Moodle vs Totara Learn comparison

Moodle and Totara Learning are both solutions in the Learning Management Systems (LMS) category. Moodle is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.8, while Totara Learning is ranked #9 with an average rating of 8.0. Moodle holds a 3.9% mindshare in LMS, compared to Totara Learning’s 1.4% mindshare. Additionally, 93% of Moodle users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Totara Learning users who would recommend it.

Moodle

Read 29 Moodle reviews

1,776 Views
1,740 Comparison Views

93% willing to recommend

Totara Learn

Read 2 Totara Learn reviews

484 Views
484 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Moodle

Totara Learn

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 19, 2024

Moodle and Totara Learn are competing in the e-learning space, both providing robust learning management solutions. Totara Learn seems to have the upper hand due to its advanced feature set tailored for corporate environments.

Features: Moodle provides an open-source platform with modularity, offering features like a vast array of plugins, flexible learning paths, and a strong community support base. Totara Learn enhances these capabilities with personalized learning paths, robust reporting capabilities, and performance management tools, catering specifically to corporate needs. The distinction is in Totara's rich enterprise solutions compared to Moodle's community-driven options.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Moodle is known for its accessibility and flexibility, supported by community resources, making it ideal for institutions with technical skill sets. Totara Learn, in contrast, provides a structured deployment process with premium support services, offering a guided approach for corporate clients, ensuring seamless transition and continued assistance.

Pricing and ROI: Moodle, being open-source, offers low initial setup costs, which is economically advantageous for budget-sensitive institutions, often resulting in higher long-term ROI. Totara Learn demands a higher upfront investment due to licensing fees, yet the investment is justified through its advanced feature set and tailored support, appealing to organizations emphasizing comprehensive capabilities over initial expenses. The primary difference is Moodle's cost-effectiveness versus Totara's greater ROI through extensive offerings.

To learn more, read our detailed Moodle vs. Totara Learn Report (Updated: February 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Moodle vs. Totara Learn

February 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Moodle

Ranking in Learning Management Systems (LMS)

3rd

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Totara Learn

Ranking in Learning Management Systems (LMS)

9th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Learning Management Systems (LMS) category, the mindshare of Moodle is 3.9%, down from 13.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Totara Learn is 1.4%, down from 2.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Learning Management Systems (LMS) Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Moodle	3.9%
Totara Learn	1.4%
Other	94.7%

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Featured Reviews

Chris Sackiw

Meteorologist - Training and Development. Météorologue - Formation Et Perfectionnement at Environment Canada

A highly flexible and customizable learning management system with a wide range of features, providing educators with the tools to create engaging and interactive online courses

Moodle has proven to be highly effective for training and professional development within our organization. It has replaced the traditional practice of sending individuals on courses across the country, offering coast-to-coast accessibility. We've also begun utilizing badges for internal certification, streamlining the process of recognizing achievement. As its usage has expanded, we started with native Moodle on our section and have since extended it to other groups. The integration of third-party plugins or tools has influenced our utilization of Moodle. While we haven't implemented as many filters as we potentially could have, one individual has managed administration duties and the integration of these tools. This individual has also been involved in other areas, dedicating significant time to programming within Moodle for a specific program for one group. This process has spanned several years, demonstrating the commitment required to bring these enhancements to fruition.

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SantoshKumar17

Developer, Tech Lead at iT corner

Plug-and-play LMS and allows for separate instances for different organizations or departments

The look and feel is not good. Totara Learn needs to improve its look and feel and make it easier to use and more user-friendly. The interface is okay, but sometimes it's messy. Totara needs to improve the UI part as well and make it easier to use for the admin side. AI capabilities are in beta phase. I think they have implemented some AI features in the model, but right now, I'm not aware of what AI features have been implemented. So, Totara also needs to implement some AI things in the model, like suggesting courses according to users' needs or interests.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"They have made it really easy for you to see the flow on the forums. The information is well organized and the UI is fairly easy to navigate."

"The solution is stable."

"The number of permissions that are available and different ways to report and get the information out are the most valuable features. We have been able to get precise bits of information out, and we have also been able to delegate a lot."

"Almost all the activity modules are available inside the courses, so that makes our training easier and more comfortable."

"Moodle integrates with many third party plugins, which has enabled us to make use of the latest technology. During the Covid 19 period, we used a plugin called BigBlueButton to facilitate online learning which was quick and easy to do."

"Moodle is useful for several things, and you can customize it."

"The most valuable features of Moodle are the ability to create assignments, divide them into teams, and the course delivery. In Cornerstone, I need to reach out to the team, and it is not as simple, a little more involved. Additionally, the solutions is easy to manage."

"The fact that it's modular means you can easily expand with thousands of plugins that you can freely download from Moodle headquarters, and adding or removing functionality is easy."

More Moodle pros

"The tool's deployment is not complex."

"The multi-tenancy features of Totara Learn are the most useful for training efficiency."

Cons

"Sometimes, discrepancies arise when the information is not updated or lacks precision, potentially leading to the model producing misleading or incorrect outputs based on its training."

"The solution could be improved if support was an integral part of the whole solution. There are a few challenges in terms of performance due to Moodle being a free-to-use platform but these can be overcome with the use of their support team."

"Where Moodle could definitely improve is the user interface. You have a lot of themes and you can customize themes, but if you are going to use Moodle off the shelf, even with a hosting company, a lot of training is involved. Training is available, but if your faculty or your development team isn't highly technical, it's going to be a challenge, whereas there are other interfaces that are much easier, but they don't do as much. So, there is a give and take there. If Moodle could find a way to make the user interface for the instructional designers and the learners more intuitive, it probably would be a huge improvement. The manager area and the admin area are fine, but when it comes to the people who are using the system but might not be highly technical, it needs improvement."

"We have needed to complete many customizations for Moodle to use it in all of our relevant organizations. We have found many issues with the competencies as we cannot assign many sub competencies to competencies."

"The multi-tenancy system within Moodle could be improved. IOMAD is what makes the multi-tenancy possible but this comes with many issues."

"Everything is very text heavy. There are no videos or moving images. For a visual learner, there's not a lot of visual content so Moodle is not suitable for all types of learners."

"It would be a benefit if there was an easy single sign-on with social media services for Moodle. There are some plugins that I tried, but they didn't work seamlessly. it is a work in progress. Having the single sign-on with social media services would be appreciated because in my school we are using Google suite and the main reason why we use Google Classroom is that it is integrated seamlessly with the suite."

"The biggest area for improvement is the UI. They should also make the navigation simpler to understand. They've recently introduced a new way of having navigation work in Moodle, but they all look very similar."

More Moodle cons

"The challenge was understanding the entire solution, particularly its capabilities for managing training within a distributed organization. As part of a group of companies, some with training hubs and others working differently, the need for different tenants arose. This helps organize the training offerings centrally, addressing the challenge of a multi-tenant solution, which wasn't fully grasped initially."

"Totara Learn needs to improve the look and feel, and make it easier to use, more user-friendly."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Moodle is free. It should probably stay free. There isn't really any support for Moodle unless you pay an astronomical amount, which is weird."

"It is a free-of-cost solution."

"It is a one-time registration with the Moodle site. There isn't a yearly or monthly fee."

"Moodle is a free online learning platform, but it also offers a paid version of it."

"Moodle offer a 14 day free trial and then requires payment."

"Moodle is a free solution."

"Moodle is a free open-sourced solution. This is one of the best aspects of Moodle."

"Moodle is an open-source solution that is free of cost."

More Moodle pricing and cost advice

"It's not expensive. It's user-based."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Comms Service Provider

14%

University

10%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Educational Organization

Manufacturing Company

13%

Construction Company

Insurance Company

Media Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	10
Midsize Enterprise	7
Large Enterprise	11

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Moodle?

The customization features of Moodle significantly enhance the learning experience for our users.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Moodle?

The customization of the interface could be improved. Although we can load and change themes, it still always looks like Moodle. We have not found a way to significantly alter its appearance.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Moodle?

We use Moodle to manage our students' information, the classes, and the course catalog, which are mainly related to education. It serves as a learning management system for teaching in class.

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What needs improvement with Totara Learn?

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering Totara Learn?

For people who need a highly scalable, multi-tenant LMS on a low budget, this is a good option. It's a very good option in the market, low-priced, and a very good LMS. Overall, I would rate it an e...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Totara Learn?

It's not expensive. It's user-based. If you want to plug in, you can use that plan. It's not expensive. I think it's around $100 or something if you want to use it. You can buy the system and imple...

See all answers

Comparisons

Google Classroom vs Moodle

Compared 13% of the time

Canvas LMS vs Moodle

Compared 7% of the time

Cornerstone Learn vs Moodle

Compared 6% of the time

Chamilo LMS vs Moodle

Compared 5% of the time

Teachable vs Moodle

Compared 5% of the time

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SAP SuccessFactors Learning vs Totara Learn

Compared 24% of the time

Articulate 360 vs Totara Learn

Compared 22% of the time

Canvas LMS vs Totara Learn

Compared 20% of the time

TalentLMS vs Totara Learn

Compared 16% of the time

More Totara Learn Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Moodle

January 2026

Download Moodle product report

Buyer's Guide

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

January 2026

Download Totara Learn product report

Overview

Moodle provides open-source flexibility, plugin support, and integration capabilities for educational and organizational use, enhancing efficiency through features like course management and automatic grading.

Moodle is an adaptable platform for education and training purposes, offering extensive plugins, LTI tool compatibility, and integration options. Its course management, random exam question generation, and collaborative features make it popular among educational institutions. Modular design and activity modules strengthen user interaction, while accessibility measures support a diverse user base. Security and usability are key focuses, but improvements are needed in interface design and navigation. Scalability, customization, and documentation require attention for optimal performance and user satisfaction. Flexible integration with services like Google Suite and enhancements in reporting can further streamline its effectiveness.

What are Moodle's Key Features?

Open-source Flexibility: Easily customizable to meet user needs.
Extensive Plugin Support: Offers numerous plugins for expanded functionality.
LTI Tool Compatibility: Integrates seamlessly with external learning tools.
Automatic Grading: Streamlines assessment evaluation.
Accessibility Features: Ensures wide-ranging user inclusion.

What Benefits and ROI Should Users Look For?

Efficiency: Reduces time with automated processes.
Security: Protects data and maintains integrity.
Community: Global collaboration and support available.
Integration Capabilities: Connects with current systems and tools.
Flexibility: Adapts to educational and corporate training scenarios.

In education, Moodle is commonly used for exam scheduling, course hosting, and assignment management. Corporations leverage it for training and certification needs, while educators use it for planning, quizzes, and interaction facilitation. Its ERP integration and plagiarism detection capabilities are utilized widely. Companies find its plugin and cloud support critical for customized training implementations.

Moodle

Totara Learn is a flexible learning management system designed to meet diverse educational needs. Its adaptability supports personalized learning environments and facilitates efficient training across sectors.

Totara Learn provides a comprehensive platform that enables organizations to deliver effective learning experiences while adapting to changing requirements. Known for its customizable nature, it allows modifications to better align with specific institutional processes. It supports integrations that enhance the learning ecosystem, making it efficient for businesses looking to improve employee training and development.

What are the key features of Totara Learn?

Customization: Allows tailored functionalities to suit educational goals.
Integrations: Supports seamless connectivity with external systems and tools.
Reporting: Offers detailed analytics for tracking learner progress and outcomes.
Mobile-Friendly: Ensures accessible learning on smartphones and tablets.
Certification Management: Streamlines the process of compliance tracking.

What should be considered in reviews for Totara Learn's ROI?

Cost-Effectiveness: Evaluate if the investment aligns with training results.
Scalability: Consider the ease of expanding learning initiatives as needed.
Adaptability: Assess how well it can cater to specific learning paths.
User Experience: Look for feedback on engagement and satisfaction.

Industries like healthcare, retail, and finance implement Totara Learn to address specific training challenges. Its flexibility aids in meeting compliance standards, onboarding processes, and continuous professional development unique to each sector, ensuring tailored learning experiences that support strategic goals.

Totara Learning

Sample Customers

Acacia University, Alliant International University, American University of Health Sciences, Anaheim University Online, Aspen University, Cal State University San Bernardino, California State University Los Angeles, Chattanooga Fire Training, City of Humble Fire Department, George Washington University, Georgia Institute of Emergency Medical Services, Michigan Online Classroom, Virginia Beach Sheriffs Office, Washington Post

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Moodle vs. Totara Learn

February 2026

Free Report: Moodle vs. Totara Learn

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