Numbas

Numbas is a free, open-source e-assessment system for mathematics and other numerate subjects. Educators can deliver exams in a browser, through a virtual learning environment (VLE), or from a DVD or USB key. The public mathcentre editor provides more than 5,000 questions that users may use or modify. Its LTI tool supports adding assessments to Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle, and Brightspace, and Numbas can generate SCORM 2004 packages for compatible VLEs. The project does not provide a publicly accessible LTI instance, so users need to host the tool themselves or discuss paid hosting with the team. Standalone browser exams provide immediate feedback, but scores are not saved automatically. The interface is designed for assistive technology and a wide range of accessibility requirements. Extensions can add functionality, and themes can change the interface or exam delivery. Since exams run in a browser, students may inspect answers or alter reported data; documentation recommends a locked-down browser for high-stakes summative assessments. Numbas began in 2011 and is based at Newcastle University in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Numbas provides flexible assessment delivery and a substantial public question bank without a listed price. For high-stakes exams, account for browser-based risks and the need to host LTI yourself or arrange hosting with the team.

Numbas suits educators teaching mathematics or other numerate disciplines who need to create and deliver assessments through browser, VLE, or offline formats. Teams planning LTI delivery should be prepared to arrange hosting themselves or discuss paid hosting.

Numbas is an open-source e-assessment system for mathematics and other numerate subjects. It suits educators who want control over question design, delivery, and infrastructure, especially where an existing VLE or technical team can support it. Its strongest case is a substantial reusable question collection at no software cost; its weaker points are hosting responsibility and browser-based exam security.

Overview

Numbas, developed at Newcastle University since 2011, lets educators create exams for browser delivery, virtual learning environments (VLEs), or offline distribution from DVD or USB. The public mathcentre editor contributes more than 5,000 mathematics questions that users may use or modify, giving courses a meaningful starting library rather than an empty authoring environment.

Delivery mode matters. Standalone browser exams return feedback immediately, but scores are not saved automatically, so this approach is better for practice and formative work than for assessments where a dependable record is essential. The LTI route connects Numbas assessments to institutional systems, but requires you to run the service yourself or arrange paid hosting with the team. That makes Numbas flexible, not turnkey.

Key features

• Public question bank: More than 5,000 mathcentre questions can be reused or adapted, reducing authoring time for numerate courses while leaving room for local changes.
• Multiple delivery routes: Exams run in a browser, inside a VLE, or from DVD and USB. This supports varied connectivity and teaching contexts, although standalone score handling is limited.
• VLE integration: The LTI tool supports Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle, and Brightspace. Institutions that can provide hosting get a route into established course systems; those that cannot must discuss paid hosting or operate their own instance.
• SCORM export: Numbas generates SCORM 2004 packages for compatible VLEs, useful when SCORM is the integration standard already in place.
• Accessibility: The interface is designed to work with assistive technology and a broad range of accessibility requirements, an important consideration for inclusive assessment design.
• Customization and API: Extensions add functionality and themes can alter the interface or exam delivery. API access and these extension points favor teams that need a tailored assessment workflow.
• Lockdown option: A lockdown app is available for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and ChromeOS. Because browser exams can expose answers or allow reported data to be altered, the project recommends a locked-down browser for high-stakes summative exams.
• Support: Users can email [email protected] or post in the Numbas Users group. Support is community- and project-based rather than a packaged hosted-service operation.

Pricing

Numbas — free. The plan is free and open-source, with no free trial because the software itself is free. There is no publicly accessible LTI hosting instance: run the LTI tool on your own infrastructure or contact the team about paid hosting. The absence of a software charge is valuable for departments with technical capacity, while hosting, administration, and security work remain your responsibility.

Platforms

Numbas supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, web delivery, and self-hosted deployment. Exams can be delivered on desktop browsers, with the separate lockdown app covering the listed desktop, mobile, and ChromeOS environments. The range helps institutions support mixed devices, but the most appropriate setup depends on whether you need offline distribution, VLE integration, or controlled high-stakes delivery.

Who it's for

Numbas is aimed at mathematics departments, numerate disciplines, schools, and universities that want open-source control and can manage deployment choices. It is particularly compelling when the public question bank, SCORM output, or an existing Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle, or Brightspace environment fits the course. Look elsewhere if you need a hosted LTI service with minimal infrastructure work, automatic score retention in standalone mode, or exam security without a lockdown strategy.

Pros and cons

• Pro: A free, open-source system with more than 5,000 reusable or modifiable mathematics questions.
• Pro: Browser, VLE, SCORM, and offline delivery accommodate different institutional setups.
• Pro: Accessibility support, extensions, themes, and API access provide room for inclusive and customized implementations.
• Con: LTI users must self-host or negotiate paid hosting, adding operational responsibility.
• Con: Standalone exams do not automatically save scores, which weakens them for accountable summative records.
• Con: Browser-based exams can expose answers or altered data, so high-stakes use needs a locked-down browser and careful administration.

Alternatives

For a broad comparison set, see Automated Grading Software and Online Exam Software.

• Socrative is a better fit for lightweight classroom quizzing: its free plan allows five quizzes, one room, 50 students per activity, and 30-day report history.
• Gradescope suits instructors focused on rubric-based assignment grading, question-by-question marking, statistics, regrade requests, and data export.
• Wayground (formerly Quizizz) is preferable for activity-led sessions needing up to 100 participants, accepting a 20-activity free-plan limit and restricted library access.
• ZipGrade is the practical choice for paper workflows, with 100 papers per month free or a non-recurring $6.99-per-year paid plan.
• Möbius Assessment is an institutional paid alternative for buyers who want sales-led subscription arrangements.
• ClassMarker is an option for hosted online tests with paid tiers, credits, and AI exam proctoring.
• ExamSoft targets institutions seeking a paid exam platform whose capabilities and add-ons follow the customer order.
• Inspera Assessment is a paid, per-student option with flexible pricing for institutions needing that purchasing model.

Verdict

Choose Numbas if you teach mathematics or another numerate subject and value open-source control, a deep public question bank, and several delivery formats. Its decisive advantages are breadth and zero software cost. Choose another platform if you need hosted LTI, automatic standalone score storage, or high-stakes browser security without managing the surrounding infrastructure.