Online courses are one of the most profitable things you can sell from a WordPress site. Teachers, trainers, coaches, and small businesses now use WordPress to build course platforms that once required expensive software. The catch is that many of the best-known learning management systems (LMS) cost hundreds of dollars a year before you have sold a single course. The good news is that several WordPress LMS plugins offer capable free versions that you can use to launch and test your first courses without spending anything.
This guide compares five of the most useful free LMS plugins for WordPress. For each one, you will see what the free version includes, where the limits are, who it suits best, and what to check before you commit. At the end, you will find a comparison table and a short guide to choosing the right plugin for your situation.
How we compared these plugins
Every plugin in this list was checked against the same criteria. We looked at the features available in the free version, the quality of the course builder, the options for taking payment, how actively the plugin is maintained, and the size and satisfaction of its user base. We also considered how well each plugin fits with the rest of a typical WordPress site, including themes, page builders, and e-commerce tools.
Install counts and ratings come from WordPress.org listing data collected in late 2026. These numbers change often, so treat them as a guide and check the live plugin page before you decide. Prices for paid add-ons also change, so confirm current pricing on the developer’s website.
1. LearnPress – The most installed free option
LearnPress is one of the most widely used free LMS plugins on WordPress, with roughly 80,000 active installations and a rating of about 4.3 out of 5 from several hundred reviews. It is developed by ThimPress and is designed to let you create courses, lessons, and quizzes without writing code. Its course builder is straightforward, which makes it a good first choice for educators who want to get courses online quickly.
The free version covers the essentials: unlimited courses and lessons, quizzes, student enrolment, and a clean front-end course listing. Many of the more advanced features, such as certificates and specific payment options, are available as add-ons. Those add-ons are sold separately or in bundles, so compare the total cost of the features you need before you rely on them.
LearnPress also has a history of security advisories, as many popular plugins do. Before installing it, check the plugin’s update history and look up any known vulnerabilities in a security database. Keep it updated at all times, and avoid leaving inactive add-ons installed on the site.
Best for: beginners and budget-conscious creators who want a simple course builder and are comfortable adding paid extras later.
2. LifterLMS – The strongest free membership tools
LifterLMS is an open-source LMS with a highly rated free core, currently around 4.8 out of 5 on WordPress.org from close to 400 reviews, with 10,000 or more active installations. It stands out for its membership tools. If you want to sell access to a library of courses on a recurring basis, or group courses into membership levels, LifterLMS gives you more built-in options in the free version than most competitors.
The course builder supports text, video, audio, and quizzes, so you can mix media types within a single lesson. The plugin also includes engagement features such as achievements, certificates, and a coupon system, which can help you run promotions or discount courses for specific groups. For many users, the free core is enough to build a complete course business before any upgrade is needed.
The premium add-ons extend the plugin with features such as advanced integrations, payment gateways, and additional reporting. Paid plans start at a modest annual price, though the exact amount depends on the plan and the features you need, so check the current pricing page before budgeting.
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3. Tutor LMS – The most popular free option for growing course sites
Tutor LMS is one of the largest free LMS plugins on WordPress, with more than 100,000 active installations and a rating around 4.4 out of 5. It offers a modern, front-end course builder that lets you create courses and lessons directly on the page, which many instructors find easier than working in the WordPress admin area. The interface is clean, and the plugin is updated regularly.
The free version includes course creation, lessons, quizzes, and student management, which is enough for many small course sites. Tutor LMS Pro adds features such as drip content, multiple instructors, course previews, and certificates. It also connects with tools such as Zoom for live classes, Google Classroom, and Elementor, so you can extend your course site as your audience grows.
Pro plans are paid and priced per year, with the cost depending on the plan you choose and the number of sites you want to license. Check the current pricing before you plan your budget, because the figures vary across third-party reviews.
Best for: instructors who want a polished front end, plenty of integrations, and a clear upgrade path once their audience grows.
4. MasterStudy LMS – The best-looking free option
MasterStudy LMS focuses on presentation. Its course pages look polished out of the box, with a layout that resembles well-known online course marketplaces. It includes a drag-and-drop course builder, quizzes, certificates, and instructor and student dashboards, along with templates that help you launch a site quickly. It has roughly 10,000 active installations and a rating of about 4.5 out of 5.
Because its course pages are designed to sell, MasterStudy is a strong choice if your priority is making a good first impression on prospective students. The free version covers the core features needed to run a course site, while more advanced tools, such as certain analytics and live-streaming options, are part of its paid offering. Review the free feature list carefully before you build, because the line between free and paid features can change over time.
Best for: creators who care most about course page design and want an attractive site without hiring a designer.
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5. Namaste! LMS
Namaste! LMS offers a free core with unlimited courses, lessons, and assignments, and it has a loyal following among users who want a simple, lightweight plugin. Its install base is considerably smaller than the plugins above, and its update history is less frequent, so check when it was last updated and whether it works with your WordPress version before you choose it. It can still be a reasonable option for small, low-risk projects.
On the official website of the WordPress Plugin List, this plugin received an overall rating of 4.5 stars. No matter your industry, it supports infinite courses, lessons, and tasks. Namaste! LMS attempts to provide the necessary tools for the page owner to run it as efficiently as possible.
The plugin enables you to define various rules based on test results, assignment completion, and manual admin permission for the course and lesson access and completion. Page owners may also assign the position to appropriate individuals. Additionally, Namaste! Students receive certificates from LMS whenever they finish a course. The grade and point system will encourage students to work hard during the course.
The plugin is integrated with various add-ons, each serving a particular purpose. For instance, MoolaMojo allows you to convert points into virtual credits, and Watu / WatoPRO allows you to take quizzes, tests, examinations, etc.
How to choose the right free LMS plugin
Start with the business model. If you plan to sell one-off courses, almost any plugin on this list will work, so choose based on the interface you find easiest to use. If you plan to sell memberships or course libraries, LifterLMS is the strongest free option. If you already run a WooCommerce store, Sensei LMS keeps everything in one checkout and reduces the number of tools you need to manage.
Next, consider the upgrade path. Free plugins are only useful if they can grow with you, so look at the cost of the add-ons you are likely to need, such as certificates, payment options, or live class integrations. Adding up the total cost of a plugin plus its add-ons gives you a more realistic picture than the free price alone.
Finally, check maintenance and security. Look at the last update date, the WordPress version it supports, and how the developer responds to support requests. Keep every plugin up to date, remove any you no longer use, and back up your site before major changes.
Conclusion
Free LMS plugins have come a long way, and several of them now offer features that once required expensive software. The right choice depends on what you plan to sell, how your audience will pay, and whether you already use WooCommerce. Start with the free version of the plugin that fits your goals, build a few courses, and upgrade only when your students ask for something the free version cannot do.
If you have a favourite free LMS plugin that is missing from this list, share it in the comments with a short note about why you recommend it.
