Key Takeaways
Only 2 plugins run fully independently. Custom Certificate and Simple Certificate need nothing else.
Most plugins depend on something else. That includes another plugin or a paid account.
Wauld replaces the entire stack with one dashboard. Design, issuing, and verification live together.
Moodle Plugins for Certificates
We went through every certificate plugin in Moodle's directory. Here are the top 9 moodle plugins built for certificates. Each one is covered on its own, from behavior to ease of use.
Moodle is a learning management system, sometimes called a moodle learning management system. Every moodle course can include a certificate at the end. Each moodle platform runs add-ons a little differently from the next. Always check plugin support for your exact moodle version first.
Moodle quizzes often pair with certificates for course completion. Certificates often depend on activity completion settings in a course. Choose add-ons that fit your whole learning platform, not just certificates.
Among the many plugins for Moodle available today, these 9 cover certificates.
What to Look for in Moodle Plugins for Certificates
Before comparing plugins available in the directory, get clear on what matters.
Behavior. Pick a regularly updated activity module, not one with unresolved bugs.
Dependency. Some Moodle plugins run alone. Others need integration with Moodle.
Ease of use. A drag-and-drop, user-friendly plugin needs no Moodle developer.
Analytics and reporting. Track student activity data, like who downloaded a certificate.
Adaptable design. A good plugin fits your learning pathways and learning requirements.
Open source. Most plugins here come from the open source community.
User experience. The best Moodle plugins offer engaging learning and interactive learning.
1. Custom Certificate
Maintainer: Mark Nelson · Source: moodle.org/plugins/mod_customcert
Custom Certificate is the most adaptable custom certificate plugin here. It is a highly customizable activity module with no dependency. Among the top Moodle plugins for elearning content, it simplifies design most.
Key features
Drag-and-drop certificate designer, built directly into the browser
Elements for student name, grade, course name, date, and QR code
Global templates at the site level, or per course and category
Built in verification, so anyone with a link can confirm authenticity
Bulk download of all issued certificates as one ZIP file
Requires: Nothing else. It runs as a standalone activity module.
Pros: Free, open source, actively maintained, and simple to launch.
Cons: Bulk ZIP downloads can time out on large courses.
2. Simple Certificate
Maintainer: David Herney, originally built by Carlos Alexandre Fonseca Source: moodle.org/plugins/mod_simplecertificate
Simple Certificate is the easiest of these 9 moodle plugins to configure. It also runs completely on its own, no other plugin needed.
Key features
Certificate text written using simple tags, like course name or grade
Built in QR code plus a text code, verified at a public URL
No image uploads or code changes needed to update a certificate
Requires: Nothing else. A standalone, free to use activity module.
Pros: Simple, user-friendly setup, and no design skill needed.
Cons: The maintainer has limited time, and some 5.0.3 users report display errors.
3. Verify Certificates
Maintainer: Dmitrii Metelkin, development funded by TN Fire Training Online Source: moodle.org/plugins/block_verify_certs
This plugin checks certificate codes rather than issuing certificates. It needs at least one other certificate plugin already active.
Key features
Checks certificate codes across 3 plugins at once, not just 1
Also verifies certificates archived through Course Recompletion
Simple, single form interface, easy to deploy on any course page
Requires: At least 1 certificate plugin already installed and issuing certificates.
Pros: Broadest compatibility of any verification block covered here.
Cons: Cannot function alone, with a smaller install base than others.
4. Workplace Certificate Manager
Maintainer: Moodle Workplace team Source: moodle.org/plugins/tool_certificate
This is one of the more admin focused moodle plugins here. It builds certificate templates for your Moodle LMS, but cannot issue one alone.
Key features
Certificate templates built at the system or course category level
Verification by code, link, or QR code, even for logged out visitors
Dynamic fields, including completion date and user profile data
Requires: A companion plugin, such as Workplace Course Certificate, to issue.
Pros: Strong template engine, with flexible verification options.
Cons: Some users report templates lost after category restructuring.
5. Workplace Course Certificate
Maintainers: Marina Glancy, Mikel Martín Corrales, Emilio Lozano, Rafael Lechugo, Ruslan Kabalin Source: moodle.org/plugins/mod_coursecertificate
This activity module only works once its companion plugin is installed. It automates issuing well, but cannot function alone.
Key features
Automatically issues a certificate once a student meets course requirements
QR codes support instant scan based verification
Optional automatic email delivery of the certificate
Requires: Workplace Certificate Manager, installed and configured first.
Pros: Automates issuing well, once paired correctly.
Cons: Has no templates of its own, so setup doubles.
6. My Certificates
Maintainer: Willian Mano Source: moodle.org/plugins/block_mycertificates
This block displays certificates issued elsewhere on your Moodle site. It has nothing to show until another plugin is active.
Key features
Pulls a student's certificates from 3 plugins into 1 list
Shows certificates even if course enrollment has since expired
Quick to add to any course page or dashboard
Requires: At least 1 of the 3 certificate plugins already installed.
Pros: Simple, user-friendly way to unify certificates from multiple plugins.
Cons: Only shows the logged in user's own certificates.
7. Download Certificates
Maintainer: Luiggi Sansonetti Source: moodle.org/plugins/block_download_certificates
This block handles bulk downloads, filtered by course, cohort, or date. It was built specifically around the legacy Certificate module.
Key features
Bulk download of issued certificates with flexible filters
Placeable on the Home page or Dashboard
Works alongside the legacy Certificate activity module
Requires: The legacy Certificate module, not Custom Certificate.
Pros: Useful bulk download tool once paired with the right plugin.
Cons: Users report real errors on version mismatches.
8. Certificate (Legacy)
Maintainer: Mark Nelson Source: moodle.org/plugins/mod_certificate
This is the original certificate plugin for Moodle. It runs on its own, but is no longer actively developed.
Key features
Certificate generation based on teacher defined conditions
Borders, watermarks, seals, signatures, and grade fields
4 standard certificate types, based on paper size and font
Requires: Nothing else, but 2 other plugins depend on it.
Pros: Still works, and has been part of Moodle for years.
Cons: No longer updated, and needs FTP and PHP knowledge.
9. Accredible Certificates and Badges
Maintainer: Accredible Inc, David King Source: moodle.org/plugins/mod_accredible
This plugin connects Moodle to a separate, paid service. It is the most feature rich option, and also the most dependent. If badges matter more than certificates, see our guide to digital badges.
Key features
Issues digital certificates, open badges, or blockchain credentials
Tracks recipient engagement, including shares and site traffic
Auto issue on course completion or a grade threshold
Requires: A separate, paid Accredible account and API key.
Pros: Feature rich, with badges most plugins here do not offer.
Cons: Needs a second dashboard, and support response can be slow.
How to Choose
Match your pick from these moodle plugins to your actual course setup.
Simplest option: Start with Custom Certificate. No other plugin needed.
Lightest setup: Simple Certificate is the most user-friendly option here.
On Moodle Workplace: Pair the manager plugin with the course plugin.
Need verification: Add Verify Certificates once your main plugin exists.
Want badges too: Accredible fits, if a paid account works for you.
The Comparison Table
A side-by-side look at all 9 moodle plugins covered above.
Plugin | Type | Requires | Best for |
Custom Certificate | Activity module | Nothing | Most Moodle sites |
Simple Certificate | Activity module | Nothing | Simplest setup |
Verify Certificates | Block | 1 certificate plugin | Cross plugin verification |
Workplace Certificate Manager | Admin tool | A companion plugin | Template management |
Workplace Course Certificate | Activity module | Workplace Certificate Manager | Automated issuing |
My Certificates | Block | 1 of 3 plugins | Unified certificate view |
Download Certificates | Block | Legacy Certificate module | Bulk downloads |
Certificate (Legacy) | Activity module | Nothing, but others depend on it | Older Moodle sites |
Accredible | Activity module | A paid external account | Badges and blockchain |
Where Moodle Plugins Start to Fall Short
Not every one of the moodle plugins available today holds up well. Line up all 9 this way, and a pattern shows up fast.
Only Custom Certificate and Simple Certificate run fully independently
Most others exist to patch a gap left by another plugin
Accredible, the richest option, depends on an outside platform
None of this covers what happens if you leave Moodle
Wauld: A Simpler Alternative to the Plugin Stack
Wauld is a digital credential platform for design, issuing, and verification. There is nothing to pair, and no second paid account required. See our full comparison of top certificate platforms for more context.
Key features
Over 1,000 ready made templates, from Wauld's own product page
Full branding: logos, colors, fonts, and QR codes, no code needed
Bulk issuing through a CSV upload, or one certificate at a time
QR code verification built in, following the Open Badge 3.0 standard
Real time analytics: opens, downloads, shares, and LinkedIn adds
See our AI certificate design guide for more on templates.
Pricing: Free plan includes 300 credentials a year, with automation included. Growth plan starts from $39 a month, with no annual contract.
Pros: One dashboard instead of several plugins, plus a real free plan.
Cons: Not a Moodle plugin, so it runs alongside Moodle, not inside it.
Moodle Plugins vs Wauld
What you need | Moodle plugins | Wauld |
Certificate design | 1 plugin, like Custom Certificate | Built in, 1,000+ templates |
Automatic issuing | Often needs 2 linked plugins | Built in |
Verification | Needs a separate verify block | Built in, on every credential |
External paid account required | Only for Accredible | Never |
Survives a Moodle migration | No, tied to Moodle core | Yes, runs independently |
Who Should Stick With Moodle Plugins
Sites issuing a small number of certificates per term
Teams comfortable maintaining Custom Certificate or Simple Certificate directly
Anyone who does not need automatic issuing or badges
Who Should Choose Wauld Instead
Training companies running continuing education across multiple courses or cohorts
Higher education teams who need certificates to survive LMS migrations
Associations and membership groups tracking who shares their credentials
Coaches and course creators who want branded certificates, no maintenance
Anyone facing issues above, see this SimpleCert comparison for a similar case
Conclusion
These 9 moodle plugins give you real options for issuing certificates. Custom Certificate and Simple Certificate cover most standalone needs well. The rest of the field depends on pairing plugins or paying extra.
Beyond certificates, the wider Moodle LMS relies on open-source plugins for almost everything. A Moodle theme changes the look of your content pages. Course format plugins organize an elearning course from start to finish. Question types and learning experiences plugins shape how a quiz feels.
If your goal is to simplify certificate issuing, start with the plugins above. If you want one place for design, issuing, and verification, Wauld is simpler. See our best certificate software roundup for the wider market.
FAQs on Moodle Certificate Plugins
Answers to common questions on Moodle plugins for certificates.
