Lumen Learning vs OpenStax
Lumen Learning
lumenlearning.com
OpenStax
openstax.orgSide by side
| Figure | Lumen Learning | OpenStax |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 3 |
| Spec score · Open Educational Resource Platforms | 7.9 (#9) | 8.9 (#4) |
| Accessibility | Lumen aims to meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA criteria and describes screen-reader text, image alt text, video captions and transcripts, and text alternatives for interactives. | OpenStax works toward WCAG 2.1 Level AA and Section 508 compliance and uses Level Access for automated and manual accessibility reviews. |
| Founded | 2012 | 2012 |
| Integration limit | Integration with learning management systems other than Canvas, Blackboard Learn, D2L Brightspace, and Moodle is not officially supported. | OpenStax does not support beta, sandbox or test LMS environments, and unsupported LTI systems receive no integration guidance. |
| LMS integrations | Lumen fully supports Instructure Canvas, Blackboard Learn, D2L Brightspace, and Moodle; Waymaker and OHM provide automatic grade return for built-in quizzes and graded assessments. | Supported integrations include Blackboard Learn and Ultra, Canvas, D2L Brightspace, Moodle 3.10 or later, Schoology and other LTI 1.3 systems. |
| Support | The standard course support fee includes LMS integration, editing capabilities, online homework, personalized learning tools, and technical and faculty support. | OpenStax says its support team helps instructors and students with questions about textbooks, instructor resources, and Assignable through its support center or email. |
Plans
Lumen Learning
- Per Student Course Support Fee$35, paid once
- Success Accelerator for Waymaker and OHM$350, paid once
- Lumen Circles Fellowship$750, paid once
- Annualized PricingPrice not published
OpenStax
- OpenStax textbooksFree
- OpenStax Assignable$15, paid once
- OpenStax AssignablePriced on request
In their own words
Lumen Learning
Lumen Learning develops digital courseware and faculty professional development resources for higher education. Its course materials replace textbooks with interactive text, video, simulations, practice questions, updated content, and mobile-friendly access. The catalog covers more than 50 subjects, with a focus on introductory, general education, and developmental courses. Lumen One offers personalized study plans, immediate feedback, student-faculty connection tools, a peer community, and teaching-practice tips. Courseware can be customized after delivery into Canvas, Blackboard Learn, D2L Brightspace, or Moodle and adjusted for different term lengths. Mobile access works through common browsers on iOS and Android without an app. Static courseware text and images are open educational resources. The course support fee is $35/term. Additional options include professional development priced per seat.
OpenStax
OpenStax is a nonprofit education initiative of Rice University that publishes free, openly licensed textbooks and related materials for introductory courses. Subject matter experts write the textbooks, which are peer-reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Books can be read online on the web, Android or iOS, or downloaded as free PDFs; low-cost print editions are also offered. Most titles are accessible without an account, although a small number require sign-in. Students can highlight, take notes and create study guides, with a free student account required for some features. Educators with a free account can access test banks, PowerPoint slides, solutions manuals and customization tools. OpenStax Assignable lets instructors assign readings, assessments and supporting materials through an LMS, with automatic grading and gradebook synchronization. It supports LTI 1.3 and Blackboard, Canvas, D2L Brightspace and Moodle. Textbooks cost nothing. Assignable starts at $15, paid once, billed per student per semester; instructors use it free, and a two-week trial begins on the first day of access. Institutional pricing is by contact.