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Head-to-head · Credentialing Software

IssueBadge vs Credly

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score IssueBadge #6 in Credentialing Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 6 of 6 features Visit IssueBadge
Credly #7 in Credentialing Software 8.5/10 Pricing on request ✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Credly

IssueBadge leads on 0 checks, Credly on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreIssueBadge · 8.6/10
  • Free planonly IssueBadge

IssueBadge scores higher on our rubric for credentialing software: 8.6 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

IssueBadge is the better fit for budget-conscious credential issuers. Credly is the better fit for enterprise digital badge ecosystems.

  • IssueBadge fits best

    Budget-conscious credential issuers

  • Credly fits best

    Enterprise digital badge ecosystems

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Side by side

Feature IssueBadge 8.6/10 Visit ↗ Credly 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.5
Ranking #6 in Credentialing Software #7 in Credentialing Software
Best for Budget-conscious credential issuers Enterprise digital badge ecosystems
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $149.99/yr Pricing on request
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Docs Tickets, Docs
Integrations 50+ integrations 10 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features IssueBadge 6/6 · Credly 6/6
Digital certificates ✓ ✓
Digital badges ✓ ✓
Public verification ✓ ✓
Expiry management ✓ ✓
Custom branding ✓ ✓
API access ✓ ✓
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan plus paid options from $14.99 per month
  • Bulk issuance from CSV or Excel files
  • Verification, expiry controls, analytics, and API access
  • Issues badges and certificates with custom branding
  • Supports verification, expiry notifications, and credential renewal
  • Connects learning platforms through integrations and a REST API
Cons
  • Free allowance is limited to 50 certificates per month
  • Advanced customization is listed only on Lifetime Advanced
  • Web and API access may not suit teams needing other platforms
  • Pricing requires a sales conversation
  • Open-source customization is not part of the product
  • Its broad feature set may exceed simple credentialing needs
Our verdict

IssueBadge is a web-based credentialing platform for organizations that create and distribute digital badges and certificates. Its audience includes education providers, corporate training teams, human resources departments, event…

Read the review →

Credly is a digital credentialing platform for training providers, professional associations, certification organizations, higher education institutions, and employers. It supports digital badge and credential issuance, public…

Read the review →
  1. IssueBadgeCredentialing Software 8.6Free plan
  2. CredlyCredentialing Software 8.5Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • IssueBadge — where it wins

    • Free plan plus paid options from $14.99 per month
    • Bulk issuance from CSV or Excel files
    • Verification, expiry controls, analytics, and API access

    Where it doesn't

    • Free allowance is limited to 50 certificates per month
    • Advanced customization is listed only on Lifetime Advanced
    • Web and API access may not suit teams needing other platforms
  • Credly — where it wins

    • Issues badges and certificates with custom branding
    • Supports verification, expiry notifications, and credential renewal
    • Connects learning platforms through integrations and a REST API

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a sales conversation
    • Open-source customization is not part of the product
    • Its broad feature set may exceed simple credentialing needs

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update