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LifterLMS alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave LifterLMS: many important features sit in paid add-ons, and you handle hosting and plugin updates. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces LifterLMS, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. LearnDash currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1LearnDash logoLearnDashPaidNoWeb, Self-hosted4 of 466.5
2Tutor LMS logoTutor LMSOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted4 of 462.6
3Moodle logoMoodleOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted, iOS +14 of 459.6
4Teachable logoTeachablePaidNoWeb, iOS, Android5 of 557.2
5Podia logoPodiaPaidNoWeb4 of 455.3
  1. LearnDash logo

    1. LearnDashTop pick

    Best for: WordPress site owners and agencies who want a mature LMS on their own hosting

    PaidSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from LifterLMS

    More established WordPress LMS with a large add-on ecosystem.

    Pros

    • Runs on your own WordPress site with full design control
    • Mature quiz, certificate and drip features
    • Large ecosystem of add-ons and integrations

    Cons

    • You manage hosting, updates and plugin conflicts
    • No free version
    • Sold as a multi-plugin bundle whether you need the extras or not
    Visit LearnDash Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is LearnDash a good LifterLMS alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Starting price
    $350 for 1 site (bundle)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026learndash.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Bundle contents
    LearnDash, Kadence, The Events Calendar, Give
    Checked Oct 25, 2026learndash.com(opens source in a new tab)
    10-site plan
    $599
    Checked Oct 25, 2026learndash.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Subscriptions
    Monthly and yearly course subscriptions
    Checked Oct 25, 2026learndash.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Tutor LMS logo

    2. Tutor LMS

    Best for: WordPress users who want a free LMS plugin with a visual builder and optional Pro features

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from LifterLMS

    Free WordPress plugin with a front-end course builder and cheaper Pro plan.

    Pros

    • Generous free version under the GPL
    • Drag-and-drop front-end course builder
    • Supports multi-instructor course marketplaces

    Cons

    • Ecommerce, certificates and drip need Pro
    • You manage hosting and plugin updates
    • Add-on quality depends on the wider WordPress ecosystem
    Visit Tutor LMS Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Tutor LMS a good LifterLMS alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro starting price
    $199/year for 1 site
    Checked Oct 25, 2026tutorlms.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business plan
    $399/year for up to 10 sites
    Checked Oct 25, 2026tutorlms.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Install base
    100,000+ sites
    Checked Oct 25, 2026tutorlms.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Moodle logo

    3. Moodle

    Best for: Schools, universities and organisations that want a flexible LMS they fully control

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted, iOS, Android

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from LifterLMS

    Standalone open-source LMS for schools and larger training programmes.

    Pros

    • Free and open source with no licence fees
    • Very flexible, with thousands of plugins
    • Strong quiz, grading and permission features

    Cons

    • Interface feels dated next to modern SaaS tools
    • Needs admin skills to host, theme and upgrade
    • Quality of community plugins varies
    Visit Moodle Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Moodle a good LifterLMS alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Languages
    Courses in 42 languages
    Checked Oct 25, 2026moodle.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Free to download, modify and share
    Checked Oct 25, 2026moodle.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Hosted option
    MoodleCloud, with a free trial
    Checked Oct 25, 2026moodle.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Teachable logo

    4. Teachable

    Best for: Solo creators who want a simple hosted course store with payments and tax handled

    PaidWeb, iOS, Android

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from LifterLMS

    Hosted option for creators who'd rather not run WordPress.

    Pros

    • Quick to set up a course and checkout
    • Handles global payments and sales tax
    • Student apps for iOS and Android included

    Cons

    • Entry plan charges a transaction fee on sales
    • Low product limits on cheaper plans
    • Email marketing and funnels are basic compared with Kajabi
    Visit Teachable Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Teachable a good LifterLMS alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Starting price
    $39/month billed monthly (Starter)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026teachable.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    7 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026teachable.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    No
    Checked Oct 25, 2026teachable.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starter transaction fee
    7.5%
    Checked Oct 25, 2026teachable.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Builder plan price
    $89/month billed monthly
    Checked Oct 25, 2026teachable.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Podia logo

    5. Podia

    Best for: Solo creators selling a mix of courses, downloads and coaching from one simple site

    PaidWeb

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from LifterLMS

    Hosted, simple store for courses and downloads with no plugins to manage.

    Pros

    • Easy to learn, even for first-time creators
    • Courses, downloads, coaching, community and email in every plan
    • Free trial without entering a card

    Cons

    • Entry plan takes a 5% fee on sales
    • Email subscriber caps are low on each plan
    • Course features are basic next to dedicated LMS tools
    Visit Podia Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Podia a good LifterLMS alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free trial
    14 days, no card
    Checked Oct 25, 2026podia.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $42/month billed annually (Mover)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026podia.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mover transaction fee
    5%
    Checked Oct 25, 2026podia.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Shaker plan
    $84/month billed annually, no fees
    Checked Oct 25, 2026podia.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best LifterLMS alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

LearnDash logo

Best LifterLMS alternative for most people

LearnDash

More established WordPress LMS with a large add-on ecosystem.

Tutor LMS logo

Best LifterLMS alternative for a free option

Tutor LMS

Free WordPress plugin with a front-end course builder and cheaper Pro plan.

Moodle logo

Best LifterLMS alternative for open source

Moodle

Standalone open-source LMS for schools and larger training programmes.

LearnDash logo

Best LifterLMS alternative for self-hosting

LearnDash

More established WordPress LMS with a large add-on ecosystem.

Teachable logo

Best LifterLMS alternative for iPhone and Android

Teachable

Hosted option for creators who'd rather not run WordPress.

Podia logo

Best LifterLMS alternative for working in the browser

Podia

Hosted, simple store for courses and downloads with no plugins to manage.

LifterLMS alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to LifterLMS?

LearnDash ranks first right now. More established WordPress LMS with a large add-on ecosystem. Tutor LMS and Moodle follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to LifterLMS?

Yes. Tutor LMS (open source) and Moodle (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to LifterLMS?

Yes: Tutor LMS and Moodle. Tutor LMS and Moodle can also be self-hosted.

Why do people switch from LifterLMS?

The complaints we hear most: many important features sit in paid add-ons; you handle hosting and plugin updates; design depends on your WordPress theme.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces LifterLMS, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.