Free, open-source alternatives to Blackboard Learn
Learning management system for schools and universities. 5 apps you can run yourself instead of Blackboard Learn, sorted by how well they replace it. Each one is open source, so your data stays with you.
MoodleBest match
Learning and courses platform with one of the largest open source communities worldwide.
Canvas LMS
Learning management system (LMS) that is revolutionizing the way we educate.
ILIAS
Learning management system that can cope with anything you throw at it.
OpenOLAT
Learning management system for teaching, education, assessment and communication.
Chamilo LMS
Create a virtual campus for the provision of online or semi-online training.
Side by side
| App | Stars | License | Activity | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moodle | - | GPL-3.0 | PHP | |
| Canvas LMS | 6,866 | AGPL-3.0 | Ruby | |
| ILIAS | 505 | GPL-3.0 | PHP | |
| OpenOLAT | 447 | Apache-2.0 | Java | |
| Chamilo LMS | 1,011 | GPL-3.0 | PHP |
Why replace Blackboard Learn?
Blackboard Learn works, but your data lives in someone else's account, the price can change at any time, and features can disappear. An open-source app you run yourself is yours: you choose where it runs, who can see the data, and when to update.
Questions
What is the best free alternative to Blackboard Learn?
Moodle is the closest open-source replacement for Blackboard Learn in our list. Canvas LMS and ILIAS are worth a look too, depending on what you need.
Can I self-host an alternative to Blackboard Learn?
Yes. All 5 apps on this page are open source and can run on your own server, usually with Docker, or on a managed host that installs them for you.