Claroline Connect vs Gibbon
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted learning & courses options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Claroline Connect | Gibbon |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 75 · Good | 76 · Good |
| Category | Learning & Courses | Learning & Courses |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | PHP | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | bare-metal, docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 349 | ★ 633 |
| First released | 2002 | 2010 |
| Replaces | Moodle, Blackboard | PowerSchool, Blackboard |
What are Claroline Connect and Gibbon?
Claroline Connect
Claroline Connect is an open-source learning management and collaboration platform for schools and training organizations. It offers course paths, resources, quizzes, and group workspaces.
- Learning path builder
- Group workspaces
- Quiz and survey tools
- Resource library
Gibbon
Gibbon is a free, open-source school management and learning platform built for teachers and schools. It combines a virtual learning environment with timetabling, attendance, and student records.
- School management plus VLE
- Timetabling and attendance
- Student records
- Free for schools
Claroline Connect vs Gibbon: key differences
Both projects are written in PHP. Claroline Connect is the more established project (first released 2002), while Gibbon arrived in 2010. Gibbon lists first-class Docker deployment; Claroline Connect does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Claroline Connect if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Written in PHP
Choose Gibbon if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in PHP
Frequently asked questions
Is Claroline Connect or Gibbon better?
Neither is universally better. Gibbon has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Claroline Connect and Gibbon free and open-source?
Yes. Claroline Connect is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Gibbon under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Claroline Connect and Gibbon with Docker?
Claroline Connect: check the project docs for container support. Gibbon: yes.