ECDL

What ECDL does

ECDL Certificate of Digital Literacy AG is the national operator for the ICDL (International Computer Driving Licence) digital literacy certification programme in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. Founded in 2000 as ECDL Switzerland and headquartered in Basel, the company was acquired by US-based international test delivery company PSI Services LLC effective January 1, 2017. Its operating scope is narrow and well-defined: administering internationally standardised digital literacy certification to individual candidates, schools, and corporate clients, supported by a network of approximately 300 certified Test Centres in Switzerland and Liechtenstein that sit within a broader global network of 24,000+ Test Centres coordinated by Dublin-based ECDL Foundation.

The core product offering consists of three ICDL certificate tiers — Base, Standard, and Advanced — built from a portfolio of 15 modules and 5 certificates covering computer applications, IT security, online collaboration, and digital skills. Assessment delivery runs on Sophia, a proprietary computer-based testing platform available for Windows and MacOS that supports module exams, diagnostic tests (~65 questions per module), and customised pre-assessment tests. Each candidate is issued a personal ICDL ID that tracks exam results in an online profile. Adjacent offerings include a Typing Skills Certificate and bespoke pre-assessment tests tailored to employer recruitment and training needs (custom question selection, passing scores, timing, and evaluation format).

Revenue mechanics are pay-as-you-go and based on a one-time ICDL ID registration fee plus per-module exam fees, purchased through the ECDL online shop, with diagnostic tests sold through diagnosetest.ch and bespoke corporate tests priced on a professional services basis. The go-to-market is a hybrid: direct e-commerce to individuals, channel sales through schools and vocational colleges as curriculum electives, and B2B outreach to employers and public authorities for recruitment and workforce certification. Since 2000, the company has reached approximately 250,000 cumulative candidates in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, with annual throughput of approximately 16,000 candidates (2016 data). The brand is formally recognised by the European Commission, United Nations, UNHCR, OECD, and World Bank as an international standard for digital literacy.

Name

ECDL

Legal name

ECDL Certificate of Digital Literacy AG

Website

https://ecdl.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ECDL Switzerland operates the ICDL digital literacy certification programme in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, administering 15 modules and 5 certificates through approximately 300 certified Test Centres. A subsidiary of PSI Services LLC since 2017, the company uses its proprietary Sophia testing platform to serve individual candidates, schools, and corporate clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Literacy Certification

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Computer Training (61142)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Certification & Exam Prep eLearning Modules (EDAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Certification & Exam Prep Course Marketplaces (EDAFAIAJ)

Keywords

• Digital literacy certification
• Computer skills testing
• ICDL modules
• Standardized ICT assessment
• Certification programme

Headquarters

HQ city

Basel

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Exam Registration and Module Fees: One-time registration fee for personal ICDL ID plus individual module exam fees. Each module exam costs separately. Candidates purchase registrations through the ECDL shop.
2. Diagnostic Tests: Pre-assessment tests sold to candidates and organisations. Purchased directly from diagnosetest.ch. Approximately 65 questions per module.
3. Customised Pre-Assessment Tests: Bespoke tests tailored for companies and organisations for recruitment and training needs. Customised question selection, passing scores, timing and evaluation format.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ECDL (operating under the ICDL brand) delivers a modular digital literacy certification programme consisting of 15 modules that candidates complete through standardised computer-based exams at certified Test Centres. The company also sells pre-assessment/diagnostic tests used by employers for recruitment and training, plus customised pre-assessment tests, all administered via the proprietary Sophia test system.

Product overview

ECDL (European Certificate of Digital Literacy) is a modular certification programme for digital literacy skills. The portfolio includes ICDL Base, Standard, and Advanced certificates, each comprising multiple modules covering computer applications, IT security, and digital skills. Exams are delivered via the Sophia test system at certified Test Centres or online, with approximately 300 locations across Switzerland. Additional offerings include diagnostic tests, pre-assessment tests for employers, and a Typing Skills Certificate. The programme spans 15 modules across 41 languages in 148 countries through the ECDL Foundation network of over 24,000 Test Centres.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ICDL Base Certificate
• ICDL Standard Certificate
• ICDL Advanced Certificate
• ICDL Typing Skills Certificate
• ICDL Diagnostic Tests
• Customised Pre-Assessment Tests

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% passing score requirement ensures consistent certification standard
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PSI Services LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017On 1 January 2017, ECDL Switzerland AG was acquired by international test delivery company PSI Services LLC. This union enabled ECDL Switzerland to expand its product offerings and service scope.
• ECDL FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerECDL Foundation is a non-profit organisation based in Dublin that publishes the ICDL Syllabi, guarantees compliance with international standards, and ensures testing methods, syllabi and exams meet current technical requirements. Established in 1997 by CEPIS as the coordinating body for ECDL certification in Europe.
• bit media (Schweiz) AGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Basel, bit media distributes e-learning products that prepare candidates for ICDL exams. Public schools can access ICDL-licensed e-learning products through educanet2 platform. Licences ordered through ECDL Shop.
• Computerschule DachsenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides written course materials and online courses for Mac versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Schools can purchase site licences to reproduce materials unlimitedly within the school.
• Herdt VerlagminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEducational media publisher with offices in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Offers broad spectrum of IT competency educational materials and digital media tailored for various school levels.
• Wings LernmedienminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwiss learning materials company with over 15 years experience producing PC training materials. Content developed by teachers and instructors across various educational levels.
• educanet2minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwiss education platform through which public schools can access ECDL-licensed e-learning products from bit media.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pearson VUE: Pearson VUE operates one of the world's largest networks of computer-based testing centres, delivering professional certification and licensure exams globally. It competes with ECDL's Test Centre model for certification programme partnerships and serves overlapping corporate and educational institution customers.
• Prometric: Prometric is a global test delivery company that administers computer-based certification exams across multiple industries. As a peer test delivery infrastructure provider to PSI Services LLC (ECDL Switzerland's parent), it competes directly for certification programme partnerships and Test Centre operations in Switzerland and internationally.
• Certiport: Certiport is a leading provider of certification exams for technology skills including Microsoft Office Specialist, Adobe, and Autodesk. Like ECDL, Certiport operates a global Test Centre network and delivers computer-based certification exams through authorised centres, making it the most direct competitor in digital literacy and productivity certification.
• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Office Specialist (delivered via Certiport) is the primary direct competitor to ICDL's productivity software certification modules. It certifies the same Office application skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) that form the core of ICDL Standard and Advanced certificates, targeting the same candidate segments in Switzerland and globally.

Emerging players

• Coursera: Coursera offers online professional certificates and credentials from universities and companies, including Google Career Certificates and IBM Digital Badges. While not a direct exam-based certification competitor, it represents an emerging alternative pathway for digital skills credentialing that could erode demand for traditional ECDL module-based certification.

Broad incumbents

• CompTIA: CompTIA is a major IT industry certification body offering credentials like A+, Security+, and IT Fundamentals. While broader than ECDL's focus on digital literacy basics, it competes in the same employer-driven IT skills certification market and overlaps in foundational IT competency assessment for entry-level candidates.
• Skillsoft: Skillsoft provides enterprise corporate training and digital certification programmes, including technology skills and digital literacy content. As a broader incumbent in corporate learning, it competes for the same B2B budget that ECDL targets for its customised pre-assessment tests and corporate certification programmes.

Regional players

• EF Standard English Test (EF SET): EF SET is a standardised online English proficiency test offered globally by EF Education First. While focused on language rather than digital literacy, it shares the same standardised online certification model, multi-language support, and global reach that defines ECDL's positioning in the international certification market.
• Klett Group: Klett Group is a German-language educational publisher providing learning materials, certifications, and educational technology to schools and vocational institutions across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. As a DACH-region player, it competes with ECDL Switzerland for the same secondary school and vocational college digital literacy curriculum partnerships.
• British Computer Society (BCS): BCS is a UK-based professional body offering IT certifications and qualifications including the European Computer Driving Licence equivalent certifications. As a peer national/regional professional certification body, it operates a similar model of standardised IT competency certification in a different but adjacent geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/icdleurope
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ecdl-switzerland-ag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ECDL