Claroline Connect vs ILIAS
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 | ILIAS |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 75 · Good | 79 · Good |
| Category | Learning & Courses | Learning & Courses |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | PHP | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 349 | ★ 506 |
| First released | 2002 | 2000 |
| Replaces | Moodle, Blackboard | Moodle, Blackboard |
What are Claroline Connect and ILIAS?
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
ILIAS
ILIAS is a flexible open-source learning management system used by universities, schools, and companies. It provides courses, tests, learning paths, and SCORM support with strong standards compliance.
- Standards-compliant LMS
- SCORM and LTI support
- Tests and learning paths
- Strong access control
Claroline Connect vs ILIAS: key differences
Both projects are written in PHP. Claroline Connect is the lighter option, starting around 1,024 MB of RAM against 2,048 MB for ILIAS. ILIAS is the more established project (first released 2000), while Claroline Connect arrived in 2002. ILIAS 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 ILIAS 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 ILIAS better?
Neither is universally better. ILIAS has the larger community, while Claroline Connect is simpler to set up (medium difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Claroline Connect and ILIAS free and open-source?
Yes. Claroline Connect is licensed under GPL-3.0 and ILIAS under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Claroline Connect and ILIAS with Docker?
Claroline Connect: check the project docs for container support. ILIAS: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Claroline Connect or ILIAS?
Claroline Connect has the smaller minimum footprint at 1,024 MB of RAM, compared to about 2,048 MB for ILIAS. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.