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Sensei LMS

WordPress-native LMS for creating courses, quizzes, and lessons

Open-source Learning Management System built for WordPress. Create, manage, and deliver online courses with block editor support, analytics, and distraction-free learning modes.

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Overview

Purpose-Built for WordPress Educators

Sensei LMS is a GPL-2.0 licensed Learning Management System designed specifically for the WordPress ecosystem. It empowers educators, trainers, and knowledge-sharers to build and deliver engaging online courses without leaving their WordPress environment.

Core Capabilities

The platform provides intuitive course management, student enrollment tracking, and detailed analytics to monitor learner progress. Educators benefit from guest access for course previews, a "Preview as Student" feature for quality control, and seamless WordPress block editor integration for content creation. The custom Learning Mode delivers distraction-free lessons with full site editor customization, while Mailpoet integration streamlines email communications.

Developer-Friendly Architecture

Built with extensibility in mind, Sensei LMS offers well-documented source code, extensive hooks for third-party integrations, and a comprehensive testing suite. The platform works with any WordPress theme and supports both free community forums and paid Sensei Pro extensions for advanced features like WooCommerce course sales, content drip scheduling, and interactive learning blocks. Whether you're launching a single course or building a full-scale learning platform, Sensei LMS provides the foundation for effective online education within WordPress.

Highlights

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
Comprehensive analytics, reporting, and student progress tracking

Pros

  • Seamless integration with any WordPress theme and ecosystem
  • GPL-2.0 licensed with well-documented, extensible codebase
  • Intuitive interface designed specifically for educators
  • Active community with free support forums and comprehensive documentation

Considerations

  • Advanced features like course sales require paid Sensei Pro extension
  • Limited to WordPress platform; not standalone solution
  • Interactive blocks and content drip available only in Pro version
  • Requires familiarity with WordPress administration

Managed products teams compare with

When teams consider Sensei LMS, these hosted platforms usually appear on the same shortlist.

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Looking for a hosted option? These are the services engineering teams benchmark against before choosing open source.

Fit guide

Great for

  • Educators and trainers already using WordPress for their website
  • Organizations wanting GPL-licensed LMS with full code control
  • Developers building custom e-learning solutions on WordPress
  • Content creators needing block editor integration for course design

Not ideal when

  • Teams requiring standalone LMS independent of WordPress
  • Organizations needing built-in e-commerce without additional plugins
  • Users seeking advanced gamification or social learning features out-of-box
  • Projects requiring mobile-native apps rather than web-based learning

How teams use it

Corporate Training Portal

HR teams deploy employee onboarding courses with progress tracking and detailed analytics, leveraging existing WordPress infrastructure without additional hosting costs.

Membership Site Education

Content creators offer exclusive courses to members using guest access for previews, then integrate WooCommerce via Sensei Pro for paid course sales.

University Course Supplements

Educators build supplementary lesson content using familiar WordPress block editor, enabling students to access materials in distraction-free Learning Mode.

Professional Certification Programs

Training organizations deliver quiz-based assessments with detailed reporting, using Preview as Student feature to ensure quality before learner access.

Tech snapshot

PHP80%
JavaScript15%
SCSS4%
TypeScript1%
Shell1%
HTML1%

Tags

lmswordpress-pluginphpwordpressteachingsensei

Frequently asked questions

Does Sensei LMS work with my existing WordPress theme?

Yes, Sensei LMS is designed for compatibility with any WordPress theme. The Learning Mode is fully customizable via the site editor to match your design.

What's the difference between Sensei LMS and Sensei Pro?

Sensei LMS is the free, open-source core with course creation, quizzes, and analytics. Sensei Pro adds WooCommerce integration, content drip, advanced groups, quiz timers, interactive blocks, and priority support.

Can I sell courses with the free version?

Course sales require Sensei Pro with WooCommerce integration. The free version focuses on course creation, delivery, and student management without payment processing.

Is Sensei LMS suitable for developers building custom solutions?

Yes, the codebase is well-documented with extensive hooks for third-party integrations, a complete testing suite, and GPL-2.0 licensing for modification and distribution.

Project at a glance

Active
Stars
574
Watchers
574
Forks
210
LicenseGPL-2.0
Repo age13 years old
Last commit6 days ago
Primary languagePHP

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