Absorb LMS vs Open edX
Absorb LMS
absorbai.comOpen edX
openedx.orgSide by side
| Figure | Absorb LMS | Open edX |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Learning Management - Enterprise Software | 8.6 (#2) | 8.2 (#7) |
| Spec score · Learning Management Systems | 8.5 (#15) | 8.7 (#8) |
| Spec score · E-Learning Software | 8.6 (#5) | 8.0 (#15) |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Assessments | Yes | The platform includes native editors for formative and summative assessments, including question types and tools for coding, engineering, and other STEM content. |
| Certificates | Yes | Yes |
| Course creation | Absorb Create can generate courses and add quizzes, videos, translations, and voice-overs with built-in AI tools. | Open edX Studio supports creating, managing, reusing, and remixing course content. |
| Founded | 2003 | 2012 |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Headquarters | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States |
| Integrations | Listed integrations include ADP, Workday, Salesforce, BambooHR, Zoom, and content providers, with RESTful APIs and webhooks for custom connections. | The platform supports LTI 1.3 integrations and extensible course components called XBlocks. |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| SSO support | Yes | Yes |
| Support | The features FAQ lists 24/7 customer support as part of the standard feature package. | The site directs organizations seeking implementation help to service partners who can customize, host, and manage a distribution. |
Plans
In their own words
Absorb LMS
Absorb LMS is a learning management system for administering and delivering organizational training. Its stated uses include onboarding, employee development, compliance training, customer education, partner enablement, and selling courses. Learning can be assigned according to role, department, location, goals, and skill gaps; the homepage lists 12,000+ job skills and 20,000+ pre-built courses. Absorb Create uses built-in AI tools to generate courses and add quizzes, videos, translations, and voice-overs. Custom reports cover learner engagement, course completion, productivity, and sales. Integrations listed include ADP, Workday, Salesforce, BambooHR, Zoom, and content providers, with RESTful APIs and webhooks for custom connections. The free Absorb Learning app for compatible iOS and Android devices supports offline training and syncs progress after reconnection, but course creation and management are not supported in the app. The product also lists assessments, certificates, SSO, and API access. Pricing is provided on request, and a free trial signup form is available with no duration stated. Absorb LMS was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Open edX
Open edX is an open-source platform for teaching and learning, combining course authoring tools with a learner-facing learning management system. Open edX Studio supports creating, managing, reusing and remixing course content. Aspects analytics turns enrollment, learner progress, assessment performance, forum activity and video engagement into metrics and visualizations. The platform supports LTI 1.3 integrations and extensible course components called XBlocks. Listed sign-in integrations include SAML and OAuth 2.0 providers such as Facebook, Google, Microsoft and LinkedIn. Open edX supports assessments, certificates, APIs and mobile apps, and can be self-hosted. Universities, governments, nongovernmental organizations and enterprises use the platform. Institutions control their content, learner data, hosting environment and governance policies. The software has no license fees, but an organization operating an instance must arrange hosting, infrastructure, maintenance, support and customization. Organizations can seek implementation help from service partners. The project began in 2012 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Its security process directs vulnerability reports to its Security Working Group and does not offer bug bounties.