- Home
- Learning Management Systems
- LON-CAPA
LON-CAPA
LON-CAPA · founded 1999
What it is
LON-CAPA is a course management, learning content management and assessment system designed by educators for education. Course tools cover materials, discussions, announcements, a grade book, lab scheduling and portfolio space; assessment options include homework, clickers, tests and exams. Online content can be stored for reuse across courses and semesters, with access rights managed by the system. Campus connections include Shibboleth or Sentinel single sign-on, password verification through Kerberos, LDAP or Active Directory, XML exchange for course creation and population, directory integration and portal token exchange. The software is free, and self-hosted cluster membership has no fee. Server software runs on Linux, with supported distributions including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Debian, Ubuntu and AlmaLinux. The project recommends a dedicated Linux server and specifies a static IP address with working reverse DNS and open ports 80 and 5663. Users can access it with most browsers on most platforms. Cluster members maintain the operating system and software, prevent unauthorized access and protect the shared resource pool.
For and against
For
- Free software and cluster membership
- Course tools include a grade book and lab scheduling
- Assessment covers homework, clickers, tests and exams
- Online content can be reused across courses and semesters
- Supports several campus authentication options
Against
- Requires a dedicated Linux server
- Requires a static IP and working reverse DNS
- Cluster members handle updates and security responsibilities
- Some imports may need custom conversion and manual cleanup
The verdict
LON-CAPA brings course organization, assessment and reusable content into one education system. The software is free, but self-hosting requires Linux infrastructure and ongoing maintenance.
Who it suits
It is suited to faculty, students, administrators, IT managers and publishers involved in education. Organizations should be prepared to operate and maintain a Linux server.
Plans and prices
Self-hosted LON-CAPA
Software and cluster membership have no fee · Requires a dedicated server and ongoing maintenance
Read 7 Oct 2026 · lon-capa.org
Hosting and support
Commercial hosting and support are available; pricing is not stated
Read 7 Oct 2026 · lon-capa.org
On the record
- Assessment
- Assessment features include homework, clickers, tests, and exams.lon-capa.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Campus systems
- Integration features include XML exchange for course creation and population, directory integration, and portal token exchange.lon-capa.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Client access
- The maker says users can access LON-CAPA with most browsers on most platforms, while its server software needs to run on Linux.lon-capa.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Course tools
- Course management features include materials, discussions, announcements, a grade book, lab scheduling, and portfolio space.lon-capa.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Import limits
- Imports from more sophisticated homework systems may require a custom conversion job and manual cleanup.lon-capa.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Infrastructure
- The maker recommends a dedicated Linux server, requires a static IP address with working reverse DNS, and specifies open ports 80 and 5663.lon-capa.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Authentication options include Shibboleth or Sentinel single sign-on and password verification against Kerberos, LDAP, or Active Directory.lon-capa.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- LON-CAPA is a course management, learning content management, and assessment system.lon-capa.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Release
- The installation site identifies version 2.11.6, released December 31, 2024, as the current production release.install.lon-capa.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Security responsibilities
- Cluster members are expected to update the operating system and LON-CAPA, prevent unauthorized access, and protect the shared resource pool.lon-capa.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Shared content
- The system stores online content for reuse across courses and semesters and manages access rights.lon-capa.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to email [email protected] for assistance and lists a provider of commercial hosting and support.lon-capa.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Supported deployment
- The installation site lists supported Linux distributions including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Debian, Ubuntu, and AlmaLinux.install.lon-capa.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Target users
- The maker describes LON-CAPA as designed by educators for educators and presents functionality for faculty, students, administrators, IT managers, and publishers.lon-capa.org · read 7 Oct 2026
