Mahara
Open Source ePortfolio
Overview
Mahara is a fully featured open-source ePortfolio system. It provides users with tools to create and maintain a digital portfolio of their learning and development. The framework is user-centered, allowing individuals to control which items and what information within their portfolio other users see. Mahara also includes social networking features, allowing users to interact with each other and create online communities.
✨ Key Features
- Open-source and self-hostable
- Portfolio creation with pages and collections
- Blogs for reflection
- Resume builder
- Social networking features (groups, forums, friends)
- File repository
- Interoperability with Moodle
🎯 Key Differentiators
- Completely open-source, offering maximum flexibility and control
- No licensing fees
- Strong community support and development
- User-centric control over content and sharing
Unique Value: Offers a powerful, flexible, and free (as in software) ePortfolio platform that gives institutions and users complete ownership and control over their data and environment.
🎯 Use Cases (5)
✅ Best For
- Self-hosted ePortfolio solution for institutions with technical resources.
- Integration with Moodle LMS for a combined learning and portfolio environment.
💡 Check With Vendor
Verify these considerations match your specific requirements:
- Users seeking a simple, out-of-the-box SaaS solution with no technical overhead
- Primary school classrooms requiring a very simple interface
🏆 Alternatives
Unlike commercial SaaS products, Mahara has no per-user licensing fees and can be fully customized, but it requires significant technical expertise to install, maintain, and support. It provides a more integrated portfolio and social networking experience than a generic CMS like WordPress.
💻 Platforms
🔌 Integrations
🔒 Compliance & Security
💰 Pricing
Free tier: The software is free to download and use; costs are associated with hosting, support, and customization.
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