Open edX vs Teachable
Self-host swap-in for Teachable. · Self-host Teachable · Open edX on os-alt
Open edX is one of the open-source self-host replacements for Teachable — license AGPL-3.0, 2h — Tutor (Docker installer for Open edX) on a 4GB+ VPS to stand up, and $30-60/mo vps — open edx is the heaviest of the three. Compare against Teachable's Basic $59/mo (5% transaction fee); Pro $159/mo (no fees); Pro+ $249/mo below.
| Open edXopen-source | Teachablepaid SaaS | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Online course platform | Online course platform |
| License / pricing | AGPL-3.0 | Basic $59/mo (5% transaction fee); Pro $159/mo (no fees); Pro+ $249/mo |
| Starting price | $0 self-host | $59/user/mo |
| GitHub | openedx/edx-platform | closed source |
| Setup time | 2h — Tutor (Docker installer for Open edX) on a 4GB+ VPS | SaaS — sign up + bill |
| Monthly cost | $30-60/mo VPS — Open edX is the heaviest of the three. | from $59/user/mo (Basic $59/mo (5% transaction fee); Pro $159/mo (no fees); Pro+ $249/mo) |
Switching from Teachable to Open edX
Install via Tutor: `pip install tutor && tutor local launch`. Open edX is the platform that powers edx.org and many MOOCs — broadest course-format support (XBlocks for arbitrary lesson types, problem libraries, peer assessment). Teachable course content rebuilds inside Studio (Open edX's authoring tool); student CSV imports through the bulk-enroll endpoint.
- Good fit for
- MOOC-style large-scale course delivery, universities, and orgs publishing dozens of structured courses.
- Weak at
- Operational complexity — Open edX is genuinely big (≥10 services); installing on a single VPS is possible but tight.
Other open-source self-host alternatives to Teachable
In a terminal? npx os-alt teachable prints Teachable's self-host options —
how the CLI works →
FAQ
Is Open edX a free alternative to Teachable?
Yes — Open edX is open source under AGPL-3.0. Self-host cost: $30-60/mo VPS — Open edX is the heaviest of the three.. Teachable starts at $59/user/mo (Basic $59/mo (5% transaction fee); Pro $159/mo (no fees); Pro+ $249/mo).
How long does Open edX take to set up vs Teachable?
Self-hosting Open edX: 2h — Tutor (Docker installer for Open edX) on a 4GB+ VPS. Teachable is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.
What is Open edX good at, and what is it weak at?
Good fit for: MOOC-style large-scale course delivery, universities, and orgs publishing dozens of structured courses.. Weak at: Operational complexity — Open edX is genuinely big (≥10 services); installing on a single VPS is possible but tight..