Blockcerts vs Openbadges.me

Blockcerts is an open standard and open-source ecosystem for creating, issuing, receiving, and checking blockchain-based credentials and official records. Its intended settings include civic records, education, professional licensing, and workforce development. Recipients can use the Blockcerts app to receive, import, keep, and share credentials; a private passphrase supports ownership and recovery. A universal verifier checks records independently and can be incorporated into other software. Developer resources include Python tools for creating and issuing credentials, a JavaScript verification library for Node.js or browsers, and a standalone web verifier. The issuer library supports Bitcoin and Ethereum, while the standard is designed to work across blockchains. Verification checks issuer signatures and certificate data, including expiry and revocation. Issued certificates cannot be edited, though an issuer can revoke an incorrect one or issue a replacement batch. Blockchain data is a one-way hash of certificate information. Blockcerts is free; Bitcoin batch issuance may incur a variable network transaction fee.

Openbadges.me helps educators and organisations recognise achievement by designing and issuing digital badges and credentials. Organisations can define badges to their specifications, manage administrator permissions and issue credentials on behalf of multiple issuers. A rules-based engine can automate issuing from numerical scores, text input or event data. Recipients can show verified badges on LinkedIn, online and on social media, or access them from email or a free backpack account. Features include enhanced reporting and multilingual badges that support non-English characters. Integrations include Google Sheets and Forms plugins, an API for organisational software, and reporting exports to systems such as Power BI. White labelling can apply an organisation's branding and URLs to badge pages and remove Openbadges.me branding. The service is offered on the web and through an API. The STARTER plan is free for up to 10 badge recipients, with unlimited badges per year. Paid plans start at $55 a month for up to 500 recipients; enterprise package pricing is by enquiry.