LearnDash vs LifterLMS (2025): Honest, data-backed comparison

If you are choosing a WordPress LMS, LearnDash and LifterLMS will be on your shortlist. Both are mature and widely used. This page gives you a clear, bias-free view so you can match each plugin’s approach to your needs. We stick to documented features and keep guidance practical for LearnDash vs LifterLMS comparison.

What is LearnDash

LearnDash is a premium WordPress LMS focused on structured course delivery. It ships with a drag-and-drop course builder, advanced quizzes, drip content, video progression, certificates, and a distraction-free “Focus Mode.” The ecosystem includes official and third-party add-ons for analytics, instructors, gradebooks, groups, and more.

User Review From Reddit:

LearnDash at a glance:

What is LifterLMS

LifterLMS is a freemium WordPress LMS. The core plugin is free and includes unlimited courses, memberships, students, and teachers. Paid bundles add gateways, CRMs, advanced quizzes, assignments, groups, video features, and more. A key difference is that memberships and access plans are built in, so you can package courses and restrict other site content without extra membership plugins.

User Review From Reddit:

LifterLMS at a glance

Feature-by-feature comparison

1) Course building and delivery

LearnDash: visual course builder, lessons and topics, advanced quiz builder, drip schedule, Focus Mode, video progression that can require viewing before moving on.

LifterLMS: visual builder with native memberships and access rules that apply site-wide. Engagement features such as achievements, certificates, assignments, and advanced quizzes come via bundles.

2) Memberships and monetization

LearnDash: payments through native Stripe/PayPal or WooCommerce. Memberships are commonly handled via a dedicated membership plugin in the stack.

LifterLMS: memberships are first-class, with Access Plans for free, paid, or recurring pricing at course or membership level. You can bundle multiple courses and lock other content types.

3) Integrations and ecosystem

LearnDash: large marketplace of official add-ons (analytics, instructors, groups, gradebook, notes, ratings) and third-party integrations for stores, CRMs, and communities.

LifterLMS: bundles cover gateways (Stripe, PayPal, WooCommerce), email/CRMs (Mailchimp, ConvertKit), forms, and advanced learning add-ons.

4) Analytics and reporting

LearnDash: ProPanel add-on offers instructor dashboards and richer analytics.

LifterLMS: reporting exists in core and grows with higher bundles.

5) Pricing and licensing

LearnDash: annual plugin license per site tier. Also available as a hosted option that includes LMS + hosting.

LifterLMS: free core, with paid bundles at ascending feature levels. Renewals return to full price after the first-year discount.

6) Ease of setup

LearnDash: onboarding wizard and a familiar WordPress editing flow. Many teams combine it with sales and membership plugins to fit complex business models.

LifterLMS: quick start, especially if memberships and access control are central to your plan. Bundles reduce plugin hunting.

Side-by-side Comparison Table

Area	LearnDash	LifterLMS
Course builder	Drag-and-drop with lessons, topics	Visual builder
Quizzes	Advanced quizzes with banks and timers	Quizzes in core, “Advanced Quizzes” via bundle
Focused learning	Focus Mode, video progression gating	Engagement via achievements, certificates, assignments (bundle)
Memberships	Typically added via separate plugin	Built-in memberships and access plans
Payments	Stripe, PayPal, WooCommerce	Stripe, PayPal, WooCommerce in bundles
Reporting	ProPanel add-on	Reporting in core and higher bundles
Pricing model	Annual license; hosted option available	Free core; feature bundles; renewals at full price

LearnDash setup flow (short and practical)

Required Details

• WordPress site with admin access
• LearnDash license or LearnDash hosted plan

Steps

• Install and activate LearnDash.
• Run the onboarding to create core pages and review the LearnDash structure: Courses, Lessons, Topics, Quizzes, Assignments, Certificates.
• Create your first Course: LearnDash LMS → Courses → Add New. Add course details and image.
• Open the Course Builder to add Sections, Lessons, and Topics. Drag to reorder.
• Add a Quiz: LearnDash LMS → Quizzes → Add New → Builder. Choose question types, passmark, and timers.
• Enable Focus Mode: LearnDash LMS → Settings → Focus Mode. Adjust width, sidebar, and logo.
• Set up VdoCipher
  • Install and activate the VdoCipher WordPress plugin, then add your API credentials.
  • In your VdoCipher dashboard, upload a video.
  • Enable domain restriction for your site and, if desired, dynamic watermark.
  • Copy the WordPress shortcode or the iframe embed for that video
• Configure payments: use built-in Stripe/PayPal or WooCommerce for a fuller store.
• Place course elements on pages using LearnDash blocks or shortcodes.
• Test as a learner: enroll a test user and confirm secure playback, watermark visibility, video gating, navigation, quiz scoring, and certificate completion.

LifterLMS setup flow (short and practical)

Required Details

WordPress site with admin access

Install free LifterLMS core; add bundles for gateways, CRMs, assignments, advanced quizzes

Steps

• Install and activate LifterLMS from the WP repo. Run the Setup Wizard to auto-create core pages (Course Catalog, Membership Catalog, Purchase, Student Dashboard).
• Create a Course: Courses → Add Course → add basics and use the builder for Sections and Lessons.
• Set up VdoCipher
  • Install and activate the VdoCipher WordPress plugin.
  • Add your API credentials in the plugin settings.
  • In your VdoCipher dashboard, upload the video.
  • Enable Domain Restriction for your site and, if needed, Dynamic Watermark.
  • Copy the shortcode or iframe for that video.
• Embed Video in a Lesson
  • Open the Lesson editor inside your course.
  • Paste the VdoCipher shortcode in the content area (or use a Shortcode block).
  • If you prefer HTML, paste the iframe in the Text/HTML tab.
  • Update the lesson.
• Add Quizzes inside lessons. For deeper logic, enable the Advanced Quizzes add-on via a bundle.
• Create a Membership if you plan to bundle courses or gate other content: Memberships → Add New.
• Configure Access Plans on a Course or Membership: choose Free, Paid, or Recurring; set price, frequency, and any trial or sale windows.
• For member-only pricing, set plan availability to Members only and select the membership.
• Add payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal, or WooCommerce) per your bundleUse membership rules to protect pages or posts beyond courses.
• Review reporting and refine plans or bundles.

Which should you choose

Choose LearnDash if you want a structured LMS with deep assessment features and you are comfortable assembling the rest of your stack with add-ons or the hosted plan.

Choose LifterLMS if you prefer an all-in-one feel on WordPress with built-in memberships and bundled upgrades for payments, CRMs, and advanced learning features and want to start with free plan.

FAQs

Which is cheaper LearnDash vs LifterLMS

Different pricing models. LearnDash uses an annual license per site tier. LifterLMS core is free and bundles are discounted in year one, then renew at full price. Your total cost depends on your add-ons and site count.

Do both support payments without WooCommerce?

Yes. Both support Stripe and PayPal in their ecosystems. WooCommerce remains available if you want a full store.

Can I run memberships without another plugin?

LifterLMS: yes, memberships are included. LearnDash: typically done with a separate membership plugin or service.

Is there a free plan for LearnDash or LifterLMS?

LearnDash does not offer a free plan – it is available only as a paid plugin starting at $199 per year, or as a hosted plan beginning at $29 per month billed annually. LifterLMS, on the other hand, provides a free core plugin that lets you create unlimited courses and memberships, but key features such as payment gateways and advanced add-ons require a paid bundle. The bundles start with a first-year discount from $149.50 annually and renew at full price after that.