eXact LCMS vs LON-CAPA

eXact LCMS helps organizations author, manage, reuse, and deliver digital learning content. It combines project coordination with a repository that indexes learning material for reuse or repurposing. Teams can allocate work, set tasks and deadlines, and automate course-production workflows. Collaborative, template-based authoring supports single-source production of SCORM learning objects, lesson notes, and teacher guides. The platform supports SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004 3rd edition, and xAPI, and delivers content through standards-based LMS/LRS systems and other business integrations. It can be hosted or installed on premises behind a firewall. Browser access supports current versions of major browsers, including Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, while the supported server-side operating system is Windows only. APIs cover content and project management, authentication, security, users, and related services. The interface is available in English, French, Italian, and Arabic, with an XLIFF localization engine. Pricing is on request, and a free trial is available.

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.