ClassroomIO
Best for self-hosting
Why teams pick it
Organizations needing self-hosted LMS solutions for data sovereignty
Open-source alternatives to Skool
Compare community-driven replacements for Skool in learning management systems (lms) workflows. We curate active, self-hostable options with transparent licensing so you can evaluate the right fit quickly.
Skool
Skool combines online course hosting with community forums, member directories, and gamification features. It provides payment integration, drip content, and analytics for course creators.Read more
Key stats
- 12Alternatives
- 8Support self-hosting
Run on infrastructure you control
- 12Active development
Recent commits in the last 6 months
Counts reflect projects currently indexed as alternatives to Skool.
Start with these picks
These projects match the most common migration paths for teams replacing Skool.
Claroline Connect
Privacy-first alternative
Why teams pick it
Self-hosted deployment with full control over data and customization
All open-source alternatives
ClassroomIO
Open Source Learning Management System for Modern Training
Self-host friendlyActive developmentPrivacy-firstSvelte
Why teams choose it
- Advanced course management with unlimited courses, assignments, grading, and certificate generation
- Multi-teacher organizations with role-based course assignments
- AI-powered content generation using OpenAI for courses, lessons, and assignments
Watch for
Requires technical expertise for self-hosted deployment with Supabase and Docker
Migration highlight
Bootcamp Cohort Management
Run multiple coding bootcamp cohorts simultaneously with dedicated teacher assignments, automated grading, and certificate generation upon completion
Sensei LMS
WordPress-native LMS for creating courses, quizzes, and lessons
Active developmentIntegration-friendlyAI-powered workflowsPHP
Why teams choose it
- Native WordPress block editor integration for visual course building
- Distraction-free Learning Mode with full site editor customization
- Guest access and Preview as Student for quality control
Watch for
Advanced features like course sales require paid Sensei Pro extension
Migration highlight
Corporate Training Portal
HR teams deploy employee onboarding courses with progress tracking and detailed analytics, leveraging existing WordPress infrastructure without additional hosting costs.
Open edX
Scalable, modular platform for creating and delivering online courses
Active developmentFast to deployAI-powered workflowsPython
Why teams choose it
- Modular monolith with independent deployable applications (IDAs)
- Integrated CMS (Studio) for rich content authoring
- Full‑featured LMS delivering courses at any scale
Watch for
Complex self‑deployment; requires deep sysadmin expertise
Migration highlight
University launches a multi‑faculty online degree program
Provides faculty with Studio to create courses and learners with LMS to enroll, scaling to thousands of concurrent users.
Pupilfirst LMS
Empowering asynchronous schools with task‑driven, feedback‑rich learning
Active developmentIntegration-friendlyAI-powered workflowsRuby
Why teams choose it
- Task‑centric learning workflow
- Personalized expert feedback on submissions
- Iterative reflection and improvement loop
Watch for
Self‑hosting requires Ruby/Rails expertise
Migration highlight
Coding bootcamp program
Learners complete coding challenges, receive mentor feedback, iterate, and discuss solutions with peers.
Claroline Connect
Open Source Learning Management System Built with Symfony and React
Self-host friendlyActive developmentPrivacy-firstPHP
Why teams choose it
- Symfony and React dual-stack architecture for maintainability and modern UX
- Self-hosted deployment with full control over data and customization
- Comprehensive course authoring and learner management capabilities
Watch for
Requires technical expertise for installation, hosting, and maintenance
Migration highlight
University Course Management
Deploy a self-hosted LMS for degree programs with full control over student data, custom branding, and integration with existing campus systems.
Canvas LMS
Modern open-source learning management system by Instructure
Self-host friendlyActive developmentPrivacy-firstRuby
Why teams choose it
- Full-featured LMS with course management, assignments, and grading tools
- Modern Ruby and JavaScript architecture for scalable deployments
- Self-hosted deployment with complete data control and customization
Watch for
Complex installation and configuration requiring technical expertise
Migration highlight
University Course Management
Deploy a self-hosted LMS for thousands of students with complete control over data, integrations, and custom features tailored to institutional needs.
LearnHouse
Open-source learning platform with block-based courses and AI
Self-host friendlyActive developmentPrivacy-firstTypeScript
Why teams choose it
- Notion-like block editor for dynamic, multimedia course creation
- Real-time multiplayer course editing with YJS collaboration
- Multi-organization architecture with user and group management
Watch for
Currently in alpha stage with ongoing stability improvements
Migration highlight
University Department Course Portal
Multiple departments host courses with shared infrastructure while maintaining separate branding and user groups
Moodle
World's open source learning platform for personalized education
Self-host friendlyActive developmentPrivacy-firstPHP
Why teams choose it
- Integrated platform for course creation, delivery, and learner management
- Personalized learning environments tailored to educators and learners
- Self-hosted or partner-managed deployment options including MoodleCloud
Watch for
PHP-based architecture may require specific hosting expertise
Migration highlight
University Course Management
Centralized platform for delivering courses, tracking student progress, and managing assessments across departments with role-based access control.
Chamilo
Open-source e-learning platform trusted by 30M+ users worldwide
Self-host friendlyActive developmentPrivacy-firstPHP
Why teams choose it
- Proven LMS serving 30M+ users since 2010 with active global community
- Modern PHP 8.2/8.3 architecture with Symfony framework foundation
- Self-hosted deployment with full data sovereignty and customization control
Watch for
Version 2.0 remains in alpha; production users should use 1.11.x branch
Migration highlight
University Course Delivery
Deliver semester-long courses with multimedia content, quizzes, assignments, and grade management for thousands of concurrent students.
Sakai
Feature‑rich LMS for collaborative learning and research
Active developmentAI-powered workflowsJava
Why teams choose it
- Comprehensive suite of teaching, research, and collaboration tools
- Built‑in multilingual UI covering 20+ languages
- Accessibility‑focused design with Ra11y plan and CKEditor checker
Watch for
Requires Java 1.8 and Tomcat 9, limiting newer runtime options
Migration highlight
Course delivery for a multilingual university
Instructors can create courses in any of the supported 20+ languages, allowing students worldwide to access content in their native language.
CourseLit
Self-hosted platform to sell courses and digital downloads
Self-host friendlyActive developmentPrivacy-firstTypeScript
Why teams choose it
- Visual website builder with custom sales pages and landing page creation
- Integrated Stripe payment processing for courses and digital downloads
- Course authoring tools with student management and progress tracking
Watch for
Self-hosting requires technical expertise for setup and maintenance
Migration highlight
Independent Course Creator
Launch a branded course website with custom landing pages, process payments via Stripe, and retain 100% revenue minus payment processing fees
Frappe Learning
Simple, structured Learning Management System for course creators
Self-host friendlyActive developmentPrivacy-firstVue
Why teams choose it
- Three-level course hierarchy (courses → chapters → lessons) for structured learning paths
- Integrated Zoom live classes with batch management and scheduling
- Flexible assessments: single/multiple-choice quizzes and document-based assignments
Watch for
Tied to Frappe ecosystem; migration to other frameworks requires significant effort
Migration highlight
Community Education Programs
FOSS United launched Mon.School using Frappe Learning to deliver structured open-source courses with live sessions and certificates
Choosing a learning management systems (lms) alternative
Teams replacing Skool in learning management systems (lms) workflows typically weigh self-hosting needs, integration coverage, and licensing obligations.
- 8 projects let you self-host and keep customer data on infrastructure you control.
- 12 options are actively maintained with recent commits.
Tip: shortlist one hosted and one self-hosted option so stakeholders can compare trade-offs before migrating away from Skool.