Source-backed analysis12
Review basis
Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.
12 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
Moodle Review
Open-source LMS: self-host for free or use MoodleCloud
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- Web
- iOS
- Android
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
Moodle suits schools and organizations with technical administrators that want a customizable, self-controlled learning system with no licence fee. The trade-off is more setup and upkeep than turnkey services, and a steeper start for teachers.
Best for: Schools and universities that need a self-managed LMS using standards like SCORM and LTI
Skip it if: Individual learners who just want ready-made courses; Moodle is a platform for running courses, not a marketplace
Pros
- Open source under the GPL with no licence fee to use or modify
- Supports SCORM 1.2, LTI and IMS Common Cartridge, plus a large community plugin ecosystem
- Translated into 120+ languages (including English, Vietnamese, French, Japanese, Chinese…)
Cons
- Self-hosting means you handle servers, updates and security
- MoodleCloud tops out at 750 users, and Starter and Mini cannot sell courses
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Pros
- Official mobile app with offline use; Google Play 4.5/5 (about 215,000 reviews) and 50M+ downloads
- AI subsystem since Moodle 4.5, with administrators choosing providers and actions
Cons
- Does not support SCORM 2004, per Wikipedia
- Some Google Play reviewers say the redesigned app layout makes course content harder to find
Best for
- Organizations avoiding per-user licence fees that have IT staff or a partner to deploy it
- Small course sellers using MoodleCloud (Stripe from the Small plan)
Skip it if
- Teams with nobody to handle servers and security if choosing the self-hosted route
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
Moodle is an open-source learning management system (LMS) created by Martin Dougiamas, with its first version released on 20 August 2002. It is written in PHP, distributed under the GPL and led by Moodle Pty Ltd (Moodle HQ, Australia) with Moodle Partners and a community. Public statistics on stats.moodle.org show over 145,000 registered sites in 236 countries and more than 515 million user accounts; these are self-registered sites, so they do not cover every installation.
Key features
Teachers build courses with activities, quizzes, question banks, assignments and a gradebook. Moodle supports SCORM 1.2, IMS Common Cartridge and LTI. Since Moodle 4.5 the AI subsystem can connect to language-model providers such as OpenAI, Azure AI or Ollama, and administrators choose which actions are enabled. Version 5.0 added an activities overview, course-level question banks and optional SMS notifications for assignments. The official mobile app offers offline content, quizzes and assignment submission.
Pricing and deployment
There are three routes: self-host for free on your own server, hire a Moodle Partner, or use Moodle-managed MoodleCloud. MoodleCloud is billed annually in AUD: Starter 230 AUD (50 users), Mini 380, Small 700, Medium 1,700 and Standard 3,000 AUD (750 users). Starter and Mini lack Stripe course sales, which start at Small. Starter comes with a 28-day trial and no card required. The page says MoodleCloud suits individuals selling courses or small organizations, pointing larger needs to Moodle Solutions.
More analysis
Who it fits
Moodle targets organizations that run their own courses: schools, universities and companies. Its documentation names users such as Shell, the London School of Economics and the Open University. Individual learners looking for ready-made courses may prefer Udemy or Coursera. For simple classroom assignments, Google Classroom is lighter but not open or as deeply customizable.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
Moodle LMS (tự cài đặt / self-hosted)
BusinessFree
Free software under the GPL with no licence fee. You pay for your own hosting, setup, maintenance and security, or hire a Moodle Partner.
MoodleCloud Starter
BusinessA$19.17/mo
230 AUD billed annually (about 19.17 AUD/month). Up to 50 users, 1 GB storage, Premium Mobile App.
MoodleCloud Mini
BusinessA$31.67/mo
380 AUD per year (about 31.67 AUD/month). 100 users, 2.5 GB storage.
MoodleCloud Small
BusinessA$58.33/mo
700 AUD per year (about 58.33 AUD/month). 200 users, 5 GB storage, selling courses via Stripe.
MoodleCloud Medium
BusinessA$141.67/mo
1,700 AUD per year (about 141.67 AUD/month). 500 users, 20 GB storage, Stripe course sales; custom domain is a 160 AUD/year add-on.
MoodleCloud Standard
BusinessA$250/mo
3,000 AUD per year (250 AUD/month). 750 users, 50 GB storage, Stripe course sales, custom domain included.
- Free plan limits
- The self-hosted software is free. MoodleCloud offers a 28-day Starter trial with no credit card required.
- Free trial
- 28-day free trial · no credit card
Cancellation & refunds
The MoodleCloud pricing page does not state a refund policy. The self-hosted software has no fee, so refunds do not apply.
Privacy
With self-hosted Moodle, data sits on the operator's own server, so data handling depends on that operator. The software offers age-of-consent settings, site policies users must accept at login and hideable profile fields. The moodle.org privacy notice says account data is used only to provide course access and is kept while the account is active. Since Moodle 4.5, the AI subsystem can connect to external providers (OpenAI, Azure AI, Ollama); the documentation says data sent follows each provider's terms, and administrators choose which actions are enabled. On Google Play the developer declares no data shared with third parties.
Moodle alternatives
7.5/10Google Classroom
Google’s free online classroom, tied into Drive, Docs and Meet
7.5/10Microsoft Teams
Chat, meetings and collaboration inside the Microsoft 365 ecosystem
Frequently asked questions
Is Moodle free?
The software is free under the GPL, but you handle hosting and operations. MoodleCloud, managed by Moodle, starts at 230 AUD/year for 50 users, with a 28-day Starter trial and no card needed.
How do Moodle, MoodleCloud and Moodle Workplace differ?
Moodle LMS is the core software you install yourself. MoodleCloud is Moodle hosted by the vendor, capped at 750 users. Moodle Workplace is a separate product for corporate training with its own Google Play app.
Does Moodle have a mobile app?
Yes, the official Moodle app on iOS and Android supports offline content, quizzes, assignment submission and notifications. Google Play shows 4.5/5 and 50M+ downloads; the App Store shows 4.4/5.
Does Moodle support Vietnamese?
Yes. Moodle has been translated into 120+ languages by its community, and the App Store listing includes Vietnamese.
Review evidence & sources12
Scores
- Ease of use
- 6.5
- Features
- 8.5
- Value for money
- 8.5
- Performance
- 7.0
- Support
- 7.0
- Privacy & security
- 8.0
Why this score
As a full LMS it has many settings. The mobile app holds Google Play 4.5/5 and App Store 4.4/5, though some Play reviews criticize the layout and calendar.
Why this score
SCORM, LTI, plugins, question banks, an AI subsystem (from 4.5) and 120+ languages. Limitation: no SCORM 2004.
Why this score
Free software; MoodleCloud from 230 AUD per year for 50 users. The hidden cost is operations when self-hosting.
Why this score
Real-world performance depends on each operator's server and configuration; no independent benchmarks exist in the sources. In its favour are a regular release cadence (major releases in April and October) and long security support for LTS versions (5.3 until 1 October 2029).
Why this score
Documentation, community forums and a Moodle Partner network (100+ partners per the docs). Direct vendor support mainly comes through MoodleCloud or partners.
Why this score
Self-hosting gives the operator full control of data; age-consent and site-policy settings are built in. Deductions: AI features can send data to external providers, and real protection depends on the operator.
What users say
- App Store (US) - Moodle App4.4/5 · 2,966
- Google Play (US) - Moodle App4.5/5 · 215,000
Sources
- Vendor-providedAbout Moodle (official docs)Nov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedMoodle statisticsNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedMoodleCloud plans and pricingNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedMoodle release schedule (developer docs)Nov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedMoodle AI subsystem (docs)Nov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedMoodle 5.0 new features (docs)Nov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedMoodle privacy settings (docs)Nov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedMoodle.org privacy noticeNov 10, 2026
- storeMoodle App - App StoreNov 10, 2026
- storeMoodle App - Google PlayNov 10, 2026
- Community-reportedWikipedia: MoodleNov 10, 2026
- Community-reportedMoodle GitHub repositoryNov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- Moodle Pty Ltd
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Launched
- 2002
- Category
- Education
Capabilities
- Open source
- Self-hostable
- AI features
- Integrations
- Works offline
- Mobile app
Platforms
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Interface languages
- English
- Vietnamese
- French
- Spanish
- German
- Japanese
- Korean
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Chinese
- Indonesian
Integrations
- LTI
- SCORM 1.2
- IMS Common Cartridge
- H5P
- BigBlueButton
- Stripe (MoodleCloud)
Support
- Help center
- Community forum
Change history
- Feature.Moodle 5.3 (LTS) is released, with security support until 1 October 2029.
- Feature.Moodle 5.2 is released.
- Feature.Moodle 5.1 is released.
Full change history (5)
- Feature.Moodle 4.5 (LTS) is released, introducing the AI subsystem.
- Launch.Martin Dougiamas releases the first version of Moodle.
About the author
Reviews & comments
Written by readers with a verified email address.
No reviews yet. Have you used Moodle? Share your real experience.
Reader reviews are counted separately and do not affect the Editorial Team’s score.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your experience.
Comments are readers’ opinions, not content from the AppDuo Editorial Team.