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🧱 Learning Record Stores (LRS) — Open-Source & Commercial

A curated, non-exhaustive catalog of Learning Record Stores you can use with xAPI.
Tip: Always verify current xAPI (1.0.3 / 2.0 IEEE 9274.1.1) conformance on the ADL xAPI Adopter Registry before you buy or deploy.

✅ Quick “How to Choose” (at a glance)

  • I want OSS + full control: Learning Locker CE, Yet Analytics lrsql, TRAX LRS, ADL LRS, OpenLRW.
  • I want analytics & dashboards out of the box: Watershed, Veracity, Learning Locker Enterprise, GrassBlade (with WordPress stack), SCORM Cloud (basic), RISC VTA.
  • I need embedded/white-label in my product: Rustici Engine LRS, Yet Analytics lrsql, Learning Locker EE, OpenLRW.
  • I need to test cmi5 quickly: SCORM Cloud LRS, Veracity LRS (Try LRS), ADL LRS sandbox (if available), TRAX one-click deploys.
  • I’m in DoD/TLA worlds: ADL LRS (reference), Veracity, Rustici (Engine / Cloud), Watershed, Learning Locker EE, Yet Analytics (plus their open TLA-aligned tooling).

🟩 Open-Source LRS (Self-host)

1) Learning Locker® Community Edition

  • Type: Open source (GPL) + Enterprise (commercial)
  • Stack: Node.js, MongoDB
  • Highlights: Most widely adopted OSS LRS; UI for querying & dashboards; mature ecosystem.
  • Demo / Try: Learning Pool offers cloud trials for EE; CE can be self-hosted quickly with Docker.
  • Repo / Docs: https://github.com/LearningLocker/learninglocker
  • Conformance: Historically conformant; verify current status on ADL Registry.

2) Yet Analytics – lrsql (aka SQL LRS)

  • Type: Open source (Apache 2.0)
  • Stack: Clojure + SQL (Postgres, etc.)
  • Highlights: Cloud-native, lightweight, easy to deploy many LRS instances; great for pipelines & edge “noisy” LRS use.
  • Demo / Try: Docker images & quick-start guides.
  • Repo / Docs: https://github.com/yetanalytics/lrsql
  • Conformance: Check ADL Registry.

3) TRAX LRS (trax2)

  • Type: Open source (Starter) + commercial support
  • Stack: PHP (Laravel), Vue.js; MySQL/MariaDB/Postgres/MongoDB
  • Highlights: Straightforward to deploy; DigitalOcean one-click image; friendly UI.
  • Demo / Try: Project docs provide quick setup and ADL test instructions.
  • Repo / Docs: https://github.com/trax-project
  • Conformance: Check ADL Registry.

4) ADL LRS (Reference Implementation / “Serenity”)

  • Type: Open source reference implementation
  • Stack: Varies by generation (Node / Java)
  • Highlights: Spec-aligned reference; great for learning & testing; often used with ADL’s test suites.
  • Demo / Try: ADL sometimes hosts a public sandbox; otherwise self-host from source.
  • Repo / Docs: https://github.com/adlnet
  • Conformance: Usually aligned to current spec drafts; verify if you need production-grade conformance.

5) OpenLRW (Apereo Learning Record Warehouse)

  • Type: Open source (institutional analytics focus)
  • Stack: Java, MongoDB / Postgres (varies)
  • Highlights: Multi-standard: supports xAPI, IMS Caliper, OneRoster; built for higher-ed analytics hubs.
  • Demo / Try: Run from source / Docker.
  • Repo / Docs: https://github.com/Apereo-Learning-Analytics-Initiative/OpenLRW
  • Conformance: Check ADL Registry (it’s more of a warehouse than a strict xAPI LRS).

🟦 Commercial / SaaS LRS (or Enterprise Editions)

6) Veracity Learning LRS (lrs.io)

  • Type: Commercial SaaS / on-prem
  • Highlights: Early xAPI 2.0 (IEEE) conformance; rich admin UI; profile validation; attachments & signatures.
  • Demo / Try: “Try LRS” (public sandbox).
  • Docs: https://lrs.io / https://veracity.it
  • Conformance: Widely cited as 2.0-conformant — still verify on ADL Registry.

7) Watershed LRS

  • Type: Commercial SaaS
  • Highlights: Full analytics, dashboards, data blending & ROI stories; strong enterprise focus; deep case studies (AT&T, Caterpillar).
  • Demo / Try: By request.
  • Docs: https://www.watershedlrs.com
  • Conformance: Historically conformant; verify.

8) Learning Locker® Enterprise (Learning Pool)

  • Type: Commercial SaaS / supported on-prem
  • Highlights: Same core as LL CE + enterprise features (HA, pipelines, support, connectors, governance, SSO).
  • Demo / Try: By request.
  • Docs: https://learningpool.com/learning-locker/
  • Conformance: Verify on ADL Registry.

9) GrassBlade LRS (Next Software Solutions)

  • Type: Commercial SaaS / on-prem
  • Highlights: Deep WordPress ecosystem integrations (with GrassBlade xAPI Companion), LearnDash, LifterLMS, H5P, etc.; cmi5 support.
  • Demo / Try: Public demo instances available.
  • Docs: https://www.nextsoftwaresolutions.com/grassblade-lrs/
  • Conformance: Verify on ADL Registry.

10) SCORM Cloud LRS (Rustici Software)

  • Type: Commercial SaaS (free tier available)
  • Highlights: Easiest “first LRS” to test; cmi5 & xAPI launch; built-in statement viewer; great for developers.
  • Demo / Try: Free developer account.
  • Docs: https://scorm.com/scorm-solved/scorm-cloud/
  • Conformance: Historically conformant; verify.

11) Rustici Engine (with LRS)

  • Type: Commercial embeddable component
  • Highlights: OEM engine for LMS/LXPs supporting SCORM, xAPI, cmi5, AICC; includes an LRS component and launch services.
  • Demo / Try: By request.
  • Docs: https://rusticisoftware.com/products/engine/
  • Conformance: Verify (LRS component within Engine).

12) RISC VTA / RISC LRS

  • Type: Commercial SaaS / on-prem (often paired with VTA LMS)
  • Highlights: Long-time xAPI advocates; strong corporate compliance reporting; xAPI + cmi5 support.
  • Demo / Try: By request.
  • Docs: https://risc-inc.com
  • Conformance: Verify.

13) Moodle Workplace (Built-in LRS)

  • Type: Commercial distribution of Moodle
  • Highlights: Offers embedded LRS; pairs nicely with Moodle’s xAPI plugins for event streaming.
  • Demo / Try: Through Moodle Partners.
  • Docs: https://moodle.com/workplace/
  • Conformance: Verify (it’s an embedded LRS).

14) Cornerstone, Meridian, Docebo, D2L (Embedded / Partnered LRS)

  • Type: Commercial LMS/LXPs with LRS inside or via partner (e.g., Rustici, Watershed, Learning Locker)
  • Highlights: “Check the box” xAPI capture + enterprise analytics (often with partner LRS behind the scenes).
  • Demo / Try: Vendor-specific.
  • Conformance: Verify per vendor/partner.

15) Learning Pool Stream (Data Cloud)

  • Type: Commercial data platform
  • Highlights: LRS-backed data lake/warehouse patterns; tightly integrated with Learning Locker.
  • Demo / Try: By request.
  • Docs: https://learningpool.com

16) Yet Analytics (Commercial Platform)

  • Type: Commercial analytics & data platform (in addition to OSS tools)
  • Highlights: High-scale analytics, profile validation, TLA-aligned tooling, open-source + enterprise support.
  • Demo / Try: By request.
  • Docs: https://www.yetanalytics.com
  • Conformance: Verify if using their hosted/enterprise LRS.

🧪 Reference / Test Suites / Utilities

17) ADL LRS Test Suite

  • What it is: The official open-source conformance test runner for LRSs.
  • Use it: To verify your LRS meets the xAPI spec (1.0.3 & beyond) — also check for IEEE 9274 compatibility.
  • Repo / Docs: https://github.com/adlnet

18) ADL xAPI Adopter Registry

  • What it is: The canonical list of conformant tools (LRS, content, tools).
  • Use it: To verify actual conformance claims made by vendors or OSS projects.
  • URL: https://adopters.adlnet.gov (or current ADL site)

19) Postman Collections & Statement Validators

  • What it is: Developer utilities to test xAPI endpoints & validate JSON statement structure.
  • Use it: Faster dev cycles, repeatable smoke tests, documentation.

20) DATASIM (Synthetic xAPI Data Generator)

  • What it is: Open-source simulator for massive xAPI data sets.
  • Use it: Load-testing LRSs, prototyping analytics models, testing profile constraints at scale.
  • Repo / Docs: https://github.com/yetanalytics/datasim