15 Best open source LMS platforms in 2025

Learning management systems (LMS) are a staple in the contemporary workplace and help businesses stay on top of employee training and development. 

Global Newswire says that the LMS market is expected to grow by 19.2% a year from 2023 to 2030. Growth is driven by rising demand for eLearning, personalized training, remote onboarding, and increased use of mobile learning. 

Usually, surges in digital adoption signal a shift towards more structured, scalable knowledge solutions. This has a knock-on effect in the workplace, leading to proactive skill development and a sense of ownership among employees. 

Open-source LMSs take this a step further, offering unparalleled flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and customization options. Organizations can tailor the platform to their exact needs and scale as required, without the hefty licensing fees associated with proprietary systems. 

This article explores fifteen leading open-source LMS platforms transforming corporate learning, highlighting usability, scalability, and suitability to help you choose the right solution.

1. Moodle 

• Review Rating: 4.1/5 (438 Reviews)
• Suitable For: Customizable, scalable learning platform

Kicking off our list at number one is Moodle, the most trusted open-source LMS worldwide. It tops our list because every course, gradebook, and dashboard can be customized without restrictions. 

Backed by a vibrant global community, Moodle offers thousands of plugins and integrations designed by users who know what works. Whether you’re running courses for a handful of staff or a global team, Moodle puts every setting in your hands and lets you shape learning that gets used, remembered, and shared.

2. Open edX 

• Review Rating: 4.5/5 (118 Reviews)
• Suitable For: Enterprise-ready learning at scale

Next on our list, just missing the top spot, is Open edX. Designed for businesses serious about scalability, it shines when you need to deliver courses to thousands at once without losing control over content or branding. 

Its open-source foundation means you can tweak, extend, and integrate it exactly how you need. With robust user behavior analytics (UBA), interactive tools, and a strong developer community, Open edX turns complex learning programs into flexible, engaging experiences that grow with your organization.

3. Canvas LMS 

• Review Rating: 4.4/5 (1,809 Reviews)
• Suitable For: Intuitive, open-source LMS

Rounding out our top three open-source LMS platforms is Canvas LMS. Its standout feature is simplicity, with users respecting the intuitive interface that learners enjoy as they learn. Admins maintain full control over customizing courses, grading, and integrations. 

Canvas is one of the most flexible platforms on our list, allowing you to integrate functionality with open-source tools and community-built plugins. Both small teams and enterprise-level customers like Canvas for delivering experiential learning that is ready to grow alongside your organization.

4. Chamilo 

• Review Rating: 4.9/5 (18 Reviews)
• Suitable For: User-friendly, lightweight LMS

Next up is Chamilo, what we’d call a nimble and approachable open-source LMS that proves simplicity can be powerful. It’s designed to get teams learning quickly, with an interface that’s easy to navigate and tools that make course creation fast and flexible. 

Beyond open-source usability, Chamilo offers reporting, certifications, and social learning features, making it practical for both small organizations and growing enterprises. Lightweight, efficient, and backed by an active community, it’s a platform that keeps learners engaged without overwhelming administrators.

5. ILIAS 

• Review Rating: 4.6/5 (5 Reviews)
• Suitable For: Comprehensive learning management

ILIAS, our next entry, takes a different approach, putting compliance training front and center. Instead of flashy dashboards, it offers precision: detailed learning paths, strong permissions, and advanced assessment tools that make it ideal for regulated industries. 

Its open-source nature means you can mold it to fit specific digital workflows or integrate specialized plugins. For organizations that need control without surrendering flexibility, ILIAS is a learning environment that’s robust and reliable. It lets admins and learners focus on progress without stalling. 

6. Sakai 

• Review Rating: 3.7/5 (99 Reviews)
• Suitable For: Collaborative, academic-focused LMS

Built with open-source freedom, Sakai stands out for open-source collaboration at scale. It’s perfect for organizations that rely on group learning and discussion. Forums, wikis, and shared academic resources come built in and customizable, making partnerships feel less like a nuisance. 

Flexible grading and course tools keep instructors in control, and active community members regularly contribute tweaks and enhancements. Teams that thrive on peer-driven learning enjoy this uniquely adaptable platform that turns courses into connected experiences.

7. Totara Learn 

• Review Rating: 4.3/5 (69 Reviews)
• Suitable For: Tailored corporate learning solution

Totara Learn puts open-source control in your hands like few other LMSs can. Every learning path can be molded to fit your organization’s exact needs, without compromise. 

Integrations, performance tracking, and microlearning modules slide effortlessly into place, giving teams freedom to experiment and scale. It’s a system designed for businesses that want transparency, allowing training to evolve as quickly as your people and without being locked into one-size-fits-all solutions. 

8. Forma LMS 

• Review Rating: 4.5/5 (11 Reviews)
• Suitable For: Corporate training simplified

We’re hitting the halfway mark, but that doesn’t mean you should stop reading. Forma LMS definitely deserves a closer look. Designed for open-source use from the ground up, it puts course creation, reporting, and learner management entirely under your control. 

A modular structure means you can add features as needed, from eCommerce to certifications, without bloating the platform. Businesses that need a balance of simplicity and customization, Forma LMS is a lean system that adapts to the evolving training demands of a modern business. 

9. Open LMS 

• Review Rating: 4.0/5 (77 Reviews)
• Suitable For: Scalable, customizable learning

Next up on our list, coming in at number nine, is Open LMS. As the name suggests, it’s built on open-source principles, giving organizations full control over courses, branding, and integrations. 

The USP for this platform is its focus on versatility at scale. Open LMS adapts without restrictions, with analytics, collaborative technology tools, and a strong support community. It makes managing complex learning programs straightforward, practical, and genuinely user-friendly.

10. ATutor 

• Review Rating: N/A
• Suitable For: Accessible, adaptive LMS

Sliding in at number ten is ATutor, a compact open-source LMS that punches well above its weight. It emphasises accessibility and adaptability, letting you create courses that are usable by everyone, on any device. 

From content creation to tracking learner progress, ATutor keeps control in your hands while staying easy to manage. With a small footprint and a dedicated community contributing extensions, it’s ideal for organizations that want an LMS that’s inclusive and flexible without compromise.

11. Masteriyo 

• Review Rating: 4.7/5 (17 Reviews)
• Suitable For: Quick course creation

Keeping the momentum going, next on our list is Masteriyo. Open-source at its heart, it’s built for teams that want fast course creation without being boxed in. 

Lessons, quizzes, and analytics fall into place easily, letting administrators focus on crafting consequential learning rather than wrestling with the system. Lightweight yet surprisingly capable, Masteriyo adapts to growing needs, giving organizations a platform that scales with employee training goals while keeping learners engaged and the workflow smooth.

12. Odoo LMS 

• Review Rating: 4.4/5 (19 Reviews)
• Suitable For: Integrated learning with ERP

Next up is Odoo LMS, continuing our list with a platform that combines open-source freedom with incredibly smart system integrations. Unlike standalone systems, Odoo plugs directly into a company’s existing Odoo suite, making learning part of everyday workflows. 

Its course creation, tracking, and reporting tools are straightforward and flexible, allowing organizations to adapt content to real business needs. For teams that want training to feel easy to manage, Odoo LMS hits the mark.

13. OpenOLAT 

• Review Rating: 5.0/5 (1 Review)
• Suitable For: Modular, scalable learning platform

Moving into the last part of our list, OpenOLAT steps forward. It’s not flashy, but its open-source foundation gives teams control over learning paths, assessments, and compliance tracking. 

Modular features let you scale and adapt without clutter, and an active community ensures it keeps evolving. Administrators can map out learning journeys in detail, while learners move through content intuitively, making progress tangible, without getting lost in the system.

14. Claroline Connect 

• Review Rating: N/A
• Suitable For: Collective, open-source learning

Heading toward the finish line, Claroline Connect is an open-source LMS built for simplicity and collaboration. Its power lies in letting teams create, manage, and share courses quickly, without sacrificing control or customization. 

Social learning tools, progress tracking, and a granular structure make it practical for organizations of any size. Claroline Connect proves that learning doesn’t have to be complicated and that teams can build engaging, structured programs that are easy to manage and scale as their needs evolve. 

15. Kolibri 

• Review Rating: N/A
• Suitable For: Offline-first, inclusive learning

Closing out our list, Kolibri demonstrates how an open-source LMS can truly broaden access to learning. Offline-ready and fully customizable, it helps organizations deliver courses even in low-connectivity environments. 

HR can track progress, adapt content, and create meaningful learning experiences that reach every learner. Kolibri shows that effective learning is about giving teams the tools and means to grow, engage, and succeed, no matter where they are or what resources they have.

What is open source LMS software? 

Open-source LMS software is a learning platform you can fully control and customize. 

Unlike proprietary systems that lock you into set features and licenses, open-source LMS lets you tweak everything, from course layouts to plugins and integrations. 

These platforms are built by a community of users who share improvements, ensuring they evolve with real business needs. 

What uniquely sets open-source LMS apart is its ability to scale training programs, track learner progress, and create interactive courses that resonate with users. 

In short, it’s a flexible, cost-effective way to deliver learning experiences that fit your exact needs, rather than forcing your training to fit into any given software.

Key takeaways 

We’ve created the table below to give you a quick snapshot of each platform’s focus and main features, making it easy to see what sets them apart without getting bogged down in details.

Platform	Focus	Key Features
Open LMS	Scalable, customizable	Analytics, collaboration tools, enterprise-ready
Moodle	Customizable, scalable learning	Highly flexible, tons of plugins, fits any team size
Open edX	Enterprise-ready learning	Scales to thousands, interactive tools, analytics
Canvas LMS	Intuitive education	Simple interface, easy customization, plugin-friendly
Chamilo	Lightweight, user-friendly	Fast setup, simple navigation, reporting, and certs
ILIAS	Compliance-focused training	Precise learning paths, strong permissions, and assessments
Sakai	Academic collaboration	Group learning tools, forums, wikis, peer engagement
Totara Learn	Tailored corporate knowledge	Flexible learning paths, tracking, microlearning
Forma LMS	Corporate training simplified	Easy reporting and learner management
ATutor	Accessible, adaptive learning	Inclusive, mobile-friendly, easy content management
Masteriyo	Quick course creation	Fast setup, lessons/quizzes, and lightweight
Odoo LMS	Integrates with ERP	Smooth integration, flexible course tracking
OpenOLAT	Modular, scalable learning	Customizable paths, assessments, and compliance tools
Claroline Connect	Collaborative, simple learning	Course sharing, social learning, progress tracking
Kolibri	Offline-first, inclusive learning	Works offline, customizable, broad access for learners

Open source LMS vs. proprietary LMS 

Open-source and proprietary systems both deliver training, but the experience, flexibility, and control differ dramatically. Understanding those differences is key to making the platform work for your organization: 

Open source LMS

Open-source LMS gives you full control. You can modify features, integrate tools, and scale without hefty licensing fees. A community-driven approach means continuous updates and real-world innovations. Teams can tailor courses, dashboards, and workflows to exact needs, making learning feel personal and effective for diverse audiences. 

Proprietary LMS 

Proprietary LMS comes ready-made, with polished interfaces and built-in support. Features are standardized, and updates are vendor-controlled, which simplifies deployment but limits customization. Organizations usually trade flexibility for convenience and consistent design. It’s ideal for teams that want a turnkey solution, but it can feel rigid and may involve significant recurring costs.

What are the benefits of open source LMS platforms?

Open source LMS platforms offer a variety of benefits that shouldn’t be confused with those of proprietary platforms.

To get the most out of your investment, you need to understand what makes them uniquely adaptable. Here are the benefits of open source LMS platforms: 

Community-driven support and collaboration

Open-source LMS thrives on its community. Developers and organizations can easily share plugins, improvements, and solutions, creating a living ecosystem. Problems tend to get solved quickly, ideas evolve, and users collaborate across borders. Learning from real-world implementations ensures your platform stays responsive to the changing demands of modern training programs.

Unlimited customization and branding flexibility

Nearly every aspect of an open-source LMS can be molded to your vision. Course layouts, dashboards, workflows, and even functionality can be tailored. Your branding can shine through, ensuring learners experience a platform that feels familiar and intuitive. You usually get no pre-set limits, just the freedom to shape learning exactly how you need it.

Cost efficiency and long-term scalability

Licensing barriers are removed from open-source LMS, allowing you to scale without spiraling costs. You invest in what you need without paying for unused features. Over time, the platform grows with your organization, offering an adaptable solution that remains practical for both small teams and enterprise-wide training programs.

Choosing the right open source LMS 

When choosing the right open-source LMS, research is crucial. 

Don’t rush the enterprise technology buying process because it’ll have lasting effects that could negatively impact employee training. Take your time, identify three or four options that you think best align with your organizational training plan. 

Once you’re confident, reach out to vendors, request demos, and explore trial versions. Speak with HR colleagues with hands-on experience and ask detailed questions about customization and support. 

Remember to evaluate how each platform fits your workflows and test as you go. Try not to be rushed into making a decision, and only when you’ve seen how each option performs in practice should you commit to any given platform.