Learning Locker 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?
Learning Locker
Open-source learning record store for xAPI data
VS
OpenOLAT
Web-based learning management system for institutions
| Feature | Learning Locker | OpenOLAT |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Learning & Courses | Learning & Courses |
| License | GPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | Java |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 4,096 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 581 | ★ 434 |
| First released | 2013 | 2011 |
| Replaces | Watershed LRS, Veracity LRS | Moodle, Blackboard |
Why pick each one
Choose Learning Locker if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in JavaScript
Choose OpenOLAT if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Java
Frequently asked questions
Is Learning Locker or OpenOLAT better?
Neither is universally better. Learning Locker has the larger community; both share a hard setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Learning Locker and OpenOLAT free and open-source?
Yes. Learning Locker is licensed under GPL-3.0 and OpenOLAT under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Learning Locker and OpenOLAT with Docker?
Learning Locker: yes. OpenOLAT: yes.