Numbas vs TAO
Numbas
numbas.org.uk
TAO
taotesting.comSide by side
| Figure | Numbas | TAO |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $149/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 7 |
| Spec score · Online Exam Software | 7.9 (#18) | 8.8 (#5) |
| Spec score · Automated Grading Software | 7.8 (#23) | 8.7 (#3) |
| Founded | 2011 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom | Capellen, Luxembourg |
| Integrations | The Numbas LTI tool supports adding assessments to VLEs including Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle, and Brightspace. | Listed integrations include Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, GeoGebra, Proctorio, MathType, Wiris and Texthelp. |
| Purpose | Numbas is an open-source e-assessment system aimed at mathematics and other numerate disciplines. | TAO is an online assessment platform for creating, delivering and managing digital assessments. |
| Support | Users can seek help by emailing [email protected] or posting in the Numbas Users group. | Community Edition support is through the TAO Community Forum and User Guide; paid plans offer additional support options. |
Plans
TAO
- TAO Community EditionFree
- TAO StarterFree
- TAO StarterFree
- TAO Author$149 a month
- TAO Ignite$990 a month
- TAO ElevatePriced on request
- TAO EnterprisePriced on request
In their own words
Numbas
Numbas is a free, open-source e-assessment system for mathematics and other numerate disciplines. Educators can deliver exams in a browser, through a virtual learning environment (VLE), or from a DVD or USB key. The public mathcentre editor offers over 5,000 questions that users may use or modify. Numbas supports VLE integration through an LTI tool for Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle, and Brightspace, and can generate SCORM 2004 packages for compatible VLEs. The project does not provide a public LTI instance, so users need to host that tool themselves or discuss paid hosting with the team. Standalone browser exams give immediate feedback, but scores are not saved automatically. The interface is designed for assistive technology and varied accessibility needs; extensions and themes provide options for changing functionality or exam delivery. For high-stakes summative exams, the documentation recommends a locked-down browser because students may inspect answers or alter reported data. Numbas began in 2011 and is based at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom.
TAO
TAO is an online platform for creating, delivering and managing digital assessments. Authors can build tests manually, convert existing exam files, use AI-assisted drafting or import QTI packages. Question formats include Choice, Extended Text, File Upload, Hotspot and Text Entry. Scoring supports automatic and manual methods, partial credit, weighted responses and cut scores, with branching logic also available. Results can be reviewed through session and test-taker reports, custom reports, CSV results, Data Explorer and TAO Insights. TAO supports QTI 2.2 and QTI 3.0, and promotes interoperability through QTI and LTI. Delivery options include online, LMS via LTI, test centers, local proctoring, and cloud-hosted or self-hosted configurations. TAO Cloud offers shared or private hosting using providers including AWS, Google Cloud and Linode. Starter is free for one author and 50 learner attempts monthly; Community Edition is a free, self-hosted open-source option. Paid plans include TAO Author at $149 a month and TAO Ignite at $990 a month; custom plans are also listed.