ThingLink vs Xerte
ThingLink
thinglink.com
Xerte
xerte.org.ukSide by side
| Figure | ThingLink | Xerte |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $9/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 16 | 2 |
| Spec score · Interactive Lesson Makers | 8.6 (#9) | 8.2 (#13) |
| Accessibility | ThingLink states that its viewer meets WCAG 2.2 level AA standards and provides an accessibility player. | The project says accessibility was developed with accessibility specialists and people with special needs. |
| Integrations | Official integrations include Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint, OneNote, SharePoint, Google Workspace/Classroom, Canva, LTI for Canvas, ClassLink and LMS embedding. | The site describes SCORM, LTI, and xAPI support for integrating with learning technologies; xAPI reporting requires a configured Learning Record Store. |
| Self-hosting | The cited official materials describe a hosted SaaS service and do not offer a self-hosted deployment option. | Xerte is installed on an organisation's web server and is designed for a LAMP stack using Linux, Apache, MySQL or MariaDB and PHP. |
| Support | ThingLink offers a support center with searchable help articles and a submit-a-request option. | Support is offered through forums, technical and developer mailing lists, GitHub issues and listed commercial providers. |
| What it does | ThingLink creates interactive and immersive learning experiences from images, video, 360° media, 3D models and physical objects. | Xerte is a browser-based suite for creating interactive learning materials and online learning objects. |
Plans
ThingLink
- Create - Starter$29 a month
- Create Starter / Create XR$66 a month
- Create - XR$99 a month
- Teacher License$108 a year
- Create - Starter$232 a year
- Team$500 a month
- Team$500 a month
- Create - XR$792 a year
- Business$1,500 a month
- Business$1,500 a month
In their own words
ThingLink
ThingLink is an AI-powered platform for creating immersive content and learning experiences in education and business. Its no-code tools turn PDFs and slide shows into lessons and courses, and can generate images and 360° media. Creators can add information, questions, and decision-based guidance to images, video, 3D models, and 360° environments. Content works across desktop, mobile, tablet, VR headsets, and immersive spaces; the company also says it supports iOS and Android apps. LMS and LXP integrations include Canvas, Moodle, 360Learning, Docebo, and Cornerstone. Analytics and xAPI integration track learner engagement, completion, and performance. ThingLink says it supports WCAG 2.2 AA and complies with GDPR, COPPA, and FERPA, and holds ISO 27001 certification. Its main data storage is in Ireland on Microsoft Azure and AWS, with regional hosting available by discussion. Plans include creator, teacher, team, business, school, and enterprise options. Create Starter / Create XR costs $66 a month when billed annually, or $99/month billed monthly. After a trial or license ends without an upgrade, published content becomes unpublished, though the account retains access to it.
Xerte
Xerte is a browser-based authoring suite for interactive learning materials, aimed at teachers and tutors as well as organisations delivering teaching and learning. Authors assemble content with forms and templates, while developers can use JavaScript and CSS to change its appearance and functionality. The Xerte Online Toolkit has over 70 templates. Output is responsive, standards-compliant HTML5 for modern browsers and devices, with keyboard accessibility, a colour contrast changer, and compatibility with text-to-speech and most screen-reader tools. Projects can be exported as standalone ZIP files for web-server deployment or as SCORM packages. Xerte also supports SCORM, LTI, and xAPI integrations, though xAPI reporting requires a configured Learning Record Store. The software is free and open source, but requires installation on a web server. The described setup uses Linux, Apache, MySQL or MariaDB, and PHP; Windows servers with IIS can also be configured. Community forums are the main support channel, and support there is voluntary.