TrueCert vs Credly
Credly manages digital badges. TrueCert actually tests your skills. See how they compare for professional certification and verification.
Professional skills verification platform. Take timed, proctored assessments to prove existing knowledge and earn cryptographically verifiable certificates — no course required.
Digital credential and badge management platform, now part of Pearson.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | TrueCert | Credly |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in Skill Assessments | Timed, multi-format exams | No assessments, badge issuance only |
| Timed Proctored Exams | Yes, configurable time limits | Not available |
| Digital Badges | Open Badges 2.0 compliant. Add to LinkedIn and digital wallets | Core feature, Open Badges standard |
| Question Types | MCQ, ordering, matching, code completion, fill-in-blank | N/A |
| Cryptographic Verification | 64-char hex tokens, API verification | Badge verification via URL |
| B2B Team Management | Team dashboard, invites, custom exams | Enterprise badge management |
| Custom Exam Builder | Full exam builder with JSON import | Badge template builder |
| Free Tier | Free certifications available | Enterprise pricing only |
| Badge Marketplace | Not available | Acclaim marketplace for badge discovery |
| PDF Certificates | Printable PDF with strengths analysis | Digital badges only |
Pros & Cons
- Actually tests skills with real assessments
- 8 question types beyond MCQ (ordering, matching, code completion, etc.)
- Open Badges 2.0 compliant. Add credentials to LinkedIn
- Free L0 introduction certifications available
- Cryptographically verifiable certificates
- PDF certificates with detailed strengths analysis
- B2B team assessment features with org-branded certificates
- Career paths and specialist badges
- Smaller ecosystem than Credly
- No badge marketplace
- Newer platform with less brand recognition
- Industry-standard Open Badges format
- Massive ecosystem of badge issuers
- Integration with LinkedIn and HR systems
- Backed by Pearson
- No built-in skill assessments
- Enterprise pricing, no free tier
- Badges don't prove skill mastery
- No PDF certificate option
Our Verdict
TrueCert and Credly serve fundamentally different purposes. TrueCert is a skills verification platform that tests what you know through timed assessments and issues certificates based on demonstrated competency. Credly is a credential management platform that issues digital badges on behalf of organizations, but doesn't verify skills itself. If you need to prove your skills with a real exam, TrueCert is the right choice. If you need to manage and distribute badges for achievements earned through other programs, Credly is purpose-built for that.
Who is it best for?
Professionals who want to prove their skills through actual assessments, companies that need to test employee competencies, and anyone who wants a verifiable certificate backed by a real exam.
Organizations that need to issue and manage digital badges at scale, companies integrating credentials into HR workflows, and professionals collecting badges from multiple training providers.
Ready to prove your skills?
Start with a free Introduction assessment — 10 questions, 10 minutes. Earn a verifiable certificate backed by Open Badges 2.0 and share it on LinkedIn.
See how TrueCert compares
Explore more side-by-side comparisons with other platforms