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Head-to-head · Eportfolio Software

Mahara vs PebblePad

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Mahara #1 in Eportfolio Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Mahara
PebblePad #3 in Eportfolio Software 9.1/10 Pricing on request ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit PebblePad

Mahara leads on 0 checks, PebblePad on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMahara · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly Mahara

Mahara scores higher on our rubric for eportfolio software: 9.4 against 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

Mahara is the better fit for organizations wanting flexible open-source portfolios. PebblePad is the better fit for large institutions needing deep portfolio workflows.

  • Mahara fits best

    Organizations wanting flexible open-source portfolios

  • PebblePad fits best

    Large institutions needing deep portfolio workflows

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Mahara 9.4/10 Visit ↗ PebblePad 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.1
Ranking #1 in Eportfolio Software #3 in Eportfolio Software
Best for Organizations wanting flexible open-source portfolios Large institutions needing deep portfolio workflows
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan Pricing on request
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Community, Docs Email, Tickets, Community, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 50+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Mahara 4/4 · PebblePad 4/4
Evidence collection ✓ ✓
Assessment tools ✓ ✓
Feedback workflows ✓ ✓
Single sign-on ✓ ✓
Specs
Mobile access Both Both
Storage limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
User limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Portfolio pages, collections, evidence, reflections and competency mapping
  • Assessment, feedback, sharing and collaborative group workflows
  • Web, mobile, LMS integration, API access and self-hosted deployment
  • Covers evidence, competency mapping, assessment and feedback workflows
  • Supports Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle, D2L Brightspace and major identity providers
  • PebblePocket enables offline mobile evidence and reflection capture
Cons
  • Organizational hosting may require internal technical responsibility
  • Its feature breadth is focused on learning and assessment contexts
  • Subscription services are separate from the freely available software
  • Pricing requires a sales conversation rather than self-serve purchase
  • Its institutional scope may exceed the needs of simple personal portfolios
  • Not open source, which limits independently managed deployment options
Our verdict

Mahara is open-source ePortfolio software for educational and professional learning communities. It combines portfolio pages and collections with evidence management, reflections, journal entries, résumé building, competency mapping and…

Read the review →

PebblePad is a cloud-based ePortfolio, workbook and assessment platform for higher-education institutions. It supports learners as they plan, record, reflect on and curate learning experiences, collect evidence, build portfolios and share…

Read the review →
  1. MaharaEportfolio Software 9.4Free plan
  2. PebblePadEportfolio Software 9.1Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Mahara — where it wins

    • Portfolio pages, collections, evidence, reflections and competency mapping
    • Assessment, feedback, sharing and collaborative group workflows
    • Web, mobile, LMS integration, API access and self-hosted deployment

    Where it doesn't

    • Organizational hosting may require internal technical responsibility
    • Its feature breadth is focused on learning and assessment contexts
    • Subscription services are separate from the freely available software

  • PebblePad — where it wins

    • Covers evidence, competency mapping, assessment and feedback workflows
    • Supports Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle, D2L Brightspace and major identity providers
    • PebblePocket enables offline mobile evidence and reflection capture

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a sales conversation rather than self-serve purchase
    • Its institutional scope may exceed the needs of simple personal portfolios
    • Not open source, which limits independently managed deployment options
  • Mahara9.4/10 · Free plan

    A broad portfolio and assessment workspace for organizations that value open-source control.

    Visit MaharaFull verdict →
  • PebblePad9.1/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad ePortfolio and assessment platform for institution-wide learning workflows.

    Visit PebblePadFull verdict →

More comparisons

All eportfolio software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update