Top 10+ Best Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Want to grow your education LMS software with engaging features? Many of the learning management system software will agree with you, to provide an excellent study experience to your students. While finding the best LMS software in the market is a daunting task, GoodFirms understand your dilemma. Thus, we curate a list of the best learning management system for schools that clients can employ to enhance their LMS systems. Service-seekers can check these learning management software profiles to go through the vendor details, package-pricing options, and verified client reviews to aid their search efforts.

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List of Best Learning Management Systems (LMS) Software with Reviews

  • Google Classroom

    Where teaching and learning come together.
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    Google Classroom is a top-rated learning management system (LMS) that combines teaching and learning. Google Classroom is designed with feedback from the educational community, constantly building new features and functionality that let educators focus on education and students focus on learning. Google Classroom helps educators create engaging learning experiences they can personalize, manage, an ... read more about Google Classroom

    Entry Level Price
    Free version
    Free Trial
    Available
    Category Focus
    33% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • Learning Pool Suite

    Help learning and development get smarter through data.
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    Learning Pool Suite empowers organizations with big ideas for learning with a comprehensive platform that supports their evolving ambition. No matter where you are or where you want to go, the Learning Pool Suite offers everything needed to pursue your vision for learning. Enhanced by AI and automation, the Learning Pool Suite adapts and scales to any learning scenario, enabling powerful experienc ... read more about Learning Pool Suite

    Entry Level Price
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    Free Trial
    N/A
    Category Focus
    50% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • Kannu

    Let’s activate digital learning.
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    Kannu is a learning management system that connects people. It’s beautiful, modern, and user-friendly. Kannu is a learning management system designed by educators, for educators. Our goal is to activate online learning with pedagogical flexibility and peer interaction, on a thoughtfully designed platform. With Kannu, courses are engaging, interactive, and customizable. Kannu runs in the cloud, s ... read more about Kannu

    Entry Level Price
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    Free Trial
    N/A
    Category Focus
    100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • NextThought

    Your teams need a learning platform designed for them.
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    NextThought is a learning platform designed with a straightforward, team-based approach. Never over-built or one-size-fits-all, NextThought delivers the learning experiences your teams need to reskill, upskill, learn, and deliver consistent outcomes. ... read more about NextThought

    Entry Level Price
    $99 Per Month
    Free Trial
    14 Days
    Category Focus
    50% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • Cornerstone Empower your people to learn anytime, anywhere with the Cornerstone iOS and Android app. Cornerstone offers a variety of formats — including audio, video, digital docs, instructor led, and virtual reality — so people can learn most effectively. Learning supports your learners around the world with automated assignments, comprehensive completion records, versio ... read more about Cornerstone Learning

    Entry Level Price
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    Free Trial
    N/A
    Category Focus
    50% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • Electa Live

    Online Teaching & Training Software
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    Electa Live is Virtual Classroom Software and a Learning Management System for Online Courses and Live Online Classes. Teach and train in a virtual classroom - anyone, anywhere. It is a platform designed for online teaching and training over the Internet. With Electa Live you can create online courses and tutorials, arrange live online classes, online lectures, online meetings, group live classes, ... read more about Electa Live

    Entry Level Price
    $69.90 Per Month
    Free Trial
    14 Days
    Category Focus
    50% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • EISDigital

    Best training management software.
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    EZEON is a team of innovative and creative engineers, expert in custom web and mobile apps development. We develop user friendly and rich user experience which can communicate with complex middle-tier services accessible anywhere from Mobile, Tab and PC ... read more about EISDigital

    Entry Level Price
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    Free Trial
    7 Days
    Category Focus
    20% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • Training Orchestra

    Training, Optimized.
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    Training Orchestra helps L&D Departments, their Extended Enterprise, Training Businesses, and Associations to automate and optimize the performance of their ILT and vILT operations while maximizing their training investment. As a leading Training Resource Management System (TRMS) with more than 600 satisfied clients worldwide, Training Orchestra streamlines the entire training process from plannin ... read more about Training Orchestra

    Entry Level Price
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    40% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • Ezzely

    Employee Engagement AppHelping businesses, recognize, retain, train, and reward staff.
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    Employee engagement app helps to maintain the positive work environment with the clear understanding of work and policies. Check out Ezzely to explore more about amazing features designed to facilitate employee engagement. Ezzely, brought to you by the folks at Coggno, is designed to be an engaging way for organizations and their employees to interact and succeed. Coggno has been facilitating e ... read more about Ezzely

    Entry Level Price
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    Free Trial
    7 Days
    Category Focus
    20% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • Coggno

    Training. Simplified
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    Coggno offers a robust and sophisticated learning management system with an extremely easy to use interface and commendable customer support. Coggno is an online training marketplace and learning management system (LMS) that brings together content creators, HR organizations, and employees in a single, cloud-based ecosystem – enabling simplified training and certification anywhere in the world. ... read more about Coggno

    Entry Level Price
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    Free Trial
    N/A
    Category Focus
    30% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • Kiwi LMS

    Train your restaurant staff in an effective way
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    Kiwi is a restaurant LMS that aims to help restaurant owners train their staff in an easier and more effective way. Moreover, they offer online training courses for different Restaurant services. he Kiwi seed was planted in 2013 when we started developing eLearning tools for anyone to be able to launch an online academy and sell courses. Fast forward 4 years, we found our niche to be Restaur ... read more about Kiwi LMS

    Entry Level Price
    $269 Per Month
    Free Trial
    N/A
    Category Focus
    30% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • Forma LMS

    Forma LMS Built for corporate training
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    Forma Lms is an open-source, web-based eLearning platform (Learning Management System - LMS), used to manage and deliver online training courses. It's based on a network of companies that support its development and it's focused on corporate training needs, rather than on academic needs as many other open-source projects. ... read more about Forma LMS

    Entry Level Price
    Free version
    Free Trial
    Available
    Category Focus
    60% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • ILIAS

    The open source learning management system
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    ILIAS has been a powerful learning management system that meets all requirements: large and small companies, universities, schools and public authorities use the integrated tools to implement individual learning scenarios.The development is controlled by the international ILIAS community and coordinated by the ILIAS association. ... read more about ILIAS

    Entry Level Price
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    Free Trial
    N/A
    Category Focus
    100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • OpenOlat

    OpenOlat is an internet-based learning platform for teaching
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    OpenOlat is an internet-based learning platform for teaching, learning, assessment and communication, an LMS, a learning management system. OpenOlat impresses with its simple and intuitive operation. An ingenious modular system offers course authors a broad spectrum of didactic possibilities. ... read more about OpenOlat

    Entry Level Price
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    Free Trial
    N/A
    Category Focus
    100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • SAKAI

    Get your hands on sakai
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    Sakai is a community that works to enhance technology-based teaching, learning, collaboration, and research. Sakai LMS helps instructors create truly inspiring learning experiences. The Sakai Community develops and distributes the open-source Sakai CLE, an enterprise-ready collaboration and courseware management platform that provides users with a suite of learning, portfolio, library, and proj ... read more about SAKAI

    Entry Level Price
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    Free Trial
    N/A
    Category Focus
    100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • Trakstar Hire

    Applicant Tracking System for Great Hiring.
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    rakstar Hire is the easiest way to receive and manage the hiring and applicant process. It is more efficient than email and excel documents, simpler than any other recruitment software. 1500+ growing companies use Trakstar Hire to receive job applications in one place, collaborate with their team on candidate feedback and interviews, and make faster hiring decisions. Trakstar Hire makes the hirin ... read more about Trakstar Hire

    Entry Level Price
    Free version
    Free Trial
    Available
    Category Focus
    20% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • LearnDash

    The Most Trusted WordPress LMS
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    LearnDash is the premier WordPress LMS designed to bring learning management and elearning delivery to the WordPress open-source platform.The #1 choice of Fortune 500 companies, major universities, training organizations, and entrepreneurs worldwide for creating (and selling) their online courses. ... read more about LearnDash

    Entry Level Price
    $159 Per Month
    Free Trial
    30 Days
    Category Focus
    50% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • isEazy

    Your cloud-based authoring tool
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    E-learning made easy. isEazy is the leading technology company in e-learning solutions for the development of training, communication and corporate knowledge processes. IsEazy is a cloud authoring tool designed to create e-learning content in a simple and agile way.IsEazy is a SaaS designed tool therefore any professional profile, without the need for technical knowledge, can create e-learning ... read more about isEazy

    Entry Level Price
    Free version
    Free Trial
    Available
    Category Focus
    33% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • Mindflash

    Online Learning for Every Audience.
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    Employee training across an enterprise comes with a unique set of challenges. In-person employee training is often difficult to coordinate and is expensive. The Trakstar Learn takes the stress out of employee training, leaving you more time to focus on what’s important. Your employees will retain information better by learning at their own pace in a user-friendly online training environment. Add ... read more about Mindflash

    Entry Level Price
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    Free Trial
    14 Days
    Category Focus
    25% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • ATutor

    Learning Management System
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    ATutor is an Open Source Web-based Learning Management System (LMS) used to develop and deliver online courses. Administrators can install or update ATutor in minutes, develop custom themes to give ATutor a new look, and easily extend its functionality with feature modules. Educators can quickly assemble, package, and redistribute Web-based instructional content, easily import prepackaged content, ... read more about ATutor

    Entry Level Price
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    Free Trial
    N/A
    Category Focus
    100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • Mindflash LMS

    Learning management software for the modern workforce
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    Mindflash users simply upload existing training materials (PowerPoint, PDF, Word, video, audio), organize them on an easy-to-use visual dashboard, and invite trainees to participate. Mindflash handles all of the testing, content management, course management, and reporting so that companies can focus on developing their employees. ... read more about Mindflash LMS

    Entry Level Price
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    Free Trial
    N/A
    Category Focus
    100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • CoreAchieve

    LMS Platform as a Service
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    CoreAchieve - e-Learning management and content distribution platform designed to drive engagement and revenue, at affordable, predictable costs. ... read more about CoreAchieve

    Entry Level Price
    $299 Per Month
    Free Trial
    Available
    Category Focus
    100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • LearnLinq

    A learning platform for demonstrably skilled & certified employees!
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    LearnLinq is an user-friendly learning management system (LMS) designed to be a next generation platform that enables course administration, training management, and e-learning. With LearnLinq, your employees don’t have to wonder what type of learning modules do they have to fulfill next or when to start the process. The system automatically decides what they should learn and when they should st ... read more about LearnLinq

    Entry Level Price
    $235 Per Year
    Free Trial
    N/A
    Category Focus
    100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • Brainmint

    Smarter, faster training on-the-go
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    Brainmint is an easily deployable and manageable mobile learning management system (mLMS). The app offers an interactive way of learning on-the-go and works in both online and offline mode. Available on Android and iOS platforms, the mobile learning app offers insightful reports about your complete online training program. It offers microlearning, pre & post assessment, and gamified learning to ma ... read more about Brainmint

    Entry Level Price
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    Free Trial
    N/A
    Category Focus
    100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • Intuto

    LEARNING MADE SIMPLE
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    Intuto exists to provide a full software and service training solution for small and medium businesses. We created Intuto for small to mid-sized businesses because access to high quality business specific online training is out-of-the-question expensive for these companies. Intuto has been created by a team of online learning experts who have been delivering online training to some of the world’ ... read more about Intuto

    Entry Level Price
    $250 Per Month
    Free Trial
    14 Days
    Category Focus
    100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • Brainier LMS

    Go Beyond Training
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    The Brainier LMS: An award winning Learning Management System. The Brainier LMS was created from the ground up to address the input of learners and trainers - completely new, completely unique, and completely open. With Brainier, your learning has no limits. ... read more about Brainier LMS

    Entry Level Price
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    N/A
    Category Focus
    100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • MemberClicks LMS

    Your one-stop shop for online learning
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    MC | LMS, the full-scale learning management system from MemberClicks, gives associations the ability to easily manage and deliver valuable content, all from an easy-to-use interface. (Easy for administrators and learners.) Track continuing education credits, host webinars, and more. MC | LMS, the full-scale learning management software from MemberClicks, can handle it all. ... read more about MemberClicks LMS

    Entry Level Price
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    N/A
    Category Focus
    100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • Qintil Learning

    Thousands of ways to learn. One place to find, manage and share it all.
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    Learning Manager helps you deliver training, manage compliance, deploy documents and more, and comes with free courses to get you started. Find & deliver courses. Manage training & compliance. See what your team have learnt elsewhere. Learning Manager helps you design and deliver courses online and in a virtual or real life classroom. Recruitment Manager is an applicant tracking and onboa ... read more about Qintil Learning

    Entry Level Price
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    Category Focus
    20% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software
  • Skolera

    Streamlined and Integrated Learning
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    Skolera provides the proper modern environment for a streamlined and integrated learning experience. It offers schools the ultimate solution for all their managerial and administrative tasks and operations. Skolera is designed to allow for easy integration between its learning management system (LMS) platform and its school management system (SMS) platform for easier and more productive management ... read more about Skolera

    Entry Level Price
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    Free Trial
    N/A
    Category Focus
    100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software

Buyer’s Guide

Buyer’s Guide for Learning Management System (LMS) Software

Learning management systems (LMS) are the outcome of the paradigm shift from the closed model and instructor centric learning sessions to an open, interactive, and learner-centric approach. The learning management systems pioneered the transition from the institutional to individual-centric learning instructions. The functionalities of the learning management system to deliver learning content rapidly with centralized administration, self-service options for learners, and the scalable online platform have made it a preferred alternative for the traditional classroom learning. Learning management system software, popularly known as the LMS software, is sought after application suites by the corporate and education sector for skill-development, training, content, and course delivery to employees, students, workers, and clients. 

According to a research conducted by a leading learning management software vendor, around 77% of U.S corporations use a learning management system for training employees. 

With a plethora of LMS software available in the software market, it can be confusing to choose and deploy the best suitable LMS software for your training and development purposes. This buyer's guide for Learning Management System (LMS) software intends to be a helpful resource and guidance tool for those seeking to buy and implement an LMS software for their organization. This guide will assist you in selecting the best available LMS software option for your learning needs. But before we go there, let us understand what learning management systems means and how does it work?

What is a Learning Management System? 

A learning management system is a program designed to create, track, and manage training modules, teaching resources, online learning content, assessment modules, and many more. It is used by organizations, subject matter experts, professionals, academicians, and trainers to deliver training or learning content to their target audience (learner). The target audience is often referred to as 'learners.' Usually, these learners are employees, students, workers, clients, external resource persons, channel partners, officials, etc. 

How does an LMS work?

An LMS  provides training content online and regulates the learning activity. Extension of horizons in the online training and e-learning modules led to the development of learning management systems with an engaging interface and standardized formats.

Learning management systems are popular due to their unprecedented reach and flexibility. A learning management system is an all-rounder concept that works by taking care of the administration, reporting, documentation, e-learning, training, evaluation, and analysis of the learning process or training activity. 

What is the Learning Management System (LMS) Software?  

A learning management system software is a set of tools, applications, and suites designed to create learning modules, automate the learning processes, assist trainers in course management and administration, and provide a collaborative workspace for data-driven learning. It comes with features such as course building, web-conferencing, assessment tools, gamification, social media integration, and many more to help the companies, instructors, and trainers to instruct and train their learners effectively and in an engaging way. 

What are the reasons you need an LMS software? 

The major reasons why you will need a learning management system software for your company are rooted in the fact that current market dynamics are changing rapidly. In present times business and academic environments around the world have seen increased adoption of digital learning, e-learning in the corporates and academics, inclination towards (BYOD) Bring Your Own Device policy, initiatives towards training and development, Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered personalized learning, enterprise mobility, and Machine Learning (ML). Companies know that trained employees can bring a greater return on investment and can increase your business's productivity significantly. Professionals can improve their qualifications and skills by enrolling in new courses and add more value to their existing profession. 

Companies need LMS software to create a content database in one place, which can be accessible by all employees with a simple login. Your company needs an LMS software to track the learning progress of employees and timely completion, of course. With the LMS software, companies can reduce the costs of training and development and also ensure that all employees are getting uniform content irrespective of their location. With LMS software in hand, it is easy for businesses to handle the documentation, regulatory compliance, administration, content, and learning progress of employees. It is also easy to modify and update the course with LMS software. 

What are the different types of LMS Software?

SaaS-Based

SaaS (Software as a Service) based LMS software can be an on-premise software that is installed to your local servers, or it can be cloud-based or web based service provided by the vendor. 

Open Source: 

Open-source learning management software lets the users access the codes, configure and reprogram it to address their specific needs. 

Cloud-based or Web-based

Cloud-based or web-hosted LMS is hosted on the cloud server or online servers and is accessible online by administrators. 

On-premise

An on-premise learning management system software is installed on your internal local servers, and your own IT personnel look after the updates and maintenance. 

What is the right time to invest in LMS software?

When traditional board training is not bringing in results

When the number of employees of companies increases, it is no longer possible to stick to the traditional classroom sessions for training employees. In such situations, existing learning systems have to be either upgraded or a new mode of learning system has to be introduced. So, whenever the traditional modes of imparting training and learning fail to bring the desired results, then it's advisable to shift to a new Learning management system. 

Employee or learner’s disinterest in the course:

The newer interactive learning concepts such as MOOCs (Massive open online courses) came into existence to provide highly engaging content and soon became popular as a new addition to corporate learning strategy. Most of the MOOCs run on the LMS platform. Most of these courses enjoy a higher rate of completion, learner engagement, and positive learner feedback. So, companies should deploy LMS software if their learners show disinterest in the traditional learning program.

When employees are not accessible simultaneously: 

Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes, UK, had 76 outlets spread across the UK. With such massive staff spread, the company needed an identical training module at every location to train the retail staff. It was not possible to get all the staff at one place from the stores located at different places for training sessions. Therefore, they deployed LMS software to train the staff.  

When employees/Clients/associates demand flexibility to learn:

Pennsylvania Automotive Association (PAA) caters to the over 1000 car and truck dealers and provides training to the dealers’ employees in order to make them comply with legislative requirements, meet safety regulations, etc. However, the dealers were unwilling to let their employees leave dealerships to attain the sessions as this would create a scarcity of office staff. They objected to the inconvenience and demanded flexibility. PAA deployed LMS software to train employees spread across Pennsylvania. 

When the best trainer is not accessible physically: 

Sometimes you need the best trainer in a particular field, and you want all your employees to be trained by him or her only. If you have employees located in different geographic locations, then it may not always be feasible for the instructor to visit each place physically. In such a case, LMS software can solve the issue. You can deploy LMS software to train your staff on a digital platform. 

What is the Industry-wise requirements of LMS Software?

Corporate companies

The corporate world has always been more receptive to technological advancements. They act swiftly with the need of the hour. Today the corporate world utilizes LMS software for training and development of employees, employee engagement, and employee training assessments.

Education

The increased usage and adoption of mobile devices by students have brought a significant change in the educational field. Schools, colleges, and universities cannot deny that students are using mobile devices to search for information and download learning material. The only issue is the curation of the information that students access. Knowing the need of the time, schools, universities, professors, and academicians now use LMS to record and deliver lectures, sessions, design MOOCs (Massive open online courses), supplement material for hybrid or blended learning, etc.

Fitness Companies

Fitness brands are driving growth by using LMS software to train their Gym instructors in the latest fitness routines. Gyms with multiple branches use LMS software to enable their trainers to share information and ideas with each other. 

Medical

Today medical practitioners use LMS software for internetworking with experts around the globe. Medical practitioners working in other countries use it to do culture-sensitive courses. Doctors serving in multi-ethnic groups do course to understand the protocols to be followed while treating patients, especially female patients of different cultures. LMS is also used to maintain an information hub for medical practitioners or to train patient support representatives.

Franchises

It is essential for a franchise to maintain the same standard of service across all units. Franchises use LMS software to train staff and maintain uniformity in their business. 

Companies that specialize in Staffing and Training

Companies that specialize in staffing and training use LMS software for training the staff of their client companies. It also helps them to ensure learning is engaging and effective with digitized content.

What are the Current Trends in Learning Management and the role of LMS software in it?

Blended Learning

Blended learning is quite popular in the modern training world. Blended learning is the union of traditional instructor-led-training and online e-learning. Blended learning capitalizes on both traditional learning and e-learning to provide a robust and engaging experience to learners. LMS software provides a platform for blended learning where learners can log into LMS and can attend a live session delivered by the instructor. Learners can ask questions to the instructor, give feedback, and discuss content with fellow learners. The instructor can use tools such as whiteboard, class polling, charts, etc. to provide an actual classroom experience to the learners. It is a virtual classroom session that can be recorded for replay or for the learners who were unable to attend the live session. Instructors can give online assessment tests to learners and evaluate them online. 

Gamification

The most crucial aspect of training is to keep the learner engaged and attentive. It won't take long for the boredom to creep in if the course is monotonous. Gamification has established itself as a new method of instruction and training. It is fun, rewarding, and challenging. LMS software assists in keeping scores, awarding visual badges, unlocking game levels, and monitoring game learning. Adobe created 'LevelUp for Photoshop' gamification to teach its users to use the free trial version of Adobe Photoshop. It brought four times more conversion from free trials to paid ones.

Learner Centric Approach

The modern approach to training is learner-centric. Learner's progress is one of the core metrics on which the success of a training program is evaluated. In a learner-centric approach, the focus is on the responsiveness and satisfaction of the learner. Collaboration and interaction with fellow learners are essential attributes of learner-centered course design. An LMS software has features to design a learner-centric course, and based on the learner's feedback; it can be easily modified by the instructor. 

Mooc Integrations

With prestigious universities offering MOOCs, there is a radical shift of importance from institutions to the learners. MOOCs are the latest addition to teaching advancement and learning methodology. MOOC is an online course, and it runs smoothly if an LMS platform is used to deliver MOOCs. LMS software has tools and features that make MOOCs highly efficient and engaging. 

Video-based Interactive learning

The future of content is 'Video.' Audio-visual content is the best strategy when it comes to corporate training. Trainers are relying more and more on videos to engage learners and keep them interested in the content. LMS software has features that make it easy to create interactive videos for learners. 

Micro-learning

The concept of micro-learning emerged to cater to the present day busy and savvy information consumer. Micro-learning refers to the grasping of short, authentic, eye-catching, and engaging information by the learners. Mostly the content used in micro-learning is in the form of infographics and videos.  LMS is used to compile and manage these 'bite-sized pieces' of information.

Peer Interaction

Both in instructor-led-training and e-learning, the present trend is to make sure that there is maximum interaction between fellow learners and also between the instructor and the learners. Learners can use LMS software's tools to collaborate and discuss research and findings. 

Social media integration

Today, social media has become a part of the work culture of many organizations. Learners utilize social media tools for making learning more engaging and fun for them. Sharing informative blogs, video content, podcast using social media and aligning the course with social media learning tools and analytics increases learner's engagement and participation. 

What are the Functions and Features to look before buying an LMS software?

Course Creation

An important feature that one should look at in an LMS software is its ability to design and create courses. This feature has the ability to distribute and update the course as required. 

Administration

Administrative features to automate course enrollment and notifications, defining user roles, access control to the dashboard, and tracking activities are all available on a single panel. 

Learner Portal

The learning portal of LMS software lets the learners login and manage their course, assignments, discussion forums, etc. This section also provides them the details of their progress rate and course completion reports. 

Mobile Learning

Mobile learning support is an important feature that one should look for in an LMS software. As most of the learners use mobile phones to read the content, it is essential for the LMS to work flawlessly on mobile devices. 

SCORM Compliance

SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) is an internationally accepted standard for e-learning. An LMS software should be SCORM compatible. 

Data Collection Tools

It should have data collection tools to assist the learners in collecting, segregating, and analyzing data. 

Certification Management

This feature allows you to create relevant certificate yielding programs and courses. 

Customization 

The user interface, themes, layouts, profile settings can be customized using this option. 

Gamification

LMS should have pre-installed gamification tools such as badges, leaderboards, points, etc. 

Reporting

Learning statistics and analytics provide an in-depth understanding of course gaps. 

Branding Tools

LMS software that offers you the flexibility to customize logo, color scheme, etc. to suit your brand's image and marketing needs, is preferable. 

Scalability

Learning management software comes with a scalable structure. As your employee or learner base increases, you can expand the software to accommodate more learners. 

AI-powered 

LMS software comes with artificial intelligence-powered technology to produce deeper personalization and automated experience. 

Social Media integration: 

LMS software should be able to integrate with social media tools to provide an engaging experience to the learners. 

Data Migration

LMS should be able to gather data of all formats from old LMS software and move it to the current drive. 

Customer support

Technical assistance should be prompt and easy to access. 

What are the advantages of using Learning management software?

Empowerment

The system has the capability to empower the learner and support them to gain career progression. A sales executive can train herself to become a sales manager. A marketing manager can train himself to gain a leadership position. 

Easy Curriculum management

The training content can be polished with the help of an LMS software, and it fills the critical gaps in content to provide a seamless curriculum. 

Easy delivery at multiple levels and in various formats

A learning module can be divided into phases and can be delivered in various formats such as quizzes, audio lectures, video lectures, forum discussions, etc

No Geographic constraints 

An LMS can be accessed from anywhere and anytime. Learners need not be present physically at a particular venue or classroom to attain a lecture. They can access the learning content on their devices anytime and complete the sessions. 

Increased learner interaction

 LMS software has tools to improve the communication and interaction of the learner with the trainer and also with the peer group. More significant interaction is assured with real-time messaging, emails, video-conferencing, peer-to-peer discussion forums, announcement posts, etc. 

Easy Collaboration 

With resource sharing tools of the online learning management systems, the trainer can share modules, projects, worksheets, etc. to let the learner group join together as a community or team to collaborate on projects.

Easy tracking of learner's progress

The trainer or course instructor can track the course completion status, learner’s hitherto progress, and assimilation points easily with the help of the LMS software. 

How to evaluate and select the right LMS software for you?

The focus of learning management software is now on the learning experience. Software vendors are offering niche products to help businesses to reach their learning goals. Amidst multiple equally appealing and lucrative options, businesses are likely to get confused to select the best one for their needs. Businesses have to identify requirements and evaluate vendors before making the actual purchase decision.  Any wrong selection can be disruptive to their business. 

Below are some steps that businesses are advised to follow:

  • Your learner's skills, qualifications, age factor, tech-savvy ness, learning goals, demographics, etc. are important factors that need to be taken into consideration to set the requirements of the right LMS software for your business. 
  • Once you know what exactly you need, relate the same to vendors, and ask for price quotations. The vendors offering the lowest pricing should be considered first for trial and demo sessions. 
  • During the trial period, ask as many questions as you can to understand the features thoroughly, and this exercise will also help you to understand the vendor's grasp on the system. You can also ask your vendor to demonstrate how a particular problem that you are facing will be resolved by their product.  
  • Keep in mind the strategic, operational, and technical requirements and learner's goals in mind and see which Learning management software is compatible with taking care of all your requirements. 

What are the Essential Things to keep in mind (Checklist) before buying LMS software?

1. Whether your LMS software provides these four reports?

Completion rate and progress

An essential report generated by learning software is regarding the rate of course completion and the current progress of the learner. Check whether it is provided by the LMS software that you are evaluating to buy.

Feedback Report

The instructor should receive learner feedback after every completed module of the course. Based on the input, an instructor can decide if the course needs to be modified or not. 

Assessment Reports

Assessment reports are generated when the learners complete some assignments. The assignment can be in the form of a quiz, open-ended questions, writing tasks, etc. When a learner completes the assignment, the LMS software will evaluate and generate an assessment report. 

Certificates of Completion

Once the course is complete, and the learner has submitted his/her all assignments, they should get a certificate of completion. 

2. Whether your LMS Vendor fulfills the below criteria?

Customer Support

Robust customer support is important to get you through in the downtime or when your software is caught in glitches. 

Customer reviews

Always check the reviews of users on verified sites before investing in learning software. A software that has garnered positive reviews should be your first choice.

Industry Experience

The vendor's service history is an aspect that one can check to analyze the vendor's experience in the field. With time most of the vendors get rid of all the major and minor errors and are now in a position to provide flawless services and improved products.

Free Trials and Demo

Go for free trial and demo before you actually put your money in any system. A vendor that denies providing a full-featured free trial or demo should not make it onto your list. 

3. Whether the software falls under your budget?

Cost of the software

The cost factor is an important criterion to consider when you want to invest in an LMS software. Adherence to your budget and buying affordable software that best suits your needs is preferable. 

Return on investment

Calculate the return on investment by comparing the costs v/s the expected monetary benefits. One can also consider intangible benefits by assigning them a monetary value. The ROI should always exceed the costs. 

Hidden fees

Some vendors provide you a monthly subscription, but there may be other hidden costs such as hardware costs, installation costs, registration costs, agreement costs, etc. These costs may increase your budget drastically. 

Subscription model v/s License buy

If it is a subscription model, then you have to pay monthly, half-yearly, or annually depending upon what plan you chose. But if it is a license model, then you have to pay a one time fee to buy a license for a fixed duration or lifetime depending upon the vendor's policies. 

What are the Average Costs for buying LMS  software?

The costs of LMS  software depends on a large number of factors such as:

  •  Functions and features it offers
  •  Whether it is a SaaS-based, on-premise software, open source21 or cloud-based
  •  Number of admins/ users/learners it accommodates
  •  Quality of service offered 
  •  The user interface and learner experience it offers

An advanced LMS such as Skyprep will cost you around $349 for 100 learners and $749 for 500 learners per month, whereas ispringsolutions LMS will cost you only $366 for 100 users and $1410 for 500 users per month. A learning management system such as Proprofs will cost you $100 for 100 users for the essential plan and $200 for 100 users per month for a premium plan. LearnUpon will cost you around $1699 for a premium plan for 500 users per month. 

On average, a full-featured and custom Learning management system software costs around $2 per month per user. The costs, however, decrease if you have more employees on board. There are also some free learning management systems available in the market. These free LMS systems can be utilized if you require limited features. You can also use free and open source learning management system software such as Moodle with an accessible and open ‘source code’ as a stand-alone solution for your needs. 

What is the Future of companies opting for LMS software?

From classroom learning to PC based learning and then digital learning and e-learning, the corporate training world has gone through a revolution in the past decades.  Economic changes and technological advancements led to the explosion in the LMS market. With the addition of concepts such as blended learning, micro-learning, Virtual reality-based learning, etc., the LMS software reached its full potential. With employees valuing training and development as an essential perk for their growth, the corporates understood the need to spend a substantial amount of money on learning and development.  

Research has shown the benefits in terms of improved productivity, decreased employee attrition, increased revenues, and employee satisfaction after deploying LMS software. The global LMS software market size is expected to reach USD 22.4 billion by 2023, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 19.6% during the forecast period. This shows how LMS software is a massive industry in itself and how popular it has become in the corporate training world.  With all the benefits and advantages discussed in this buyer's guide, it is crystal clear that companies investing in LMS software are bound to have a great future and significant leverage over their competitors who refrain from this compelling technology. 

Why to refer to GoodFirms' list of top LMS software?

Goodfirms assist you in knowing the authenticity and accurate categorization of the software. Goodfirms, researches, categorizes, and lists the top software based on their merits, features, costs, customer support, and usability. Goodfirms meticulously analyzes and regularly updates a huge database of above 9000 software services. All software that are included in the final list are further reviewed by the verified users. This makes the Goodfirms’ software list highly reliable and trustworthy. Businesses and academic professionals looking for the best learning management system software for their needs are advised to apply filters based on deployment criteria, pricing models, available support, devices supported, etc. to find the LMS software that will best suit their needs. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is LMS? What Are LMS Tools?

LMS is the short-form for learning management systems or learning management software. These platforms offer comprehensive automation features and modules called learning management tools (LMS tools) to help organizations, businesses, and schools control and streamline their training and development process in one place.

What Are the Benefits of Using LMS Software?

The benefits of the best learning software are:

  • Managing all learning needs from one platform
  • Streamlined training and development process
  • Access to learning material anytime and anywhere
  • Assessment/tracking of learner’s performance and progress
  • Elimination of geographic constraints with distance/remote learning
  • Saving time and cost
  • Enhanced interaction and collaboration

Why Are Online Learning Management Systems Preferred?

Online LMS systems, also known as elearning applications or virtual learning platforms, are preferable because they allow users the convenience of access from anywhere. These also make data sharing and updates easy. Online LMS enables webinars and a live classroom streaming facility for virtual interaction between the tutor and learner that is as productive as the traditional face-to-face classroom learning.

Which Industries or Sectors Need Learning Management Software?

Every sector requires training and development of their human resource. Schools and educational institutions need it for the students, and businesses train their employees to improve performance. The list of industries that leverage learning software is non-exhaustive and includes all the prominent sectors like:

  • Government and non-profit organizations
  • IT
  • Healthcare
  • Hospitality
  • Insurance
  • Finance
  • Retail
  • Manufacturing
  • Real estate

Which Is the Best Learning Management Software?

All LMS software solutions offer different features, as organizations and businesses have varying learning management needs. The same size does not fit all, and the same learning management software may not be the best for all businesses.

GoodFirms has compiled a list of top learning management software for you to leverage and find the best LMS software for your organization. It summarizes the details of different solutions, including features, reviews, and pricing information. It allows additional filters like deployment type and business size to shortlist the best learning software options based on your needs. Do also check the software’s feedback from other customers of your specific industry.

What Are the Factors That Influence the Pricing of Learning Management Software?

Pricing for LMS software is based on several factors to include:

  • The number of learners or users
  • Features and customization that your business or organization needs
  • Integrations that you need for the LMS with other systems that you use
  • Deployment type (on-premise, cloud-based, SaaS-based, etc.)
  • Data migration needs based on the complexity of your existing systems

What Is the Cost of Learning Management System Software?

Based on various factors, as discussed above, the cost of LMS software varies a lot. Besides, learning management needs also significantly differ for each business or organization, requiring higher customization and increased expenses. You can get reliable learning software options for as low as $27 per month; for example, WizIQ LMS. ProProfs Training Maker costs $150 per month for upto 75 learners, and Abara LMS costs $420 per month for 50 users and $2000 per month for upto 1000 users.

Are There Any Free Learning Management Systems?

There are many free learning management tools available in the market for organizations with budget limitations. For details, please refer to our blog on the best free and open-source learning management software that lists numerous free LMS software tools.

Are LMS Software Systems Secure?

Security is the prime concern for all organizations, and LMS systems host sensitive, confidential data for the businesses. So, the top learning management system vendors typically provide robust, multi-layer security features. It is still crucial to confirm the particular software product’s security through reviews, ratings, and other users’ feedback before deciding to buy one.

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