Side by side
LearnDash vs Open eLMS
Both stand on learning management systems. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
LearnDash provides course creation, selling, memberships, and reporting within WordPress. Its broad integrations and included MemberDash support varied learning businesses, while several group and instructor controls are limited to Elite.
Visit LearnDashChoose Open eLMS if you want a learning platform with course creation and delivery, analytics, assessments, and options for SSO and API integration. The free Standard plan has caps on external courses and smart classroom events; teams needing higher allowances can consider the paid LMS tiers. Separate products cover SCORM downloads and course generation.
Visit Open eLMSThe facts
| LearnDash | Open eLMS | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, API, iPhone, Self-hosted, Web | API, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Essentials: $259 a year | Open eLMS Professional: £10 per user a year |
| Plans published | 3 | 11 |
| Maker | LearnDash | Open eLMS |
| Website | liquidweb.com | openelms.com |
| On learning management systems | #9 of 111 | #13 of 111 |
LearnDash: what it does well
- Drag-and-drop course and assessment builder
- AI-generated course outlines
- MemberDash included on every plan
- Integrated payment and membership options
- 48-hour trial without a credit card
What to know first
- No free plan is listed
- Group enrollment and seat selling require Elite
- Multi-instructor tools require Elite
- Requires a WordPress site
Open eLMS: what it does well
- Free Standard plan includes 200 eLearning credits.
- Library includes over 3,100 professional courses.
- Lists assessments, certificates, SSO, and API access.
- Smart Classrooms integrate Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
- Maker lists ISO 27001, ISO 9001, ISO 20000, and Cyber Essentials Plus.
What to know first
- Standard limits external courses to 3.
- Standard limits smart classroom events to 3.
- Professional and Enterprise LMS tiers require annual per-user payment.
- eLearning Credits requires a Professional or Enterprise LMS plan.
Alternatives to LearnDash Alternatives to Open eLMS The whole list