Chamilo
GPL-licensed learning platform governed by BeezNest Belgium, free to install and used by a stated 41 million learners
Quick Overview
| Company | BeezNest Belgium SRL |
|---|---|
| Category | Learning Management Systems |
| Headquarters | Nivelles, Belgium |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - Belgium (EU) |
| Data Location | Wherever you host it |
| Open Source | GPLv3+ |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | Yes - PHP application |
| Main Features | Free GPLv3+ LMS, ZIP and TAR.GZ downloads, current release for PHP 8.3 to 8.5, legacy 1.11 branch, Digital Public Good certification |
| Pricing | Software free (GPLv3+); hosting and support from providers, prices not published |
| Best For | Teams that want a no-licence-fee LMS they or a partner can host and modify |
| Replaces | Absorb LMS, Moodle |
Detailed Review
Chamilo is a community project with a company behind it. Its homepage says it is free and open-source, used by 41M+ learners worldwide, certified as a Digital Public Good by the UN-backed DPGA and governed by BeezNest Belgium since January 2026.
The legal notice names BeezNest Belgium SRL as data controller, registered in Nivelles, with VAT number BE 0872.265.570.
Free means you carry the work
The download page shows a new release dated 19 September 2026 for PHP 8.3, 8.4 and 8.5, and a legacy 1.11.40 build from June 2026 for PHP 7.4 and 8.3, both under GPLv3 or later. Anyone can install it; nobody sells you a seat.
That also means upgrade planning, backups and security patching are yours unless you pay a provider.
Corporate fit
The public site is oriented to education and public-sector use, and it does not showcase corporate features such as HRIS integrations or skills mapping. Treat it as a base to build on, not a finished enterprise suite.
Governance
Because a Belgian company governs the project, questions about contracts and data protection have a European address, and the source can be audited.
Limitations to Consider
Chamilo shows few corporate features on its site, pricing for hosting is not published, and support depends on partners you choose. It offers no built-in commerce, compliance dashboards or HR integrations of the kind found at Kallidus or Skillcast.
Who Should Use Chamilo
Public bodies, NGOs and developers who want a no-fee LMS under their own control.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- No licence fee
- GPLv3+ source
- Belgian governing company
- Recent release in September 2026
- Digital Public Good certification claimed
Cons
- Corporate features thin
- Hosting prices not published
- You run upgrades yourself
- Support through third parties
Alternatives to Chamilo
Other European learning management systems worth comparing before you decide:
Thrive Learning
United Kingdom · Learning hub with skills pathways, mentoring and an AI agent
Eurekos
Denmark · Customer and partner training LMS with built-in e-commerce
Learnifier
Sweden · Swedish LMS with published prices and 26+ languages
360Learning
France · Collaborative LMS where subject experts write the courses
See all European learning management systems or compare them directly against Absorb LMS on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It is distributed under GPLv3 or later, so there is no licence fee. Hosting and support cost extra if you buy them.
Its homepage says it has been governed by BeezNest Belgium since January 2026, and the legal notice names BeezNest Belgium SRL in Nivelles.
It can be, but the public site shows few corporate features, so expect to assess modules and plugins carefully.