Overview

In 2024, Education Design Lab launched CredCompare, a credential provider comparison tool to help higher education institutions select digital credential solutions within the increasingly competitive marketplace of credential vendors. Institutions face significant challenges in selecting credential solutions that serve all learners while fostering innovation in the digital credentials marketplace.

The new tool offers comprehensive, expert-backed analysis of twelve leading credential providers that are categorized (searchable by) three types (Digital Credential Wallet, Credential Issuing Platform, Credential Issuing Providers) and three features (Accessibility, Interoperability, Data Sharing):

• Arizona State University - ASU Pocket - Powered by Digital Credential Consortium
• Digital Bazaar - Veres Wallet - Powered by Digital Bazaar
• EBSCO - EBSCOed Digital Credential Wallet - Powered by EBSCO
• Gobekli - Universal Talent Passports - Powered by Gobekli
• iDatafy - SmartResume - Powered by iDatafy
• Instructure - Canvas Credentials - Powered by Instructure
• Proof of Knowledge (POK) - POK - Powered by Optimism, Ethereum and Polygon
• Learning Economy Foundation - LearnCard - Powered by Learning Economy Foundation
• Territorium - TerritoriumCLR - Powered by Territorium
• Dock Labs - Truevera - Powered by Dock
• iQ4 - iQ4 Wallet - Powered by iQ4
• Level Data – Talent Credentials (formerly RANDA) - Powered by RANDA Solutions, which was acquired by Level Data in 2024
• Pearson - Credly Acclaim - Powered by Credly by Pearson
• The SOLO Network - SOLO - Powered by Spark+

The tool evaluates features like accessibility, interoperability, and data sharing capabilities across multiple vendors, helping potential users make informed decisions that align with their goals for student success and workforce development.

The tool invites other providers in the digital wallet ecosystem to submit a request for further information if they wish to be considered for inclusion in this landscape.

Examples of uses of CredCompare include:

• A community college looking to support lifelong learning
• A university developing stackable credentials
• An employer seeking better hiring solutions

Background

Digital credential wallets can simplify the storage and sharing of educational and professional credentials, making it easier for individuals to manage and share qualifications such as degrees, certificates, badges, and other recognitions. They can support skills-based hiring by allowing individuals to highlight their skills and achievements, creating a more equitable hiring process by offering full learning and employment records.

There is growing interest in determining which digital credential wallets adhere to open data standards and offer solutions that prioritize equitable adoption and support lifelong learning.

The tool was informed by Jobs for the Future’s 2022 Wallet Market Scan and 2024 Digital Credentials & Wallets in the Job Market.

Resources

Education Design Lab Homepage

CredCompare - Education Design Lab