Digital credentials are replacing paper certificates worldwide. Organizations that once printed diplomas, badges, and certifications are moving to platforms that issue verifiable digital versions instead.
Credly is the most recognized name in this space. Owned by Pearson, it's widely used by US corporations for employee training badges and professional certifications.
But Credly isn't the only option — and for many organizations, especially those in Europe, education, healthcare, and professional associations, it may not be the best fit.
TRUE Original is a Swedish platform that takes a different approach: blockchain-secured credentials with a focus on beautiful design, European compliance, and marketing value.
This article provides an objective comparison to help you choose the right platform for your needs.
Headquarters: United States Ownership: Pearson (acquired 2022) Primary market: US corporate training, enterprise L&D Credential type: Digital badges (icons) Verification: Database lookup
Credly is well-established, particularly in the US enterprise market. Organizations like IBM, Microsoft, and many Fortune 500 companies use Credly to issue training badges. The platform integrates with major learning management systems and has a large network of badge earners.
Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden Ownership: Independent (TRUE Value Software AB) Primary market: European education, associations, professional certifications Credential type: Full certificates and diplomas (animated, branded) Verification: Blockchain (Ethereum, Polygon, AVAX, Fantom)
TRUE focuses on high-value credentials — diplomas, professional certifications, membership credentials — where design, security, and marketing value matter. The platform is used by European universities, government agencies, and professional associations.
Credly uses a centralized database for credential storage and verification. When someone verifies a badge, the system checks Credly's database. Security relies on standard database protection measures.
TRUE uses blockchain technology. Every credential is written to one or more public blockchains (Ethereum, Polygon, AVAX, Fantom). The record is cryptographically secured and cannot be altered — not by hackers, not by the issuing organization, not by TRUE itself.
Why it matters: For most training badges, database security is sufficient. But for credentials where tampering has serious consequences — professional licenses, medical certifications, government documents — blockchain provides stronger guarantees. The Swedish government agency Bolagsverket chose TRUE for this reason.
Credly issues badge icons — typically small PNG images that can be embedded or downloaded. Templates are standardized, with limited customization. Badges look functional but aren't designed for prominent display.
TRUE issues full credentials — animated, interactive web documents with custom branding, colors, and design. Credentials live on the issuing organization's own domain. They're designed to be shared, displayed, and showcased.
Why it matters: If you're issuing training completion badges for internal purposes, icon-based badges work fine. If you're issuing diplomas, professional certifications, or credentials that recipients will display publicly, design matters. TRUE's credentials generate over 100 million marketing impressions because recipients are proud to share them.
Credly dominates US corporate training. The platform is optimized for enterprise L&D departments issuing badges at scale for completed courses, certifications, and internal achievements.
TRUE focuses on European education, professional associations, and high-value certifications. Customers include:
Why it matters: Platform expertise matters. Credly understands US corporate training workflows. TRUE understands European education, professional certification, and association credentialing.
Credly is US-based. The platform complies with standard data protection requirements but isn't specifically designed for EU regulatory frameworks.
TRUE is Swedish. The platform is:
Why it matters: For European organizations, data sovereignty and regulatory compliance aren't optional. Working with a European provider simplifies compliance and reduces risk.
Credly credentials are primarily badge icons — small, standardized images representing achievements.
TRUE credentials are full digital documents — certificates, diplomas, awards — with all the visual weight and professional appearance of traditional credentials, plus interactivity and verification.
Why it matters: A training completion badge and a medical diploma serve different purposes. The format should match the credential's significance.
Credly is the right choice when:
Credly has earned its market position by serving US corporate training well. If that's your use case, it's a proven option.
TRUE is the right choice when:
GDPR and eIDAS compliance come standard. Your data stays in Europe. Your provider understands European regulatory requirements because they operate under them.
Diplomas, professional licenses, and certifications deserve more than badge icons. TRUE's full credentials look and feel as significant as the achievements they represent.
For credentials where forgery has real consequences — medical certifications, government documents, professional licenses — blockchain verification provides security that database lookups cannot match.
TRUE credentials are designed for sharing. Recipients post them on LinkedIn, embed them on websites, and display them at conferences. Every share drives impressions back to your organization. TRUE customers have generated 100 million+ marketing impressions from shared credentials.
TRUE credentials live on your domain — credentials.yourorganization.com — not on TRUE's website. Your brand stays front and center.
TRUE has proven expertise in these sectors with customers like Karolinska Institutet, YH Akademin, SSF, and Great Place To Work.
Organizations that evaluated their options and chose TRUE:
Sweden's leading medical university needs credentials that match its reputation and meet the security requirements of medical education. Karolinska chose TRUE for tamper-proof medical training certificates.
The Swedish government agency responsible for business registration piloted blockchain for official documents. They chose TRUE because government documents require the strongest possible authenticity guarantees.
Sweden's 80+ year security authority issues certifications for security professionals. When your expertise is security, your credentials must be secure. SSF chose blockchain-verified certificates through TRUE.
Organizations earn Great Place To Work certification by meeting workplace standards. That certification is displayed publicly, shared on LinkedIn, and featured in recruiting. TRUE's shareable, verifiable credentials amplify the value of certification.
| Feature | Credly | TRUE |
|---|---|---|
| Credential format | Badge icons | Full certificates/diplomas |
| Verification | Database lookup | Blockchain |
| Blockchains used | — | 4 (Ethereum, Polygon, AVAX, Fantom) |
| Custom branding | Limited | Full customization |
| Custom domain | No | Yes |
| Animation/interactivity | No | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes (5 endpoints) |
| LMS integration | Yes | Yes (Canvas, Moodle, Learnster) |
| Batch issuing | Yes | Yes |
| Analytics | Yes | Yes |
| LinkedIn sharing | Yes | Yes |
| QR code verification | Limited | Yes |
| eIDAS compliant | No | Yes |
| GDPR-native | No | Yes |
| Headquarters | US | Sweden |
Ask yourself these questions:
If you're in Europe, a European provider simplifies compliance and data handling. TRUE is Swedish; Credly is American.
Training badges for internal skill tracking? Credly handles this well. Diplomas, professional certifications, or credentials that recipients will display publicly? TRUE is designed for these.
For most training badges, standard security is fine. For credentials where forgery has consequences — healthcare, government, professional licenses — blockchain provides stronger guarantees.
If credentials driving traffic, impressions, and brand exposure matters, TRUE's shareable design delivers measurable results (100M+ impressions for customers).
US corporate training → Credly has deep expertise. European education, healthcare, professional associations → TRUE has proven customers and workflows.
If TRUE sounds like the right fit, here's how to move forward:
See it in action — Book a demo to understand how TRUE works for your specific use case.
Learn from similar organizations — Read case studies from customers in your industry.
Explore technical details — Review API documentation and integration guides.
Both Credly and TRUE are legitimate platforms serving different markets and use cases.
Credly owns US corporate training badges. If that's your world, it's a reasonable choice.
TRUE owns European education, professional certification, and high-value credentials where blockchain security, beautiful design, and marketing value matter.
The right platform depends on your organization, your credentials, and your goals. This comparison gives you the information to decide.
Save time, increase traffic and insights and build trust, by upgrading to blockchain secured diplomas and course certificates, which are loved by recipients and always verifiably authentic.
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