LAMS
LAMS is software for creating, managing, and delivering collaborative online learning activities.
What LAMS is
LAMS is software for creating, managing, and delivering collaborative online learning activities. Teachers build sequences in a visual authoring environment, and the demo separates work into Author, Monitor, and Learner areas. LAMS can operate as a stand-alone e-learning system or integrate with an LMS. Listed integrations include Moodle, Sakai, Blackboard/WebCT, .LRN, Microsoft SharePoint, and Tiger Online Training LMS; these can support single sign-on and create courses and users from LMS information. The software is released under the GPL and available as a free download. Users who install it themselves are responsible for configuration and maintenance and must follow the license. Listed capabilities include multimedia content, interactive activities, branching paths, live lesson delivery, and learner analytics. Version 2.2 supports exporting in IMS Learning Design Level A format. The maker is based at Macquarie University in New South Wales, Australia, and was founded in 2004.
Good
- Visual authoring for learning activity sequences
- Can run standalone or integrate with an LMS
- Supports listed integrations and single sign-on
- Free download under the GPL
Watch out
- Self-hosting users must install, configure, and maintain it
- Version 2.2 export support is specifically described
Who it suits
LAMS is intended for educators and institutions in K–12, vocational training, higher education, and adult or community learning. It can suit teams seeking a self-hosted system or LMS integration.
Verdict
LAMS provides visual tools for collaborative online learning and a range of LMS integrations. Its software is free under the GPL, while installation and maintenance remain the user's responsibility unless they arrange services.
Plans and prices
From LAMS's own pricing page, checked 29 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| LAMS open-source software | Free | Use subject to GPL requirements · users install, configure, and maintain the software themselves |
| Commercial services and licensing | Priced on request | Support, hosting, training, integration, software development, and non-GPL commercial licensing; fees not listed |
The facts
Each one read from LAMS's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Deployment
- The maker says LAMS can operate as a stand-alone e-learning system or be integrated with an LMS.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Download
- The maker provides a link to download LAMS source code and describes the software as available for free download.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Integration behavior
- LAMS integrations can provide single sign-on and automatically create courses and users from LMS information.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Integrations
- The maker lists integrations for Moodle, Sakai, Blackboard/WebCT, .LRN, Microsoft SharePoint, and Tiger Online Training LMS.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes LAMS for education sectors including K–12, vocational training, higher education, and adult or community learning.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Interoperability
- LAMS version 2.2 supports exporting in IMS Learning Design Level A format.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Open source
- The software was released under the GPL, and users may use it without fees if they install, configure, and maintain it themselves while complying with the license.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- LAMS is a tool for designing, managing, and delivering online collaborative learning activities.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Security and privacy
- The Foundation's website privacy statement says personal information is shared only with the LAMS Foundation and Macquarie University and is not released to third parties without prior permission, subject to stated legal exceptions.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Support
- LAMS International offers training, technical support, software updates and upgrades, hosting, and software development services.checked 29 Sep 2026
- User roles
- The LAMS demo provides access to Author, Monitor, and Learner areas for creating, monitoring, and running sequences.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Visual authoring
- Teachers use a visual authoring environment to create sequences of learning activities.checked 29 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
The company
- Headquarters
- Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australiachecked 28 Sep 2026
Alternatives to LAMS
- 1
Google Classroom
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.1From $3 a year - 2
Canvas LMS
Open sourceAndroidiOSWebAPI7.2 - 3
Open edX
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI7.1Free plan - 4
WizIQ
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.1From $18 a month - 5
Edsby
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.0From $2 a year - 6
ILIAS
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI7.0Free plan