Open Badge Factory vs POK

Open Badge Factory is an online platform for organisations to create, issue, and manage Open Badges. Badge applications are custom questionnaires attached to badges, where applicants submit information and evidence for review. Organisations can share badges and applications, endorse other organisations’ badges, and report on how badges were issued, received, shared, and ranked by target groups. Badges can be created and issued in multiple languages. The Pro plan includes verifiable PDF badges that recipients can share online or offline without a badge wallet account. Plans set annual issuance limits: 5,000 for Basic, 15,000 for Premium, and 50,000 for Pro; larger quantities can be discussed with the maker. Integrations include an API, LTI, and plugins such as Moodle, while Zapier automation requires Pro. The maker says the platform is certified to Open Badges v3.0 and complies with the European General Data Protection Regulation. Its privacy notice says personal data is not transferred outside the EU/EEA. Basic costs €220 per year, Premium €700 per year, and Pro €1,280 per year; Enterprise pricing is by quote. A 60-day trial is listed, but no free plan is available.

POK (Proof of Knowledge) helps organizations issue, manage, and verify digital credentials and microcredentials, including Open Badges 3.0 credentials on blockchain. Each credential has a unique link and QR code that opens a public page with the issuer, holder, date, skills, and current status. Its template editor supports logos, backgrounds, typefaces, signatures, custom attributes, dynamic API images, and paper formats. Organizations can issue credentials in bulk from Excel or CSV files; the free plan has no user cap or added bulk-issuance cost. Connections include Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, D2L Brightspace, and Open edX through LTI 1.3, Sana through xAPI, and other systems through LTI, API keys, REST API, or webhooks. LMS rules can issue credentials after course completion, optionally with a minimum grade. POK supports several credential standards and offers white-label branding. Its Free Web2 plan is free; blockchain verification is $0.30, paid once, or $3,000 a year for up to 50,000 credentials.