Side by side
edX vs OpenSesame
Both stand on online course marketplaces. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb
edX offers a broad mix of courses and longer programs, with a free audit path and paid verified study options. Check the audit limits and course-specific price before choosing a track.
Visit edX
Paid Web
OpenSesame offers a large course marketplace alongside administration, creation, and delivery tools. Its paid plans cover individuals and organizations, with pricing and access varying by plan and user count.
Visit OpenSesameThe facts
| edX | OpenSesame | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone, Web | Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Essentials: $150 a year | OpenSesame Plus Complete — Small/Medium Business: $18.05 a month |
| Plans published | 9 | 12 |
| Maker | edX | OpenSesame |
| Website | edx.org | opensesame.com |
| On online course marketplaces | #5 of 138 | #106 of 138 |
edX: what it does well
- Free auditing lets learners explore courses.
- Verified learners retain course materials after the course ends.
- Mobile apps support offline video downloads.
- Institutional tools include analytics and grade pass-back.
What to know first
- Audits exclude graded assignments and certificates.
- Audit access to materials ends with the course.
- Timed and proctored exams are unavailable in the app.
- Verified courses start at around $50.
OpenSesame: what it does well
- Over 60,000 courses from more than 140 publishers
- AI-assisted creation and translation in 70+ languages
- Administrative curation and compatibility tools
- CourseCloud tracks learners, paths, deadlines, and progress
- Certificates and business plans are available
What to know first
- No free plan
- Individual monthly plan is 21.99 USD
- Some integrations require sales eligibility checks
Alternatives to edX Alternatives to OpenSesame The whole list