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LMS · head to head

edX vs Padlet

edX logo

edX

LMS

Online courses from the world's top universities

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Padlet logo

Padlet

LMS

Collaborate on digital walls and canvases

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Padlet 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; Padlet the Internet Archive's capture of Padlet's premium plans page on 10 January 2020 named three distinct paid editions, Padlet Backpack for schools, Padlet Briefcase for businesses, and Padlet Pro for individuals, but the page itself carried no price figures.
  • They diverge on capability: edX covers Video lectures, Padlet covers Digital boards.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which edX and Padlet actually diverge.

Attributes where edX and Padlet differ
AttributeedXPadlet
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
Founded20122008

Identical on both: platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (LMS).

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 Padlet

  • Digital boards
  • Multimedia posts
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Templates
  • Privacy controls
  • Reactions
  • Comments
  • Export options

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 Padlet
  • Career changers pursuing MicroMasters or professional certificatesnot Padlet
  • Individuals in regions with limited access to higher educationnot Padlet

Padlet

  • Brainstormingnot edX
  • Collaborationnot edX
  • Portfoliosnot edX
  • Exit ticketsnot 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

Padlet

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Padlet's premium plans page on 10 January 2020 named three distinct paid editions, Padlet Backpack for schools, Padlet Briefcase for businesses, and Padlet Pro for individuals, but the page itself carried no price figures.

Pricing, plan by plan

edX

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the edX review.

Padlet

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3 padlets
    • Basic features
  • Pro$8/month
    • Unlimited padlets
    • Privacy controls
    • Custom branding
  • Team$12/month
    • Shared workspace
    • Admin controls
    • Priority support
  • Classroom$99/month
    • Unlimited padlets
    • Student accounts
    • No ads

Which should you pick?

Choose edX if

  • You need video lectures.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want interactive exercises.
edX review

Choose Padlet if

  • You need digital boards.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want multimedia posts.
Padlet review

Questions people ask

Is edX or Padlet better?
Neither clearly leads. edX starts at On request and Padlet at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, edX or Padlet?
Padlet has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for edX and Free for Padlet.
Does edX or Padlet run on more platforms?
edX runs on Web, iOS, Android. Padlet runs on Web, IOS, Android.
Can I use Padlet for free?
Yes. Padlet 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 Padlet is typically brought in for.
What can edX do that Padlet cannot?
edX covers Video lectures, Interactive exercises, Discussion forums, Certificates. Padlet covers Digital boards, Multimedia posts, Real-time collaboration, Templates. Both handle Web support, IOS support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

edX: Does edX offer free courses?

Yes, edX allows you to audit courses for free, as indicated by their 'How to Audit a Course' resource. Auditing provides access to course content without earning a certificate.

Source
edX: Do you have to pay for certificates on edX?

Yes, edX offers Verified Certificates which require payment. Exact pricing varies by course but is available when you view individual course pages.

Source
edX: What types of credential programs does edX offer?

edX offers Professional Certificates (multiple bundled courses), Degree Programs (Master's, Bachelor's, MicroMasters, MicroBachelors), and Executive Education premium offerings.

Source
edX: Are there current discounts on edX?

Yes, edX offers periodic discount codes. Currently they have a code ACTION2026 providing up to 20% off for a limited time.

Source
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