Xerte
What it is
Xerte is a browser-based authoring suite for creating interactive learning materials. Teachers and tutors can assemble content through forms and templates, while developers can customize appearance and functionality with JavaScript and CSS. The Xerte Online Toolkit provides over 70 templates. It produces responsive, standards-compliant HTML5 content for modern browsers and devices, and lists keyboard accessibility, a colour contrast changer, and compatibility with text-to-speech and most screen-reader tools. Projects can be exported as standalone ZIP files for web-server deployment or as SCORM packages for compatible learning platforms. Xerte also supports SCORM, LTI, and xAPI integrations; xAPI reporting requires a configured Learning Record Store. The free, open-source software must be installed on a web server. The described setup uses Linux, Apache, MySQL or MariaDB, and PHP, while Windows servers with IIS can also be configured. Community forums are the primary support channel, and support there is voluntary. The maker says an online organisational installation is generally where Xerte's benefits come from, while local XAMPP setup is more technical.
For and against
For
- Includes over 70 learning templates.
- Exports projects as ZIP or SCORM packages.
- Supports SCORM, LTI, and xAPI integrations.
- Lists keyboard and screen-reader accessibility features.
- Produces responsive HTML5 content.
Against
- Requires installation on a web server.
- xAPI reporting requires a configured Learning Record Store.
- Community forum support is voluntary.
- Downloads require an account and login.
The verdict
Xerte offers templated authoring, accessible HTML5 output, and export and integration options for learning content. Its free software still requires a web-server installation, and its primary support channel is a voluntary community forum.
Who it suits
Xerte suits teachers and tutors creating interactive learning materials, including those working in universities, colleges, schools, and other teaching organisations. Developers who can customize with JavaScript and CSS may also find it a fit.
Plans and prices
Xerte Online Toolkits
No software or licence fee · self-hosting and maintenance required
Read 15 Oct 2026 · xerte.org.uk
Xerte
Free and open-source software · requires installation on a web server · commercial hosting and support are separate
Read 8 Oct 2026 · xerte.org.uk
On the record
- Accessibility
- The project says accessibility was developed with accessibility specialists and people with special needs.xerte.org.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- AI release
- Version 3.15, released December 31, 2025, added optional generative-AI features while leaving AI disabled by default.xerte.org.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The project describes Xerte as aimed at teachers and tutors, and says it is used in universities, colleges, schools, and other organisations delivering teaching and learning.xerte.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Authoring
- Authors assemble content using forms and templates, while developers can use JavaScript and CSS to customise functionality and appearance.xerte.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Authoring workflow
- The editor uses forms, reusable templates and selectable themes, including organisation-created themes.xerte.org.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Changelog
- The 3.15 changelog records security fixes, an xmlseclibs upgrade for CVE-2026-32313, theme-upload fixes and mobile and tracking fixes.xerte.org.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Collaborative authoring
- Teams can share projects in a workspace, publish them to learners, and export standalone ZIP or SCORM packages.xerte.org.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Commercial services
- The maker lists community-connected companies offering commercial help with hosting, installation, troubleshooting, upgrades, custom development, and training.xerte.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Community stewardship
- The project moved from University of Nottingham stewardship into the Apereo Foundation, with a governance board and Apache licensing.xerte.org.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- Xerte requires installation on a web server; the site describes a standard Linux, Apache, MySQL or MariaDB, and PHP stack, with Windows servers and IIS also configurable.xerte.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Developer control
- Authors with technical skills can use HTML, CSS and JavaScript, while installations can add page types and templates.xerte.org.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- Documentation includes student, teacher and system-administrator sections, installation guides and developer material, with the project acknowledging that developer documentation is still being improved.xertedocs.readthedocs.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Download access
- The community downloads page says users must create an account and log in to download files.xerte.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- Enterprise usage
- The project says Nottingham had hosted Xerte since 2008 and had created more than 20,000 projects.xerte.org.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- Export
- Projects can be exported as standalone ZIP files for web-server deployment or as SCORM packages for compatible learning platforms.xerte.org.uk · read 8 Oct 2026
- External media
- The documentation says projects can incorporate YouTube and Flickr content.xerte.org.uk · read 15 Oct 2026
- GoodFirms listing
- GoodFirms describes Xerte as a full e-learning authoring suite and lists on-premises deployment for Windows, Mac and Linux.goodfirms.co · read 15 Oct 2026
- GoodFirms pricing
- GoodFirms records the pricing type and payment frequency as free.goodfirms.co · read 15 Oct 2026
