Adapt Framework vs Adapt Authoring Tool
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted learning & courses options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Adapt Framework | Adapt Authoring Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 78 · Good | 62 · Good |
| Category | Learning & Courses | Learning & Courses |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | source, binary | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 629 | ★ 562 |
| First released | 2013 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Articulate 360, Adobe Captivate | Articulate Rise, Adobe Captivate |
What are Adapt Framework and Adapt Authoring Tool?
Adapt Framework
The Adapt Framework is an open-source, command-line toolkit for building fully responsive HTML5 e-learning courses from JSON content. It produces SCORM and xAPI packages that run on any device.
- Responsive HTML5 output
- JSON-based content
- SCORM and xAPI export
- Plugin component library
Adapt Authoring Tool
The Adapt Authoring Tool is an open-source platform for building fully responsive HTML5 e-learning content. Course authors assemble interactive components and publish SCORM-compliant packages from a web interface.
- Responsive HTML5 output
- Drag-and-drop authoring
- SCORM and xAPI export
- Plugin component library
Adapt Framework vs Adapt Authoring Tool: key differences
Both projects are written in JavaScript. Adapt Framework is the lighter option, starting around 512 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Adapt Authoring Tool. Adapt Authoring Tool lists first-class Docker deployment; Adapt Framework does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Adapt Framework if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Written in JavaScript
- Lightweight — runs in 512 MB RAM
Choose Adapt Authoring Tool if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in JavaScript
Frequently asked questions
Is Adapt Framework or Adapt Authoring Tool better?
Neither is universally better. Adapt Framework has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Adapt Framework and Adapt Authoring Tool free and open-source?
Yes. Adapt Framework is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Adapt Authoring Tool under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Adapt Framework and Adapt Authoring Tool with Docker?
Adapt Framework: check the project docs for container support. Adapt Authoring Tool: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Adapt Framework or Adapt Authoring Tool?
Adapt Framework has the smaller minimum footprint at 512 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Adapt Authoring Tool. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.