Open eClass vs Open edX
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?
Open eClass
Open eClass is an advanced e-learning solution that can enhance the
VS
Open edX
Scalable open-source platform for online courses
| Feature | Open eClass | Open edX |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Learning & Courses | Learning & Courses |
| License | GPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | PHP | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 8,192 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal | docker, kubernetes, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 162 | ★ 8,156 |
| First released | 2026 | 2013 |
| Replaces | — | Coursera, Canvas |
Why pick each one
Choose Open eClass if…
- Released under the GPL-2.0 license
- Written in PHP
- Lightweight — runs in 512 MB RAM
Choose Open edX if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Kubernetes-ready with Helm charts available
- Mature project with 8.2k GitHub stars
Frequently asked questions
Is Open eClass or Open edX better?
Neither is universally better. Open edX has the larger community, while Open eClass is simpler to set up (medium difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Open eClass and Open edX free and open-source?
Yes. Open eClass is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Open edX under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Open eClass and Open edX with Docker?
Open eClass: check the project docs for container support. Open edX: yes.