Softwr

Software · head to head

Open edX vs Schoology

Open edX logo

Open edX

Software

Open-source platform powering online learning

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Schoology logo

Schoology

Software

LMS that connects learning with the bigger picture

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Open edX open edX has no licensing fee as open source software, but the vendor's own site states that hosting and infrastructure costs are the operator's responsibility, so there is no bundled managed-hosting price to compare against SaaS competitors.; Schoology schoology (now PowerSchool's Schoology Learning) gates its full feature set behind a separate Enterprise package; the free version is a limited LMS tier, per the vendor's own archived K-12 page (2019), with no dollar figure published for the Enterprise upgrade.
  • They diverge on capability: Open edX covers Course authoring, Schoology covers Course management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Open edX and Schoology actually diverge.

Attributes where Open edX and Schoology differ
AttributeOpen edXSchoology
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Founded20122009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, IOS, Android), 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 Open edX

  • Course authoring
  • Interactive videos
  • Assessments
  • Discussions
  • Certificates
  • Mobile apps
  • xBlocks
  • SSO

Only in Schoology

  • Course management
  • Gradebook
  • Assessment builder
  • Discussion boards
  • Resources library
  • Parent portal
  • Mobile app
  • PowerSchool SIS

Both cover

  • Analytics
  • LTI tools
  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Open edX

  • MOOC creationnot Schoology
  • Corporate trainingnot Schoology
  • Blended learningnot Schoology
  • Degree programsnot Schoology

Schoology

  • Course deliverynot Open edX
  • Assessmentnot Open edX
  • Collaborationnot Open edX
  • Parent communicationnot Open edX

Where each one falls short

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

Open edX

  • Open edX has no licensing fee as open source software, but the vendor's own site states that hosting and infrastructure costs are the operator's responsibility, so there is no bundled managed-hosting price to compare against SaaS competitors.

Schoology

  • Schoology (now PowerSchool's Schoology Learning) gates its full feature set behind a separate Enterprise package; the free version is a limited LMS tier, per the vendor's own archived K-12 page (2019), with no dollar figure published for the Enterprise upgrade.

Pricing, plan by plan

Open edX

Free
  • Self-HostedFree
    • Full platform
    • Community support
    • All features
  • Managed Hosting$undefined/month
    • Hosted solution
    • Support
    • Maintenance

Schoology

Free
  • BasicFree
    • Course management
    • Assignments
    • Gradebook
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • SIS integration
    • Analytics
    • Standards alignment

Which should you pick?

Choose Open edX if

  • You need course authoring.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want interactive videos.
Open edX review

Choose Schoology if

  • You need course management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want gradebook.
Schoology review

Questions people ask

Is Open edX or Schoology better?
Neither clearly leads. Open edX starts at Free and Schoology at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Open edX or Schoology?
Open edX starts at Free and Schoology at Free.
Does Open edX or Schoology run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, IOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Open edX for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Open edX best used for?
Open edX is most often used for mooc creation, corporate training, blended learning, degree programs. Of those, mooc creation and corporate training are not what Schoology is typically brought in for.
What can Open edX do that Schoology cannot?
Open edX covers Course authoring, Interactive videos, Assessments, Discussions. Schoology covers Course management, Gradebook, Assessment builder, Discussion boards. Both handle Analytics, LTI tools, Web support, IOS support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Open edX

More on Schoology

Keep looking

Other head to heads