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LON-CAPA

lon-capa.org

Free plan WebLinuxSelf-hosted
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Spec score 7.7 #9 of 18 in Learning Content Management Systems

What it is

LON-CAPA is a course management, learning content management, and assessment system made for education. It provides course materials, discussions, announcements, a grade book, lab scheduling, portfolio space, and assessment tools for homework, clickers, tests, and exams. Online content can be reused across courses and semesters, with access rights managed within the system. Campus options include Shibboleth or Sentinel single sign-on and password verification through Kerberos, LDAP, or Active Directory. Integration features include XML exchange for course creation and population, directory integration, and portal token exchange. Users can access it with most browsers on most platforms, but the server software runs on Linux. Supported distributions include Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Debian, Ubuntu, and AlmaLinux. The free self-hosted software requires ongoing maintenance; the maker recommends a dedicated Linux server, a static IP with working reverse DNS, and open ports 80 and 5663. Cluster members handle updates, access controls, and protection of shared resources. Commercial hosting and support are available, with no price listed.

Spec sheet

Product
LON-CAPA is a course management, learning content management, and assessment system.Read 7 Oct 2026 · lon-capa.org
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · lon-capa.org
Integrations
Authentication options include Shibboleth or Sentinel single sign-on and password verification against Kerberos, LDAP, or Active Directory.Read 7 Oct 2026 · lon-capa.org
Support
The project directs users to email [email protected] for assistance and lists a provider of commercial hosting and support.Read 7 Oct 2026 · lon-capa.org
Founded
1999Read 28 Sep 2026 · lon-capa.org
Assessment
Assessment features include homework, clickers, tests, and exams.Read 7 Oct 2026 · lon-capa.org
Campus systems
Integration features include XML exchange for course creation and population, directory integration, and portal token exchange.Read 7 Oct 2026 · lon-capa.org
Client access
The maker says users can access LON-CAPA with most browsers on most platforms, while its server software needs to run on Linux.Read 7 Oct 2026 · lon-capa.org
Course tools
Course management features include materials, discussions, announcements, a grade book, lab scheduling, and portfolio space.Read 7 Oct 2026 · lon-capa.org
Import limits
Imports from more sophisticated homework systems may require a custom conversion job and manual cleanup.Read 7 Oct 2026 · lon-capa.org
Infrastructure
The maker recommends a dedicated Linux server, requires a static IP address with working reverse DNS, and specifies open ports 80 and 5663.Read 7 Oct 2026 · lon-capa.org
Release
The installation site identifies version 2.11.6, released December 31, 2024, as the current production release.Read 7 Oct 2026 · install.lon-capa.org
Security responsibilities
Cluster members are expected to update the operating system and LON-CAPA, prevent unauthorized access, and protect the shared resource pool.Read 7 Oct 2026 · lon-capa.org
Shared content
The system stores online content for reuse across courses and semesters and manages access rights.Read 7 Oct 2026 · lon-capa.org
Supported deployment
The installation site lists supported Linux distributions including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Debian, Ubuntu, and AlmaLinux.Read 7 Oct 2026 · install.lon-capa.org
Target users
The maker describes LON-CAPA as designed by educators for educators and presents functionality for faculty, students, administrators, IT managers, and publishers.Read 7 Oct 2026 · lon-capa.org

Plans and prices

Self-hosted LON-CAPA Free Software and cluster membership have no fee · Requires a dedicated server and ongoing maintenance Read 7 Oct 2026 · lon-capa.org
Hosting and support Priced on request Commercial hosting and support are available; pricing is not stated Read 7 Oct 2026 · lon-capa.org

Every LON-CAPA plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free software and cluster membership have no fee.
  • Course content can be reused across semesters.
  • Assessment includes homework, clickers, tests, and exams.
  • Supports several campus authentication options.
  • Users can access it through most browsers.

Limits

  • Server software must run on Linux.
  • A dedicated server and ongoing maintenance are required.
  • Static IP, reverse DNS, and specified open ports are required.
  • Some imports require custom conversion and manual cleanup.

Who it suits

It is designed by educators for educators and includes tools for faculty, students, administrators, IT managers, and publishers. It suits institutions able to operate a Linux server or arrange commercial hosting and support.

Verdict

LON-CAPA offers course, content-reuse, and assessment functions without a software fee. Its server and maintenance requirements make infrastructure capacity a key consideration.

Where Specifiction places it

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