Lumen Learning vs Saylor Academy
Lumen Learning
lumenlearning.com
Saylor Academy
learn.saylor.orgSide by side
| Figure | Lumen Learning | Saylor Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 2 |
| Spec score · Open Educational Resource Platforms | 7.9 (#9) | 8.0 (#8) |
| Founded | 2012 | 2008 |
| Mobile access | Lumen courseware works on iOS and Android devices through common mobile web browsers without installing an app or additional software. | Learners can use the Saylor University or Moodle mobile app on iOS and Android, and some activities can be downloaded for offline use. |
| Security | Lumen Learning passed a SOC 2 Type 2 audit valid for a 12-month period in December 2025, with audit results available to institutions or individuals after an NDA. | The privacy policy says it uses reasonable administrative, physical, and technical safeguards but cannot guarantee absolute security. |
| Support | The standard course support fee includes LMS integration, editing capabilities, online homework, personalized learning tools, and technical and faculty support. | The help center accepts support requests and lists [email protected] for help. |
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
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.
Saylor Academy
Saylor University offers self-paced online courses, skill development programs, and graduate degrees. Its catalog lists 164 free courses spanning professional skills and college-level subjects. Materials are curated from free and open online resources by expert educators, and learners can earn free digital certificates by passing course exams. Some courses have ACE credit recommendations, but earning credit requires a proctored credit exam; optional proctoring costs $5 USD per exam session. The organization serves people pursuing personal or professional development, college credit, and graduate degrees. Learners can access courses on the web or use the Saylor University or Moodle mobile app on iOS and Android. Some activities can be downloaded for offline use, though some site features and settings are unavailable in the apps. Sign-in supports Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Microsoft. Saylor says it collects account and usage information and does not sell personal information. Its privacy policy describes administrative, physical, and technical safeguards while noting that absolute security cannot be guaranteed. Saylor University is the primary initiative of the Constitution Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Michael J. Saylor.