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LifterLMS alternatives · Courses

Self-hosted alternatives to LifterLMS

The LifterLMS listing does not say it can be self-hosted. 10 of the 98 other course and community platforms in this directory can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.

LifterLMS has a free plan. Paid plans start at $398 per year for 1 site (Earth bundle), or a free core plugin. 9 of them are free or have a free plan.

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

How each one differs from LifterLMS

  1. 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. LifterLMS starts at $398 per year for 1 site (Earth bundle), or a free core plugin.
    • Sensei LMS is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • LifterLMS also covers marketing automation, reports and community.
    Sensei LMS vs LifterLMSSensei LMS pricing and details

  2. CourseLit

    Open-source course, download and community platform

    • CourseLit starts at $12 per month, billed yearly ($15 billed monthly). LifterLMS starts at $398 per year for 1 site (Earth bundle), or a free core plugin.
    • LifterLMS has a free plan. CourseLit does not, though it has a free trial.
    • CourseLit is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • CourseLit also covers email campaigns and digital downloads.
    CourseLit pricing and details

  3. Open edX

    Free open-source learning platform stewarded by Axim Collaborative

    • Open edX is free. LifterLMS starts at $398 per year for 1 site (Earth bundle), or a free core plugin.
    • Open edX is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • LifterLMS also covers templates, marketing automation and community.
    Open edX pricing and details

  4. Flarum

    Free open-source forum software you host yourself

    • Flarum is free. LifterLMS starts at $398 per year for 1 site (Earth bundle), or a free core plugin.
    • Flarum is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • LifterLMS also covers templates, marketing automation, reports and online courses.
    Flarum pricing and details

  5. Moodle

    Open-source learning platform you host yourself or on MoodleCloud

    • Moodle is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • LifterLMS also covers templates, marketing automation, reports and community.
    Moodle pricing and details

  6. NodeBB

    Open-source forum software with managed hosting plans

    • NodeBB starts at $20 per month for hosting; self-hosting is free. LifterLMS starts at $398 per year for 1 site (Earth bundle), or a free core plugin.
    • NodeBB is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • LifterLMS also covers templates, marketing automation, reports and online courses.
    NodeBB pricing and details

  7. phpBB

    Free open-source bulletin board software written in PHP

    • phpBB is free. LifterLMS starts at $398 per year for 1 site (Earth bundle), or a free core plugin.
    • phpBB is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • LifterLMS also covers templates, marketing automation, reports and online courses.
    phpBB pricing and details

  8. MyBB

    Free open-source forum software with plugins and themes

    • MyBB is free. LifterLMS starts at $398 per year for 1 site (Earth bundle), or a free core plugin.
    • MyBB is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • LifterLMS also covers templates, marketing automation, reports and online courses.
    MyBB pricing and details

  9. Simple Machines Forum

    Free open-source community forum software (SMF)

    • Simple Machines Forum is free. LifterLMS starts at $398 per year for 1 site (Earth bundle), or a free core plugin.
    • Simple Machines Forum is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • LifterLMS also covers templates, marketing automation, reports and online courses.
    Simple Machines Forum pricing and details

Common questions

Is there a self-hosted alternative to LifterLMS?

Yes. Sensei LMS, Paid Memberships Pro, CourseLit, Open edX, Flarum, Moodle, NodeBB, phpBB and 2 more can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.

Can LifterLMS be self-hosted?

The LifterLMS listing does not say it can be self-hosted. The listing was checked on Nov 12, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these course and community platforms are free?

Sensei LMS, Paid Memberships Pro, Open edX, Flarum, Moodle, NodeBB, phpBB, MyBB and 1 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 12, 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 LifterLMS: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.