edX vs Open edX — What's the Difference?

    In short

    edX (edx.org) is an online course marketplace owned by 2U, where learners take courses from universities and companies that edX selects. Open edX is the open-source learning platform originally built for edX, which any organization can run as its own branded LMS, with full control over courses, certificates, pricing and learner data.

    edX: the course marketplace

    edX is an online learning destination that lists courses and programs from leading universities, NGOs and companies. Most courses are MOOCs: learners can often access the content for free, and pay a fee for a verified certificate once they complete the tests and grading requirements. edX has also expanded into professional certificates and online degree programs.

    In many cases there is a revenue share agreement between edX and the organizations that produce the courses, and course providers must follow the terms and conditions defined by edX.

    Can anyone publish courses on edx.org?

    No. Only the organizations (universities, companies, NGOs, governments) that edX considers meet its curation criteria. They are usually universities with high positions in international rankings, large corporations or institutions with agreements with edX. All courses go through a curation process to guarantee a consistent quality in pedagogical approach and content production.

    Open edX: your own learning platform

    Open edX is open-source software, public and available to anyone who wants to download it and install it. Being an open platform means you can "own" it: install it, modify it and integrate it with other platforms or resources without asking for permission.

    Can anyone publish courses with Open edX?

    Yes! On your Open edX platform, you are the curator of your courses. You have complete control over the details and dynamics of each course: its length, the content to include (videos, texts, images, PDFs, interactive exercises), and how many tests learners need to pass to get a certificate. You can create custom certificates and adapt the look and feel of the platform to your brand guidelines.

    You set the rules

    You also decide the terms and conditions. You can sell your courses or offer them for free. You can use the platform to train your employees, your suppliers, your customers or the general public. Or all of them!

    The platform grows with you

    Open edX is a community-driven project: developers, institutions and educators collaborate to improve its features, security and performance, with a new release every six months. You can extend it with advanced components, analytics like Panorama or AI agents like Owly.

    Key differences at a glance

    What it is
    edX (edx.org): A course marketplace
    Open edX: An open-source learning platform (LMS)
    Owner
    edX (edx.org): 2U
    Open edX: Open source, stewarded by Axim Collaborative
    Who can publish
    edX (edx.org): Organizations accepted by edX
    Open edX: Anyone running the platform
    Who controls the content
    edX (edx.org): edX curation and terms
    Open edX: You decide
    Branding
    edX (edx.org): edX brand
    Open edX: Your own brand and domain
    Pricing model
    edX (edx.org): edX's model, often with revenue share
    Open edX: You set your own pricing, or free
    Certificates
    edX (edx.org): edX certificates, usually paid
    Open edX: Your own certificates and criteria
    Learner data
    edX (edx.org): On edX's platform
    Open edX: On your platform, you own it
    Customization and integrations
    edX (edx.org): Limited
    Open edX: Full: plugins, APIs, LTI, SSO
    Audience
    edX (edx.org): edX's global learner base
    Open edX: Your own audience: employees, customers, students
    Hosting
    edX (edx.org): Run by 2U
    Open edX: Self-hosted or fully managed provider

    Which one is right for your organization?

    It is a trade-off between reach and control. If you are a university or company that edX accepts and you want to reach learners through an established marketplace, publishing on edX can help you get visibility.

    If you want your own branded learning platform, with full control over content, certificates, pricing and learner data, Open edX is the right choice. It is what organizations use for corporate training, professional certification, university programs and public-interest initiatives: see how Holcim Academy, Cap-Net UNDP or ICdeBA run their own Open edX campus.

    The two are not mutually exclusive: some organizations publish a few flagship courses on edX and run the rest of their catalog on their own Open edX platform.

    How to run Open edX

    Once you choose Open edX, the main decision is how your organization will host and operate the platform. There are two options:

    Self-hosted

    Your technical team downloads and installs Open edX on your servers or cloud account, usually with Tutor, the official distribution. It gives you full control, but requires experience with Linux, Docker and Kubernetes, and time for security updates and an upgrade every six months. Learn about the Open edX installation options.

    Fully managed

    You subscribe to a service provider like Aulasneo and get the platform, upgrades and support, so your team can focus on content and learning goals. See our managed Open edX hosting and plans and pricing.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is Open edX the same as edX?

    No. edX (edx.org) is an online course marketplace owned by 2U. Open edX is the open-source learning platform originally built for edX, which any organization can run on its own, with its own brand, courses and learner data.

    Who owns edX and who maintains Open edX?

    2U has owned edx.org and the edX brand since 2021. The Open edX project is stewarded by Axim Collaborative, a non-profit founded by Harvard and MIT, together with a global community of contributors and service providers.

    Can anyone publish courses on edx.org?

    No. Only organizations that edX accepts can publish there, usually top-ranked universities, large companies and institutions with agreements with edX. Courses follow edX's terms, certificate model and revenue share.

    Is Open edX free?

    The software is free and open source (AGPL v3), with no license or per-user fees. Running it has infrastructure, maintenance and support costs, whether your own team runs it or a managed provider does.

    Can I issue my own certificates with Open edX?

    Yes. With Open edX you define the passing criteria, design your own certificates with your brand and signatures, and decide whether they are free or paid.

    Do I need developers to use Open edX?

    Only if you run it yourself. With a fully managed provider such as Aulasneo, the provider installs, upgrades, secures and supports the platform, and your team focuses on courses and learners.

    More answers in our Open edX FAQ.

    Conclusion

    edX is a learning destination where selected institutions publish their courses. Open edX is the collaborative, open-source engine that any organization can use to build its own. If you want your own platform, we can help you take the first step: Aulasneo has been deploying and running Open edX for universities, companies, NGOs and governments for more than 10 years.

    Talk to an Open edX expert

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