Academy LMS vs LearnPress (September 2026)
Updated September 7, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org LMS Plugins top 10: Academy LMS at #8 and LearnPress at #10. They split the 5 measures we track, so the choice comes down to which one you weigh most. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
Academy LMS
Academy LMS is the top-rated WordPress LMS plugin — create, sell & manage online courses with AI, quizzes, certificates & multi-instructor tools.
LearnPress
LearnPress – Course Wishlist
LearnPress Wishlist add wishlist feature to your LearnPress course in your site.
Who leads on what
They split the 5 measures we track, so the choice comes down to which one you weigh most.
Academy LMS ranks higher on WordPress.org: #8 against #10 in LMS Plugins.
LearnPress has more users: 20,000+ active installs against 2,000+.
Not enough reviews to compare ratings fairly: Academy LMS has 120, LearnPress has 3. We compare ratings only above 50 reviews each.
Academy LMS has more reviews behind its score: 120 against 3.
LearnPress was updated more recently, on August 22, 2026; Academy LMS on July 14, 2026.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
Academy LMS
Pick Academy LMS if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them or you want the score backed by more reviews.
LearnPress
Pick LearnPress if you want the plugin more sites already run or you want the one shipping releases most recently.
Academy LMS vs LearnPress side by side
| Academy LMS | LearnPress | |
|---|---|---|
| LMS Plugins ranking | #8 | #10 |
| Rating | 4.9 | 3.7 |
| Reviews | 120 | 3 |
| Active installs | 2,000+ | 20,000+ |
| Total downloads | 196,005 | 696,966 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Jul 14, 2026 | Aug 22, 2026 |
| First published | Jun 5, 2021 | Jun 16, 2015 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.0.4 | 7.1 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Pricing | Free + paid version | Free on WordPress.org |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
Academy LMS ratings
LearnPress ratings
How we compare these two
Every figure here is pulled from the WordPress.org plugin API every day at 03:00 UTC, for both plugins in the same run, so the two are always read on the same day. We compare only what the directory reports: active installs, the rating and how many reviews stand behind it, the last release date and, once we have a month of history, downloads over the last 30 days. Ratings are only called a win above 50 reviews each, because a handful of five-star reviews is not evidence. Nothing is weighted into an overall score, no measure is worth more than another, and neither Academy LMS nor LearnPress can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the LMS Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Academy LMS vs LearnPress: common questions
Is Academy LMS better than LearnPress?
They split the 5 measures we track, so the choice comes down to which one you weigh most. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Academy LMS ranks higher on WordPress.org: #8 against #10 in LMS Plugins.
Which has more users, Academy LMS or LearnPress?
Academy LMS ranks higher on WordPress.org: #8 against #10 in LMS Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Academy LMS or LearnPress?
LearnPress has more users: 20,000+ active installs against 2,000+.
Are Academy LMS and LearnPress free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Academy LMS is listed as commercial, so a paid version or add-ons exist. LearnPress may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Academy LMS and LearnPress
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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