OpenOLAT vs Gibbon
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?
OpenOLAT
Web-based learning management system for institutions
VS
Gibbon
Open-source school management and learning platform
| Feature | OpenOLAT | Gibbon |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Learning & Courses | Learning & Courses |
| License | Apache-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Java | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 4,096 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | bare-metal, docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 434 | ★ 620 |
| First released | 2011 | 2010 |
| Replaces | Moodle, Blackboard | PowerSchool, Blackboard |
Why pick each one
Choose OpenOLAT if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Java
Choose Gibbon if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in PHP
Frequently asked questions
Is OpenOLAT or Gibbon better?
Gibbon 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 OpenOLAT and Gibbon free and open-source?
Yes. OpenOLAT is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Gibbon under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run OpenOLAT and Gibbon with Docker?
OpenOLAT: yes. Gibbon: yes.