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 and provide an excellent study experience for your students. While finding the best LMS software in the market is daunting, GoodFirms understands your dilemma. Thus, we curate a list of the best learning management systems 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 and package pricing options and verified client reviews to aid their search efforts.
List of Best Learning Management Systems (LMS) Software with Reviews
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The Axonify learning platform makes sure your frontline employees remember to do the things that matter most. Every day. By providing a personalized learning experience that fits naturally into the daily workflow - and only takes a few minutes to complete - we ingrain the knowledge your employees need to change their behavior, and achieve your business goals. Axonify is trusted by more business le ... read more about Axonify
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus30% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
BusinessTraining –TV is the ideal eLearning platform for training employees, contractors, volunteers, students, and management. BusinessTraining –TV is a high quality video based e-learning platform with engaging training modules designed for staff to understand and assist trainers in getting results in business development, growth and compliance, with full reporting history including some mar ... read more about Business Training TV
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree Trial14 DaysCategory Focus30% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
The Learning Management System (LMS) for creating scalable continuing education and certificate training programs. Using our intuitive, user-friendly platform, develop dynamic multimedia training's for program evaluation, competency evaluation, and staff development. Our tech-savvy administration process enables you to deliver content on mobile, tablet, or desktop. Check out our Enterprise Plans f ... read more about CertCentral
Entry Level Price$29 Per MonthFree Trial30 DaysCategory Focus50% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
Spend less time searching and more time making a difference! Our Customer Success Managers will be there every step of the way with their deep knowledge of the Go1 library. As strategic advisors, they will help you get the most out of your Go1 subscription and achieve your business and L&D goals. ... read more about GO1 LMS
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree Trial14 DaysCategory Focus30% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
In addition to Disprz’s LMS and LXP platforms, our unique frontline enablement solution (FLE) is a mobile learning platform designed to address the unique needs of the distributed workforce. With multilingual options and a mobile-first approach, it helps keep the deskless workforce engaged & productive while learning. It includes features such as KPI-linked coaching, proctored assessments and o ... read more about Disprz Frontline Readiness Platform
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree Trial14 DaysCategory Focus25% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
CloudVOTE is a cloud-based education and training platform that offers centralized learning content management with offline sync, online and offline audience polling, and free-from texting within a secure and private single-tenant, or multi-tenant environment.With CloudVOTE, you can control content from a central location and manage its distribution according to your organizations rules and struct ... read more about CloudVOTE
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree Trial14 DaysCategory Focus25% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
SessionLab is the dynamic way to design your workshop and collaborate with your co-facilitators. Workshop design made a real flow experience: SessionLab gets you covered with the Training Planner, a tool that works just perfectly for planning a bespoke training or a facilitated workshop. Work together anytime, anywhere: SessionLab makes it easy to design your workshop with your colleagues whether ... read more about SessionLab
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus25% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
Skilful supports training providers in enhancing and tailoring the learner experience, improving learner attraction, retention and maximising learning outcomes for life and work, beyond the subject matter. It supports and develops tutors as practitioners, by providing insight into their own personalities and the dynamics of their tutor groups, with practical advice on lesson planning, adapting ... read more about Skilful.co
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus30% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
HowToo brings a unique focus on science-backed learning principles and digital accessibility. Infusing these commitments into our platform allows anyone to create high quality learning that can be experienced by people of all abilities. > Create stunning courses easily > Share your learning in a few clicks > Track your learner's results, refine and improve. Get started completely free on o ... read more about How Too
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus25% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
SEQTA’s vision has always been to improve the lives of teachers because of the critical role they play in shaping the lives of children and adolescents. Unfortunately, increasing administration workloads takes teachers’ time and energy away from planning and delivering great learning experiences, and can leave them feeling that they’re never on top of their workloads. As a deputy principal, ... read more about SEQTA
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus33% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
Deventure Training is a configurable, scalable and intuitive Learning Management System (LMS). Keep your staff updated to the latest information in various domains by assigning them video courses and quizzes. Provide your trainees access to courses anytime and anywhere through the download and watch offline capability. With automation at its core, your training department gains insights, manages c ... read more about Deventure Training
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus30% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
EdCast Learning Experience Platform (LXP) unifies learning, skill building and career development in the flow of work. From communications and productivity apps in everyday use to functional specific systems, EdCast Learning Experience Platform fosters a culture of learning enabling you to attract, develop and retain high performing talent. ... read more about EdCast
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Backed by 16+ years of experience, over 8 decades of leadership expertise, 50+ awards and recognition, and 1M+ users worldwide, we are a leading provider of a comprehensive ready-to-use content library and a world-class Learning Management System to businesses worldwide. We are headquartered in Pune, India with local representation through our wide network of Sales partners serving a global client ... read more about Plethora
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
A Learning Management System (LMS) is a software application that facilitates the administration, delivery, and management of educational courses or training programs. It provides a centralized platform for instructors, learners, and administrators to interact, access course materials, and track progress. Instructors can upload materials and create assessments, while learners can access content, p ... read more about Violet LMS
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
The Edsby team has been building award-winning software for education for over thirty years. Company founders include the founders and architects of FirstClass®, a messaging and collaboration product used by millions of students and teachers around the world and credited as one of the earliest learning management systems. The company’s close relationships with education customers over three dec ... read more about Edsby
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus25% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
MindScroll is a new age digital learning platform enabling small, mid-size, and large businesses to create, sell or consume online courses in minutes. With an integrated course catalogue, payment gateway, content delivery, and assessment engine, MindScroll provide an end-to-end digital learning solution to businesses. With Simple, intuitive, and responsive UI, Mindscroll LMS is truly mobile-first ... read more about MindScroll LMS
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus33% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
A founding member of the eLearning industry, for over 30 years Intellek has provided one of the most well-established product sets of cloud-based training software and learning technology available. With our feature-rich, mobile-friendly and secure Learning Content Management System you can – create courseware, manage learner resources and deliver training – for your organization’s learning ... read more about Intellek
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus34% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
Spark is our cloud-based Learning Management System that allows you to deploy and monitor all your learning experiences from one digital platform. Powered by cutting-edge technology, it is designed to enhance the learner experience and realise measurable business benefits for organisations who value deep learner insights, automation and efficiency. Sponge is a next-gen learning management syste ... read more about Spark LMS
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Learnry, our valuable and ideal Learning Management System is designed with the user in mind. It includes tools that facilitate how people learn, ensure better outcomes and help organisations effectively scale and manage their Learning and Development activities ... read more about Learnry
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree Trial30 DaysCategory Focus100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
Gurucan is a 7-in-one platform for digital businesses. With Gurucan creators launch online courses, run live sessions and webinars, sell memberships, or even create their own mobile apps. Everything in a simple and easy to use interface. ... read more about Gurucan
Entry Level Price$26 Per MonthFree Trial7 DaysCategory Focus33% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
The EduKool LMS is a complete set of learning tools that brings full-fledged e-learning to your classes. With our customized tablets the need to carry heavy bags or shuffle through books and notebooks is eliminated. Everything is available on tablets. From library books to course content to assignments distributed by their teachers, students can access their entire curriculum through their tablets ... read more about Edukool LMS
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
The flagship product, Camu, is a cloud solution offered in the SaaS model for both, the web and mobile platforms. Camu offers an Integrated Student Information System (SIS) and Learning Management System (LMS) with a framework that enables Institutions to easily adopt modern learning concepts such as Outcome Based Education (OBE), Competency based learning and the Flexible Choice Based Credit Syst ... read more about CAMU
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Founded in 2015, by Amit D Mishra (Founder and CEO), and Sujit Karpe (Co-founder and CTO), iMocha’s platform is used by over 300 organizations in more than 70 countries. iMocha enables enterprises to acquire talent faster and in measuring the ROI from their talent development initiatives. Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft described iMocha’s platform as a highly innovative skilling API th ... read more about imocha
Entry Level Price$150 Per MonthFree TrialN/ACategory Focus25% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
Deliver online remote synchronous sessions using a growing, prebuilt Design and build with ease your own new team activities, energizers, ice breakers and games Help others to achieve more by sharing your own activity designs Unleash creativity with boards, notes, object sets, widgets, shapes magnets, story-board cards Create multi language activities so you can serve a global audience ... read more about Colltrain
Entry Level Price$30 Per MonthFree Trial30 DaysCategory Focus25% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
We have created one app that provides all learning solutions like live classes, study material, creating courses and exams, taking online tests, online fees submission, organisation-student-teacher-parent communication, etc. ... read more about eProfessor
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus25% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
As a scalable, user-driven, and budget-friendly learning management system, Bokamoso LMS is an excellent application running over the cloud. The tool is designed to tailor to the exhaustive needs of training and imparting knowledge. Bokamoso LMS is a cloud-based, next-generation, and cost-effective solution designed to improve learning engagement and outcomes without geographical limitations. Chec ... read more about Bokamoso LMS
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree Trial15 DaysCategory Focus100% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
Zerite Systems is an all in one platform to manage all your contractor information, documents, licences and certificates for compliance along with training and induction delivery via the learning module. Additional modules include safety management which covers all aspects of safety recording, monitoring and management and asset management tools for maintaining servicing records and condition of a ... read more about Zerite
Entry Level Price$175 Per MonthFree Trial30 DaysCategory Focus25% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
Purpose-built student management software solution to drive digital transformation and impact across your K-12 school. Flexible and scalable to work the way you want. K–12 private schools are building a better world by preparing students for lifelong success. Blackbaud school management software helps schools deliver on that mission by connecting parents, teachers, and students to drive achievem ... read more about Blackbaud LMS
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus33% in Learning Management System (LMS) Software -
NETconsent enables your organisation to become compliant and remain compliant with your business processes and regulatory requirements. At the heart of our solution are three key pillars; Policy Management, Learning Management System and Content. All of which work in harmony to help educate your workforce, thereby driving positive change to facilitate compliance. Through education, you can increas ... read more about NETconsent
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree Trial30 DaysCategory Focus50% 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 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 traditional classroom learning. Learning management system software, popular as LMS software, is a sought-after application suite by the corporate and education sector for skill development, training, content, and course delivery to employees, students, workers, and clients.
According to research by a leading learning management software vendor, around 77% of U.S. corporations use a learning management system to train employees.
With a plethora of LMS software available in the software market, choosing and deploying the best suitable LMS software for your training and development purposes can be confusing. 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 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 mean and how they 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 developing 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 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 significantly increase your business's productivity. Professionals can improve their qualifications and skills by enrolling in new courses and adding more value to their profession.
Companies need LMS software to create a content database in one place, accessible by all employees with a simple login. Your company needs LMS software to track employees' learning progress and timely completion, of course. With the LMS software, companies can reduce training and development costs and 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 on-premise software installed on your local servers or a cloud-based or web-based service provided by the vendor.
Open Source:
Open-source learning management software lets users access codes and configure and reprogram them to address their 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./p>
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 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 a 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 over 1000 car and truck dealers and provides training to their employees to make them comply with legislative requirements, meet safety regulations, etc. However, the dealers were unwilling to let their employees leave dealerships to attend 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 employee training and development, 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 use 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, and 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 courses 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 specializing in staffing and training use LMS software to train 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 attend a live session delivered by the instructor. Learners can ask the instructor questions, give feedback, and discuss content with fellow learners. The instructor can use tools such as a 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 a 'LevelUp for Photoshop' gamification to teach its users to use the free trial version of Adobe Photoshop. It brought four times more conversions 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 learner's responsiveness and satisfaction. 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 that 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 learners grasping short, authentic, eye-catching, and engaging information. 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
In both instructor-led training and e-learning, the present trend is to make sure that there is maximum interaction between fellow learners and between the instructor and the learners. Learners can use LMS software 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 to make learning more engaging and fun for them. Sharing informative blogs, video content, and podcasts using social media and aligning the course with social media learning tools and analytics increases learners' 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 can distribute and update the course as required.
Administration
Administrative features to automate course enrollment and notifications, define user roles, provide access control to the dashboard, and track activities are all available on a single panel.
Learner Portal
The learning portal of LMS software lets the learners login and manage their courses, assignments, discussion forums, etc. This section also provides them with 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, the LMS needs 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, and 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 allows you to customize a 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 uses 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 can empower the learners and support them in gaining 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 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 physically present at a particular venue or classroom to attend 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. Real-time messaging, emails, video-conferencing, peer-to-peer discussion forums, announcement posts, and more significant interaction is assured.
Easy Collaboration
With resource-sharing tools of 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 reach their learning goals. Amidst multiple equally appealing and lucrative options, businesses will likely get confused when selecting the best one for their needs. Businesses must identify requirements and evaluate vendors before making the 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-savvyness, 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 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 possible to understand the features thoroughly; this exercise will also help you know the vendor's grasp of the system. You can also ask your vendor to demonstrate how their product will resolve a particular problem that you are facing.
- Remember the strategic, operational, and technical requirements and learner's goals and see which learning management software is compatible with handling all your requirements.
What are the Essential Things to keep in mind (Checklist) before buying LMS software?
1. Does your LMS software provide 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 module of the course is completed. 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 learners complete 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. Does your LMS Vendor fulfill the below criteria?
Customer Support
Robust customer support is important to get you through 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. 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 have gotten 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 a 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. Does the software fall under your budget?
Cost of the software
Cost is an important criterion when investing in LMS software. Adherence to your budget and buying affordable software 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 with 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 on what plan you choose. But if it is a license model, 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 depend 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 revolutionized in the past decades. Economic changes and technological advancements led to the explosion in the LMS market. With the addition of 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 substantial money on learning and development.
Research has shown the benefits of improved productivity, decreased employee attrition, increased revenues, and employee satisfaction after deploying LMS software. The global LMS software market 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 and how popular it has become in corporate training. With all the benefits and advantages discussed in this buyer's guide, it is 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 helps you know the authenticity and accuracy of the software categorization. GoodFirms researches, categorizes, and lists the top software based on its merits, features, costs, customer support, and usability. GoodFirms meticulously analyzes and regularly updates a vast database of over 9000 software services. The verified users further review all software included in the final list. This makes the GoodFirms’ software list highly reliable and trustworthy. Businesses and academic professionals looking for the best learning management system software are advised to apply filters based on deployment criteria, pricing models, available support, devices supported, etc., to find the LMS software that best suits their needs.
Learning Management Systems (LMS) Comparison: Blackboard Learn, Cornerstone Learning, Docebo, Adobe Captivate, and Talent LMS
Feature | Blackboard Learn | Cornerstone Learning | Docebo | Adobe Captivate | Talent LMS |
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Company Background | Blackboard Learn is developed by Blackboard Inc., a leading educational technology company founded in 1997. | Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc., a global talent management software company, develops Cornerstone Learning. | Docebo is developed by Docebo Inc., a cloud-based learning management system provider founded in 2005. | Adobe Captivate is developed by Adobe Inc., a leading software company known for its creative solutions. | Talent LMS was developed by Epignosis LLC, a software company that has been focusing on e-learning solutions since 2012. |
Target Audience | Educational institutions, businesses of all sizes | Large enterprises focus on corporate training | Businesses of all sizes | Individual course creators, eLearning professionals | Businesses of all sizes |
Pricing | Paid plans | Paid plans | Paid plans | Paid plans | Paid plans |
Focus | Comprehensive LMS for delivering and managing online courses | Enterprise LMS with talent management features | Learner-centric LMS with social and gamification elements | eLearning authoring tool for creating interactive courses | Cloud-based LMS with a focus on user experience |
Strengths | Scalable, robust features for managing learning content and users | Powerful learning paths, social learning features, analytics | User-friendly interface, mobile learning capabilities, strong integrations | Powerful authoring tools for creating high-quality, interactive courses | Easy to use, affordable, focus on user experience |
Weaknesses | Can be complex to set up and manage, expensive for small businesses | Expensive, requires significant IT resources | May lack advanced features compared to enterprise LMS | Not an LMS platform, focuses on course creation | Limited features compared to enterprise LMS options |
Best for | Educational institutions and businesses need a comprehensive LMS with robust features | Large enterprises with complex training needs | Businesses seeking a user-friendly and social learning platform | Creating high-quality, interactive eLearning courses | Businesses seeking an affordable and user-friendly LMS |
Integration | Integrates with various learning tools, student information systems (SIS), library systems, video conferencing platforms, and third-party applications. | Integrates with HR systems, talent management software, applicant tracking systems, performance management tools, and other HR software. | Integrates with HRIS, CRM, CMS, webinar platforms, ecommerce systems, HR tools, and other business applications through APIs and connectors. | Integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud, SCORM-compliant authoring tools, learning management systems (LMS), and third-party platforms. | Integrates with HR systems, CRM software, video conferencing platforms, ecommerce systems, and other business applications through APIs and connectors. |
GoodFirms Notes: | Blackboard Learn is an established LMS platform with robust features for managing learning content and users. | Cornerstone Learning is an established LMS platform with robust features for managing learning content and users. | Docebo offers a user-friendly interface and social learning features, which are ideal for businesses seeking an engaging learning experience. | Adobe Captivate is not an LMS but a powerful tool for creating eLearning courses that can be integrated with various LMS platforms. | Talent LMS is a cloud-based LMS focusing on user experience, offering a good balance of features and affordability for businesses of all sizes. |