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LearnDash alternatives · Courses

Open-source alternatives to LearnDash

LearnDash is not described as open source on its own site. 15 of the 98 other course and community platforms in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.

LearnDash is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $350 per year for 1 site. 13 of them are free or have a free plan.

15 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to LearnDash

  1. MasterStudy LMS

    WordPress LMS plugin with a free Starter license and paid yearly tiers

    • MasterStudy LMS starts at $149 per year for 1 site. LearnDash starts at $350 per year for 1 site.
    • MasterStudy LMS has a free plan. LearnDash does not, though it has a free trial.
    • MasterStudy LMS is open source, according to its own site.
    • MasterStudy LMS also covers templates.
    MasterStudy LMS vs LearnDashMasterStudy LMS pricing and details

  2. Moodle

    Open-source learning platform you host yourself or on MoodleCloud

    • Moodle has a free plan. LearnDash does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Moodle is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Moodle vs LearnDashMoodle pricing and details

  3. Sensei LMS

    WordPress course plugin with a free core and a paid Pro tier

    • Sensei LMS starts at $15 per month, billed yearly ($179), for Sensei Pro; the core plugin is free. LearnDash starts at $350 per year for 1 site.
    • Sensei LMS has a free plan. LearnDash does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Sensei LMS is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Sensei LMS also covers templates.
    Sensei LMS pricing and details

  4. Discourse

    Open-source discussion forum software with hosted plans

    • Discourse starts at $100 per month. LearnDash starts at $350 per year for 1 site.
    • Discourse has a free plan. LearnDash does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Discourse lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Discourse is open source, according to its own site.
    Discourse pricing and details

  5. Open edX

    Free open-source learning platform stewarded by Axim Collaborative

    • Open edX is free. LearnDash starts at $350 per year for 1 site.
    • Open edX has a free plan. LearnDash does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Open edX is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Open edX also covers reports.
    Open edX pricing and details

  6. Flarum

    Free open-source forum software you host yourself

    • Flarum is free. LearnDash starts at $350 per year for 1 site.
    • Flarum has a free plan. LearnDash does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Flarum is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Flarum also covers community.
    Flarum pricing and details

  7. CourseLit

    Open-source course, download and community platform

    • CourseLit starts at $12 per month, billed yearly ($15 billed monthly). LearnDash starts at $350 per year for 1 site.
    • CourseLit is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • CourseLit also covers email campaigns, community and digital downloads.
    CourseLit pricing and details

  8. NodeBB

    Open-source forum software with managed hosting plans

    • NodeBB starts at $20 per month for hosting; self-hosting is free. LearnDash starts at $350 per year for 1 site.
    • NodeBB has a free plan. LearnDash does not, though it has a free trial.
    • NodeBB is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • NodeBB also covers community.
    NodeBB pricing and details

  9. phpBB

    Free open-source bulletin board software written in PHP

    • phpBB is free. LearnDash starts at $350 per year for 1 site.
    • phpBB has a free plan. LearnDash does not, though it has a free trial.
    • phpBB is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • phpBB also covers community.
    phpBB pricing and details

  10. MyBB

    Free open-source forum software with plugins and themes

    • MyBB is free. LearnDash starts at $350 per year for 1 site.
    • MyBB has a free plan. LearnDash does not, though it has a free trial.
    • MyBB is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • MyBB also covers community.
    MyBB pricing and details

  11. Simple Machines Forum

    Free open-source community forum software (SMF)

    • Simple Machines Forum is free. LearnDash starts at $350 per year for 1 site.
    • Simple Machines Forum has a free plan. LearnDash does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Simple Machines Forum is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Simple Machines Forum also covers community.
    Simple Machines Forum pricing and details

3 more that are open source

All 15 in one table

Common questions

Is there an open-source alternative to LearnDash?

Yes. MasterStudy LMS, Moodle, Sensei LMS, Discourse, Open edX, Flarum, CourseLit, Paid Memberships Pro and 7 more are open source, according to their own sites.

Is LearnDash open source?

LearnDash is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Nov 9, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these course and community platforms are free?

MasterStudy LMS, Moodle, Sensei LMS, Discourse, Open edX, Flarum, Paid Memberships Pro, NodeBB and 5 more are free or have a free plan.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Nov 9, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to LearnDash: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.