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Head-to-head · Eportfolio Software

Mahara vs SpacesEDU

  • 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
SpacesEDU #4 in Eportfolio Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit SpacesEDU

Mahara leads on 0 checks, SpacesEDU 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 planboth

Mahara scores higher on our rubric for eportfolio software: 9.4 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Mahara is the better fit for organizations wanting flexible open-source portfolios. SpacesEDU is the better fit for schools needing collaborative portfolio workflows.

  • Mahara fits best

    Organizations wanting flexible open-source portfolios

  • SpacesEDU fits best

    Schools needing collaborative 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 ↗ SpacesEDU 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.9
Ranking #1 in Eportfolio Software #4 in Eportfolio Software
Best for Organizations wanting flexible open-source portfolios Schools needing collaborative portfolio workflows
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Community, Docs Email, Live chat, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 6 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Mahara 4/4 · SpacesEDU 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
  • Supports photos, video, audio, files, text, URLs, Google Drive, and OneDrive
  • Connects portfolios with assignments, reflections, feedback, rubrics, and standards
  • Offers web, iOS, and Android access with family communication tools
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
  • Advanced rostering, SSO, and engagement data require the Pro tier
  • Custom standards, proficiency scales, and templates require Enterprise
  • Plan pricing is not published as numeric amounts
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 →

SpacesEDU is a web and mobile platform for K–12 teachers, students, families, and administrators. Its core use case is collaborative evidence of learning: students collect and curate work in digital portfolios, while educators organize…

Read the review →
  1. MaharaEportfolio Software 9.4Free plan
  2. SpacesEDUEportfolio Software 8.9Free plan

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

  • SpacesEDU — where it wins

    • Supports photos, video, audio, files, text, URLs, Google Drive, and OneDrive
    • Connects portfolios with assignments, reflections, feedback, rubrics, and standards
    • Offers web, iOS, and Android access with family communication tools

    Where it doesn't

    • Advanced rostering, SSO, and engagement data require the Pro tier
    • Custom standards, proficiency scales, and templates require Enterprise
    • Plan pricing is not published as numeric amounts
  • Mahara9.4/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit MaharaFull verdict →
  • SpacesEDU8.9/10 · Free plan

    A collaborative K–12 portfolio platform spanning evidence, assessment, feedback, and reporting.

    Visit SpacesEDUFull 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