Categories   >   Online Learning Platforms
Last Reviewed: November 18th, 2024

Best Online Learning Platforms Of 2024

What are Online Learning Platforms?

Online Learning Platforms are digital systems that deliver training and educational content, solving the problem of inflexible, location-dependent traditional learning methods. They present new opportunities for personal and professional development, making education accessible, customizable and democratic. Their benefits include flexibility, scalability and personalization, with features often encompassing multimedia content, built-in assessments, progress tracking and interactivity. Future advancements may see increased use of AI, VR and microlearning tactics. Users range from individual learners seeking personal growth to companies deploying workforce training. However, these platforms could face limitations in terms of reduced social interaction, tech access inequality and varying digital literacy among users. Summarily, Online Learning Platforms present transformative opportunities for education at scale – their benefits transcending geography and schedule constraints. Their capacity to democratize, personalize and innovate education signals a dynamic future for learning and growth, marking them as integral tools in today’s digital world.

What Are The Key Benefits of Online Learning Platforms?

  • Offers flexible learning schedule
  • Enables global accessibility
  • Provides diverse subject offerings
  • Supports personalized learning paths
  • Allows scalability of training
  • Facilitates immediate feedback
  • Encourages self-paced learning
  • Reduces education costs
  • Ensures up-to-date content
  • Increases learner engagement
Read more

Overall

Based on the latest available data collected by SelectHub for 138 solutions, we determined the following solutions are the best Online Learning Platforms overall:

Litmos
Litmos
Start Price
$5,400
Annually
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Request Pricing Request Demo

Why We Picked Litmos

SAP Litmos really stands out as a user-friendly, cloud-based LMS that suits businesses of all sizes and industries. We love how intuitive the interface is and how quick and easy it is to set up, making it perfect for organizations looking for a hassle-free training solution. The availability of off-the-shelf courses means you can get started with training right away without having to develop content from scratch.

The platform’s AI features are a huge plus, offering targeted materials and actionable insights to boost learning efficiency. With a vast course library and the option to monetize training content, Litmos adds excellent value to the learning experience. Its streamlined course management, customizable assessments and branding options let you tailor the platform to fit your needs perfectly.

However, there are a few areas where Litmos could improve. Expanding its compliance capabilities and enhancing collaboration features with native group chat and two-way messaging would be beneficial. Additionally, refining the course-building process and improving the content authoring tool could enhance the overall user experience.

Despite these areas for growth, Litmos is a strong choice for a flexible and efficient LMS. Its user-friendly design, AI-powered features and extensive course library make it a valuable asset for onboarding, employee development and customer training initiatives. The platform's focus on customization and flexibility empowers you to create a tailored learning experience that aligns with your brand and objectives.

Pros & Cons

  • Ease of Use: Users find Litmos easy to use, both for learners and administrators. It has a clean and modern interface that is simple to navigate.
  • Customization: The platform offers a wide range of features that can be customized to meet specific needs, such as branding and assignment management.
  • Customer Support: Users appreciate Litmos' customer support team's quick and efficient response. The Dojo learning tool and online help forums are cited as valuable resources for learning and troubleshooting.
  • Quick Setup: Many users highlight the rapid implementation process, allowing organizations to get started with training programs without extensive delays. This is particularly beneficial for companies needing to onboard employees quickly.
  • Training Efficiency: Litmos assists in the onboarding process for new employees, making it easier to conduct training programs and ensure compliance. Some users have seen a significant increase in course completion rates after switching to Litmos.
  • Reporting and Customization: Users would like custom reports to be sharable within the system without needing to export and share them manually.
  • Efficiency of Course Building: The process of building courses could be more efficient, particularly in terms of packaging content into classes and courses.
  • Font and Sizing Restrictions: The content authoring tool has some font and sizing restrictions.
  • Customer Support Issues: Some users feel that Litmos's support relies heavily on the user watching learning courses, which can be time-consuming and inefficient.

Key Features

  • Content Authoring: Create professional and interactive eLearning content, suitable for users of all experience levels.
    • Create courses and modules using the intuitive Create Module tool.
    • Customize courses with a neutral theme that highlights your organization’s colors and logos. Tailor fonts, colors and themes to ensure a consistent brand experience.
    • With the following/back options, you can effortlessly navigate through pages or slides. The "lock progress" feature allows you to track learner progress throughout the course.
    • Adhere to 508 and WCAG AA standards to make content accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Users can also select their preferred language.
    • Build courses in multiple languages and structure them with multiple pages or slides. Add, delete, and reorder pages to control course flow and coverage.
    • Use predefined templates and components, such as text and images, videos, quizzes and more. Customize it with headings, images, buttons, and audio.
    • Set various completion criteria such as Last Page, Quiz Pass or Declaration. Attach resources and save important documents for easy access.
    • Publish courses directly into Litmos Training as SCORM 1.2 or download as a SCORM 1.2 ZIP file.
  • Third-Party Integrations: Easily integrate with a variety of third-party tools like Zoom, Zendesk, Okta, BambooHR, Paylocity, Shopify and Dropbox.
  • Off-The-Shelf Content: Access 2,000+ award-winning courses, 80,000+ courses from Go1, and 4,000+ eLearning videos from Bigger Brains. Use ready-made skills tagging and learning paths, or create custom ones tailored to your organization's needs. Enhance learning with workbooks, handouts and more.
  • Mobile App: Engage with training anytime, anywhere, on any device, with a consistent experience across desktop and mobile.
    • Download courses to learn without an internet connection.
    • Enable notifications to stay on track with reminders for deadlines, new courses and upcoming training sessions.
    • Use biometric single sign-on (SSO) and access training materials and interactive content from anywhere.
    • Support for 37 languages, microlearning modules and AI integration.
  • Compliance: Create a consistent compliance culture with up-to-date, country-specific compliance courses created by experts. Upload pre-existing content, create SCORM modules or use Litmos’ off-the-shelf compliance courses. Easily track progress and measure impact using built-in or custom reports to monitor course completions, quiz results and more.
  • Ecommerce: Generate revenue from courses and certifications to boost your bottom line.
    • Sell your courses and certifications on an eCommerce platform.
    • View and adjust revenue based on delivery methods, dates and locations.
    • Sell training credits upfront and bridge revenue gaps with automated tracking and management.
    • Automatically monitor and allocate expenses for events and vendors.
    • Link revenue to different business units or product lines and create unique eCommerce accounts for each.
    • Customize the appearance of your training offerings to match your brand so that customers and partners can easily recognize them.
    • Manage training in multiple languages and currencies with built-in support for global taxation.
    • Connect with CRM, ERP and financial systems using the Litmos API to handle data accurately.
  • Surveys: Use the survey tool and pre-built reports to gather feedback from employees and discover what users think about the course. Create surveys in multiple formats, such as multiple-choice, text comments and a rating scale, and prevent learners from filling out a survey multiple times to ensure accurate results.
  • Instructor-Led Training (ILT): Easily manage both in-person and virtual instructor-led training (ILT and vILT) sessions.
    • Coordinate schedules, track attendance, and handle all training details on a single platform.
    • Integrate with webinar tools like Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Webex
    • Simplify registration with features such as single sign-on, mobile access and automated calendars.
    • Automate attendance tracking and conflict checking and send alerts for schedule changes.
    • Schedule recurring sessions and add multiple instructors to sessions.
  • Assessments: Configure assessments with various question types, such as multiple choice, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank. Set assessments as mandatory or optional, with customizable passing scores, and integrate them directly into courses.
  • Customizations: Personalize the look and feel of your LMS with a variety of customization tools.
  • Branding
    • Custom Branding: Tailor the LMS interface to align with your organization's brand. Modify colors, fonts, logos and backgrounds to create a cohesive brand experience.
    • Custom Login Page: Design a personalized login screen that welcomes users and reflects their brand identity.
    • Header and Footer Customization: Customize the global header and footer for both admin and learner views.
  • Course and Content
    • Built-In Authoring Tool: Use the built-in authoring tool to create and customize courses and reuse existing content, such as PowerPoint presentations and videos.
    • Learning Paths: Create customized learning paths (curriculums) tailored to specific roles or competencies, guiding learners through a structured training experience.
  • User Experience
    • Personalized Views: Create personalized learner views for users to see content that is most relevant to them based on their roles, preferences or past activities.
    • Widgets and Interface Options: You can choose from various widgets, such as news, metrics, and assigned training, to display on the dashboard.
    • Navigation Customization: Select different navigation styles, such as horizontal or vertical menus.
  • Training: Besides the solution’s content library and knowledge management capabilities, it has valuable applications for several specific types of industries.
    • Customer Training: This solution allows for better adoption, upselling, and increased buyer loyalty by providing the opportunity to train customers on how to use products. Tracking lets users see which training programs work best for customers so they can adjust training as needed. Popular training enables organizations to increase sales through the eCommerce function.
    • Sales Training: Accessible by mobile, the sales training can use video assessments to help hone pitches and integrate with a CRM. It also comes with several courses on relevant topics.
    • Operations Training: The dual use of certification programs and learning paths, allows employers to ensure their operations managers are qualified and up to date with compliance issues.
    • Gig Worker Training: For jobs in the gig economy, such as Uber, Lyft and Airbnb contractors, the software can onboard people quickly and efficiently even when they’re not in the same country.
    • Contractor Training: The solution scales easily for a sudden upsurge in workers in an unpredictable market, while reporting and analytics allow managers to monitor workers closely. Bits of microlearning can help a variety of workers answer questions quickly without disrupting the process.
    • Supplier Training: Stay in touch and up to date with suppliers through presentations, video, audio, PowerPoints, reference materials and SCORM-standardized content. Scaling also helps accommodate a significant change in learners.
  • Certificate Management: Create unique certificates to reflect the attributes of each learner and course.
    • Customize various elements of the certificates, such as logos, colors, fonts and text, to align with your brand guidelines and enhance their visual appeal.
    • Create unique certificates for each course, ensuring that the design and content reflect the specific training completed by the learner.
    • Manage the lifecycle of certifications, including expiration notifications and renewal processes, to stay compliant with industry regulations.
  • Monitor Learner Activity: Receive alerts in real time for learner activities, like course completions or milestone achievements. Use the Boost feature to schedule and send push notifications to any device, including wearables.
  • Customizable Subdomains: Create multiple subdomains per subscription, each customizable and brandable. Designate one subdomain as the primary for system-wide course assignments.
  • Gamification: Incorporate gamification elements to enhance user engagement and motivation.
    • Allow learners to earn points and badges for completing courses and display them on their profiles to encourage participation and reward progress.
    • Rank learners on leaderboards based on their points to encourage healthy competition.
    • Tailor gamification mechanics to fit organizational training goals and create a personalized learning experience.
  • Data Reporting: Track learner progress and assess the effectiveness of training programs using insightful data reports.
    • Schedule automated reports to generate and send via email, keeping stakeholders informed without manual effort.
    • Create custom reports tailored to specific metrics or KPIs, focusing on what matters most to your organization.
    • Interpret data quickly with visual dashboards and graphical representations to identify trends and areas of improvement.
    • Track comprehensive metrics, including course completions, learner engagement levels and assessment scores, to get a bird' s-eye view of training activities.
  • Social Learning: Direct messaging and discussion forums enable learners to share insights and clarify doubts in real time. Social media integration allows them to collaborate on learning paths and share achievements and progress, boosting community engagement.

Pricing

License/Subscription Cost
  • Subscription-based pricing model – per user, per month
  • The cost will vary depending on the subscription plan chosen from the pricing plans offered by Litmos LMS: Pro or Pro + Courses.
  • In case monthly active users exceed the monthly limit, Litmos will charge extra at the start of the next billing period
  • An “active user” or “unique login” is any trainer or trainee who signs up during the billing period. Once a user has become “active,” there is no limit to the number of times they can log in
  • Billed annually
Maintenance Cost
  • Included in the subscription cost
  • Litmos provides phone and email support to Enterprise customers 24/7
  • Provides resources such as infographics, guides, white papers, videos and webinars
Installation/Implementation Cost
  • None
Customization Cost
  • Cost will vary depending on the type of functional requirements added on based on business requirements, such as the automation bundle, multi-accounts, sandboxes and migration services
Data Migration Cost/Change Management/Upfront Switching Cost
  • Cost will vary depending on the amount and the type of data to be migrated from the legacy system, the availability of migration tools, the complexity of data, and gaps between the existing system and the new system
Training Cost
  • Provides eLearning and online training to users
  • It offers 1-hour live product training to its users for free
  • It offers hosted on-demand training, enabling users to build, deliver and track training from anywhere
  • Trainers and users can access the training modules or learning content from their mobile devices
  • It helps users build training courses by uploading their existing training material such as PowerPoint presentations, PDF, Word, Excel and other related training documents
Recurring/Renewal Costs
  • Cost is equivalent to the subscription fee to be paid based on the number of active users and customization cost
Seismic Learning
Seismic Learning
Start Price
$300
Monthly
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Request Pricing Request Demo

Why We Picked Seismic Learning

Seismic Learning is an LMS that works particularly well for corporate training. Reviewers liked how easy it was to use and adopt. Many used it to spread information to their employees and partners. They felt it was especially great at spreading new product information and helped train sales staff and customer service teams. Course and lesson creation were said to be extremely easy with this solution and users like the testing facilities in over half of the comments that mentioned it.
On the other side, users weren’t happy with the customization and formatting options. They said that they weren’t able to find the options in text, colors and other design elements they wanted. It was also hard to adapt to all devices and change the more general look and feel of the platform. This solution is suited for small and medium businesses looking to train employees, especially in the sales and customer service departments.

Pros & Cons

  • Intuitive UI: Over 95% of all reviewers who mentioned the ease of use found it simple to learn and adopt the system.
  • Friendly Customer Service: Reviewers who mentioned the customer service loved the staff and felt well-supported more than 90% of the time.
  • Pricing: A total of 90% of users who mentioned price were happy with it and felt they got a good value for their money.
  • Excellent for Company Training: The reviews felt this solution was excellent for training and onboarding over 80% of the time.
  • Poor Customization Options: Just under 60% of all reviewers who mentioned customization said there weren’t enough options – and they couldn’t even access the CSS.
  • Formatting Issues: Around 60% of reviewers couldn’t get the font or color options they wanted and didn’t feel the design was adaptable enough.

Key Features

  • Lesson Builder: A visual drag-and-drop interface enables you to build lessons. You can add elements like images, videos, text, test questions and more. The system also supports SCORM files, including xAPI, AICC and cmi5. 
  • Learning Paths: This feature lets you build different learning paths to fit the needs of your company and ensures every learner receives relevant lessons. For example, you could create a learning path for sales reps with courses that pertain to their role. 
  • Content Hub: Seismic Learning University contains templates and best practices you can use. It also acts as a repository for pre-built courses, which your organization has full access to. Let Seismic Learning know which content you’d like to use and the support team will copy it to your platform. 
  • Single Sign-On (SSO): This capability allows users to log in to Seismic Learning with their credentials from another application. The platform integrates with Google Suite, SAML 2.0 and Azure Active Directory to provide this option. 
  • Admin Tools: Seismic Learning has several admin tools that make it easier to perform common tasks. Bulk uploads let you add a large number of employees at once, and PDF exporting lets you download files for offline use. The program also has webhooks for automatically sending information like reports to another database. 
TalentLMS
TalentLMS
Start Price
$89
Monthly, Freemium
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Request Pricing Request Demo

Why We Picked TalentLMS

TalentLMS stands out as a user-friendly and adaptable LMS that caters largely to small and midsize businesses. Its intuitive interface, advanced feature set and focus on customization make it a useful tool for employee, customer and partner training.

According to our data, TalentLMS supports several key LMS modules fully out of the box. These include:

  • Collaboration: 100
  • Content and Course Management: 100
  • Ecommerce: 100
  • Reporting and Dashboard: 100

Its extensive feature set allows you to create and manage content, sell courses online and facilitate real-time communication. The AI-powered course creation tool, TalentCraft, enables you to generate personalized courses that address specific skill gaps quickly.

You can use custom certificates to showcase your company’s branding and course completions. Users can quickly log in to the system using SSO, and learn anytime, anywhere on the mobile app.

Integrations with tools like Zapier add automation options, and the support team and community resources provide valuable resources and guidance to help you set up. You can also add new users and features as needed to the platform without having to switch systems.

I recently tested TalentLMS through its free plan and explored key features like course authoring, reporting, gamification and integrations. The platform’s dual interface options — legacy and modern — made navigation smooth and intuitive, and I appreciated how easily I could access course materials, progress tracking and reports.

TalentLMS also impressed with its AI-driven course creation tools and the ability to quickly add a variety of content types, including assessments, SCORM files and multimedia. The platform’s customizable dashboard and notification features made managing courses and users effortless.

I dive deeper into my experience in the “See It in Action” section, where I provide more insights on the course authoring process, reporting tools and gamification elements.

One area where TalentLMS could improve is its video capabilities. The platform lacks full support for virtual classrooms, attendance tracking, session recording and interactive whiteboards. Additionally, the mobile app could benefit from push notifications to keep learners updated on their training progress.

TalentLMS is great for small to medium businesses, with a vast feature set and affordable starting price. It’s ideal for straightforward setups, though costs can increase with more users or added courses, which might be a challenge for larger organizations.

Pros & Cons

  • Ease of Use: 85% of users praise TalentLMS's intuitive and user-friendly interface, which makes it easy for both administrators and learners to create courses and navigate the platform.
  • Affordability: Over 70% of users regard TalentLMS as an affordable LMS, especially for small to medium-sized businesses.
  • Excellent Customer Support: 70% of users highlight the responsive, knowledgeable and helpful customer support team that’s quick to address any issues and questions.
  • Feature-Rich: According to 65% of users, the solution offers a diverse feature set that caters to varied industry-specific requirements.
  • Mobile App Limitations: 45% of users who reviewed the mobile app said it has limited functionality compared to the web-based platform, with some users unable to perform specific tasks on the go.
  • Onboarding and Implementation Challenges: A few users (30%) expressed that the initial setup and onboarding process can be challenging, especially for users who’ve never used an LMS before.

Key Features

  • Dashboard: Get an overview of active users, assigned courses, training time, course completion rates and more. Use the Timeline widget to track account activity, monitor each course’s progress status, and add or delete widgets to customize your dashboard.
  • User Management: Create and store users' personal information, such as name, location, bio, sign-in credential, learner type and email.
  • Course Creation: Add the course code, specify the category and pricing, insert intro videos, assign start and end times, set completion rules and include certificates for each course. Fill the courses with text, videos, PPTs, images, assignments, surveys and more.
  • Course Management: Reuse presentations and videos or find external media to build classes. Offer certifications for compliance courses and create learning paths tailored to each user’s requirements.
  • Course Store: Subscribe to TalentLibrary to access over 900 English and Spanish courses in various fields, such as HR, leadership, safety and compliance, personal development and business skills.
  • Gamification: Offer discounts as rewards when learners achieve a set number of points, badges or levels. Reset users' gamification statistics as needed, either for the whole portal or for a specific group or branch. You can:
    • Award users with points for different learning activities.
    • Give badges to highlight milestones in their learning journey.
    • Represent stages in their learning journey with levels.
    • Show users their learning progress in points compared to others with leaderboards.
  • Integration: Integrate directly with third-party apps like WordPress, BambooHR, GoToMeeting, Salesforce and Shopify. Add Zapier to access over 750 additional options like Slack and Zendesk, and use the API and JavaScript integrations for additional extensibility.
  • Security: Protect sensitive data with features like AWS storage, 2FA, DDoS, BCDR, incident response plans and STAR compliance.
    • Restrict registration to specific email domains and prevent multiple logins from different browsers.
    • Disable video transcoding if videos are web-compatible and add a system logo watermark on uploaded videos.
    • Meet the guidelines for various security and accessibility standards, such as ISO 27001, ISO 9001GDRP, PCI Compliance and WCAG-2.
  • Files Repository: Organize, reuse and share files with selected users. Upload and store various types of files in your account, and easily manage and distribute them.
  • Collaboration: Allow instructors and learners to engage in discussions, interact through video conferencing, send group and private messages and stay connected at each touchpoint of the training process.
  • Branches: Create independent sub-portals (branches) for various departments, user types and customers. Customize each portal with its own URL, theme, language, users and courses.
  • Automation: Automate day-to-day tasks to avoid manual admin work and reduce errors. Assign courses to many users simultaneously, send reminders, deactivate users and more.
  • Reporting: Generate data reports to track key metrics like course completion rates, courses not started or passed, courses in progress, and training time for each learner, branch, group and course. Track users and their roles, progress status, scores, and completion dates and times for each course. Create and automatically export custom reports.
  • Learning Activities: Add learning activities like assignments, tests, surveys and ILT training to courses.
  • Blending Learning: Use blended and instructor-led training (ILT) to organize classroom events, manage all aspects of ILT sessions, set up automatic notifications and deliver virtual lessons in real time.
  • Assessments: Build a variety of tests with different question types, such as multiple-choice, drag-and-drop matching, ordering, fill-in-the-blank and open-ended questions. Use them to evaluate learner progress and knowledge retention.
  • Surveys Engine: Build surveys to gain insights into your learners and training. Send surveys, collect responses and analyze results to gather valuable feedback and data.
  • Learning Paths: Set up learning paths by selecting the desired course. They can link courses to create the path and add prerequisites, so learners must complete these courses in any order before proceeding. They can also create alternative paths using the Add an alternative rule option and enable Levels in the Gamification tab to require learners to reach a certain level before accessing a course.
  • TalentLibrary: With a subscription, you can access high-quality content in the form of interactive quizzes, expert-created materials and new classes stored in the online library.
  • Embedded Video Conferencing: Use a built-in tool for conducting meetings via video call and integrate it with popular apps like Zoom, Google Meet and Skype.
  • Mobile App: Allow learners to complete their training on the go using the iOS and Android-compatible mobile app.
Moodle
Moodle
Start Price
$130
Annually
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Request Pricing Request Demo

Why We Picked Moodle

Moodle is an open-source LMS that's really popular among educational institutions like K12 schools and colleges. Its workplace version is designed to address various corporate training needs such as onboarding, compliance training and skill development.

Moodle is packed with features – you can create courses, collaborate with learners, grade assignments and more. Plus, it works quickly on mobile devices so that learning can happen anywhere. We love how flexible it is, and it can be customized to your heart's content with HTML, CSS and third-party integrations.

Its user-friendly interface is another highlight, and it is known for its intuitive navigation and ease of use, particularly for students. This makes Moodle a suitable choice even for those new to LMS platforms. A strong focus on social constructionist pedagogy emphasizes collaboration and active learning. And with Moodle’s large and active global community, you can get active support and contribute to its ongoing development.

While its interface is great for instructors and students, we found that it may be complex for admins, and an extensive feature set can require time and effort to master. The lack of built-in video conferencing capabilities is another drawback, though the solution does integrate with virtual classroom tools like BigBlueButton.

Being open-source, Moodle eliminates licensing fees, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious institutions. The availability of free plugins and themes further adds to its cost-effectiveness.

Moodle is a fantastic choice if you're looking for a powerful and adaptable LMS, especially for education. Its multi-tenancy architecture supports various business structures and types, making it adaptable to different corporate environments. Its open-source nature, emphasis on collaborative learning, and scalability make it a viable option in the LMS market.

Pros & Cons

  • Customizability: According to 80% of users who reviewed this, Moodle lets users add custom HTML and CSS, integrate with third-party applications, and select modules related to rubrics and outcomes.
  • Ease of Use: 90% of users praise its intuitive interface which is easy to navigate, especially for students. Its simple and intuitive features make it suitable for beginners.
  • Advanced Feature Set: 75% of reviewers highlighted Moodle’s wide range of features, such as course creation, third-party integrations, notifications and feedback, and grading rubrics.
  • Mobile Compatibility: According to 60% of users who discussed this aspect, Moodle's mobile app is very user-friendly and offers all necessary tools to support on-the-go learning. It lets users access course content, connect with team members, download learning materials and more.
  • Affordability: 80% of reviewers who discussed costs appreciated that Moodle is free to download and use and offers flexible pricing models for various needs.
  • Steep Learning Curve: Regarding this, 45% of users said Moodle has a steep learning curve for administrators. They feel its interface can be confusing to explore since it has a lot of features, and users need to know what they’re looking for to use the platform effectively.
  • Lack of Video Conferencing: 45% of users who discussed this con point out Moodle's lack of built-in video conferencing capabilities, which are increasingly important for online learning.

Key Features

  • Course Development: Create courses from scratch or upload existing ones to the system. The course builder tool allows you to:
    • Add name, category, start and end date, ID number, summary, number of sections, cover image, participants, tags, groups and other specific details.
    • Insert resources like checklists, files, forums, quizzes, wikis and more into sections. You can also set up virtual classroom sessions via BigBlueButton.
    • Add questions, files, competencies, course completion conditions, add-on apps and badges.
    • Generate reports to analyze competencies, log actions, live logs, training activities and course participation rates.
    • Import, back up, restore, copy and reset courses to reuse them.
    • Enable learners to request new courses and download course content.
  • Assignments: Use the assignment activity module to communicate tasks, collect tests and quizzes, and provide grades.
    • Allow students to submit any type of digital content, such as documents, spreadsheets, images or audio and video clips, or type text directly into the text editor.
    • Use assignments to remind students of offline tasks without having to make digital submissions.
    • Let students submit work individually or as a group. When reviewing, leave feedback comments and upload files like marked-up submissions, commented documents or audio feedback.
    • Grade assignments using numerical scales, custom scales or advanced methods like rubrics. Record final grades in the gradebook.
  • Forums: Use forums to encourage students to socialize, make course announcements, discuss learning content, host face-to-face sessions online and more.
  • Checklists: Allow teachers to create checklists and help students track tasks and to-do lists.
  • HTML5 Packages: Upload and add HTML5 Packages (H5P) to the platform. H5P allows you to integrate interactive content like presentations, videos, quizzes, games and more into course materials. Automatically grade questions attempted in H5P activities and record them in the gradebook.
  • Calendar: Log important events like assignment deadlines, upcoming meetings, and course start and end dates and more on the company calendar.
  • BigBlueButton Integration: Integrate with BigBlueButton and conduct live online classes, virtual office hours or group collaborations. Use features like audio, video, chat, slides, screen sharing, a multi-user whiteboard, breakout rooms, polling and emojis in real time. Record sessions for playback later.
  • Feedback: Design surveys with multiple-choice, yes/no or text-input questions to gather participant input. Keep responses anonymous if needed, and decide whether to share results with participants or restrict them to teachers only.
  • Notifications: Track updates and alert users when a new event occurs. Enable triggers for new course additions, upcoming deadlines, published grades, schedule changes and more.
  • Course Tracking: Monitor course progress and the number of activities completed by each learner. View their completed assignments, course start and end times, achievements and other details for each course.
  • Quizzes: Create assessments with various question types, such as multiple-choice, matching, short-answer and numerical questions, and include them in course exams, topic tests, practice sessions and more.
    • Configure options for multiple attempts, randomize question order from the question bank and set time limits.
    • Automatically grade each attempt, excluding essay questions and record results in the gradebook.
    • Customize when to display hints and feedback and correct answers to students.
  • Multi-Device Support: Access the site from any device via the free mobile app for Windows, iOS and Android. It's compatible with mobile layouts and can be used in any browser for a consistent experience.
  • Plugin Management: Manage all plugins from one interface for quick access. Provides plugins for different types of educational needs (e.g., universities). Connect with MS Office 365 and Google Apps.
  • Personalized Dashboards: Organize and access training information like checklists, badges, latest announcements, timelines and course overviews on a customizable dashboard.
  • User Management: Add new users, set user preferences, define user profile fields, upload user pictures and more.
Docebo
Docebo
Start Price
$25,000
Annually, Quote-based
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Request Pricing Request Demo

Why We Picked Docebo

Docebo is an AI-driven LMS that caters to a wide range of learning needs, making it particularly well-suited for large enterprises with diverse departments and audiences. Its multi-tenant architecture and configurable organizational management features allow you to manage complex structures, while the user-friendly interface and extensive customization options provide a smooth experience for both administrators and learners.

What impressed us most were Docebo's AI capabilities, which automate tasks like content tagging and translations, and offer personalized course recommendations. We appreciate how the platform’s emphasis on personalized learning paths enables users to tailor training experiences to individual roles, skills and goals. The AI-driven suggestions further enhance the learning experience by recommending courses that align with learners' interests and behaviors.

We also like Docebo's social learning features, which promote collaboration and knowledge sharing through forums, leaderboards and gamification. The integration with Microsoft Teams significantly amplifies these social learning opportunities, fostering a sense of community and encouraging active participation among users.

While Docebo offers impressive features, we found some limitations during our research. Users have reported occasional issues with webinar integrations and found the reporting capabilities limited. The platform also lacks some features like anonymous and automated grading, and the administrative interface is also considered cumbersome by some, requiring multiple steps for basic tasks.

Despite these limitations, Docebo's strengths in personalization, AI capabilities and user experience position it as a strong contender in the LMS market. The platform's focus on delivering tailored learning experiences and its extensive feature set make it a valuable tool for organizations seeking to enhance their training and development programs.

Pros & Cons

  • User-Friendly Interface: 85% of users commend Docebo for its intuitive design, which simplifies navigation for both administrators and learners. This ease of use reduces the learning curve, allowing teams to quickly adapt and utilize the platform effectively.
  • Robust Features: 80% of users highly value the platform's extensive features, including course creation, content management and assessment tools. They appreciate not having to recreate learning plans, as they can reuse existing ones, saving time and effort in course management.
  • Flexible Customization: The ability to customize the platform according to specific organizational needs is a significant advantage for 65% of users. They appreciate the option to create branded mobile apps and tailor the interface, enhancing user engagement.
  • Effective Support: According to reviews from 50% of users, the customer support team is very responsive and offers prompt and knowledgeable responses.
  • AI Capabilities: Nearly 50% of users recognize the potential of AI features in automating tasks and enhancing learning experiences. However, some feel that the AI's effectiveness is overstated, leading to mixed reviews.
  • Webinar Integration Problems: Nearly 35% of users report difficulties with webinar functionalities, particularly with the Coach & Share module. This can disrupt training sessions and limit the platform's effectiveness for live learning.
  • Complex Admin Navigation: The administrative interface is often seen as cumbersome for some users, requiring multiple clicks to perform basic tasks.
  • Issues with Offline Tracking: 40% of users see the platform's offline training tracking as inadequate, and delays in updating learner records cause issues when training is a prerequisite for other courses.

Key Features

  • AI-Powered Learning: Use AI to deliver personalized learning experiences tailored to each user’s needs.
    • Analyze learner behavior and performance to recommend relevant content and suggest learning paths.
    • Use the virtual tutor for conversational support and guidance.
    • Transform external content into microlearning lessons with the Shape tool.a
    • Automatically translate content into multiple languages with AI-powered translation.
  • Social Learning: Encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing among team members through forums, leaderboards and gamification features. Enable them to engage in discussions, share ideas and ask questions. Recognize and reward achievements with leaderboards and badges to motivate active participation.
  • Personalized Learning Paths: Create personalized learning paths based on roles, skill levels, and career goals. Tailor distinct pathways to learners' competencies and interests, and include a series of courses from basic to advanced levels in each learning path.
  • Gamification: Gamify learning with points, awards and badges to boost engagement and course completion rates. Let learners exchange points for rewards, and track engagement and achievements from a central dashboard. Set specific awards for each branch to cater to diverse groups.
  • Third-Party Integrations: Docebo Connect allows you to integrate your platform with over 400 third-party SaaS systems. Connect with apps like Accredible, BambooHR, ADP Workforce Now, GoToMeeting, HubSpot, Jira, MailChimp, MySQL, Okta and NetSuite. Manage automated workflows, called recipes, to share and exchange data between systems based on specific triggers. Easily create and customize these workflows using a low-code platform.
  • Learning Impact: Understand the impact of your training programs by going beyond basic metrics and addressing challenges like complex data and low response rates. Improve your L&D programs with single-source content management, optimized survey techniques, built-in performance reporting and next-step action plans to make data-driven decisions.
  • Certifications and Retraining App: The Certifications and Retraining App lets you create and manage certification programs. Learners can earn certifications by completing courses, learning plans or external training. The app tracks and views certifications efficiently, allowing learners to see their progress. You can also customize delivery and expiration policies to fit your needs.
  • Course Catalog: Create customized course sets that users can enroll in or purchase. Activate internal catalogs for logged-in users and public (external) catalogs on the login page for broader access. Control user visibility by assigning specific groups to certain catalogs, allowing them to purchase or enroll.
  • eCommerce: Sell your training content online to internal and external customers.
    • Provide a user-friendly interface for customers to browse, preview and purchase content, including options for wire transfers.
    • Set up a professional storefront or integrate with popular eCommerce platforms like Shopify, Drupal, WordPress or Joomla.
    • Offer course bundles through subscription plans, and manage different plans for various customer groups based on licenses or enrollments.
    • Collect payments through global payment gateways like Authorize.net, Paypal, Adyen, Cybersource and Stripe.
  • ILT Classroom: Docebo supports both Instructor-Led Training (ILT) and Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) for in-person and online sessions. You can monitor attendance, manage waitlists and upload essential training materials for learners to access before, during and after courses. You can also track performance for certification purposes, and provide detailed records of evaluations to learners.
  • MOOC Builder: Use it to create and manage Corporate Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on your platform. Make a public course catalog visible to non-registered users, allowing them to browse and explore courses without an account. Enable self-registration directly from the public course page to simplify user access, and sell courses through the E-commerce App with easy payment options and transaction management.
  • Offline Player App: Download SCORM courses to Windows desktop computers to access and complete them offline. When back online, sync progress with the LMS to ensure all activities are updated. This allows learners to study anytime, anywhere, without an internet connection.
  • Docebo Flow: Docebo Flow lets you integrate your Docebo learning platform into other web pages.
    • Embed Docebo on any external website that allows HTML and JavaScript code. This lets you open your Docebo platform in a pop-up window when users click a button or link.
    • Display training content that matches users' actions on the website. This way, learners get relevant information exactly when they need it.
    • Set up Docebo Flow to automatically log users in, so they don’t need to enter credentials separately.

Pricing

License/Subscription Cost
  • Subscription-based pricing model – based on the number of active users per month
  • Docebo LMS offers two types of flexible plans – Growth and Enterprise (500+ monthly active users). Please see the LMS pricing guide for details
  • The cost will vary based on the type of plan opted for
  • Billed annually and monthly (both options are available)
  • For each additional user, Docebo LMS will charge a fee of $5.90/user/month
  • All plans require at least an annual commitment
Maintenance Cost
  • Included in the subscription cost
Installation/Implementation Cost
  • The Docebo Learning Suite Enterprise plan is available for organizations, starting with 300 monthly active users and beyond. Compared to other learning technology vendors that use a monthly active user model and base usage on the number of logins, Docebo counts a monthly active user as a learner who accesses learning content within a 30-day cycle.
Customization Cost
  • Cost will vary depending on the functional requirements added on, such as Salesforce integration, phone support for admins, extended enterprise and social learning, based on business requirements
Data Migration Cost/Change Management/Upfront Switching Cost
  • Cost will vary depending on the current software, amount of data to be migrated, availability of migration tools, the complexity of data and gaps between the existing system and the new system
Training Cost
  • Admin training and on-demand webinars are provided by Docebo’s Learning and Support
  • There’s also a free Knowledge Base for administrators navigating the solution
Recurring/Renewal Costs
  • Cost is equivalent to the subscription fee paid annually or monthly for continuous access to the product which is deactivated if not renewed on time
Blackboard Learn
Blackboard Learn
Start Price
$9,500
Annually
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Why We Picked Blackboard Learn

Blackboard is an online learning solution used most commonly in educational institutions. As one of the biggest players in the market, its users appreciate its features, useability, grading functions and the different channels of communication. The most common complaint was that it’s hard to learn. However, many said it was easy to navigate after getting over the initial learning curve. Though many people liked its features, there were gaps and additional functionalities wished for in almost every category. Its lack of accessibility was also an issue for some users.
This solution is good for institutions looking to implement a standardized learning solution. However, it’s important to compare it to its big competitors as some complained it was generic or too similar to other systems. Still, this can be an extremely efficient platform for online and blended learning.

Pros & Cons

  • Grading: A total of 80% of users who mentioned the grading capabilities felt it worked well and saved them time.
  • Effective Communication: Over 70% of users who mentioned communications features were thrilled with the discussion boards, messaging, live classrooms and other features.
  • Great Customer Support: More than two-thirds of reviewers who mentioned the customer support had good experiences with the staff.
  • Easy to Use: Users felt that the UI worked well in over 50% of reviews.
  • Poor Mobile Function: Around 75% who mentioned the app said they had issues with the design, especially on mobile.
  • Issues with Features: Over 41% of users said there were holes in the functionality of the integrations, grading features and said there was too much text on the website.
  • Steep Learning Curve: While many said the UI was easy-to-use, over 40% of those mentioned it said it took a long time to learn.
    .

Key Features

  • Integration: It can be integrated with other essential educational programs such as Student Information Systems, lunch systems, online grade books and others to make collecting data easy. 
  • Collaboration: Through web conferencing and virtual classrooms, students, peers and coworkers can collaborate on projects and content creation. 
  • Mobile App: The app, which is available across several devices, offers mobile-friendly content that’s been adjusted to flip less on a phone screen. Learners can access tests, quizzes, notes and more. 
  • SaaS: It’s a software-as-a-service or cloud-based product. This means the hosting is online and not local. 
  • Templates: When instructors create courses, they can choose from several pre-made templates and customize as needed. 
  • Strategic Planning: Extra services include strategic planning, which comes with market research, help to develop a comprehensive strategy, deployment support and more. 
  • E-Commerce: It allows users to buy or sell courses, training materials and other content. This can be used as a revenue source or to find more information for a program. 
  • Sales Training and Development: In addition to its uses in K-12 and higher education, it helps with the training of employees to keep them in compliance or certified in a corporate setting. Individual workers can be tracked, and areas of improvement can be easily identified. 
  • Registration: It manages learners throughout the enrollment process and can help them sign up along pre-defined learning paths or prerequisites. 
Google Classroom
Google Classroom
Start Price
$4.80
Per Student, Annually
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Why We Picked Google Classroom

Google Classroom is an eLearning solution that’s widely used in education because of its price point. While the base version is free, there is a paid enterprise package with expanded functionality. Reviewers like its simple UI, integration with the G Suite, support of multimedia options and good base functionality with grading, assignments, exams and more. They also felt it encouraged engagement and collaboration while saving time and money.
On the flip side, reviewers felt the platform lacked options for customization and didn’t come with enough features. The platform isn’t a full-service LMS. It delivers lessons, shares files and has some higher function feedback functions, but doesn’t have the advanced administrative, reporting and other options of more robust solutions. This is an excellent option for small to medium-sized organizations that need to facilitate training. Make sure you understand the functional differences between the free and enterprise versions.

Pros & Cons

  • Affordable: Over 80% of viewers who mentioned price were happy with the cost.
  • Integrates with the G Suite: Users who mentioned the integration with Google Docs, Slides and other products were pleased in 80% of reviews.
  • Uploads Efficiently: Over 70% of reviewers felt that uploading ran smoothly.
  • Easy to Use: The majority of users who mentioned the UI were happy with its capability in just under 70% of reviews.
  • Multimedia Support: More than 60% were happy with the various formatting and multimedia support in the system.
  • Excellent User Communication Tools: Users who mentioned the messages, notifications and other communications functions were pleased in more than 60% of reviews.
  • Glitchy: More than 80% of users who mentioned the speed of running the program felt it was glitchy.
  • Lack of Customization: Reviewers who mentioned customization felt the options were lacking in more than 70% of reviews.
  • Not Enough Admin Control: Over 60% of reviewers who discussed the user admin function felt functionality was lacking.
  • Lacks Features: In over 50% of reviews that mentioned the feature set, users felt they were missing features.

Key Features

  • Different Roles: Adjust access on the platform allowing administrators to create other roles for parents, students, educators and more.
  • Web Conferencing: Create a unique link for each video session and send out a private link for classes. Use the IETF security standards for Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol and Datagram Transport Layer Security. Record and live stream with the expanded paid product.
  • Integration: Integrate with many school administration apps, curriculum building, communication, education enhancement and more. Use apps like Aeries, Aladdin Schools Connect, Classcraft, Pear Deck, Pearson Education, Quizizz, Squigl, Writable and a wide variety of others. Have programmers connect their app with the platform and access technical support, company-wide initiatives and marketing support.
  • Mobile: Use the mobile app that works on iOS and Android where learners and instructors can access the program from multiple devices.
  • Jamboard: Provide a smart display for tablets, smartphones or smart boards. Pull in images, make notes with the stylus and handwriting and shape recognition tools and more. Operate with Meet or during an in-person class.
  • Enterprise Option: Use the teacher center and Google for Education for more control, better security, device management, data loss prevention, a S/MIME for Gmail, Gmail logs and admin reports in BigQuery, a security sandbox and more. Set up a university-wide email system with Gmail.
  • Stream: See posts, comments and other materials when they log into the program. Upload content and respond to comments while students can collaborate with their peers and comment on posted materials.
  • Class Management: Facilitate classes through an organization with features such as a content library for assignments, slides, class papers, forms and other resources. Lock due dates, set a timer on access for materials, reuse content, add YouTube videos and more.
  • Accessibility: Accommodate students with impairments such as hearing, vision, physical disabilities and processing disorders. Use voice access, screen readers, closed captioning and more so learners can access information in a way that helps them. Adjust the content to make it more visual, auditory and more to match individual learning styles. Download an accessibility conformance report to analyze the effectiveness of the program.
  • Security: Use a system that supports the standards and compliance for the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Software & Information Industry Association, ISO/IEC 27018:2014, HIPPA, GDRP and more. Host information on secure servers, let administrators watch over data security and get audited by a third-party to ensure data protection.
  • Grading: Allow instructors to add comments, grade, enter commonly used feedback, apply rubrics and automatically notify students when their assignment is ready for them.
  • Educator Groups: Unite local educators so they can collaborate and help one another online and in-person. A local volunteer organizes the group and the members unite for teaching, workshops, advice and more.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy
Start Price
$0
Free
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Why We Picked Khan Academy

User reviews from the past year suggest that Khan Academy is a valuable tool for supplementing education, particularly for its comprehensive and free content across diverse subjects. Educators and learners alike applaud the platform's user-friendly interface and the abundance of instructional videos and exercises. A standout feature is its alignment with various curriculums, allowing for seamless integration into existing learning paths, whether used regularly or occasionally. However, some users point out limitations, particularly for advanced learners. The platform's emphasis on foundational concepts might not satisfy those seeking more in-depth or challenging material. For instance, while the math content is praised, it primarily adheres to the Common Core curriculum, potentially leaving gaps for students following alternative standards. This focus on the basics also translates to limited customization options for teachers, hindering their ability to tailor the platform to their specific needs. Another concern raised is the platform's heavy reliance on data, which, while enabling progress tracking, could lead to excessive competition among students, shifting the focus from understanding to point accumulation. Despite these drawbacks, Khan Academy shines as a supplemental resource. It excels at reinforcing classroom learning, providing additional practice, and offering support for those who need it most. Its accessibility and affordability make it an invaluable tool for students and educators seeking to enhance the learning experience.

Ultimately, Khan Academy emerges as a powerful ally for learners and educators seeking a free and accessible platform to supplement their educational journey. While it might not be the "be-all and end-all" solution, its strengths in foundational learning, user experience, and curriculum alignment make it a valuable asset in the ever-evolving landscape of education.

Pros & Cons

  • Cost-Effective: Khan Academy is a free platform, making it budget-friendly for schools looking to implement a learning management system.
  • Easy Integration: The platform can be readily integrated with other educational tools such as Google Classroom and Kahoot!, simplifying its adoption into existing workflows.
  • Personalized Learning: Khan Academy offers personalized learning experiences by allowing students to progress at their own pace through the curriculum.
  • Progress Tracking: Teachers can easily track student progress and identify areas where students may need additional support, facilitating data-driven instruction.
  • User-Friendly: Khan Academy is recognized for its intuitive interface, making it easy for both teachers and students to navigate and utilize its features effectively.
  • Limited Advanced Features: Khan Academy's platform may lack some advanced features found in other paid LMS solutions, such as sophisticated reporting or assessment options, which might be limiting for schools requiring in-depth data analysis or customized assessments.
  • Customization Limitations: Schools with unique requirements might find the platform's limited customization options restrictive. For instance, adapting the platform to align with specific branding guidelines or integrating it with certain third-party applications could be challenging.
  • Occasional Technical Issues: Some users have reported experiencing occasional technical glitches, which can disrupt the flow of lessons. Additionally, the platform's reliance on a stable internet connection might pose a challenge for schools in areas with unreliable internet access.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive Curriculum: Offers a wide range of subjects including math, science, economics, and humanities.
  • Personalized Learning Dashboard: Provides students with a customized dashboard to track their progress and identify areas for improvement.
  • Interactive Exercises: Includes practice problems and quizzes that adapt to the student's skill level, ensuring appropriate challenge and support.
  • Video Lessons: Features thousands of instructional videos that explain complex concepts in an easy-to-understand manner.
  • Teacher Tools: Allows educators to assign tasks, monitor student progress, and access detailed reports on performance.
  • Mastery Learning System: Encourages students to achieve a high level of understanding before moving on to new topics, promoting deeper comprehension.
  • Real-Time Feedback: Provides instant feedback on exercises, helping students learn from their mistakes immediately.
  • Classroom Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Google Classroom and other educational platforms for streamlined management.
  • Accessibility Features: Designed to be accessible to all students, including those with disabilities, through features like closed captioning and screen reader compatibility.
  • Parent Involvement: Enables parents to track their child's progress and stay engaged with their learning journey.
  • Resource Library: Offers a vast collection of articles, videos, and practice exercises across various subjects and grade levels.
  • Mobile App: Provides access to all features through a user-friendly mobile application, allowing learning on-the-go.
  • Peer Collaboration: Facilitates peer-to-peer learning and collaboration through discussion forums and group projects.
  • Data Privacy and Security: Adheres to strict data privacy and security standards to protect student information.
  • Gamification Elements: Incorporates badges and rewards to motivate students and make learning more engaging.
Adobe Learning Manager
Adobe Learning Manager
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Why We Picked Adobe Learning Manager

Adobe Learning Manager is a cloud-based LMS designed for businesses that need scalable and customizable training solutions for employees, customers and partners. It offers a wide range of powerful features that make it easy to create, deliver and track personalized learning experiences.

Adobe Learning Manager's interface is a breath of fresh air. It's clean, uncluttered and offers intuitive navigation. When I ran a free trial of the LMS, I found it easy to locate courses, manage assignments and access reports without any confusion.

One of the standout features is its ability to create engaging and interactive content. You can incorporate quizzes, games and videos to enhance the learning experience. Learning Manager’s Fluidic Player supports a variety of content formats, including PowerPoint, PDF and SCORM packages, ensuring that learners can engage with different types of material. For live training sessions, it integrates with Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Adobe Connect, which makes it ideal for hybrid work environments.

You can also automate tasks such as enrolling learners and setting up training reminders. Gamification features like badges, points and leaderboards help keep learners motivated by encouraging healthy competition. It supports hybrid classrooms and video conferencing, and integrates with Single Sign-On (SSO) systems, making learning accessible and easy to manage.

Learning Manager’s advanced AI features, including personalized content recommendations, give it an edge over competitors like D2L Brightspace and Blackboard. The AI is integrated throughout the platform, providing support and personalized learning paths based on each user’s needs and preferences.

The platform goes above and beyond in terms of content management, supporting a wide variety of formats through its Fluidic Player. This capability exceeds that of its alternatives like Lessonly, which may have more limited options for content types.

Learning Manager also delivers detailed insights into learner progress. You can track not just completion rates, but also how learners interact with content, their assessment scores and any areas where they might struggle. This level of data helps tailor your training program to meet specific learner needs. In my trial, I tested different report options and found the visualizations straightforward and easy to understand.

Compared to its competitors, Adobe Learning Manager offers a fully responsive design that works smoothly across all devices, from mobile to desktop. Its mobile learning and responsive design is on par with top platforms like Blackboard, D2L Brightspace and Litmos. Still, its fully responsive interface sets it apart by guaranteeing a consistent user experience.

Users consistently praise Learning Manager for its intuitive interface, extensive feature set and personalized learning options. Its strong mobile responsiveness and integration with other Adobe products, including Experience Cloud, are major highlights. However, some users do note that the platform has a steeper learning curve for administrators, particularly when customizing or creating complex learning paths.

In conclusion, Adobe Learning Manager stands out as a modern, user-friendly LMS, especially for organizations that prioritize personalization, mobile access and data-driven insights. Its ability to craft customized learning experiences and its strong integration with Adobe tools make it a valuable asset for any organization aiming to enhance learner engagement and meet training goals.

Pros & Cons

  • Centralized Learning: An LMS keeps all your learning materials in one place, making it easy to find courses, assignments and quizzes without searching multiple locations. It keeps everything organized and up-to-date.
  • Flexibility & Accessibility: As long as you have an internet connection, you can learn from anywhere, making education accessible to everyone, no matter their location.
  • Progress Tracking & Reporting: An LMS shows real-time updates on how learners are doing in their courses. You can see where they need help, and allow them to track their own progress too.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: An LMS cuts costs by removing the need for physical classrooms, travel or printed materials. It allows you to train more people at once in a virtual setup without additional expenses.
  • Scalability: Whether you’re a small group or a big organization, the LMS can grow with you, handling more users and courses without needing major updates or having to switch systems.
  • Automation: Tasks like grading, enrollment and certifications are automated, reducing time spent on administrative work and allowing instructors to focus on teaching.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: An LMS makes it easy to interact with others using forums, chat rooms and messaging features, promoting a sense of community and collaboration.
  • Initial Cost & Setup: Setting up an LMS can be expensive and take time due to software licenses, customization and training. Small organizations may find this challenging.
  • Challenges with Technology: LMSs depend on reliable internet and devices. If your connection is poor or your device is incompatible with the LMS, you won’t be able to use the solution effectively.
  • Limited Face-to-Face Interaction: Online learning can’t fully replace in-person interaction. Some learners might feel isolated without the physical presence of colleagues and instructors, which can make learning harder for them.

Key Features

  • User Management: Manage both external and internal users with a segregated view. Automatically create user groups based on identifiable attributes and assign courses. Quickly move users between groups and designate group managers to streamline administration.
  • SSO Integration: Enable smooth enterprise logins with single sign-on (SSO) support, allowing users to log in once for access to all features. Use external identity providers (IDps) like Okta, OneLogin, Oracle Identity Federation or Microsoft Active Directory, and ensure compatibility with all IDps that support SAML 2.0 for easy setup and secure login.
Canvas
Canvas
Start Price
$0
Open-Source
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Why We Picked Canvas

Canvas is an eLearning solution used for online, in-person and hybrid learning in a variety of educational settings. Users praise its smooth interface, mobile accessibility and integration capabilities, while also highlighting some technical and usability challenges that may require attention.

Users found the system easy to use and navigate, and were happy with its vast suite of features, especially the grading, assignments and assessment tools. Most reported that it’s budget-friendly and had positive experiences with customer service.

On the downside, users said they encountered bugs and glitches in the program. They requested a more flexible due date policy and more ease of use in advanced features.

All things considered, Canvas is a versatile LMS that provides a modern platform and industry-specific features to make learning more engaging and personalized. It may require some initial investment in training and customization, but it delivers a positive overall experience for both instructors and students.

Pros & Cons

  • User-Friendly Interface: According to 60% of users who mentioned this pro, Canvas offers an intuitive and navigable interface, and is easy to use for both instructors and students.
  • Mobile Accessibility: The Canvas mobile app, praised by 72% of users, offers a responsive design and on-the-go access on various devices.
  • Best-In-Class Integration Capabilities: 55% of users said Canvas integrates well with a wide range of third-party tools and services, and helps create a customized learning environment.
  • Effective Communication and Collaboration Features: 45% of users appreciate Canvas’ communication tools, specifically discussion boards, announcements and email.
  • Personalized Course Design: Canvas offers flexible course designs, allowing instructors to create personalized learning experiences for their students, said 40% of users.
  • Technical Glitches and Bugs: Nearly 40% of users report experiencing technical issues, such as system crashes, data loss and bugs.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Complex Features: According to 30% of users, while the overall interface is user-friendly, more advanced features have a steep learning curve.
  • Rigid Due Date Policies: Some users mentioned that Canvas's rigid due date rules can be challenging for students who submit work late due to technical issues or other reasons.

Key Features

  • Course Creation: Create new courses using built-in interactive tools. Add specific details like name, course code, due date, language, grading scheme, modules and sections, description and more.
    • Announcements: Share key course information with everyone. Remind students of dates and tasks, point them to valuable resources, celebrate achievements and highlight events. You can include text, multimedia and files.
    • Grades: Show grades as points, percentages and complete/incomplete. Filter and arrange Gradebook entries, automatically apply grades for missing/late work, and hide grades until you're ready to release them.
    • People: Depending on permissions, add students, teachers, assistants and observers. Create student groups for group assignments, discussions and file sharing.
    • Pages: Create interactive content like weekly updates, collaborative wikis or resource lists. Include text, multimedia and links, and allow students to contribute to specific pages.
    • Files: Easily insert files into modules, assignments, discussions or pages. Share files with students or lock them until ready for download.
    • Quizzes: Use the New Quizzes engine for diverse question types. If unavailable, use Classic Quizzes to achieve your objectives.
    • Modules: Organize content by weeks and units. Add files, discussions, assignments, quizzes and more. Set prerequisites or lock modules until specific dates.
    • New Analytics: Use the New Analytics tool to monitor who has viewed content and participated in assignments and identify students needing extra support.
  • Dashboard: View published/unpublished courses, access the calendar and upcoming events, start new courses, view grades, enable notifications and more.
  • Assignments: Include quizzes, graded discussions and various online submissions (files, images, text, URLs media). Assign to everyone or set different due dates for specific groups. Organize assignments into groups, weigh them by percentage, and enable Peer Review for student feedback.
  • Gradebook: Easily input and distribute grades using various methods, such as points, percentages, pass/fail, GPA scale and letter grades.
    • Use SpeedGrader to assign grades and provide feedback efficiently.
    • Automatically create columns in the Gradebook for assignments, discussions, quizzes, surveys and attendance tracking.
    • View grades by grading periods, sort by due dates or student names, and apply specific filters for streamlined management.
    • Download and grade assignments offline and calculate totals.
    • Monitor grades across all courses, notify students of graded assignments and manage grade history.
    • Customize grading curves, message students based on assignment status, leave private comments and excuse assignments when necessary.
  • Rubrics: Set custom or outcome-based assessment criteria to communicate quality expectations. Use rubrics to align learning outcomes, assess submissions in SpeedGrader and support non-scoring assessments for comprehensive grading.
  • Canvas Catalog: Integrate with Canvas Catalog to streamline course offerings.
    • Easily bundle multiple courses into programs and enable registration for community education and professional development.
    • Create branded sub-catalog listings for specific departments or organizations.
    • Customize page templates for FAQs, contact info and individual course landing pages.
    • Set up personalized certificates and automate their distribution.
    • Allow students to track their progress with customized dashboards.
    • Generate reports on course progress, registrations, revenue and enrollment trends.
    • Offer hassle-free self-registration and self-paced courses with automated enrollment, payments and certificate distribution.
    • Build, manage and customize courses and programs.
  • SpeedGrader: Quickly grade student submissions in one place with SpeedGrader. Use a simple point scale or detailed rubrics to assign grades, and accept various document formats and URLs to mark up assignments directly for feedback. Sort submissions by student, hide names for anonymous grading and track your progress. Easily view submission details, handle resubmissions and manage moderated assignments.
  • Intelligent Insights: Enhance teaching and learning effectiveness with Intelligent Insights, a premium analytics solution tailored for admins.
    • Use AI and analytics to gather actionable data.
    • Leverage conversational AI for quick ad hoc data requests and pre-built analytics for tracking goals such as course effectiveness and student success.
    • Customize insights to pinpoint best practices, optimize LTI usage and address learning needs.
    • Build custom dashboards and automate SQL queries to streamline data management and improve learner support.
    • Identify courses that need improvement, notify instructors promptly and foster continuous improvement across teams.
  • Roll Call Attendance: Manage attendance in courses using the Attendance (Roll Call) tool, an external LTI app suitable for both online and face-to-face classes. Enabled at the account level, users can access it across all courses within your Canvas account.
  • Discussions: Communicate about course topics anytime. Create graded or casual discussions for idea exchange and problem-solving. Use threaded discussions for detailed topics and focused discussions for short exchanges.
  • Assessments: Administer assessments in the form of assignments, quizzes and discussions.
  • Assignments
    • Allow students to submit assignments online through text entry, file uploads, media recordings, external tools, URLs or Canvas pages.
    • Assign to individual students, groups or sections.
    • Include a due date for Not Graded assignments, without providing points or grades.
  • Discussions
    • Grade student responses to discussion topics.
    • Assign to individual students, groups or sections.
  • Quizzes
    • Conduct surveys or assess student comprehension of course content through quizzes.
    • Assign to individual students or sections, but not to groups.
  • Collaboration: Teachers can communicate with individual students, groups or the entire class through messaging, audio notes, video and more. Students can work together via chat groups, video and other messaging tools.
  • Mobile App: Provide equal access to curriculum and instruction with native mobile apps for students, teachers and parents on iOS and Android devices.
  • Canvas Student: Enables students to access courses anytime, anywhere. They can:
    • View grades and course content.
    • Submit assignments.
    • Keep track of coursework with a to-do list and calendar.
    • Send and receive messages.
    • Post to discussions, take quizzes and watch videos.
    • Receive notifications for new grades and course updates.
  • Canvas Teacher: Helps teachers manage their courses anywhere, both in and out of the classroom. This app offers quick access to three main tasks:
    • Browse submissions and give feedback to students with the enhanced mobile SpeedGrader.
    • Send announcements and messages (like "Message Students Who..."), and join course discussions quickly.
    • Change due dates, publish assignments and correct misspellings directly from your phone.
  • Canvas Parent: Allows parents to see their child's educational details easily at a glance. They can:
    • View assignment descriptions and due dates
    • Set reminders for assignments
    • View assignment and course grades
    • View course announcements
  • Outcomes: Set and track learning goals. Focus on skills and activities, not just grades. Assess progress using the Learning Mastery Gradebook. Import existing outcomes and align them with course rubrics.
  • SIS Imports: Upload and integrate data from SIS using CSV files or through the Canvas API. Manage users, accounts, courses, enrollments, logins and more. Use IMS Enterprise Specification XML zip files or Banner Grade Exchange Results XML for automated imports.
  • Canvas Studio: Create, deliver and organize video content in various formats within your media library using Canvas Studio.
    • Upload videos directly from devices or integrate them from YouTube into courses.
    • Monitor student engagement by tracking views, duration and interactions.
    • Connect with platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Hangouts.
    • Engage students with interactive video quizzes, real-time feedback and integrated Gradebook.
    • Provide personalized feedback using SpeedGrader and customize learning paths with MasteryPaths.
    • Encourage student participation through video creation and peer feedback.
    • Integrate instruction, assessment and additional learning opportunities directly into the video experience.
  • Conferences: Integrate with BigBlueButton to host lectures, office hours and group meetings. Broadcast audio/video, share slides, and demonstrate applications and resources.
  • ePortfolios: Create ePortfolios to display and discuss your students’ submissions and experiences. Allow them to collect and document educational projects, assignments and more. Keep ePortfolios private or share them with peers, instructors and future employers.
  • Video Assessments: Create engaging video quizzes where students answer questions as they watch. Give instant feedback and automatically submit grades to the Gradebook. Review videos and provide comments. Use SpeedGrader to apply rubrics and offer quick, personalized feedback.

COMPARE THE BEST Online Learning Platforms

Select up to 2 Products from the list below to compare

 
Product
Score
i
SelectHub’s Analyst Rating is based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Online Learning Platforms, user reviews, and our own crowd-sourced data from our free software selection platform. Scores are periodically updated via ongoing selection projects and user activity within our platform.
Start Price
Free Trial
Company Size
Deployment
Platform
Logo
Litmos
$5,400
Annually
Yes
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Litmos
Seismic Learning
$300
Monthly
No
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Seismic Learning
TalentLMS
$89
Monthly, Freemium
Yes
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
TalentLMS
Moodle
$130
Annually
Yes
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Moodle
Docebo
$25,000
Annually, Quote-based
Yes
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Docebo
Blackboard Learn
$9,500
Annually
Yes
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Blackboard Learn
Google Classroom
$4.80
Per Student, Annually
Yes
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Google Classroom
Khan Academy
$0
Free
No
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Khan Academy
Adobe Learning Manager
Undisclosed
Yes
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Adobe Learning Manager
Canvas
$0
Open-Source
Yes
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Canvas

All Online Learning Platforms (138 found)

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Cypher Learning LMS

by CYPHER LEARNING
Cypher Learning LMS
Cypher Learning LMS is a sophisticated learning management system designed to streamline educational and training processes for businesses, educational institutions, and entrepreneurs. It excels in providing a user-friendly interface that supports a wide range of learning activities, from course creation to performance tracking. This platform is particularly beneficial for industries such as corporate training, higher education, and online course providers due to its adaptability and robust feature set. Users appreciate its intuitive design, which simplifies the management of learning paths and assessments. Unique features include gamification, social learning, and e-commerce capabilities, which enhance engagement and monetization opportunities. Compared to similar products, Cypher Learning LMS is praised for its flexibility and comprehensive analytics. Pricing details are not publicly disclosed, so potential users are encouraged to contact SelectHub for a tailored quote. This ensures that organizations can align the platform's capabilities with their specific budgetary and functional requirements.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$1,000 or more
Company Size
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Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
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Talentsoft

by Talentsoft
Talentsoft
Talentsoft (acquired by Cegid) is a European HR solution that provides a wide range of services for managing talent, human resources and other administrative tasks. Built on open technology known as People@Work, its offerings include recruiting, professional development, HR and administrative management, online learning and training and more. Users can author content or buy premade course materials, run training, find and secure the necessary staff, and handle workflow and day-to-day issues to make for a successful and streamlined workplace. It serves over 130 countries, 2,220 customers and 11 million users in over 130 countries.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$100 - $500
Company Size
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Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
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Meridian LMS

by Meridian Knowledge Solutions
Meridian LMS
Meridian LMS is a sophisticated learning management system designed to streamline and enhance the learning experience for organizations. It is particularly well-suited for industries such as government, healthcare, and corporate sectors that require robust compliance and certification management. The platform offers unique benefits like customizable learning paths, advanced reporting, and seamless integration capabilities, making it a powerful tool for managing employee training and development. Users appreciate its intuitive interface and the ability to tailor content to specific organizational needs. Compared to similar products, Meridian LMS stands out for its flexibility and comprehensive feature set, which includes mobile learning and social collaboration tools. Pricing details are not publicly disclosed, so it is advisable for potential users to contact SelectHub for a personalized quote based on their specific requirements. Overall, Meridian LMS is a versatile and effective solution for organizations seeking to optimize their learning management processes.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$100 - $500
Company Size
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Deployment
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GoSkills

by GoSkills
GoSkills
GoSkills is an online training platform that teaches business skills to professionals. Companies can assign, track and manage content from third parties, and create customized content. It’s served over 600 businesses and 26,000 learners and supports up to 1000 people per organization. Overall, it helps management promote learning, track progress, manage course catalogs, create training resources and more. It offers 70 courses in design, development, finance, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, productivity, project management, Six Sigma, soft skills and more.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: excellent
Cost Breakdown
$10 or less
Company Size
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Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
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Cornerstone LMS

by Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc.
Cornerstone LMS
Cornerstone LMS is designed to help organizations create, deliver and manage employee training programs. It lets you create personalized learning experiences, facilitate real-time collaboration, and track learner and team performance. Features include content management, personalized learning, HR integration, reporting and insights, and compliance training.User reviews generally commend its ease of use, scalability and effectiveness in improving employee engagement and knowledge retention. When compared to other LMS platforms, Cornerstone stands out with its strong focus on user experience, diverse feature set and insightful reporting capabilities.While its pricing varies based on the specific modules and features chosen, it typically falls within the mid-range of similar products, offering a good balance of value and functionality.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$10 or less
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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TopHat

by Tophatmonocle
TopHat
Top Hat is an online teaching platform that offers digital classrooms, discussions, customizable questions, textbooks, lectures, videos, attendance, assignments and more. Learners can get real-time feedback, proctor tests and quizzes and stream lectures. Administrators can track progress and look at overall trends.It integrates with other education programs and works for students and instructors. Overall, the tools let users design workspaces, create interactive materials, make quick assignments and proctor exams. In many classes, it’s used to replace clickers which allowed teachers to show materials on-screen and students to choose answers via a handheld device at their desk. The resulting answers are shown via a bar graph on the screen for a visual representation of the group’s understanding. Its specialty is helping educators find and publish quality open education resources.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: good
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Edvance360

by Edvance360
Edvance360
Edvance360 is a cloud-based learning solution used for corporate training, K-12 classes and higher education. It addresses training and knowledge management concerns such as effective communication, transparent test taking, better coordination and more automation to save time doing manual tasks. Provides a framework to access SCORM and common cartridge compliant content. Its capabilities include gamification, video conferencing, content creation and curation, grading, providing feedback and much more. It also integrates with other technology that provides course catalogs, e-commerce functions, whiteboard utility and live chat.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: excellent
Cost Breakdown
$1,000 or more
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Arcoro

by Arcoro
Arcoro
Arcoro, formerly known as BirdDogHR, is a cloud-based HRIS solution that helps companies of all sizes manage employees throughout every stage of their employment. Users can leverage it to attract and hire top talent, align employee goals with company goals, create succession plans and ensure compliance with government regulations.Capabilities include core HR, payroll, benefits administration, recruiting, onboarding, learning management, performance management and compliance. Availability on mobile devices grants users 24/7 access from anywhere.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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WebAssign

by Cengage Learning
WebAssign
WebAssign is an online learning platform for STEM education, specifically designed to improve critical thinking and problem-solving abilities in students. It allows educators to customize lesson plans, building assignments and assessments tailored to students’ needs. Comprehensive analytics help assess performance. It integrates easily with many common learning and information systems already in place at educational institutions
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: good
Cost Breakdown
$100 - $500
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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TOPYX

by Interactyx
TOPYX
TOPYX helps implement customizable education, training and development programs for employees, contractors, association members and customers. It offers content management, catalogs, reporting, integrations and gamification on a user-friendly interface. A built-in social platform lets learners engage in discussions with content creators, facilitators, experts and co-learners. The solution allows users to support a global workforce using language localization and helps businesses stay updated with regulatory guidelines via SCORM compliance.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$1,000 or more
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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MindTap

by cengage
MindTap
MindTap is an online learning software owned by Cengage that provides educational content and some class management. Among its assets are coursework, textbooks and print with over 1,300 options. The subjects it covers span across business, economics, humanities, math, professional disciplines, science, social science and technology. Some of its educational modules include grading, testing, homework submissions and a mobile app. Instructors can inform students of due dates and encourage underperforming class members.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: excellent
Cost Breakdown
$100 - $500
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Totara

by Totara
Totara
Totara's primary product, Totara Learn, is an open-source learning solution built to promote workplace training and development. It’s flexible and offers businesses the freedom to customize formal and informal education requirements, both within the organization and in the extended enterprise. The vendor enables companies to deliver training through individual learning courses for employees at various levels. The customizable, workplace-oriented framework conforms to an organization’s hierarchy and provides personnel training accordingly. Deploy it on-premises or host it on the cloud.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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SkyPrep

by SkyPrep, Inc.
SkyPrep
SkyPrep offers corporate eLearning solutions to help companies conduct online training and share knowledge within their organizations. It provides features like course creation, user management, customization, workflow automation and third-party integrations. It’s accessible on mobile devices, compliant with SCORM guidelines and allows you to create courses using built-in authoring tools.Users like that the solution is easy to use and navigate. They appreciate its course creation and employee training capabilities, responsive customer support and learner progress tracking tools.SkyPrep has three subscription plans: Lite, Premium and Enterprise Training Suite, pricing for which are available upon request.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: excellent
Cost Breakdown
$1,000 or more
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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LearningZen

by LearningZen
LearningZen
LearningZen is a robust Learning Management System (LMS) designed to streamline the training process for businesses, particularly those in industries like healthcare, retail, and hospitality. It excels in creating, managing, and delivering online training courses with ease. The platform is particularly beneficial for organizations seeking to enhance employee skills and ensure compliance with industry standards. One of its standout features is the intuitive course builder, which allows users to develop engaging content without technical expertise. Additionally, LearningZen offers insightful analytics to track learner progress and performance. Users appreciate its user-friendly interface and the ability to customize training paths. While specific pricing details are not publicly available, LearningZen typically offers flexible pricing models that cater to different organizational needs. For precise pricing information, it is advisable to contact SelectHub for a tailored quote. Overall, LearningZen is praised for its efficiency and adaptability in meeting diverse training requirements.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: excellent
Cost Breakdown
$100 - $500
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
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Easy LMS

by Quizworks
Easy LMS
Easy LMS is a cloud-hosted learning solution that creates, manages and analyzes educational and worker training. Its course management module allows educators to build classes, create exams, develop quizzes, assess tests and embed courses. Its content creation abilities include making courses and lessons with interactive elements like tests, images, videos and quizzes. Educational institutions and companies alike use it to train and educate students and employees. It serves small, medium and large businesses worldwide. Other offerings include self-registration, branding, white labeling, analytics and personalized learning.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: excellent
Cost Breakdown
$100 - $500
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Skillshare

by Skillshare
Skillshare
Skillshare is an online learning platform that offers a vast array of classes across various disciplines, including creative arts, design, entrepreneurship, and technology. It is particularly well-suited for creative professionals, freelancers, and hobbyists looking to enhance their skills or explore new interests. The platform's unique benefits include a community-driven approach, where users can interact with instructors and peers, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Popular features of Skillshare include its project-based classes, which encourage hands-on learning, and its mobile app, allowing users to learn on the go. The platform also offers curated learning paths and workshops for more structured learning experiences. Compared to similar products, Skillshare is often praised for its affordability and the quality of its content, although some users note that the depth of classes can vary. Pricing for Skillshare typically involves a subscription model, with options for monthly or annual payments. For specific pricing details, users are encouraged to contact SelectHub for a tailored quote based on their individual needs.
Cost Breakdown
$10 or less
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Study Island

by Edmentum
Study Island
Study Island is an online learning platform that lets teachers individualize student learning through virtual, classroom or hybrid lessons. It combines technology with quality content and customizable teaching concepts to ensure higher success. Teachers can increase student engagement and retention through game-based assignments, formative assessment tools and flexible, state-standardized learning modules. Analytics features allow teachers to track class progress and gain insight into student performance.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: excellent
Cost Breakdown
$10 or less
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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LinkedIn Learning

by lynda.com, Inc.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning, formerly Lynda.com, creates and hosts online courses for business, technology, creative services and certifications. Used by SMBs and in enterprise settings, it’s not a distinct learning platform; however, it does offer classes and video tutorials. Workers can build competencies in an individual subject or follow predefined paths for a comprehensive overview. Courses include graphic design, audio/visual editing, database management, leadership training, soft skills and a range of industry-specific information.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: excellent
Cost Breakdown
$100 - $500
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Inkling

by Inkling
Inkling
Inkling is a cloud-based learning solution that helps companies train employees and managers as well as ensure better compliance. Available for desktop, tablet and mobile use, it aids in knowledge management by creating resources, distributing information and analyzing the results to see where key competencies are across the company.It also provides onboarding, mobile functionality, a reference library, course and content authoring and staff training. The various tools allow users to customize as needed.
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Unlock LEARN

by InfoPro Learning
Unlock LEARN
Unlock LEARN is a sophisticated learning management system designed to streamline educational and training processes. It is particularly well-suited for corporate environments, educational institutions, and industries requiring continuous employee development. The platform offers a seamless user experience with features like course management, analytics, and customizable learning paths. Users appreciate its intuitive interface and robust reporting capabilities, which enhance learning outcomes and administrative efficiency. Unlock LEARN stands out with its ability to integrate with other enterprise systems, providing a cohesive learning ecosystem. While specific pricing details are not publicly available, potential users are encouraged to contact SelectHub for a tailored quote that aligns with their organizational needs. This ensures that pricing is reflective of the unique requirements and scale of each implementation. Unlock LEARN's adaptability and comprehensive feature set make it a compelling choice for organizations seeking to elevate their learning and development initiatives.
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
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Deployment
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Buyer's Guide

Online Learning Platforms Are All About Creating Engaging Learning Experiences

By Ishani Vats, Market Analyst at SelectHub

Online Learning Platforms BG Intro

The pandemic reshaped so many aspects of our lives, and education is no exception. Even with the worst behind us, the demand for online learning continues to grow. And to meet those needs, online learning platforms are growing too, becoming more comprehensive and sophisticated than before.

Learning management systems have long been used to supplement in-person classes and training, but newer online learning platforms are built to offer more. Not only can they supplement what goes on in the physical classroom — they can also, if needed, replace the classroom entirely, providing students the same quality of education they’d receive in schools.

Considering its incredible potential, it’s no wonder that the online learning platforms market grew from $37 billion in 2019 to $56.6 billion in 2022. But how exactly do they work, and, importantly, what can they do for your learners?

In this guide, we’ll go over what online learning platforms are, what features they offer and how to find the best solution for your institution’s needs.

Executive Summary

  • Online learning platforms offer interactive tools for educators and learners to facilitate learning.
  • All participants — students, teachers and administrators — can access the software remotely using a laptop, desktop computer or mobile device.
  • Key features include course creation, performance assessment, eCommerce, CRM, reporting and analytics, and third-party integrations.
  • Upcoming trends in the online learning world include mobile learning, gamification and augmented reality.
  • Be sure to ask potential vendors any questions about the software you may have before committing to a solution.
What This Guide Covers:

What Are Online Learning Platforms?

Online learning platforms are interfaces or portals that provide educational content and resources for students. They’re intended to supplement or take the place of traditional classroom learning. Students and teachers alike can access them remotely from their laptops, computers or mobile devices.

Online learning platforms allow you to create and share courses, conduct virtual classes, track student progress, proctor and auto-score exams, and generate report cards. Multiple communication channels, like email, in-app messaging, discussion boards and feedback forms, ensure that all participants stay connected.

Online learning platforms also make learning more fun and engaging than it is in traditional classrooms through gamification tools like badges and leaderboards. Additionally, customization allows courses to be tailored to specific needs and preferences.

As of October 2021, 32% of countries worldwide either fully (14 countries) or partially (50 countries) closed schools. The pandemic forced most schools to shift to eLearning. Even in the aftermath, many are keeping their virtual models or adopting a hybrid one. An online learning platform helps you keep education consistent, whether it’s happening in a physical classroom or on a computer screen.

Primary Benefits

Primary Benefits of Online Learning Platform

1. Convenience

Online learning programs are accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, allowing students to learn at their own pace and study more easily. Many solutions also come with onboarding resources to help learners get used to using the program, helping prevent learning gaps for less tech-literate users.

2. Engagement

Create a sense of community among all participants, even if they’re distributed across the world. Tools like group discussions, video conferencing, and private messaging help bring the atmosphere of a traditional classroom to the virtual space. You can expand on these capabilities by integrating with third-party applications like Zoom, Google Hangouts, GChat and Microsoft Teams.

3. Personalization

Online Learning Platforms Categories

You can customize learning elements to suit each learner's needs. For example, if students are struggling with a particular topic, you can schedule additional practice tests, conduct extra lectures or easily upload additional resources for them to study. Reporting and analytics tools help you gain insight into student performance, so you can easily identify and address gaps before they hinder a student’s growth.

4. Flexibility

Give students the time and convenience of a flexible learning environment. You can share educational resources like pre-recorded lectures online, viewable by students at any time. The knowledge base can house a variety of learning materials, like question banks, video tutorials, research papers and practice tests.

Implementation Goals

Keeping these implementation goals in mind will help you decide which features you need to achieve those goals.

Goal 1

Improve Course Effectiveness

Online learning platforms help build engaging and easy-to-understand courses so students can better grasp concepts and retain information. You can create original learning material or use templates to develop assignments, like MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) and quizzes.

Goal 2

Personalize the Learning Experience

Every learner has different needs, and online learning platforms provide several options for customizing learning pathways to suit each student’s pace.

Goal 3

Save Money and Time

Online learning platforms help save time and money by reducing the costs associated with brick-and-mortar schools.

Goal 4

Identify and Address Poor Performance

Online learning platforms allow you to track students' progress through detailed metrics, making it easier than ever to identify their weaknesses and develop short- and long-term improvement plans.

These insights are useful to assess how effective your educational program is. You can monitor student participation rates and provide the option to collect student feedback.

Basic Features & Functionality

Progress Tracking

Analyze overall performance to identify learners’ strengths and weaknesses and develop strategies to ensure all are engaged. Evaluate aptitude and problem-solving skills, determine skill gaps and customize tests to suit individual needs.

Provide live feedback to students based on their daily activity and performance. Give them access to grade cards and behavior reports to encourage self-assessment, goal-setting and critical thinking.
Data Reporting

Generate comprehensive reports about course completion rates, number of site visitors, time logs, assessment results and learner participation. Use these metrics to build effective courses, personalize learning initiatives and improve your teaching strategy.
Course Management

Create interactive courses for multiple subjects and topics using customizable templates. Commonly supported content formats include text, documents, videos and assessments.

You can assign trainers for courses, add short descriptions, specify the number of sessions and collect learner feedback by adding a review button at the end of each module.
File Storage

Store all learning material, like PowerPoint presentations, PDFs, question banks, classroom notes, Excel sheets and video tutorials, on a centralized database, accessible anytime and anywhere.

Create unique student profiles to share report cards, badges and certificates, feedback forms and graded answer scripts on a personalizable dashboard.
Virtual Classroom

Host online classes using tools like breakout rooms, screen sharing and recording, video playback, whiteboards and in-app messaging. Integration with popular video conferencing apps like Google Meet, Teams, Zoom and Skype lets participants join classes without switching platforms.

Students can mark themselves present by scanning the QR code, use the “raise hand” feature to ask to speak and access recorded lectures from the content repository for future reference.
Compliance

Ensure that the content you create and upload complies with major eLearning standards like SCORM, AICC, TinCan (xAPI) and cmi5.

Advanced Features & Functionality

Gamification

Game-based elements enhance participation and engagement and encourage healthy competition among students.

Rank performers on leaderboards, set face-animated avatars, offer badges for completing time-bound tasks and grant achievement certificates to make learning more exciting and fun.
Branding

Maintain your organization’s unique identity through your learning materials and interface using brand colors, logos, watermarks and other customizable elements.
Mobile Learning

Students can attend classes, submit assignments, interact with course material and send messages on their smartphone via the mobile app.
Co-authoring Tools

Collaborate with other participants when creating online courses. Features like in-course chat, comment threads and multi-user editing help support a diverse environment for content creation and increase course relevance to a broader group of learners.
Ecommerce

Sell courses online through a branded eCommerce website to increase revenue. Manage orders, offer discounts and process secure transactions on an integrated platform.

Current & Upcoming Trends

Online Learning Platforms Trends

1. Gamification

Gamification is a great way to make learning fun and interactive, so students feel motivated to participate. These tools combine education with game-based elements like badges, avatars, leaderboards and goal points to help students display their accomplishments and feel driven to work harder.

For example, you can set progress bars for each student to compare their past and current performance, so they can set goals to achieve better.

2. MOOCs

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are all-access, self-paced online courses open for anyone to enroll in, consisting of pre-recorded video lessons, readings, assessments and discussion forums. They’re offered by 49% of schools and cover a variety of subjects, like psychology, marketing and engineering.

The concept is gaining traction due to its flexibility, cost-effectiveness and accessibility. In stark contrast to the barriers that traditional colleges and universities present, MOOCs allow people across demographics to learn by taking free online courses from the comfort of their homes.

3. Blended Learning

Blended learning combines in-person classroom learning with virtual education, giving students the best of both worlds. For example, students can use online resources to learn independently about a subject on days they’re at home, then discuss what they learn with instructors on days they’re in the classroom.

Students benefit from the combination of online and in-person learning. Continuous, monitored access to educational resources, combined with face-to-face classes, helps ensure they don’t miss out. It also helps students who may struggle in one setting or the other to approach learning in a way that suits their needs best.

4. Learner Experience Platforms (LXPs)

Learner Experience Platforms (LXPs) provide students with curated content based on their preferred course structure, learning pace and personal interests. Unlike LMS, which are primarily instructor-led, LXPs focus more on the student experience, helping them choose the content best suited for their personal goals and objectives.

As much as they’re student-focused, LXPs aren’t totally hands-off and still are ultimately guided by instructors. Advanced analytics tools built into these platforms provide insights about the impact of courses on learning, including total time spent, skill gaps and number of attempts for each assignment, allowing administrators to track progress and intervene where necessary.

LXPs can be a valuable tool for gaining new knowledge and skills by motivating students to pursue what interests them most. Some companies that use them include Coursera, EdApp and Tovuti.

5. IT Tools and Augmented Reality

As digital technologies continue to transform education, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) provide immersive experiences that students may not otherwise be able to have. Realistic sounds and images increase unique opportunities for hands-on learning regardless of the actual environment’s limitations.

You can also use these technologies to provide students with experiences that may not otherwise be possible, to help them understand complex topics. For example, you can present students with 3D images of the human cardiovascular system so they can get more of a sense of how it works.

Software Comparison Strategy

In a market with so many possible options, how do you pick the best software for your organization?

The best place to start is by determining what your needs are. You can talk to stakeholders, staff and even students to get a sense of what challenges your current education program faces.

It’s also important to consider compatibility with your current system. Does the solution upon or replace your existing approach to virtual learning? Or, if you don’t currently offer virtual learning, how user-friendly would the program be for your students and staff?

If this all sounds overwhelming, don’t worry – we’re here to help. Our guided selection package can help you outline your requirements, as well as provide you with insight into some of the top online learning platforms on the market.

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, it’s important to research your potential vendors. Read online reviews, talk to existing customers and request a software demo to try it out before making a decision.

Cost & Pricing Considerations

The cost of online learning platforms depends on factors like organization size and the number of users. Some other aspects that can affect the cost are:

  • Setup
  • Licensing
  • Implementation
  • Pricing model
  • Customer support
  • Customization
  • Maintenance

It's important to talk to potential vendors about this for better transparency into how much the solution costs. Ask them questions like:

  • What is the upfront payment?
  • Are there any hidden costs?
  • What is your cancellation policy?
  • Do you offer a free trial?

The Most Popular Online Learning Platforms

To help narrow down your search, our analysts compiled five of the top online learning platforms out there. Check out our list below!

D2L Brightspace

D2L Brightspace offers eLearning solutions for schools, educational institutions and corporations. You can create and deliver courses, schedule reminders, share educational resources, track learner progress and gamify learning. The solution offers a class progress dashboard to compare each learner’s performance, generate detailed grade statistics and analyze data using business intelligence tools.

D2L Brightspace

Allow learners to view their progress and access grades conveniently. Source

Tovuti

Tovuti LMS allows users to build interactive courses, create events, send notifications, gamify learning and sell eLearning content on a customized eCommerce website. You can use the brand manager to create learner portals and customize them with different logos, templates and fonts. The platform offers an open API, single sign-on capabilities, and a Zapier integration to simply cross-platform communication.

Tovuti

Create a learning platform that is completely on-brand for your organization.

TalentLMS

TalentLMS lets users create courses, evaluate learner progress, generate real-time data reports and gamify the learning experience. You can add your logo and brand colors to the domain and match each user’s language and time zone with support for over 30 languages. The solution offers third-party integration with popular applications such as Zapier, Zoom and Salesforce.

TalentLMS

Send automatic emails and auto-assign courses to save time. Source

Docebo

Docebo is a learning management system that helps users create and manage educational content and measure learner performance on an interactive platform. You can enhance the learning experience through gamification elements, automation tools and integrations with over 400 third-party applications. The solution supports 40+ languages and provides unlimited cloud storage.

Docebo

Collect and organize valuable data to measure business performance and make smart decisions. Source

Moodle

Moodle is an open-source LMS that offers many capabilities, including online course creation, gamification, progress tracking, reporting, user management and SCORM compliance. It supports blended and distance learning models and offers multilingual support in 100+ languages. Third-party integrations enable additional capabilities like video conferencing, student profiles and plagiarism detection.

Moodle

Allow learners to celebrate achievements and show progress using gamification tools. Source

 

 

Questions To Ask Yourself

To get a better sense of what your organization needs, ask yourself questions like:

  • What is my budget?
  • How many employees will use the system?
  • What are my requirements?
  • What deployment method works best?
  • Do I need a multilingual platform?

Online Learning Platforms Key Questions To Ask

Questions To Ask Vendors

Use these questions as a starting point for conversations with vendors:

About the Software

  • Which integrations does the software support?
  • Is it customizable?
  • Which gamification tools does it offer?
  • Which type of reports does it generate?
  • Can I access media and documents remotely?

About the Vendor

  • What does your pricing structure look like?
  • Do you offer staff training?
  • How does your software scale?
  • How will you ensure data security?
  • Can you provide customer recommendations?

In Conclusion

In a world grappling with so many changes, remote education is likely here to stay. Online learning platforms ensure that, no matter where they’re learning from, students get the most from their education.

With so many options to consider, it can be tricky to figure out which platform will suit your organization best. Get started today with our free software comparison report, and find the tool that helps your students learn even better.

Product Comparisons

Additional Resources

About The Contributors

The following expert team members are responsible for creating, reviewing, and fact checking the accuracy of this content.

Ishani
By Ishani Vats
Technical Content Writer
Ishani is a Technical Content Writer at SelectHub who covers LMS, workforce management, telemedicine and POS. She holds a master’s degree in Journalism and is passionate about translating complex technical concepts into engaging and accessible content for readers. Along with keeping the professional spirit hydrated, she likes petting dogs, looking up random facts and listening to any Lumineers song on repeat.
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Nithin
Technical Research By Nithin Shetty
Senior Analyst
With experience in research and consulting going back to 2015, Nithin Shetty is an asset to SelectHub's research team. In his Senior Research Analyst role, he works on projects in categories like HR, CRM, EHR and ERP. He's also a big movie buff and sports fan. When he isn't watching his favorite film or game, he's usually volunteering his free time to causes like blood drives and environmental cleanup.
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Jaisri
Technical Review By Jaisri Narasimman
Principal Analyst
A graduate of NTU Singapore, Jaisri Narasimman honed her data mining and curation skills during her post-graduate education, focusing on developing strategies to help businesses make the most of their data. In her role at SelectHub, her research spans categories like HR, CRM and EHR.
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Draven
Expert Review By Draven McConville
Contributor & Advisor
Draven McConville is the CEO of Klipboard, a technology product company. He has a proven record in sales, leadership and execution of business strategy. Before Klipboard, he served as Board Advisor to ESTHER, Managing Director at Gravity and Board Member at the Irish International Business Network. Collaborating with organizations like Simon Community, he developed innovative solutions like a mobile app for reporting rough sleepers, which garnered recognition with a Tech4Good Award. Outside of his business interests, he has a passion for modern art and charitable causes. Draven enjoys bringing his tech knowledge to use for social good. A particular charitable cause close to his heart is homelessness.
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Dianna
Edited By Dianna Dragonetti
Content Editor
As an editor, Dianna Dragonetti leads a team of five writers in writing about a variety of software, with an emphasis on how these tools empower businesses. Categories include accounting, learning management systems, content management systems, supply chain management, and electronic data interchange.
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