Buyer's guide
The best WordPress LMS plugin you can run free
Several free WordPress LMS plugins can take payments now. Learnomy goes further: payments, certificates, memberships and instructor commissions are all in the free version, with no add-ons and no platform cut. Content drip is in Pro. Here is how the free tiers actually compare.
What "free" should mean
A real academy - not a trial. Without paying for add-ons.
A free LMS is only useful if it lets you actually run an academy. That means payments, quizzes, and certificates in the free version - not locked behind a paywall.
Earlier than a shortlist? The WordPress LMS plugin overview covers what the category has to do before any of these are worth ranking. Weighing paid options too? The full roundup of six includes LearnDash and the paid tiers, and if you are already on one of them the LearnDash alternatives page is the honest version of that decision.
Learnomy
No add-ons neededFree includes: Courses, 6 quiz types, certificates with public verification, Stripe + PayPal checkout, memberships, coupons, instructor commissions, a full REST API
Payments, quizzes, verified certificates, memberships and instructor commissions all ship in the free plugin. No add-ons to buy.
LearnPress
Learnomy vs LearnPress →Free includes: Course builder, lessons, quizzes, basic checkout
Popular and free. Basic checkout is free; more gateways and extra features come as add-ons.
Tutor LMS
Learnomy vs Tutor LMS →Free includes: Course builder, quizzes, native eCommerce
Modern UX with a capable free tier that can sell; advanced tools sit in Pro.
LifterLMS
Learnomy vs LifterLMS →Free includes: Courses, lessons, quizzes, certificates, built-in checkout
Strong foundation. Advanced Quizzes and other extras are paid add-ons or bundles.
Masteriyo
Learnomy vs Masteriyo →Free includes: Courses, quizzes, certificates, built-in checkout
A close free + no-fees alternative. Learnomy also puts memberships and instructor commissions in its free plugin.
Competitor free tiers vary by version and add-ons; check each vendor for current details. Comparisons reflect typical defaults at the time of writing.
FAQ
Is there a truly free WordPress LMS plugin?
Yes. Learnomy is free and includes courses, quizzes, certificates, built-in Stripe and PayPal checkout, memberships, and instructor commissions, with no add-on wall and no platform fee. LearnPress, Tutor LMS, LifterLMS, and Masteriyo also offer free tiers, and several of them can take payments too. Check each one for what needs an add-on.
Can I sell courses for free without transaction fees?
With Learnomy, yes. Built-in Stripe and PayPal direct checkout means you keep 100% of your revenue minus only the payment processor fees. There is no Learnomy platform cut, and WooCommerce is not required.
What makes a free LMS "complete"?
A complete free LMS lets you run a real academy without paying for add-ons. That means a course builder, payments, memberships, quizzes, and certificates in the free version - not gated to a higher tier. Learnomy includes all of these.
Do I need WooCommerce to sell with a free WordPress LMS?
Not with Learnomy. It runs standalone with built-in Stripe and PayPal and bundled Action Scheduler for subscriptions and renewals. WooCommerce is an optional gateway if you already use it.
Start free, the complete way
Courses, quizzes, certificates, payments, and memberships, in one free plugin you own.