Comparison
Far LMS vs LifterLMS: honest comparison
LifterLMS and Far LMS both start free. They differ in how they charge for payments and add-ons, and that changes the real cost.
In short: LifterLMS is a free, open-source WordPress LMS core with paid bundles from $398 a year that add payment gateways, e-commerce and marketing add-ons. Far LMS is a single plugin where one-time Stripe sales are free and paid plans add subscriptions, CRM and more, with no commission on sales.
At a glance
| Feature | Far LMS | LifterLMS |
|---|---|---|
| Free version | Yes: unlimited sites, one-time Stripe sales, no time limit | Yes: free core on WordPress.org (10,000+ active installations) |
| Price per year (checked November 2026) | Free €0; Basic €290; Pro €590 (founder’s price €390); Agency €1,190. Or monthly: €35, €69, €139 | From $398/year (Earth, 1 site) |
| Sites per license | Basic and Pro: 1 site; Agency: up to 10 (Free: unlimited) | Earth: 1; Universe: 5; Infinity: unlimited |
| Subscriptions and memberships | Yes, from Basic | Memberships in the free core; payment add-ons come with paid plans |
| Quizzes and certificates | Yes, from Basic (quizzes, assignments, certificates) | Quizzes, certificates and badges in the free core; Assignments and Advanced Quizzes are paid add-ons |
| Payment gateways | Stripe (Payment Links or Checkout) | Stripe, PayPal and WooCommerce add-ons; Authorize.net also listed |
| Commission or fee charged by the vendor | None. Stripe’s own fees apply | None stated on the pricing page |
| Built-in email marketing and CRM | Yes, in Pro (contacts, campaigns, automations, landing pages) | Email marketing and CRM add-ons in Universe and above |
| Refund guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
Where LifterLMS is stronger
LifterLMS is the better fit if you want to start with a larger free core. Its WordPress.org page lists courses, quizzes, memberships, certificates, achievements, student dashboards and reporting with no limits on courses, memberships or enrollments.
It is also modular. You buy only the add-ons you need, and the Infinity bundle lists advanced add-ons such as Advanced Quizzes, Assignments, Continuing Education and Custom Fields.
LifterLMS also has a long history in the WordPress community and a documented add-on structure, so developers can extend it. Far LMS offers a REST API for course content in Pro, but it is a younger project with fewer third-party extensions.
- A free core that already includes quizzes, certificates and achievement badges, which Far LMS keeps for its paid plans.
- WooCommerce and PayPal support beside Stripe, and Authorize.net is also listed.
- Email marketing, CRM and forms-integration add-ons in the Universe bundle and above.
- A bundle with unlimited sites (Infinity) and a mastermind community in Universe.
Where Far LMS is stronger
With LifterLMS, taking payments needs a paid add-on (Stripe or PayPal) or WooCommerce. With Far LMS, the free version already sells courses with one-time Stripe payments, and the first paid plan adds subscriptions, drip content, quizzes, certificates, discount codes and gift vouchers.
Far LMS is also one plugin with one license, so you do not have to choose among bundles of add-ons.
The free version of Far LMS includes the virtual classroom with its video player, student dashboard, protected materials, lesson search, resource-library mode and white-label design. Quizzes, drip content and certificates start in Basic, and the CRM and the sales funnel start in Pro. The features page shows the plan of every feature, so you can check it before you install anything.
- One-time Stripe sales in the free version, with no add-on to buy.
- Basic plan at €290 a year (or €35 a month) includes subscriptions, quizzes, assignments and certificates, where LifterLMS lists Assignments as a paid add-on.
- Pro includes a CRM, campaigns, landing pages and an on-site checkout with a sales funnel.
- Interface in English, Catalan and Spanish.
Price and licensing
LifterLMS lists Earth at $398 a year for one site, Universe at $598 for five sites and Infinity at $1,598 for unlimited sites (list prices; a sale was running when we checked in November 2026). The core plugin is free. Far LMS lists Basic at €290 a year (or €35 a month), Pro at €590 (€69 a month; founder’s price €390 a year) and Agency at €1,190 (€139 a month) for up to 10 sites, excluding VAT.
The pricing page of LifterLMS does not mention a transaction fee. Far LMS does not charge one either; with both products you pay your payment processor’s normal fees.
Who should choose which
- Choose LifterLMS if you like building from a free core with add-ons, need WooCommerce or PayPal, or want a very large number of sites under one bundle.
- Choose Far LMS if you sell with Stripe and prefer one plugin where subscriptions, quizzes and a CRM are part of the plan.
- Not sure? Compare plan by plan on our pricing page or in the overview of WordPress LMS plugins.
Frequently asked questions
Is LifterLMS really free?
The core plugin is free and open source, and the WordPress.org page lists courses, quizzes, memberships and certificates in it. Taking payments needs a paid add-on or WooCommerce.
Does Far LMS need add-ons to take payments?
No. Stripe payments for one-time sales are part of the free version. Subscriptions start in the Basic plan.
Does either plugin charge a commission?
Neither pricing page states a commission on your sales. Payment processors such as Stripe charge their own fees with both.
Which one is better for a large site network?
LifterLMS Infinity covers unlimited sites. The Far LMS Agency plan covers up to 10 sites, and the free version can be installed on as many sites as you like.
Can I try both before paying?
Yes. LifterLMS has a free core and Far LMS has a free version, plus a 7-day Pro trial inside the plugin that you start yourself.
Sources (checked 14 November 2026)
Competitor facts come from the official pages below. Prices are in US dollars, exclude taxes and change often, so check the vendor’s pricing page before you decide. Far LMS facts come from this website.
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