If you're researching digital credentials, you've probably come across Open Badges. The standard powers platforms like Credly, Accredible, and Badgr, and it's become the default reference point when people talk about "digital badges."
But Open Badges aren't the only way to issue digital credentials — and depending on what your organisation needs, they may not be the best way.
This article explains what Open Badges actually are, where they work well, where they fall short, and how blockchain-secured digital certificates offer a different approach. The goal isn't to declare a winner — it's to help you make the right decision for your recipients.
Open Badges is a standard developed by IMS Global Learning Consortium (now 1EdTech). It defines a way to package credential information — who earned it, who issued it, what criteria were met — into a structured digital format.
At its core, an Open Badge is a PNG or SVG image file with JSON metadata baked into it. The metadata includes the issuer, recipient, issue date, criteria, and a URL for verification.
The standard is open, which means any platform can issue and verify Open Badges. That interoperability is its primary strength — a badge issued on one platform can, in theory, be verified and displayed on another.
Several major credential platforms have built on the Open Badges standard:
Credly (acquired by Pearson) — the largest Open Badges platform, used by over 3,000 organisations. Strong in enterprise tech certifications and professional development.
Accredible (part of Instructure) — supports both Open Badges and certificates. Popular with universities and online learning platforms.
Badgr (now part of the Canvas ecosystem) — open-source badge platform integrated with Canvas LMS.
Canvas Credentials — built into the Canvas LMS for issuing badges directly from course completions.
These platforms have made Open Badges accessible to thousands of organisations. But the standard itself has characteristics that matter when you're choosing how to credential your recipients.
Open Badges solve a real problem — portable, verifiable credentials. But the standard was designed in a specific era, for a specific use case, and those constraints show.
Open Badges are built around small visual badges — think of the icons you see on LinkedIn profiles. They work well for micro-credentials, skill badges, and course completions.
But what about a diploma? A professional license? An award certificate? A membership credential? These are documents with weight and formality. Representing them as a small badge image undersells their significance and the effort behind earning them.
When a graduate receives a diploma, they want something that looks and feels like a diploma — not a thumbnail.
Because the Open Badge format is an image file with embedded metadata, the design flexibility is constrained. You're working within a badge format — typically a small, circular or square visual element.
TRUE takes a different approach: full-page, animated, interactive documents that can be designed to match any credential type — from formal diplomas to modern course certificates.
Open Badges verify via a URL that points back to the issuing platform. If that platform goes down, changes its URL structure, or the organisation stops paying — the verification link breaks. The badge file still exists, but verification becomes unreliable.
This is fundamentally different from blockchain verification, where the proof exists independently of any single platform.
Open Badges can exist without blockchain. Verification relies on the issuing platform being online and maintaining the verification endpoint. Some platforms offer blockchain as an add-on, but it's not part of the core standard.
For organisations where tamper-proof verification is critical — professional licensing, safety certifications, healthcare credentials — this is a meaningful gap.
TRUE Original was built around a different question: how do you prove a document is real — permanently, independently, and without relying on a single platform?
Every document issued through TRUE is secured with a SHA-256 hash anchored on blockchain — Ethereum, AVAX, Fantom, or Polygon. This isn't an optional feature or a premium add-on. It's how every credential works, from day one.
The verification proof exists on blockchain regardless of whether TRUE's servers are online. The document's authenticity is permanent and independent.
TRUE credentials aren't badges. They're full certificates, diplomas, awards, licenses, memberships, and transcripts — animated, interactive, and designed to reflect the issuer's brand.
A diploma looks like a diploma. An award looks like an award. The design matches the significance of the credential.
TRUE credentials live on the issuer's own domain — not on TRUE's domain. When a recipient shares their credential, the link points to the issuing organisation's website.
This means every share drives traffic, builds SEO, and reinforces the issuer's brand authority. With Open Badges platforms, credential links typically point to the platform's domain.
Every TRUE credential includes a QR code that anyone can scan for instant verification. No app required, no account needed — just scan and see the verified credential.
TRUE has generated 100M+ marketing impressions for its issuers. Because credentials are shareable links on the issuer's domain, every LinkedIn post, every Instagram share, every email signature becomes a marketing touchpoint.
Open Badges are a solid choice in specific scenarios:
If your primary goal is recognising small, specific achievements and your recipients mainly share on LinkedIn, Open Badges do the job.
TRUE is built for organisations that need more:
The choice between Open Badges and blockchain-secured digital certificates isn't really about technology standards. It's about your recipients.
What do they expect? A graduate expects a diploma. A certified safety inspector expects a certificate. A workshop attendee might be fine with a badge.
What will they do with it? If they'll share it on social media, it needs to look impressive. If they'll display it to clients, it needs to be verifiable. If their employer will check it, it needs to be tamper-proof.
What does your organisation need? If every credential share should build your brand, you need custom domain hosting. If verification can't depend on a platform staying online, you need blockchain.
| Open Badges | TRUE Original | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | IMS Global / 1EdTech | Blockchain-secured documents |
| Verification | Platform URL lookup | Blockchain (4 chains) + QR code |
| Document types | Badges | Certificates, diplomas, awards, licenses, memberships, transcripts, vouchers |
| Design | Badge images (PNG/SVG) | Full animated, interactive documents |
| Domain | Platform's domain | Your custom domain |
| Tamper-proof | Depends on platform | Blockchain-guaranteed |
| Marketing value | Limited | Every share drives traffic to your domain |
| Compliance | Varies by platform | eIDAS, Cyber Hygiene Certified |
| Documents issued | — | 500,000+ |
| Issuers | — | 200+ across 15+ countries |
If you've been evaluating credential platforms and wondering whether badges are enough — or whether your recipients deserve something more — book a demo. We'll show you what blockchain-secured, beautifully designed credentials look like in practice.
Also read: TRUE vs Credly | TRUE vs Accredible | What are blockchain certificates?
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