free, commercially usable open source: Apache 2.0 licensing permits commercial projects without a software-plan fee.
• Choice of SQL database: SQLite, Postgres, MariaDB, and MySQL support can fit different existing data environments.
• Useful data connections: Support for several analytics tools and AI stacks makes structured learning records easier to bring into broader analysis workflows.
• More than passive collection: Conditional logic can generate internal statements for validated outcomes.

Cons

• Self-hosting is required: Teams must provide and operate their own deployment rather than rely on a hosted SQL LRS service.
• Not a learning platform: It does not create learning data or host content, so course delivery requires other software.
• No multi-tenant support: Organizations needing tenant separation in a shared service should look elsewhere.
• Services cost extra: Implementation and support require separately quoted contracts.

Alternatives

For a wider comparison, browse Learning Record Store Software.

Veracity Learning is worth considering if you want a free Lite option limited to 5 LRSs and based on your infrastructure, with a free Lite download also available.

Cluelabs LRS offers a free plan and supports Android and iOS as well as API and web platforms, making it an alternative to compare if those platform options matter.

Mosra has a free launch-period plan with unlimited lessons and listed features and exports; choose it if that lesson-oriented scope is closer to your needs.

ADL Open Source LRS is a free proof of concept intended for a small number of users, so it may suit a limited-scale evaluation.

Jupiter offers a hosted LRS free up to 1M events per year, with usage-based pricing above that threshold; it is the alternative to consider if you prefer hosting over operating your own instance.

Ralph is a free, MIT-licensed open-source option distributed as a Python package and Docker image.

Sereni LRS offers a free plan capped at 100,000 xAPI statements or events and 1 GB of storage, alongside unlimited LRSs, reporting, and analytics; it may suit teams whose needs fit those stated quotas.

GrassBlade LRS is a paid alternative with an Essential plan at $66 a year, billed yearly, covering 25,000 statements per month for one instance, with a $4 fee per 1,000 statements over the limit.

Verdict

Choose SQL LRS if you need a free, commercially usable LRS that you can host on your own infrastructure and connect to SQL-based analytics workflows. Its database choice, conditional logic, and structured-data integrations are meaningful advantages for technically equipped teams. Look elsewhere if you need hosted operation, multi-tenant support, or software that creates and delivers learning content.