LearnDash vs Sikshya LMS
LearnDash vs Sikshya LMS — a real free tier and a lifetime license option.
Compare LearnDash and Sikshya LMS — two WordPress LMS plugins with different pricing models. Sikshya LMS ships a real free tier on WordPress.org and offers a lifetime license.
Our take
Pick LearnDash if you're already on it, your team prefers a mature WordPress LMS with a long commercial track record, or you depend on specific LearnDash-only integrations. Pick Sikshya LMS if you want a real free tier on WordPress.org to start on, prefer a lifetime license over an annual subscription, or want a course builder built on WordPress's current REST + React ecosystem. Sikshya LMS also ships native PayPal checkout and basic certificates in the free plugin, where LearnDash typically pushes commerce to WooCommerce or a paid add-on. Both are credible WordPress LMS choices; the differences come down to pricing model, free-tier scope, and ecosystem maturity. Please verify any pricing-sensitive details on LearnDash's site before deciding.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Sikshya LMS | LearnDash |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier on WordPress.org LearnDash does not publish a free version on WordPress.org. | ✓ | — |
| Lifetime license available LearnDash uses an annual subscription model per their public pricing. Sikshya LMS offers a lifetime option. | ✓ | — |
| Native PayPal checkout in free Sikshya LMS ships PayPal checkout in the free plugin. LearnDash typically requires WooCommerce or a separate commerce add-on. Verify against their current docs. | ✓ | — |
| Offline / manual payment in free Sikshya LMS ships an offline / manual payment flow in the free plugin for bank-transfer or invoice-based enrollment. | ✓ | Via add-on per their docs |
| Content drip Both have content drip; the difference is which tier ships it. | Starter tier+ | ✓ |
| Basic course certificates Sikshya LMS includes basic certificates in the free plugin. | Free | Per their docs — typically a paid feature |
| Multi-instructor + revenue split | Growth tier+ | Available — verify in their docs |
| OAuth 2 + PKCE API for mobile apps Sikshya's Scale tier ships an OAuth 2 Authorization Code + PKCE flow for delegated access. | Scale tier | REST present; verify OAuth support in their docs |
| Marketplace / multi-vendor | Scale tier | Via add-on / third-party |
| Stripe + 6 additional payment gateways Sikshya ships Stripe plus six additional gateways (Razorpay, Mollie, Paystack, Square, Authorize.Net, Bank Transfer) on every paid plan under one license. | Starter tier+ | Stripe via WooCommerce or paid add-on per their docs |
| SCORM + H5P content support | Growth tier+ | Via paid add-on per their docs |
When Sikshya LMS is the right move from LearnDash
- You want to try a WordPress LMS without paying upfront — Sikshya's free tier on WordPress.org is a real product, not a trial.
- You prefer a lifetime license over a recurring annual subscription.
- You want white-label admin and a 15-site activation pool for client delivery (Scale tier).
- You're building a mobile app and need an OAuth 2 + PKCE flow on the REST API.
- You need Stripe and multiple payment gateways under one license, not bolted on via WooCommerce or a separate commerce add-on.
Frequently asked
Is Sikshya LMS as mature as LearnDash?
LearnDash has more years on the market. Sikshya LMS is a modern rebuild that picked up the lessons learned from a decade of WordPress LMS plugins — newer architecture, less legacy debt. If you need every edge-case feature LearnDash has accumulated, you may find gaps. If you want a clean foundation that's been built post-WooCommerce-bloat era, Sikshya LMS wins.
What about my existing LearnDash certificates if I switch?
Existing PDFs your learners already downloaded are unaffected. Future certificates would be generated by Sikshya LMS. The advanced-certificates add-on supports QR-verified URLs which LearnDash doesn't. Note: Sikshya LMS does not currently ship an automated LearnDash importer — switching requires rebuilding course structure manually or working with our team on a custom plan.
How does Sikshya LMS pricing compare to LearnDash?
Sikshya LMS uses flat tier pricing: Starter $99/yr, Growth $149/yr, Scale $299/yr (1-site licence) or $599/yr (15-site licence), with lifetime options Starter $349, Growth $499, Scale $999 (1 site) or $1,799 (15 sites) respectively. LearnDash's public pricing starts at $199/year per site and is annual-only. For multi-site agencies or anyone who prefers to pay once, the Sikshya lifetime option can be meaningfully cheaper over a multi-year horizon. Please verify LearnDash pricing on their site before deciding.
Does Sikshya LMS work with WooCommerce like LearnDash does?
Sikshya LMS has its own native checkout and does not require WooCommerce. Native PayPal and offline payment ship in the free plugin; Stripe and six additional gateways unlock on every paid plan (Starter, Growth, Scale). You can still pair Sikshya LMS with WooCommerce if you have an existing storefront, but it's optional rather than a hard dependency for commerce.
Try Sikshya LMS without committing.
The free plugin on WordPress.org is a real product — not a trial. Install it on a staging site and run it side-by-side with what you have now.