# Blackboard vs Open edX

**Leader by Vioscale score:** Open edX

| Attribute | Blackboard | Open edX |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 32.9 (26% (low)) | 66.7 (41% (low)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | - | 100 |
| adoption.github_stars | - | 8,173 |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true}` | `{"on_prem":true,"self_hosted":true}` |
| description.long | A comprehensive learning platform combining course delivery with AI-powered tools to support educators and learners, with emphasis on accessibility and institutional effectiveness. | A customizable, web-based platform for creating and delivering online courses to millions of learners worldwide, featuring built-in analytics, interactive learning tools, and no licensing fees due to its open-source nature. |
| features.capabilities | `{"analytics":true,"platform_type":"lms","self_hostable":false}` | `{"analytics":true,"platform_type":"lms","self_hostable":true,"native_authoring":true}` |
| integrations.count | 2 | - |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"AWS"},{"name":"Wooclap"}]` | - |
| language.primary | - | Python |
| license.spdx | - | AGPL-3.0 |
| market.availability | `{"hqCountry":"US","primaryMarkets":["US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"hqCountry":"US","primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"web":true}` | `{"web":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"quote","sourceUrl":"https://www.blackboard.com/","retrievedAt":"2026-08-04T08:33:01.340Z"}` | `{"type":"open_source","summary":"Free and open source — no licensing costs","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://openedx.org","retrievedAt":"2026-08-14T21:41:08.566Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | - | yes |
| pricing.model | quote | commercial |
| pricing.price_level | unknown | free |
| pricing.transparent | - | yes |
| release.cadence_days | - | 125 |
| release.history | - | `[{"url":"https://github.com/openedx/openedx-platform/releases/tag/named-release/cypress.rc2","date":"2015-07-17T20:25:03Z","type":"prerelease","version":"named-release/cypress.rc2"},{"url":"https://github.com/openedx/openedx-platform/releases/tag/named-release/cypress.rc1","date":"2015-07-14T20:16:58Z","type":"prerelease","version":"named-release/cypress.rc1"},{"url":"https://github.com/openedx/openedx-platform/releases/tag/named-release/birch","date":"2015-03-02T21:13:51Z","type":"stable","version":"named-release/birch"},{"url":"https://github.com/openedx/openedx-platform/releases/tag/aspen.1","date":"2014-10-28T13:32:26Z","type":"stable","version":"aspen.1"}]` |
| reliability.status_page | yes | - |
| security.disclosure_policy | yes | - |
| security.fedramp | yes | - |

## Capabilities (LMS & Training Software)

| Capability | Blackboard | Open edX |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Core** |  |  |
| Platform type | LMS | LMS |
| **Standards** |  |  |
| Content-standard support | - | - |
| LTI support | - | - |
| **Content** |  |  |
| Native course authoring | - | ✓ |
| Off-the-shelf content library | - | - |
| **Training** |  |  |
| Compliance training tracking | - | - |
| **Delivery** |  |  |
| Virtual classroom / ILT | - | - |
| Learning paths | - | - |
| Gamification | - | - |
| **Segment** |  |  |
| Extended enterprise | - | - |
| **Admin** |  |  |
| SSO / SCIM | - | - |
| **Accessibility** |  |  |
| Accessibility | - | - |
| **Deployment** |  |  |
| Self-hostable | ✗ | ✓ |
| **Analytics** |  |  |
| Learning analytics / reporting | ✓ | ✓ |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T17:10:26.891Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*