PrairieLearn
- 1Runs onAPI, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows
- 2CostsFree plan · free trial · paid from $0.25/mo
- 3Programming autogradingYes
- 4Math autogradingYes
- 5Written-work OCRYes
- 6LMS or LTI supportYes
- 7Question bankYes
Overview
PrairieLearn is an online assessment and learning system for instructors creating educational resources, assignments, practice, and tests. Instructors write questions as code; the system can generate and grade variants automatically and provide real-time feedback. Students can continue trying new variants until they achieve mastery. Supported response formats include numerical, multiple-choice, checkbox, dropdown, graphical, code, and ordered-block answers. The platform is described for in-class activities, homework, practice, proctored tests, and bring-your-own-device tests. It connects with learning management systems through LTI 1.3 for assignment linking and grade syncing, with integration primarily designed and documented for Canvas; its importer accepts QTI 1.2 content. PrairieLearn is open source and can be run or modified on institutional or individual infrastructure. The free plan covers instructors and courses with up to 20 students in each term. For larger courses, Basic costs 8.00 USD per once per student and Premium costs 16.00 USD per once per student. Local development is supported on macOS, Linux, or Windows inside WSL 2; Windows without WSL 2 is not supported for local installation.
Who it is for
It suits instructors and institutions building coded assessments with varied question formats and mastery-based retries. Institutions that want to run or modify the open-source system on their own infrastructure should note that self-hosted installations are not supported by PrairieLearn.
What is good
- Question variants can be generated and graded automatically.
- Students can retry variants toward mastery.
- LTI 1.3 supports assignment links and grade syncing.
- Open-source software can run on own infrastructure.
What to know first
- Self-hosted installations do not receive support.
- Windows local installation requires WSL 2.
- Basic excludes code autograding, workspaces, and PrairieTest.
- Basic costs 8.00 USD per once per student above the threshold.
Verdict
PrairieLearn combines coded, variant-based assessment with several teaching and testing uses. Check the per-student charges for courses above 20 students and the self-hosted support limit.
PrairieLearn plans and pricing
All plansCompared on automated grading software
- Free plan
- Yesprairielearn.com
- Programming autograding
- Yesprairielearn.com
- Math autograding
- Yesprairielearn.com
- Written-work OCR
- Yesprairielearn.com
- LMS or LTI support
- Yesprairielearn.com
- Question bank
- Yesprairielearn.com
Facts
- Product
- PrairieLearn is an online assessment and learning system that helps instructors create educational resources for students.prairielearn.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Question variants
- Instructors write questions as code that generate and grade variants automatically, with real-time feedback.prairielearn.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Mastery learning
- Students can keep trying new variants of a question until they achieve mastery.prairielearn.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Assessment uses
- The site describes use for in-class activities, homework, practice, and testing, including proctored tests and bring-your-own-device tests.prairielearn.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Answer types
- The platform supports numerical, multiple-choice, checkbox, dropdown, graphical, code, and ordered-block responses.prairielearn.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Open source
- PrairieLearn is open-source software that institutions and individuals can run on their own infrastructure and modify.prairielearn.com · 29 Sept 2026
- LMS integration
- PrairieLearn connects to learning management systems using LTI 1.3 for assignment linking and grade syncing, with integration primarily designed and documented for Canvas.docs.prairielearn.com · 29 Sept 2026
- QTI import
- Its content importer can import quizzes, assessments, question banks, and questions from Canvas or other learning management systems using QTI 1.2 content.docs.prairielearn.com · 29 Sept 2026
- API access
- The pricing comparison lists API access among PrairieLearn plan features.prairielearn.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Security
- PrairieLearn, Inc. states that it has a SOC 2 Type I attestation for Security and encrypts customer data at rest and data in transit using TLS 1.2 or higher.prairielearn.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Support
- Support options include documentation, a Slack community, GitHub Discussions, weekly Zoom office hours and workshops, and email support.prairielearn.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Self-hosted support limit
- PrairieLearn says it does not provide support for self-hosted installations.prairielearn.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Local development platforms
- The documentation supports native execution on macOS, Linux, and Windows inside WSL 2; it says Windows without WSL 2 is not supported for local installation.docs.prairielearn.com · 29 Sept 2026
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Sources
- prairielearn.com· checked 29 Sept 2026
- prairielearn.com/about· checked 29 Sept 2026
- docs.prairielearn.com/en/latest/lmsIntegrationInstructor/· checked 29 Sept 2026
- docs.prairielearn.com/importingContent/· checked 29 Sept 2026
- prairielearn.com/pricing· checked 29 Sept 2026
- prairielearn.com/security· checked 29 Sept 2026
- prairielearn.com/support· checked 29 Sept 2026
- docs.prairielearn.com/dev-guide/installingNative/· checked 29 Sept 2026