LibreTexts vs zyBooks
LibreTexts
libretexts.orgzyBooks
zybooks.comSide by side
| Figure | LibreTexts | zyBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $104.17/mo | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 7 | 2 |
| Spec score · Digital Textbook Platforms | 8.3 (#6) | 7.3 (#23) |
| Accessibility | LibreTexts states a goal for its platform and features to meet or exceed Revised Section 508 Standards and WCAG 2.1 AA, and says it audits accessibility at major development milestones. | zyBooks says it measures accessibility against WCAG 2.2 A/AA, Revised Section 508, and EN 301 549, and offers accessibility modes and downloadable or printable chapter PDFs. |
| Founded | 2008 | 2012 |
| Support | LibreTexts offers free support tickets, monthly webinars, weekly office hours, and free Academy lessons. | The maker offers instructor and student support and invites instructors to request demos and evaluation copies. |
Plans
LibreTexts
- ADAPTFree
- All-AccessFree
- Jupyter HubFree
- LibreTexts core platformFree
- The ForgeFree
- LibreNet Consortium (affiliate)$1,250 a year
- LibreNet Consortium (full)$2,500 a year
zyBooks
- Non-student subscriptionPrice not published
- Student class subscriptionPrice not published
In their own words
LibreTexts
LibreTexts is a nonprofit open education platform for creating, adapting, and sharing accessible textbooks, homework, and related learning materials. Its libraries cover 17 subject fields and more than 2,000 textbooks, and instructors can remix chapters into custom books. Pages can include Jupyter Notebooks, ADAPT homework questions, 3D visualizations, and videos. ADAPT supports formative and summative assessment and includes a shared bank of more than 240,000 openly licensed elements. LibreTexts can be embedded in institutional learning management systems over a secure connection, with optional grade and assessment exchange. Guides cover importing books into Canvas, Moodle, and D2L, and also mention Blackboard. Book pages may provide PDF, EPUB, and editable downloads. Educators can create, adapt, and host open educational resources free of charge. The service is available on the web, Android, and iOS, with offline access and annotation tools. A free plan is listed, with paid pricing from $15/mo.
zyBooks
zyBooks is interactive digital courseware designed as an alternative to textbooks in STEM courses. Instructors can add custom content, create sections and chapters, and set course content and pacing. LMS integration is optional: zyBooks supports LTI 1.3 single sign-on and grade passback, with documentation for Canvas, Blackboard, Brightspace, and Moodle; activity scores can also be downloaded as CSV files. Security course materials include labs for practicing malware creation, network analysis, and vulnerability assessment. The maker describes accessibility against WCAG 2.2 A/AA, Revised Section 508, and EN 301 549, and offers accessibility modes and chapter PDFs. Access is by paid subscription, with a free evaluation available to instructors.