Chamilo LMS vs Google Classroom
Chamilo LMS
chamilo.orgGoogle Classroom
edu.google.comSide by side
| Figure | Chamilo LMS | Google Classroom |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $0.25/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 7 |
| Spec score · Education Learning Management | 8.6 (#2) | 9.2 (#1) |
| Spec score · Education software | 8.5 (#4) | 9.1 (#1) |
| Spec score · Learning Management Systems | 8.5 (#16) | 9.4 (#1) |
| Spec score · E-Learning Software | 8.5 (#8) | 9.0 (#2) |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Assessments | Yes | Yes |
| Audience | Chamilo describes its mission as increasing access to quality education worldwide, and says future paid modules would concern professional stakeholders rather than teachers or trainers in day-to-day practice. | Google describes Classroom as serving educators and students and presents tools for education leaders and IT administrators. |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Privacy | Chamilo's home page describes the platform as GDPR compliant. | Google states that Workspace for Education core services including Classroom have no advertising and that personal information is not used or sold to third parties for ad targeting. |
| Purpose | Chamilo LMS is a free and open-source e-learning platform used by more than 41 million learners worldwide. | Google Classroom helps educators create engaging learning experiences they can personalize, manage, and measure. |
| Security | A documented LMS feature can lock accounts after too many failed login attempts. | Classroom uses the same infrastructure as other Google Workspace products, with centralized Admin console controls and regular third-party privacy audits. |
| SSO support | Yes | Yes |
| Support | Chamilo points users to its FAQ and forum, and offers training, online events, and a certification catalogue. | The Classroom Help Center provides role-based guides for students, teachers, leaders and administrators plus community support. |
Plans
Google Classroom
- Education Plus$6 a year
- Education FundamentalsFree
- Google Workspace for Education FundamentalsFree
- Education Standard$3 a year
- Teaching and Learning$4 a month
- Education Plus$5 a year
- Google Workspace for Education Plus$6 a year
In their own words
Chamilo LMS
Chamilo LMS is a free, open-source platform for delivering online learning and assessments. The project says it serves more than 41 million learners worldwide and aims to broaden access to quality education. Its features include tests, certificates, single sign-on and API access. Teachers can select a learner’s best test attempt in a lesson, while an OpenAI/ChatGPT plugin supports creating editable test questions.
Chamilo describes support for xAPI and LTI, including an LTI provider mode for sharing SCORM content with compatible portals. It says LTI Advantage compliance enables information exchange with external learning tools. Documented features include locking accounts after too many failed login attempts, and its homepage describes the platform as GDPR compliant. The download page lists version 3.0.1 as a ZIP for PHP 8.3, 8.4 and 8.5; the older 1.11.40 branch is available in ZIP and TAR.GZ for PHP 7.4 and 8.3. A Free Campus demo is available, while professional projects are directed to BeezNest Belgium. The software is free under GNU/GPLv3+.
Google Classroom
Google Classroom is a learning platform where educators can create classes, distribute coursework, and grade student work. Teachers can use customizable rubrics, reusable comment banks, bulk grading, and feedback during students’ work. Originality reports compare submissions with web pages and books; the listed allowance is five reports per class for Education Fundamentals and unlimited reports with peer comparison for Education Plus. Other learning tools include interactive practice sets, Read Along reading feedback, and questions embedded in YouTube videos. Classroom supports EdTech add-ons and connections to student information systems, and institutions can customize it through APIs. It is available on web, Android, and iOS, with support for up to 1,000 learners. Google says the core service has no advertising and personal information is not used or sold for ad targeting. Education Fundamentals is free for qualifying institutions; Education Plus is $6 a year. A 60-day trial is listed.