Fennec Learn vs LearnDash
LearnDash is a mature product with years of add-ons behind it. If you want to know what you get before you pay anything, here's how the free and entry tiers line up, with a source for every LearnDash fact.
Side by side
LearnDash: No free version; $259 / $399 / $599 per year. Source: Liquid Web: LearnDash
| As of Sep 2026 | Fennec LearnFree core; Pro pricing later | LearnDashNo free version; $259 / $399 / $599 per year |
|---|---|---|
| Free edition | Yes | No |
| Certificates in the free edition | Yes | n/a |
| Content drip in the free edition | Yes | n/a |
| Free with no trial clock | Yes | 48-hour trial only |
| AI agent access (Abilities / MCP) | Yes | Not listed |
Figures come from our September 2026 LMS research, with the vendor sources linked above. LearnDash offers a 48-hour trial, not a free edition. Tutor LMS lists certificates and content drip as Pro features. “Not listed” means we couldn’t confirm it on the vendor’s own pages. Sources: Liquid Web: LearnDash.
What the free Learn plugin includes
No account, no license key, no time limit. This is the shipped list, taken from the plugin's readme.
Courses in the block editor
Courses are regular pages you design with blocks. Lessons are their own posts.
Course builder
Group lessons into sections, drag to reorder (or use arrow buttons, no JavaScript required), and create lessons right from the builder.
Three ways to enroll
Open to any logged-in user, free with registration, or restricted to students you enroll or members of the right level.
Progress tracking
“Mark complete” on every lesson, course progress bars, and a Continue button that remembers where each student left off.
Linear progression and drip
Require lessons in order, and open a lesson a set number of days after each student enrolls.
Quizzes
Multiple choice, true/false and short answer, a pass mark and a retake limit. Passing can be required to complete the lesson. Answers never reach the browser.
Certificates
A printable certificate of completion with a public verification link. No PDF service; nothing leaves your site.
Student dashboard and outline blocks
Each student’s courses with progress, and a curriculum with lock and completion states plus the right button.
Reports
Enrollments and completion rate per course, per-student progress, manual enroll and unenroll, quiz resets and CSV export.
Private by design
Lesson content is hidden from visitors, search and the REST API unless the viewer has access.
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