Learning Management · head to head
Moodle vs Skillshare
Moodle
Learning Management
Open-source LMS designed by educators for educators
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Skillshare
Learning Management
Online learning community for creative skills
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Moodle self-hosted deployment requires significant IT resources and technical expertise; Skillshare limited language support available compared to Udemy which offers 75 languages
- They diverge on capability: Moodle covers Course management, Skillshare covers Video classes.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Moodle and Skillshare actually diverge.
| Attribute | Moodle | Skillshare |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | subscription |
| Platforms | Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2002 | 2010 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Learning Management).
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 Moodle
- Course management
- Quiz builder
- Forums
- Assignments
- Gradebook
- Badges
- Competencies
- Mobile app
Only in Skillshare
- Video classes
- Class projects
- Discussions
- Offline viewing
- Mobile learning
- Workshops
- Curated paths
- Teacher studio
Both cover
- Web support
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Moodle
- Online learningnot Skillshare
- Blended learningnot Skillshare
- Corporate trainingnot Skillshare
- Compliance trainingnot Skillshare
Skillshare
- Skill developmentnot Moodle
- Creative projectsnot Moodle
- Career growthnot Moodle
- Side hustlesnot Moodle
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Moodle
- Self-hosted deployment requires significant IT resources and technical expertise
- Managed hosting has higher costs for large institutions compared to self-hosting
Skillshare
- Limited language support available compared to Udemy which offers 75 languages
- Focus on creative skills means limited technical or professional development courses
- Video quality and instructor expertise varies across courses
Pricing, plan by plan
Moodle
Free- Self-HostedFree
- Full feature access
- MoodleCloud Starter$200/year
- 50 users
- Managed hosting
Skillshare
Free- FreeFree
- Select free classes
- Class projects
- Premium$13.99/month
- All classes
- Offline viewing
- No ads
- Teams$undefined/month
- Team management
- Analytics
- Custom content
Which should you pick?
Choose Moodle if
- You need course management.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want quiz builder.
Choose Skillshare if
- You need video classes.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want class projects.
Questions people ask
- Is Moodle or Skillshare better?
- Neither clearly leads. Moodle starts at Free and Skillshare at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Moodle or Skillshare?
- Moodle starts at Free and Skillshare at Free.
- Does Moodle or Skillshare run on more platforms?
- Moodle runs on Web. Skillshare runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Moodle for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Moodle best used for?
- Moodle is most often used for online learning, blended learning, corporate training, compliance training. Of those, online learning and blended learning are not what Skillshare is typically brought in for.
- What can Moodle do that Skillshare cannot?
- Moodle covers Course management, Quiz builder, Forums, Assignments. Skillshare covers Video classes, Class projects, Discussions, Offline viewing. 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.
SourceSkillshare: How much does Skillshare cost?
Skillshare Premium membership costs $167.88 per year (about $13.99 per month) when billed annually, or $17.99 to $32 per month when paying month-to-month. New members receive a free trial before billing begins.
SourceMoodle: What languages does Moodle support?
Moodle is available in over 160 languages, making it accessible to educators and learners worldwide.
SourceSkillshare: What topics does Skillshare cover?
Skillshare offers more than 30,000 project-based classes in design, illustration, photography, video, writing, marketing, and productivity. Courses often include downloadable resources like templates, brushes, and design files.
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.
SourceSkillshare: Can I download Skillshare classes for offline viewing?
Yes, Skillshare Premium members can download classes for offline viewing, allowing you to watch content anywhere without an internet connection.
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.
SourceSkillshare: Does Skillshare offer certificates?
Yes, Skillshare classes include certificates of completion as part of the project-based learning model, allowing you to track and share your learning progress.
SourceSkillshare: Is there a free tier on Skillshare?
Skillshare offers a free one-month trial to new users who provide card details. After the trial, a paid subscription is required for continued access.
Source