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13+ Best Badge Makers Online (+ Comparison Table)
Generate digital badges with our tested list of the best badge makers and find your perfect match. See how Certifier compares favorably to others.
AuthorAksen Semak
Reviewer Sergey Butko
Verifier Expert
Updated: October 21, 2024
16 min read
Author
Aksen Semak
Reviewer
Sergey Butko
Verifier Expert
Updated: October 21, 2024
16 min read
Trusted by:
Online badge makers have been taking over as the latest way to show off your achievements in various fields, from education to business professional development. But with so many digital badge platforms out there, it's hard to know which one to choose.
That's where we come in! We took a look at each platform's pricing structure, including any free or low-cost options, as well as the features and functions that they offer. We'll also examine the pros and cons of each digital badge platform to help you make the most informed decision.
And the icing on the cake – a comparison table allowing you to compare all options at once! So, let's dive in and explore the top professional digital badge platforms available today.
Comparison table: Spot to compare all badge creators
Before we start, let's take a quick look at all online badge makers from the list.
01 Certifier – free badge maker to create digital badges
The first thing that comes to your mind once you start using Certifier digital badge creator is – “Can professional badge maker really work like that?”. Certifier can. You won't believe how smooth the flow it is. If you like intuitive solutions and editors with dragging and dropping (who doesn’t?), it’s the tool for you. And at the top of that, it’s the tool that gives you robust tracking and issuing impressive badge options. All of that is on one super intuitive dashboard.
Use Certifier now to access a library of pre-made free badge templates or craft your own custom badges from scratch. Choose bases, color ribbons, and icons – and literally generate badges in seconds. With just a few simple steps, create your dreamy badges, send them automatically to the recipients, track the status, and analyze them!
Key features
Drag & drop online badge maker
Sending badges in bulk to the recipients
Status tracking
Integration via API and with, e.g., Zapier, Zoom, Google Forms
Certifier pros
Easy to use and super intuitive dashboard with great custom badge designer
Perfect for beginners – no badge design skills required!
Attribution setting to create badges in bulk
Recipient data can be automatically pulled from, e.g., a Google Sheet
Constantly updated free badge templates library (available in Word, Photoshop, and vector formats)
Uploading your own relevant elements to match the branding even more
Robust certificates maker available as well
Certifier cons
Makes you lazy and addicted :))
What do people say about Certifier?
Certifier pricing
Free plan: available
Pricing: starting at 33$ per month
Return policy: 7-day 100% money back guarantee
💌 Non-profit organizations receive a 15% lifetime discount (for all plans).
02 Open Badge Factory – online badge maker
Open Badge Factory (OBF) is a cloud-based online badge maker for creating, issuing, and managing online badges. Organizations can use OBF to recognize and showcase the skills, achievements, and competencies of their learners, employees, or community members. Open Badge Factory follows the Open Badges standard, which ensures that the personalized badges are interoperable and can be easily shared across various platforms and social media.
Key features
Online badge maker software
Issuing and managing badges
Analytics to track badge engagement
OBF pros
Compliance with Open Badges standard
Intuitive badge-making app for users without graphic design experience
Integration with Learning Management Systems (LMS), simplifying the badge issuing and management process
OBF cons
High costs may be a barrier for smaller organizations or those with limited budgets
Long learning curve (users may still need some time to familiarize themselves with the platform and its features)
Limited customization options
Potential for platform lock-in, making transferring existing badges and data problematic
What do people say about OBF?
We've tried to find some verifiable reviews on platforms like G2 Crowd and SourceForge, but OBF still has no reviews on these digital badge platforms. Please gather feedback and public reviews before using any type of software.
Open Badge Factory pricing
Free plan: not available
Free trial: 60 days available
Pricing: starting at around 216$ per year
Return policy: no information available
03 Canvas Credentials (formerly Badgr) – digital badges software
Canvas Credentials (also known as Badgr) is a digital badge maker that enables organizations, educational institutions, and individuals to create, issue, and manage digital badges. These badges can be used to recognize and showcase various skills, achievements, and competencies. Canvas Credentials is a part of the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) ecosystem, and it can be integrated with Canvas LMS for a seamless badging experience.
Key features
Data-driven insights to track and measure badge usage
Secure badge issuing platform
Canvas Credentials pros
Compliance with Open Badges standard
Interoperability with various Credential Backpacks
Easy integration with Canvas LMS
Canvas Credentials cons
Limited integration with non-Canvas LMS
Limited control over the badge logo design makes it difficult to customize badges to the business requirements
Lack of transparency – no public pricing information and no reviews available
What do people say about Canvas Credentials?
We've tried to find some verifiable reviews on platforms like G2 Crowd and SourceForge, but Cancas Credentials still has no reviews on these platforms. Please gather feedback and public reviews before using any type of software.
Canvas Credentials pricing
Pricing is not available for public information. You need to fill out the form on the website to inquire about subscription pricing, consulting services, and support.
04 Badgewell – trusted badge creator
Badgewell offers a unique online badge maker to connect users with educational content and business opportunities. It enables organizations and their employees to adapt to the ever-changing landscape while focusing on career growth and professional development. By providing users with access to badges, it makes it easier for them to transfer credentials between platforms and companies. Badgewell also provides an extensive support system and resources to help users maximize the potential of their awards.
Key features
Social analytics
Digital badge management
Online verification
Learning pathways
Badgewell pros
Most Recent Badges templates library that can work as an inspiration
Customized learning content, e.g., for employees
Ability to set goals and track progress
Badgewell cons
Limited digital badge types and customization options
Too complex if you only need an online badge maker
Making personalized badges is just a basic add-on service
What do people say about Badgewell?
Despite our efforts to locate verifiable reviews, Badgewell has yet to receive reviews on platforms such as G2 Crowd, Clutch, and SourceForge (and only has 2-3 reviews elsewhere).
Badgewell pricing
Free plan: not available
Free trial: not available
Pricing: starting at 10$/month per user
Return policy: no information available
05 Credly – digital badges and talent marketplace insights
Credly is a digital badge platform that enables organizations, educational institutions, and certification providers to recognize and showcase skills and achievements through digital badges. Credly platform (called Credly's Acclaim) offers a range of features to create and monitor all aspects of your credentialing. It also offers an online marketplace where users can showcase their badges.
Key features
Analytics and insights into badge engagement
The network that increases badges' credibility and value
Design skill tags that streamline badge search
Credly pros
Digital social media sharing
Creating personalized badges and their metadata is easy
Ability to consolidate earned credentials on a single platform
Credly Cons
Lack of transparent pricing information on their website
Limited options for customizing your organization's branding
Lack of features for creating and managing digital certificates, not badges
No monthly payment plans
Price may be a barrier for smaller organizations
Badge design options might be limited compared to other software
What do people say about Credly?
“The data and analytics aren't super clear.” (G2)
Credly pricing
Credly pricing is not available on their website, and you need to fill out the form to get more information about the pricing details. We've compiled all the publicly available information into a separate blog post dedicated solely to pricing for Credly. The bottom line? A minimum of $2000/year.
📚 Read more about Credly: Credly Pricing – Is Credly Worth It in 2023? (+ 8 Alternatives and Comparison Table)
06 Openbadges.me – standard for digital badges (developed by Mozilla)
Openbadges.me is not a specific badge software but rather an open technical standard for digital badges, which was developed by the Mozilla Foundation. The Open Badges standard provides a framework for creating, issuing, and verifying digital badges across various platforms, ensuring that they are interoperable and shareable on social media, professional networks, and online portfolios.
Key features
Embedded Metadata that provides information about the badge
Issuing Open Badges through tasks, assessments, and portfolio submissions
Backpack for storing badges
Openbadges.me pros
Easily sharing across different platforms and systems
Used to represent a wide range of skills, from formal qualifications to informal learning experiences
Admin system for managing users, organizations, and roles
Openbadges.me cons
Limited badges design editor
Outdated design templates to choose from
No customization options, so you don’t have the freedom to design badges the way you want
What do people say about Openbadges.me?
We checked platforms like G2 Crowd, Clutch, and SourceForge for authentic reviews of Openbadges.me experience with design but came up empty. The only available testimonials are the two case studies featured on their website.
Openbadges.me pricing
Free plan: available
Free trial: not available
Pricing: provide different badge software packages, starting at 50$/month
Return policy: no information available
07 Badge List – digital badge platform for educators
Badge List is a powerful online badge maker that enables educators to create and manage Open Badges. It helps them to recognize and guide students' learning achievements, providing learners with a sense of accomplishment and motivation to continue their educational journey. With Badge List, educators can design and issue badges, track progress, and provide targeted feedback to their students in a streamlined and efficient manner.
Key features
Easy badge creation process
Badge-sharing features
Robust automation features
Badge List pros
Custom badge design editor that matches the branding
Supporting evidence is included with every badge
Tracking system to see exactly who and when earned the credentials
Badge List cons
You cannot start using the system from the get-go (even the free trial); you have to wait for the information from the team instead
No reviews available
What do people say about Badge List?
Badge List reviews from reliable sources are not available.
Badge List pricing
Free plan: available
Free trial: not available
Pricing: starting at 180$/month per user
Return policy: no information available
08 Badgecraft – simple badge maker
With Badgecraft, you have the freedom to design your own recognition systems. Start by creating individual badges and then build entire systems with levels and milestones to acknowledge achievements in a flexible way. You can easily track progress, monitor skills development, and highlight opportunities for learning and proactivity.
Badgecraft also lets you create quests to earn badges through various activities. Evidence can be uploaded in a variety of formats to suit the needs of your learners and learning environment.
Key features
Sorting and visualizing achievements in an online portfolio
Badge Wallet to review badges easily
Creating digital recognition badges
Badgecraft pros
Convenient features to create one recognition system
Uploading evidence is possible in a variety of formats
Monitoring options to identify trends and patterns
Backpack to store Open Badges
Badgecraft cons
No library of ready-made badge templates
Quite complicated for new users
No reviews available about the tool
What do people say about Badgecreaft?
There are no reliable Badgecraft reviews available.
Badgecraft pricing
Free plan: available
Free trial: not available
Pricing: starting about 119$/month per user
Return policy: no information available
09 Mycred.me – unique badge designs app
Unlike traditional digital badge makers, it's a file of pre-made badge icons that you can download in PNG format. However, while it definitely saves time, it doesn't offer much in terms of customization. So if you're after unique and personalized badges, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you're after some quick and easy solution, Mycred.me has got you covered.
Key features
Badge designer
Mycred.me pros
Ready-made badge design icons
Super simple to use
One-time payment
Mycred.me cons
No customization options are available
Limited color scheme to gold, silver, and bronze
Downloading badges just to PNG format
No vector version
What do people say about Mycred.me?
“My experience is neutral” (G2)
Mycred.me pricing
Free plan: available
Free trial: not available
Pricing: starting from $149 per year
Return policy: no information available
10 TruScholar – blockchain digital badges platform
TruScholar is India's first home-grown digital badge provider. These badges follow the structure and guidelines of the open badges standard, allowing for fast and easy recognition of skills. With TruScholar, recipients can establish a digital identity and transfer their skills globally. While TruScholar offers great potential, it's important to note that some technical expertise may be required.
Key features
Tamper-proof digital badges
Extra security features
Sharable and customizable digital badges
TruScholar pros
Seamless integration with the existing tool stack
Bulk badge issuance
Metadata of badges available
TruScholar cons
Basic, quite amateur design of sample badges
Troublesome interface
Limited customization options
What do people say about TruScholar?
“Sometimes it tends to be slow” (G2)
TruScholar pricing
Free plan: available
Free trial: not available
Pricing: custom pricing, depends on features
Return policy: no information available
11 Basno – badge creation software
With Basno, companies can create digital badges that highlight individuals' skills and accomplishments and distribute them in quite an easy way. It provides employers and others with peace of mind by verifying that each badge is legitimate. There isn't much to its badge editor, but it can be enough for those who just need basic editing capabilities.
Key features
Badge making app
Badge distribution
Badge issuing and tracking
Basno pros
Network of professional designers (additionally paid by the hour)
Automate targeted badge invitations
Invitation email tool
Basno cons
Customization is available only on the highest plan ($415/mo)
What do people say about Basno?
We couldn’t find any reliable reviews about Basno.
Basno pricing
Free plan: not available
Free trial: not available
Pricing: starting from $55
Return policy: you can cancel renewal or switch plans
12 Canva – digital badge design with a popular builder
Canva is a popular platform for designing graphics and visual content. It likely saved your life many times over. No wonder – it’s easy to use and readily accessible. It’s an amazing platform for crafting graphics, banners, and a plethora of other visuals for businesses. However, it falls a bit short when it comes to creating badges. You won’t be able to send them in bulk or analyze their performance. It gives you just the badge project, nothing more.
Key features
Intuitive interface
Extensive library of elements
Canva pros
Great UI and super simple interface to use
Regular updates
Collaboration features
Badge templates available
Canva cons
No issuing options
No tracking and analytics
There is no compliance with Open Badges standard
What do people say about Canva?
“Canva has a simple, intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to create and edit designs.” (Capterra)
Canva pricing
Free plan: available
Free trial: available
Pricing: starting from $14.99
Return policy: you can cancel the plan anytime
13 Bestr – digital badge maker app
Bestr is a digital credentialing platform from Italy that aims to showcase and connect competencies acquired through higher education with employers. Bestr serves mainly universities, research bodies, recruiters, and learners, offering benefits such as highlighting and certifying competencies, providing verified and portable badges, and facilitating the recognition of valuable experiences.
Key features
Badge verification
ePortfolio
Bestr pros
There is a library of badges available with the number of times they have been issued
Easy verification process
High safety standards
Bestr cons
No editing options
No analytics and tracking features
What do people say about Bestr?
We couldn’t find any reliable reviews about Bestr.
Bestr pricing
Bestr pricing is not available to the public. You have to contact the vendor for more details.
14 Virtualbadge.io – engaging digital badges
Virtualbadge.io is a solution for digital badges. Besides having an intuitive badge designer tool, it’s quite limited in options. But, there is a very good focus on sharing there. Recipients can easily share their badges on social media platforms with just one click without needing to create an account. This badge maker even allows users to suggest hashtags and post texts for recipients' LinkedIn posts, maximizing the sharing rate.
Key features
Intuitive badge designing tool
Badge distribution
Virtualbadge.io pros
Badge templates available
Integration with popular tools
Optimized sharing
Private-label
Virtualbadge.io cons
Limited in badge design features
Outdated badge templates
What do people say about Virtualbadge.io?
“VirtualBadge could be improved in terms of design.” (G2)
Virtualbadge.io pricing
Free plan: not available
Free trial: 7-day free trial available
Pricing: starting from $20
Return policy: no information
15 CanCred – digital credentials built on the Open Badges standard
On this slightly obsolete website is hidden CanCred – a badge software that allows for making, giving out, and handling digital badges for both formal micro-credentials and non-formal badges. With CanCred Factory, organizations can acknowledge learning accomplishments across different platforms in one convenient spot. Also, the CanCred Passport gives badge earners a free way to store and share their credentials, as well as build career portfolios.
Key features
Multilingual badges
Alignment with key public frameworks
CanCred Passport
CanCred pros
LTI integration and free plugins for popular eLearning systems
PDF badges
CanCred cons
It may not offer the same level of support and features for users outside Canada
Outdated design elements with limited options
What do people say about CanCred?
We couldn’t find any reliable reviews about CanCred.
CanCred pricing
Free plan: available
Free trial: 60-day free trial
Pricing: starting from about $260
Return policy: no information
Get the online badge maker machine up and running
So, have you made a decision? With so many online badge makers out there, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. However, we hope that our list has at least made the decision-making process a little bit easier for you. Just a quick reminder that in Certifier, you can begin right away without giving any credit card details. Let’s start creating now!
Aksen Semak
Digital marketing expert. At Certifier, Aksen applies his knowledge to promote the company's digital credentialing solutions, ensuring that the revolutionary aspects of Certifier's software are communicated clearly and effectively to the global market.
Aksen Semak
Digital marketing expert. At Certifier, Aksen applies his knowledge to promote the company's digital credentialing solutions, ensuring that the revolutionary aspects of Certifier's software are communicated clearly and effectively to the global market.
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