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LMS · head to head

Edmodo vs Stellarium

E

Edmodo

LMS

Social learning network for K-12 education

From
Free
Rated
-
Stellarium logo

Stellarium

Education

Free open source desktop planetarium software, distinct from the paid Stellarium Mobile Plus app

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • They diverge on capability: Edmodo covers Class management, Stellarium covers Photorealistic sky rendering.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Edmodo and Stellarium actually diverge.

Attributes where Edmodo and Stellarium differ
AttributeEdmodoStellarium
Pricing modelfreeOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsWeb, IOS, AndroidWindows, macOS, Linux
CategoryLMSEducation
Founded2008Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Edmodo

  • Class management
  • Assignments
  • Quizzes
  • Messaging
  • Library
  • Progress tracking
  • Parent accounts
  • Mobile app

Only in Stellarium

  • Photorealistic sky rendering
  • Large object catalogue
  • Telescope control
  • Scripting engine
  • Free and open source
  • Plugin ecosystem

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Edmodo

  • Classroom communicationnot Stellarium
  • Assignment managementnot Stellarium
  • Resource sharingnot Stellarium
  • Parent engagementnot Stellarium

Stellarium

  • A student or educator wanting a serious, scriptable planetarium tool without a budget line itemnot Edmodo
  • An amateur astronomer wanting telescope control from desktop software they can inspect and modifynot Edmodo
  • Someone running a planetarium display or public astronomy event on a scripted shownot Edmodo
  • A hobbyist who wants a large object catalogue without paying a subscription, and does not need a phone appnot Edmodo

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Edmodo

Nothing recorded yet. See the Edmodo review.

Stellarium

  • It is desktop-only software, so it has no native touch-optimised phone interface; the similarly named mobile app is a different paid product from a different company.
  • As a volunteer-maintained open source project, support is community-based rather than a guaranteed commercial help desk.
  • The interface, while capable, is less immediately intuitive for a first-time user than a polished commercial phone app.
  • Telescope control and some advanced plugins require additional setup that a non-technical user may find fiddly.
  • Because it shares a name with the unrelated paid Stellarium Mobile Plus app, buyers researching pricing online can easily conflate the two products.

Pricing, plan by plan

Edmodo

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Classes
    • Assignments
    • Messaging

Stellarium

Free
  • Stellarium DesktopFree
    • Full software, GPL licensed
    • No account, ads or subscription
    • Community-developed plugins

Which should you pick?

Choose Edmodo if

  • You need class management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want assignments.

Choose Stellarium if

  • You need photorealistic sky rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want large object catalogue.

Questions people ask

Is Edmodo or Stellarium better?
Neither clearly leads. Edmodo starts at Free and Stellarium at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Edmodo or Stellarium?
Edmodo starts at Free and Stellarium at Free.
Does Edmodo or Stellarium run on more platforms?
Edmodo runs on Web, IOS, Android. Stellarium runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use Edmodo for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Edmodo best used for?
Edmodo is most often used for classroom communication, assignment management, resource sharing, parent engagement. Of those, classroom communication and assignment management are not what Stellarium is typically brought in for.
What can Edmodo do that Stellarium cannot?
Edmodo covers Class management, Assignments, Quizzes, Messaging. Stellarium covers Photorealistic sky rendering, Large object catalogue, Telescope control, Scripting engine.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Stellarium: Is Stellarium really free?

The desktop software is free and open source under the GPL licence. The separate mobile app, Stellarium Mobile Plus, is a different paid product.

Stellarium: Is the mobile app made by the same team?

No. Stellarium Mobile Plus is built by Noctua Software, a different company, and is sold on subscription.

Stellarium: What platforms does the free version run on?

Windows, macOS and Linux desktop.

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