Lrsql vs Numbas
Lrsql and Numbas are both course authoring software. Lrsql is open source under Apache-2.0, with 144 GitHub stars. Numbas is open source under Apache-2.0, with 216 GitHub stars.
Which to pick
- Pick Lrsql when
- You need a lightweight, maintained LRS you can self-host.
- Pick Numbas when
- A university or school needs online maths assessments that run in any LMS via SCORM or LTI.
Side by side
A conformant xAPI learning record store backed by SQLite or PostgreSQL.
A browser-based e-assessment system from Newcastle University for creating maths tests with randomised questions and computer algebra marking.
Pre-1.0 and a small company's project; written in Clojure.
Mathematics-focused; general quizzes are better served by an LMS's own tools.
Usable
Production-ready
Self-hosted server
Library and self-hosted server
Clojure, PostgreSQL and SQLite
JavaScript
Open source, Apache-2.0 (permissive) (both)
You can build it into a product you sell, as long as you keep its copyright notice. (both)
144 GitHub stars
216 GitHub stars
Established: started 5 years ago, latest release v0.9.11.
Established: started 15 years ago, latest release v11.0.
Other comparisons
More e-learning authoring tools and SCORM runtimes
Both sides were judged on 2026-11-03 from each project's README and GitHub data. License, age and popularity lines are worked out directly.