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Updated: November 17, 2025

15 min read

Credly Pricing: Is Credly Worth It in 2026? (+ 8 Alternatives and Comparison Table)

See if Credly is worth it? Is the price that high to break the bank? Is Credly free? Explore alternatives that will be worth considering in 2026.

Looking for Credly pricing but can’t find it anywhere on their website? Many users get frustrated trying to figure out how much Credly cost actually is and whether the platform is really worth the investment.

In this article, we’ll uncover everything about Credly’s pricing, what you get for the cost, and how it compares to other popular platforms in 2026.

Plus, we’ll show you several alternatives that offer transparent pricing and similar (or better) features at a more affordable rate.

Check out our Certifier vs Credly page. It breaks down the latest data on Credly pricing, features, and competitors, all in one place.

⬇️ Don’t forget to check out the comparison table at the end of the article!

What is Credly?

Creating, managing, and monitoring badges, credentials, or certificates can be inefficient and tiring when done manually. Additionally, it may require a lot of time. 

When this happens, such a pleasure as designing sharable Credly certification documents and credentials is no longer a pleasure but an unpleasant duty.

But, of course, no one wants this scenario to happen. So companies invest in various badge design tools – and Credly digital is one of them.

But let's start from the beginning.

What is Credly and is Credly legit? Credly is a well-known, legit digital badge management software. What is Credly? It's an end-to-end solution for creating, issuing, and managing digital credentials. 

Credly allows its users to:

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Verify

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Share

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Manage

digital badges and sharable Credly certification.

Credly offers comprehensive features for designing and issuing badges and enterprise-class functionality for scaling and managing programs. It also provides advanced metrics to measure success.

Finally, your data and product are secure with Credly's security and privacy features if you use their services.

As a result, Credly offers digital credentials and badge creation and enables companies to provide and track employee sharable Credly certification.

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Credly operates the world's largest and most connected network of digital credentials, but this tool might not be the best solution for every company. Is Credly legit for mid-size companies, then? Credly's software may not meet the needs of "smaller" users who might want to look for alternatives.

Pricing: How much does Credly cost?

So, is Credly certification free? Credly pricing is hard to find, as there is no public information anywhere on their website. But, as far as we know, this tool doesn’t have a free trial version.

Credly pricing plans

  • 500 badges annually - $3,000 annual fee ($500 onboarding fee included)

  • 1,000 badges annually - $5,000 annual fee ($1,000 onboarding fee included)

  • 2,500 badges annually - $8,500 annual fee ($1,000 onboarding fee included)

  • 5,000 badges annually - $11,000 annual fee ($1,000 onboarding fee included)

  • 10,000 badges annually - $20,000 annual fee ($5,000 onboarding fee included)

Credly charges an onboarding fee on top of its prices. If you issue 10,000 badges a year, that fee alone is $5,000, which is quite a lot. Certifier doesn’t charge extra for onboarding. Everything is included.

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Credly doesn't disclose its pricing plans, you will be able to see all of the essential information like plans, periods, and discounts only when you contact the company or create an account.

So yes, Credly cost is not listed anywhere online regarding pricing plans and how much it costs. And you are also unable to see the platform in action or test it at any time.

So, is Credly certification free? No, there’s no free trial. This is a serious problem since it deters potential users.

The only way to find out all you want to know about its pricing is to contact Credly using the contact form on the pricing page.

Sharable Credly certification offer does have some drawbacks. 

That's why we've done some research to find the Credly alternatives that work better. We hope this article will make your search easier for the perfect digital certificate software.

We'll show you what makes them different and which software to choose depending on your needs and budget, as well as if any obvious flaws need to be taken into account before making a decision.

Choose these alternatives when Credly cost is beyond your budget

If the Credly cost feels unclear or high once you factor in onboarding and volume, the tools below are strong, budget-friendly alternatives.

They cover the essentials like design, bulk issuing, automation, verification, and analytics. Pick the one that matches your scale today and upgrade only when your program grows.

01 Certifier – Your go-to professional certificate maker

Certifier is a comprehensive credential management system that allows you to manage the entire digital certificate and badge distribution process – from design and personalization to issuing and tracking.

With amazing features, the platform lets you do the following:

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Create groups of recipients

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Send certificates or badges automatically and in bulk via personalized email (automatically)

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Reward your employees

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Add personalized branding, colors, and style

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Quickly issue certificates or badges

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Modify and resend published documents

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Integrate seamlessly with tools like Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, and LMS platforms

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Store credentials in a digital wallet where recipients can access, download, share certificates and badges on social media and more

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Set up dynamic and customizable attributes

Certifier’s template editor; using dynamic attributes.

Certifier’s template editor; using dynamic attributes

There are many ways to use this platform for creating certificates and credentials. We have a complete infrastructure for managing digital credentials. There are certificate and badge templates, email templates, security, analytics, and much more.

The significant advantage is that Certifier has a forever-free plan. You can find the detailed pricing below.

Certifier pricing

Certifier pricing as Credly alternative.

Certifier is suitable for small organizations that send out a few thousand certificates and badges, as well as large companies with a large-scale certification program involving millions of recipients.

Follow these simple steps to create a certificate with Certifier: How To Make Your Own Certificate in 5 Easy Steps.

Can such a platform really be effective for organizations of all sizes, non-profits, educational institutions, and other organizations? Absolutely! 

Whether you own a small or large business, you can use this tool to demonstrate your knowledge and experience clearly and concisely.

Furthermore, you will be able to gain insights and analytics on your certificates. Finally, you can use this information to make data-driven business and marketing decisions by digitizing your processes.

Curious which platform truly leads digital credentialing? We’ve put the top contenders to the test and Certifier shines as a front-runner. Check out our expert comparison and see leading platforms in action: 

What if you could create certificates in minutes from professionally designed templates? With Certifier, it’s also possible, as our tool offers over a thousand free professional-design certificates, diplomas, badges, and achievement document templates.

Ceritifer library of free certificate templates.

The best part is that you can easily download the templates to Figma, Google Slides, or Word format.

Certifier is a great pick for educators, training providers, HR teams, and organizations managing large cohorts. It also works for individuals. No matter if it’s a small course or a full certification program with thousands of recipients, Certifier delivers a smooth experience at every scale.

Certifier credentials can be easily shared on social media platforms and customized to include branding elements like your logo, colors, and more.

One-click social media sharing via digital wallet.

One-click social sharing via digital credential wallet

So, do you think words are no longer enough? If so, use certificates or credentials from Certifier!

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02 Accredible – Digital credentials generator

Accredible can be the winner in the Credly vs Accredible comparison, especially for those looking for an easy yet secure credentialing solution.

From personalized digital certificates to detail tracking and analytics, Accredible offers everything one needs when crediting individuals with their hard-earned accomplishments.

Accredible vs Credly.

As a result, individuals such as coaches, educators, smaller course creators, and SMBs can work better with this digital badging tool.

Also, the credentialing program issued by Accredible is an excellent option for businesses and organizations of small and medium sizes.

Key features and purpose of Accredible:

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Credentials issued by Accredible can be shared on social media platforms and are secured very well

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They are encrypted and recorded on the blockchain

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The badge designer is easy to use, with a template library covering the basics

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Accredible users can access the marketing analytics dashboard and see the engagement badges that recipients create when they share their digital badges

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Accredible's pricing is completely transparent. Prices are based on the individual recipient. If you're planning to award multiple certificates per person, this can be beneficial.

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Customers can test this platform before investing in something expensive, but only 20 credits can be included here

Accredible pricing

Accredible vs Credly pricing.

Source: accredible.com/pricing

This is an indication of a lack of pricing flexibility. The lowest Launch plan starts from $45 per month (up to 50 recipients), but there is no lower plan available suitable for smaller businesses. 

Though this badge-issuing platform is easy to use, the pricing and features of Accredible make it too costly for individuals who are just starting to use digital credentials as a part of their business/learning strategy.

Thus, Credly wins the "enterprise game" – Accredible is not powerful enough to cover large industries.

03 CertifyMe – Simple digital credentialing platform

CertifyMe also offers SaaS-based services. It helps educators, event marketers, and HR professionals create and manage digital credentials. The tool is not particularly advanced, but it's easy enough for newbies to use.

CertifyMe as Credly alternative.

Key features and purpose of CertifyMe:

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APIs and 50+ integrations such as Zapier and Canva support streamlined workflows, reducing manual work by up to 100 percent

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A free trial is available

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State-of-the-art encryption algorithms and access/authentication techniques ensure maximum safety and privacy for all credentials

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An intuitive certificate and badge editor makes the platform easy for beginners; social sharing and Canva integration are included

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A strong option for issuing verifiable digital certificates and a practical alternative for badges, offering one place to create credentials that can be verified online

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Potential employers can verify backgrounds and also recognize and reward talent through issued credentials

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After signing up, you can test the tool, but you will get only 10 free credentials. Compared to other tools (at Certifier, you issue 250 certificates or badges for free), it’s not that many.

CertifyMe pricing

CertifyMe offers 3 plans: Startup, Signature, and Enterprise. CertifyMe no longer provides transparent prices. Now, you will have to ask for a quote to find out how much CertifyMe costs.

CertifyMe pricing.

Source: certifyme.online/#pricing

04 Virtualbadge – Certificates and badges that build trust

The next Credly alternative for badging services is Virtualbadge.io. It's the meticulously crafted software that fills in the gaps in Credly. The tool provides several options for issuing digital certificates and digital badges automatically. The goal is to help companies promote their brand online.

Virtualbadge vs Credly, Virtualbadge main page.

Key features and purpose of Virtualbadge:

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With this badge provider, you can essentially "reward" your employees by giving them badges for work they have done

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You can communicate with your employees about things like company events through the app

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Virtualbadge.io has many options for design and is easy to use

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It's scalable and grows with you, from a one-person show to an industry leader

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It is available in flexible tiers that are suitable for all businesses

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The system is designed for coaches and trainers, online academies, and enterprises

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On Virtualbadge’s lowest-tier plan, you’re limited to a single template. Compared to Certifier, which offers unlimited templates even on its free plan, the difference feels underwhelming.

Virtualbadge.io pricing*

Virtualbadge.io pricing.

Source: virtualbadge.io/pricing

* The pricing above refers to 25 certificate/badge credits per month

Virtualbadge.io pricing begins at $35.00 per month for each user. Each plan comes with a 7-day free trial. 

Furthermore, online certificates are stored on European servers and are 100% GDPR compliant. Therefore, they are both safe and convenient for all parties involved, offering 24/7 verification.

A lot could be added to this software to make it truly outstanding. There is some potential in this tool, which means it still has a lot of room to grow.

05 Canvas Badges (formerly Badgr) – Digital badging software

It is also worth considering Credly vs Badgr (now Canvas Badges). Badgr is a digital badging provider designed to recognize and track achievements. Creating jobs and training based on skills is what makes Canvas Badges stand out.

Badgr main page, Credly pricing alternative.

Key features and purpose of Canvas Badges:

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It provides your entire team with the ability to capture and share a complete record of professional learning, including certifications, skills, and competencies from multiple platforms

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Participants can connect their achievements, shown as digital badges, into one path that demonstrates their progress and their learning direction

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It is ideal for organizations that place a high priority on internal education and professional development

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The ability to connect digital credentials with skills highly sought after in the job market opens the door to attractive career opportunities

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The platform is suitable for students, freelancers, and professional associations

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Canvas Badges has a lot of potential and a good idea behind them, it’s far too complicated for an average user to figure out and use effectively. With options such as Backpacks, Pathways and figuring out how to use them, it would take badge recipients only a fraction of the time to choose something else. Hence, this tool is less user-friendly than the others.

Canvas Badges pricing

Badgr pricing.

Source: g2.com

Using Canvas Badges, you can show prospective clients across the globe that you're the right person for the job.

What's more, it's integrated with Indeed.com and real-time job search while making your skills visible within the ESCO (European Skills/Competencies, Qualifications, and Occupations) ecosystem.

Suppose you want to enable participants to become visible on the global job market with credentials bundled together into knowledge paths. In that case, you may want to consider Canvas Badges – but beware of its slightly complex work philosophy and limited use cases.

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06 Give My Certificate – Top digital credential platform?

Is Give My Certificate the top digital credential platform? The solution allows organizations to generate and send verifiable documents that the recipient can check on the platform itself in just a few clicks. So, it’s definitely worth taking a closer look at, but it has its flaws.

Give My Certificate as Credly alternative.

Key features and purpose of Give My Certificate:

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The tool makes it easy to send hundreds of certificates in a single click

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GMC allows quick verification with QR Codes

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The primary mission is to verify the authenticity of documents that prove someone’s hard work so that no one can forge them and only the original owner of the document can utilize them

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The platform empowers users to showcase verified achievements and prove their portfolio’s authenticity directly via the platform

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Many of the key features of this digital badging platform can be used for other documents like degrees, offer letters, recommendation letters, etc., and are not limited to only certificates

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GMC enables event organizers to verify participants’ credentials directly on their websites using an API

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Organizers can manage event registrations on the same platform, ensuring a smooth experience before and after each event

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With Give My Certificate sending a lot of certificates at once is simple and saves a lot of paper

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Please note that it’s not a credential management tool, so it lacks most of the features you may be looking for, like analytics or certificate tracking.

Give My Certificate pricing

Give My Certificate pricing.

Source: givemycertificate.com/pricing

The price varies based on the number of verified documents. It starts at $8.25 per month for 1,000 credentials. The basic plan goes up to $83.25 for 10,000 credentials.

For higher-volume plans, pricing isn’t publicly listed. You’ll need to contact the sales team for details.

For comparison, Certifier includes a white-label feature even in its forever-free plan, making it a more accessible option for growing teams.

07 Certif-ID (CredSure) – Blockchain certification and badge issuing platform

Certif-ID alternative for Credly product – CredSure is the professional, blockchain certification and badge issuing platform making it easier to earn professional recognition. With its valuable tools, businesses and professionals can create their own digital badges and follow achievement trails that suit their needs.

Certif-ID as alternative for Credly.

Key features and purpose of Certif-ID alternative for Credly:

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It ensures that each badge is certified, allowing professional achievements to be easily recognized

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The platform supports multiple blockchains and formats, which means users have more options when choosing the right certification format for their industry

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Certif-ID provides immutable security and instant verification, strengthening trust and supporting online brand growth

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It’s worth mentioning that the software is not the easiest to work with. Creating a certificate system tailored to your needs involves many steps. This is a solution that requires quite a long learning curve.

Certif-ID pricing

Certif-ID pricing.

Source: credsure.io/pricing

CredSure prices start at around $1000 per year. All plans include a money protection plan and recovery assistance services. The demo is available.

08 Truvera by Dock Labs (formerly Dock) – A secure way to issue credentials & certificates

With Truvera by Dock Labs (formerly Dock), you get a verification that is reliable, verified, and secure – creating professional validity for any certificate or credential.

Dock as Credly alternative.

Key features and purpose of Truvera:

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You can issue verifiable credentials directly through Truvera’s web interface or via its API, allowing flexibility between manual issuance or fully automated workflows

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Dock features easy-to-use interface

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Digital certificates issued are tamper-proof and instantly verifiable by any recipient or third party using simple QR code scanning, speeding up trust confirmations

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It’s a tool designed for more tech-savvy users who understand the underlying technology and can manage their digital keys and wallets securely.

Truvera pricing

Dock Certs pricing model.

Source: dock.io/pricing

If Credly cost feels too steep for your organization, Truvera provides a free trial. To upgrade, you need to contact sales to discuss the price.

Comparison table: Credly pricing alternatives

Comparison table for Credly alternatives.

Not enough? Check out more Credly alternatives here: The 8 Best Credly Competitors to Watch Out for.

Over to you

Would you like a short break from Credly for any reason at all? Or are you just looking for your first certification tool and badging platform? If yes, then you've come to the right place, as this article about Credly competitors gave all customers what they wanted – the option to choose the right platform for certifying!

All essential aspects were covered if we talked about Certifier and Credly alternatives. So, is Credly worth it? You need to figure out the answer on your own.

Sign up for a free Certifier account to get a first-hand experience of our platform.

Guarantee yourself a jumpstart and become a Certifier member for free today. Start issuing certificate credential badges, and increase your online visibility.

FAQ about Credly pricing

Is Credly legit? Is Credly free? What is Credly account? How much does Credly badge cost? You will find answers to these and other questions below.

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Sergey Butko avatar
Sergey Butko

CEO and Co-Founder

Sergey is CEO and Co-Founder of Certifier, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree building digital credential infrastructure for 2,000+ organizations worldwide and shaping the future of credentialing.