Folio by Sunesis vs Mahara

Folio by Sunesis is a web-based e-portfolio platform for UK training providers managing apprenticeship delivery and learner progress. It records what training was delivered, when and by whom across standards, qualifications and programmes. Learner data and progress appear in a central dashboard with real-time insights intended to highlight learners falling behind. For IQA and EQA work, users can tag, filter and submit evidence while managing RAG ratings, observations, audits and sampling. Functional-skills tools track maths and English outcomes, progression, results and support needs, and providers can buy or build courses and assessments. Listed additions include CPD tracking, a learning-resources library, learner support plans, additional-learning-support records, adapted-delivery planning, learner diaries and off-the-job hour tracking with reports and sign-off. Employers can review key information, sign documents digitally and communicate with tutors and assessors. Folio links to Sunesis onboarding records. Sunesis says it uses encrypted UK-based servers, restricted access controls, UK GDPR compliance, secure migration and setup guidance, plus initial training and live walkthroughs. Pricing is on request.

Mahara is a free ePortfolio system for learning communities. Students and staff can collect evidence, reflect on experiences, and relate work to competencies or registration requirements. Listed uses include study, professional development, work-integrated learning, assessment, presentation, and employability. Portfolios can be shared with an individual, group, or the public, with access limited by a time frame or assessment task. Users can comment, give feedback, build portfolios together in groups, and take part in group forums. Portfolios can be submitted to learning management systems through LTI for marking. Mahara is open source, under conditions that include providing source code with copies and using the same license for derivative works. It can be hosted on a Linux server; the manual also describes Docker setup for development and testing, and advises securing that environment before live use. The manual describes LTI 1.3 Advantage as experimental and tested only with Brightspace. The project links to community forums, a manual, a wiki, an issue tracker, and extended security support; Catalyst is named as maintainer.