How to choose an e-learning company in Egypt: evaluation criteria

What kind of company do you need?

Many companies offer more than one of the following types, so ask which ones they deliver with their own team and which they outsource to an outside contractor.

• Platform development companies (LMS)

  They install Moodle or similar and customize branding, integrations, and the mobile app.

• Content production companies

  Instructional design, video, SCORM packages, and interactive content.

• Hosting and management companies

  Servers, updates, backups, and technical support.

• Ready-made subscription platforms

  They rent you space on a shared platform with limited customization.

• EdTech companies for students

  They sell courses to a general audience and usually don't build a platform of your own.

Ten evaluation criteria

• Similar experience

  Projects for a university, school or company the size of yours, with links to live platforms you can try yourself

• Ownership

  Do you own the code, content and data, and can they be moved to your server?

• The system used

  A standard open-source system like Moodle, or a closed solution that locks you into a single vendor?

• Version and support

  Which version will be installed, and when does its security support end?

• Arabic and mobile

  A proper RTL interface, and actual testing on a real phone

• Integrations

  Payments, live classes, student information system or ERP, and single sign-on

• Performance and hosting

  A capacity plan and load testing before launch

• Security and privacy

  Tested backups, regular updates, and responsible handling of student data

• Training and support

  A written support agreement with clear response times and channels

• Pricing clarity

  What's included and what costs extra?

Warning signs

• A promise of full delivery within days without a requirements analysis session

• No live platform you can log into, only screenshots

• No mention of the system version or update plan

• A closed "proprietary" platform that doesn't let you export your data

• Claims like "the best in Egypt" without evidence

  Ask any company for evidence, including us.

• No support contract after delivery

Questions to ask before signing

• Who will actually work on my project, and what is their experience?

• Can I visit two or three similar platforms and talk to a former client?

• Which version will be installed, and when does its support end?

• Which plugins are off-the-shelf and which are custom-built, and who maintains the custom work later?

• Where will the platform be hosted, and what is the backup and restore plan?

• What happens if I want to move to another company?

• How are change requests priced after the scope is agreed?

• How do I run acceptance testing, and what are its criteria?

• How long is the warranty and what does it cover?

• How will my team be trained, and with what material?

How to compare offers

Write the scope of work on one page, and send the same page to two or three companies. That way you compare offers that are truly similar, not offers that differ in what they include. If the project is large, start with a small pilot before committing the full budget.

Frequently asked questions

• Is an Egyptian or a foreign company better?

  A local company is closer in language, time zone and support, but the real test is documented experience and a clear contract, not nationality.

• How long does it take to build a platform?

  It varies by scope. The N.I.T services page states that Moodle platforms usually take 4 to 10 weeks depending on project size.

• Should I start with a ready-made platform?

  Possibly, if your scope is small, but read the Moodle vs. LearnPress vs. Tutor LMS comparison before you decide.