The cost shows up later
A free tier can turn expensive through storage overages, per-certificate charges, paid assessment features, an enterprise jump at a small learner count, or — with self-hosted software — hosting and maintenance you now own.
Before adopting a free LMS, establish four things: whether the offer is an ongoing plan, a trial or open-source software; what the published limits are on learners, teachers and storage; what a year of running it really costs; and what you can export if you leave.
Free is not one offer. Getting this decision right is mostly about asking four unglamorous questions before you invest a term's worth of content in a platform.
Active students
348
Live rooms in use
6
Course completion
82%
Courses in progress
This termA free tier can turn expensive through storage overages, per-certificate charges, paid assessment features, an enterprise jump at a small learner count, or — with self-hosted software — hosting and maintenance you now own.
First, is it ongoing or time-limited? Second, what are the published limits against your numbers? Third, what is the total twelve-month cost including staff time? Fourth, what can you export if you leave? Anything unanswered should be answered in writing.
Ongoing free plan, free trial, or open-source software you host.
Learners, teachers, live rooms, storage and assessment features.
Licence plus hosting, setup, maintenance, support and administration.
What data you can take with you, in what format.
Start free, learn what you actually need, then buy.
Compare maintenance effort against a published plan price.
Prove the case before institution-wide procurement.
Create your workspace, invite your teachers and publish your first course. Start on a free plan and upgrade when your numbers grow.