10 top picks · 2 audience rankings
Best open source LMS
The best open source LMS is Open edX (AGPL-3.0, 8,211 GitHub stars, Docker image). Moodle stands out for its PHP codebase, and Frappe LMS stands out for its TypeScript codebase.
This page also breaks the picks down by team size and use: Open edX leads for small business and enterprise.
Updated · data from GitHub, refreshed daily
Top picks
- Rank 1:
Open edX
openedx/openedx-platform
The LMS and Studio authoring platform behind edX, deployed with the Docker-based Tutor distribution.
Active · last commit Oct 28, 2026
Learning Management (LMS)PythonDockerStands out for the most GitHub stars. Open edX has 8,211 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 1,272 commits in the last year; it replaces Blackboard Learn and TalentLMS.
- Rank 2:
Moodle
moodle/moodle
The world's most widely used open-source learning platform for schools, universities and companies.
Active · last commit Oct 21, 2026
Learning Management (LMS)PHPStands out for its PHP codebase. Moodle has 7,555 GitHub stars, uses the GPL-3.0 license and had 3,405 commits in the last year; it replaces Teachable and Thinkific.
- Rank 3:
Frappe LMS
frappe/lms
Easy-to-use learning management system with courses, chapters, live class batches, quizzes, assignments and certificates.
Active · last commit Oct 27, 2026
Learning Management (LMS)TypeScriptDockerStands out for its TypeScript codebase. Frappe LMS has 3,350 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 3,311 commits in the last year; it replaces Teachable and Thinkific.
At a glance
Open source LMS compared
Ranked on GitHub stars, commits in the last year, Docker images, open-source licenses and recent commits across the 17 apps in the learning management (LMS) category. Projects with fewer than 12 commits in the last 12 months rank below every more active project.
| App | Stands out for | License | GitHub stars | Commits (12 mo) | Last commit | Docker image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open edX | the most GitHub stars | AGPL-3.0 | 8,211 | 1,272 | Oct 28, 2026 | Yes |
| Moodle | its PHP codebase | GPL-3.0 | 7,555 | 3,405 | Oct 21, 2026 | No |
| Frappe LMS | its TypeScript codebase | AGPL-3.0 | 3,350 | 3,311 | Oct 27, 2026 | Yes |
| Canvas LMS | the most commits in the last 12 months (4,520) | AGPL-3.0 | 6,889 | 4,520 | Apr 30, 2026 | No |
| LearnHouse | AI features named in its own description | AGPL-3.0 | 2,427 | 1,505 | Oct 25, 2026 | Yes |
| ClassroomIO | – | AGPL-3.0 | 1,733 | 906 | Oct 28, 2026 | Yes |
| Sakai | – | ECL-2.0 | 1,240 | 817 | Oct 27, 2026 | No |
| CourseLit | – | AGPL-3.0 | 1,289 | 124 | Oct 27, 2026 | Yes |
| Chamilo LMS | – | GPL-3.0 | 1,019 | 5,972 | Oct 28, 2026 | No |
| ILIAS | – | GPL-3.0 | 504 | 2,259 | Oct 27, 2026 | No |
1 of 3 · 10 picks
Top picks
10 of the 17 apps in the learning management (LMS) category.
- 1
Open edX
The LMS and Studio authoring platform behind edX, deployed with the Docker-based Tutor distribution.
Learning Management (LMS)DockerStands out for the most GitHub stars. Open edX has 8,211 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 1,272 commits in the last year; it replaces Blackboard Learn and TalentLMS.
- 2
Moodle
The world's most widely used open-source learning platform for schools, universities and companies.
Learning Management (LMS)Stands out for its PHP codebase. Moodle has 7,555 GitHub stars, uses the GPL-3.0 license and had 3,405 commits in the last year; it replaces Teachable and Thinkific.
- 3
Frappe LMS
Easy-to-use learning management system with courses, chapters, live class batches, quizzes, assignments and certificates.
Learning Management (LMS)DockerStands out for its TypeScript codebase. Frappe LMS has 3,350 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 3,311 commits in the last year; it replaces Teachable and Thinkific.
- 4
Canvas LMS
Learning management system (LMS) that is revolutionizing the way we educate.
Learning Management (LMS)Stands out for the most commits in the last 12 months (4,520). Canvas LMS has 6,889 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license and had 4,520 commits in the last year; it replaces Blackboard Learn.
- 5
LearnHouse
Modern learning platform with a block-based course editor, assignments, discussions, certificates and code exercises.
Learning Management (LMS)DockerAI-nativeStands out for AI features named in its own description. LearnHouse has 2,427 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 1,505 commits in the last year; it replaces Teachable and Thinkific.
- 6
ClassroomIO
Open-source LMS for companies running employee, customer and partner training with cohorts and certificates.
Learning Management (LMS)DockerClassroomIO has 1,733 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 906 commits in the last year; it replaces Teachable and Thinkific.
- 7
Sakai
Java collaboration and learning environment used by universities for courses, assessments and gradebooks.
Learning Management (LMS)Sakai has 1,240 GitHub stars, uses the ECL-2.0 license and had 817 commits in the last year; it replaces Blackboard Learn.
- 8
CourseLit
Sell courses and digital downloads from your own site, with course authoring, Stripe payments and a website builder.
Learning Management (LMS)DockerCourseLit has 1,289 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 124 commits in the last year; it replaces Teachable and Thinkific.
- 9
Chamilo LMS
Create a virtual campus for the provision of online or semi-online training.
Learning Management (LMS)Chamilo LMS has 1,019 GitHub stars, uses the GPL-3.0 license and had 5,972 commits in the last year; it replaces Blackboard Learn and TalentLMS.
- 10
ILIAS
Learning management system that can cope with anything you throw at it.
Learning Management (LMS)ILIAS has 504 GitHub stars, uses the GPL-3.0 license and had 2,259 commits in the last year; it replaces Blackboard Learn.
2 of 3 · 5 picks
Which open source LMS is best for small business?
For small business, Open edX ranks first (AGPL-3.0, 8,211 GitHub stars), followed by Frappe LMS and LearnHouse. Ranked for small business on GitHub stars, commits in the last year, Docker images, open-source licenses, project websites, recent commits and deploy guides.
- 1
Open edX
The LMS and Studio authoring platform behind edX, deployed with the Docker-based Tutor distribution.
Learning Management (LMS)DockerOpen edX has 8,211 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 1,272 commits in the last year; it replaces Blackboard Learn and TalentLMS. For small business it also scores on a Docker image, an open-source license, a project website and a commit in the last 90 days.
- 2
Frappe LMS
Easy-to-use learning management system with courses, chapters, live class batches, quizzes, assignments and certificates.
Learning Management (LMS)DockerFrappe LMS has 3,350 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 3,311 commits in the last year; it replaces Teachable and Thinkific. For small business it also scores on a Docker image, an open-source license, a project website and a commit in the last 90 days.
- 3
LearnHouse
Modern learning platform with a block-based course editor, assignments, discussions, certificates and code exercises.
Learning Management (LMS)DockerAI-nativeLearnHouse has 2,427 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 1,505 commits in the last year; it replaces Teachable and Thinkific. For small business it also scores on a Docker image, an open-source license, a project website and a commit in the last 90 days.
- 4
Moodle
The world's most widely used open-source learning platform for schools, universities and companies.
Learning Management (LMS)Moodle has 7,555 GitHub stars, uses the GPL-3.0 license and had 3,405 commits in the last year; it replaces Teachable and Thinkific. For small business it also scores on an open-source license, a project website and a commit in the last 90 days.
- 5
ClassroomIO
Open-source LMS for companies running employee, customer and partner training with cohorts and certificates.
Learning Management (LMS)DockerClassroomIO has 1,733 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 906 commits in the last year; it replaces Teachable and Thinkific. For small business it also scores on a Docker image, an open-source license, a project website and a commit in the last 90 days.
3 of 3 · 5 picks
Which open source LMS is best for enterprise?
For enterprise, Open edX ranks first (AGPL-3.0, 8,211 GitHub stars), followed by Moodle and Canvas LMS. Ranked for enterprise on GitHub stars, commits in the last year, open-source licenses and recent commits.
- 1
Open edX
The LMS and Studio authoring platform behind edX, deployed with the Docker-based Tutor distribution.
Learning Management (LMS)DockerOpen edX has 8,211 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 1,272 commits in the last year; it replaces Blackboard Learn and TalentLMS. For enterprise it also scores on an open-source license and a commit in the last 90 days.
- 2
Moodle
The world's most widely used open-source learning platform for schools, universities and companies.
Learning Management (LMS)Moodle has 7,555 GitHub stars, uses the GPL-3.0 license and had 3,405 commits in the last year; it replaces Teachable and Thinkific. For enterprise it also scores on an open-source license and a commit in the last 90 days.
- 3
Canvas LMS
Learning management system (LMS) that is revolutionizing the way we educate.
Learning Management (LMS)Canvas LMS has 6,889 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license and had 4,520 commits in the last year; it replaces Blackboard Learn. For enterprise it also scores on an open-source license.
- 4
Frappe LMS
Easy-to-use learning management system with courses, chapters, live class batches, quizzes, assignments and certificates.
Learning Management (LMS)DockerFrappe LMS has 3,350 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 3,311 commits in the last year; it replaces Teachable and Thinkific. For enterprise it also scores on an open-source license and a commit in the last 90 days.
- 5
LearnHouse
Modern learning platform with a block-based course editor, assignments, discussions, certificates and code exercises.
Learning Management (LMS)DockerAI-nativeLearnHouse has 2,427 GitHub stars, uses the AGPL-3.0 license, ships a Docker image and had 1,505 commits in the last year; it replaces Teachable and Thinkific. For enterprise it also scores on an open-source license and a commit in the last 90 days.
Is Open edX free?
Yes. Open edX is open-source software released under the AGPL-3.0 license, so you can self-host it at no cost. You only pay for the server it runs on, and some projects also offer an optional paid cloud plan.
Can I self-host these LMS options with Docker?
Yes, 5 of the 10 picks. Open edX, Frappe LMS and LearnHouse publish Docker images, so you can run them on a VPS or home server with Docker Compose. The others install from their own packages or source; follow each project's install guide.
Are all of these LMS options open source?
All 10 apps on this list are open source. You can self-host and modify each one under its license.
Which of these LMS options is the most actively developed?
Chamilo LMS, with 5,972 commits in the last 12 months and a latest release, v3.0.1, from September 2026. Activity is a good sign that bugs and security issues get fixed.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on GitHub stars, commits in the last year, Docker images, open-source licenses and recent commits across the 17 apps in the learning management (LMS) category. Projects with fewer than 12 commits in the last 12 months rank below every more active project.
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