Chamilo vs OpenOLAT
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted learning & courses options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Chamilo
Easy-to-use e-learning and collaboration platform
VS
OpenOLAT
Web-based learning management system for institutions
| Feature | Chamilo | OpenOLAT |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Learning & Courses | Learning & Courses |
| License | GPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | PHP | Java |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 4,096 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 982 | ★ 434 |
| First released | 2010 | 2011 |
| Replaces | Moodle, Blackboard | Moodle, Blackboard |
Why pick each one
Choose Chamilo if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in PHP
Choose OpenOLAT if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Java
Frequently asked questions
Is Chamilo or OpenOLAT better?
Chamilo is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider OpenOLAT if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Chamilo and OpenOLAT free and open-source?
Yes. Chamilo is licensed under GPL-3.0 and OpenOLAT under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Chamilo and OpenOLAT with Docker?
Chamilo: yes. OpenOLAT: yes.