Software · head to head
edX vs Moodle
The short version
- Only Moodle has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: edX individual course costs not displayed; pricing requires enrollment to view; Moodle self-hosted deployment requires significant IT resources and technical expertise
- They diverge on capability: edX covers Video lectures, Moodle covers Course management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which edX and Moodle actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 edX
- Video lectures
- Interactive exercises
- Discussion forums
- Certificates
- MicroMasters
- Professional certificates
- Degrees
- Mobile learning
Only in Moodle
- Course management
- Quiz builder
- Forums
- Assignments
- Gradebook
- Badges
- Competencies
- Mobile app
Both cover
- Web support
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
edX
- Learners seeking university-level credentials from elite institutions (MIT, Harvard, Cambridge)not Moodle
- Career changers pursuing MicroMasters or professional certificatesnot Moodle
- Individuals in regions with limited access to higher educationnot Moodle
Moodle
- Online learningnot edX
- Blended learningnot edX
- Corporate trainingnot edX
- Compliance trainingnot edX
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
edX
- Individual course costs not displayed; pricing requires enrollment to view
Moodle
- Self-hosted deployment requires significant IT resources and technical expertise
- Managed hosting has higher costs for large institutions compared to self-hosting
Pricing, plan by plan
edX
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the edX review.
Moodle
Free- Self-HostedFree
- Full feature access
- MoodleCloud Starter$200/year
- 50 users
- Managed hosting
Which should you pick?
Choose edX if
- You need video lectures.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want interactive exercises.
Choose Moodle if
- You need course management.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want quiz builder.
Questions people ask
- Is edX or Moodle better?
- Neither clearly leads. edX starts at On request and Moodle at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, edX or Moodle?
- Moodle has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for edX and Free for Moodle.
- Does edX or Moodle run on more platforms?
- edX runs on Web, iOS, Android. Moodle runs on Web.
- Can I use Moodle for free?
- Yes. Moodle has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. edX starts at On request.
- What is edX best used for?
- edX is most often used for learners seeking university-level credentials from elite institutions (mit, harvard, cambridge), career changers pursuing micromasters or professional certificates, individuals in regions with limited access to higher education. Of those, learners seeking university-level credentials from elite institutions (mit, harvard, cambridge) and career changers pursuing micromasters or professional certificates are not what Moodle is typically brought in for.
- What can edX do that Moodle cannot?
- edX covers Video lectures, Interactive exercises, Discussion forums, Certificates. Moodle covers Course management, Quiz builder, Forums, Assignments. Both handle Web support, IOS support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Moodle: Is Moodle free or paid?
Moodle is free and open-source software. However, self-hosting requires IT resources and server infrastructure. Managed cloud hosting through MoodleCloud starts at $200/year for 50 users.
SourceMoodle: What languages does Moodle support?
Moodle is available in over 160 languages, making it accessible to educators and learners worldwide.
SourceMoodle: Is Moodle suitable for corporations and enterprises?
Yes, Moodle is suitable for K-12, higher education, vocational training, and corporate learning. Moodle Workplace is the enterprise edition with multi-tenancy and compliance tooling.
SourceMoodle: What learning standards does Moodle support?
Moodle supports various e-learning standards including SCORM and Tin Can API for compatibility with other educational systems.
SourceRelated pages
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