What is Sakai?
Sakai provides a flexible and feature-rich environment for teaching, learning, research and other collaboration. As an open source software suite developed by its adopter community, the Sakai continually evolves in step with the needs of the students, faculty members and organizations it serves. Colleges, universities, governments and other organizations deploy Sakai’s rich toolset to expand the possibilities for technology-enabled learning across many facets of the educational experience.
Company Details
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Real user data aggregated to summarize the product performance and customer experience.
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Product scores listed below represent current data. This may be different from data contained in reports and awards, which express data as of their publication date.
82 Likeliness to Recommend
88 Plan to Renew
1
Since last award
82 Satisfaction of Cost Relative to Value
1
Since last award
Emotional Footprint Overview
Product scores listed below represent current data. This may be different from data contained in reports and awards, which express data as of their publication date.
+83 Net Emotional Footprint
The emotional sentiment held by end users of the software based on their experience with the vendor. Responses are captured on an eight-point scale.
How much do users love Sakai?
Pros
- Respectful
- Fair
- Trustworthy
- Acts with Integrity
How to read the Emotional Footprint
The Net Emotional Footprint measures high-level user sentiment towards particular product offerings. It aggregates emotional response ratings for various dimensions of the vendor-client relationship and product effectiveness, creating a powerful indicator of overall user feeling toward the vendor and product.
While purchasing decisions shouldn't be based on emotion, it's valuable to know what kind of emotional response the vendor you're considering elicits from their users.
Footprint
Negative
Neutral
Positive
Feature Ratings
Online Learning
Assessments and Quizzes
Course Management
Gradebook
Classroom Management
Content Management
Instructor Led Training
Content Creation
Analytics and Reporting
Student Collaboration
Vendor Capability Ratings
Business Value Created
Ease of Implementation
Ease of Data Integration
Vendor Support
Breadth of Features
Ease of IT Administration
Availability and Quality of Training
Quality of Features
Ease of Customization
Usability and Intuitiveness
Product Strategy and Rate of Improvement
Sakai Reviews
Andrew K.
- Role: Information Technology
- Industry: Other
- Involvement: End User of Application
Submitted Jun 2025
Sakai LMS is an amazing LMS for corporate training
Likeliness to Recommend
What differentiates Sakai from other similar products?
My overall experience with Sakai LMS has been positive. It stands out for its flexibility and customization capabilities. I like the ease of managing courses and collaborating with learners.
What is your favorite aspect of this product?
Sakai LMS is a great open-source tool that is extremely easy and simple to use. It's a solid solution that helps with solving problems, hence improving efficiency and effectiveness.
What do you dislike most about this product?
I haven't yet experienced any challenges while using Sakai LMS. Nothing to dislike about it.
What recommendations would you give to someone considering this product?
I recommend using Sakai LMS.
Pros
- Helps Innovate
- Continually Improving Product
- Enables Productivity
- Trustworthy
Allan P.
- Role: Human Resources
- Industry: Other
- Involvement: End User of Application
Submitted Jul 2025
Sakai-nd Chances: An LMS That Grew on Us.
Likeliness to Recommend
What differentiates Sakai from other similar products?
I didn’t expect to like Sakai. It doesn’t exactly scream “sleek learning experience.” But the more we used it, the more it felt like that reliable friend who shows up in jeans, knows their stuff, and quietly helps you get your life together. For our HR-led training programs, especially onboarding modules and compliance refreshers — Sakai’s turned out to be a dependable little workhorse.
What is your favorite aspect of this product?
I really appreciate how Sakai gives you just enough, gradebooks, assignment uploads, forums, announcements. The forums in particular became a weirdly great space for HR to run reflection prompts after training. We’d post something like “What’s one unconscious bias you caught yourself having?” and boom thoughtful replies, real convos, no awkward Zoom silences.
What do you dislike most about this product?
I won’t lie, it’s not exactly intuitive on day one. You’re going to need an orientation just to figure out where the tools are buried. And if you’re used to snazzy UIs like Notion or Miro, Sakai’s going to feel a bit like using a public library computer.
What recommendations would you give to someone considering this product?
Would I recommend it? Yes, but with realistic expectations. If you want solid tracking, flexibility in content formats, and don’t mind a slightly retro experience, Sakai will get you there. Just don’t expect it to win beauty contests. Or send push notifications. Or sync with your smartwatch.
Pros
- Continually Improving Product
- Reliable
- Enables Productivity
- Trustworthy
Mohit R.
- Role: Sales Marketing
- Industry: Other
- Involvement: End User of Application
Submitted Jun 2025
Sakai LMS - A Flexible Open-Source Learning Platfo
Likeliness to Recommend
What differentiates Sakai from other similar products?
Sakai LMS stands out because it's open-source and community-driven, unlike many commercial platforms. Institutions can customize it heavily to fit their specific academic workflows, giving them more control and flexibility. It’s designed especially for higher education, with strong support for collaborative learning and research tools.
What is your favorite aspect of this product?
What I like about Sakai is how adaptable it is. It offers solid features like tests & quizzes, gradebook, assignments, and forums—all well-integrated. Plus, since it's open-source, you can enhance or extend it as needed without waiting for a vendor’s update.
What do you dislike most about this product?
However, Sakai can feel outdated compared to more modern LMSs like Canvas or Google Classroom. The user interface isn’t the most intuitive, and setting it up or customizing it may require technical knowledge, which can be a barrier for some institutions.
What recommendations would you give to someone considering this product?
I’d recommend Sakai LMS for universities or colleges that have a strong IT team and want a customizable, cost-effective learning system. It’s ideal for institutions that value flexibility and are willing to invest some time into tailoring the platform to their needs.
Pros
- Continually Improving Product
- Performance Enhancing
- Caring
- Altruistic
Cons
- Charges for Enhancements
- Less Effective Service
