In today’s fast-paced world, online learning has become a cornerstone of personal and professional growth — the role of an LMS has never been more vital. While it’s tricky to find the ideal solution for your company from all the options on the market, our list of learning management systems can help!

In this article, we’ll discuss the top five LMS systems and their capabilities to help you make the best decision for your company.

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List Of Top Learning Management Systems

The demand for seamless and effective online learning experiences is on the rise. Organizations are seeking the best training tools to meet their workforce development goals, and LMS software has become a popular choice for both big and small companies.

Amid rising concerns around economic slowdowns and talent shortages, companies are actively focusing on building their employees’ skills. According to a 2023 Manpower report, 4 in 5 employers reported difficulty finding the talent they need.

In addition to that, 41% of respondents to a Wiley survey cited a lack of employee development initiatives as the biggest reason for a skills gap at their company. This explains why 41% of companies planned to increase their L&D budgets in 2023, underscoring the fact that employee development is the key to both retention and overall success.

From comprehensive course management and content delivery to interactive assessments and learner analytics, many learning management systems offer a wide range of tools and capabilities.

Here is our list of top learning management systems (LMS) on the market, including a comprehensive list of LMS options. We’ll go over their features, who they’re geared towards, and how these platforms facilitate engaging and employee-centric training experiences.

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Best for Assessments: Moodle

Assessments are a crucial part of the learning experience. They not only tell you how well your learners are progressing, but also provide useful insights into the effectiveness of your program so you can make adjustments.

Moodle is an open-source LMS designed for educational institutions and corporations. It offers many capabilities, including course creation, progress tracking, third-party integrations, content management and regulatory compliance.

Our highest-rated product for assessments, Moodle provides many tools to evaluate learners, measure their progress and track their performance. It lets you:

• Track individual activities and progress at the course level.
• Allow learners to view, grade and assess their own and other team members’ work.
• Set up competencies with personal learning plans across courses and activities.
• Review assessments and provide feedback by annotating files within the brows

Review individual performance using the gradebook. Source

Highest Rated Features According to Our Data

• Anonymous Grading — 100
• Create Assignments — 100
• Repository — 100
• Surveys — 100
• Test Builder – 100

Top Benefits

• Global Reach: Configurable with over 100 languages, the solution makes connecting with a global audience easy.
• Easy Integrations: You can leverage the power of popular third-party platforms and services like BigBlueButton, IntelliBoard and Brickfield Education Labs by integrating them with your training platform.
• Customized Learning: Moodle has an open-source code and a library of over 1900 plugins, so you can modify the system interface to suit your unique training needs.
• Increased Access: The responsive design allows users to adjust the content to different screen sizes on a mobile device or tablet.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Collaborative features such as discussion forums, wikis and video conferencing tools help users stay connected without time or location constraints.

Primary Features

• Question Repository: Create and store questions in a question bank and reuse them across multiple tests and courses.
• Test Grading: Custom grading scales, such as letter grades, percentages and pass/fail markers, help score assignments, discussions, tests and quizzes based on preset criteria.
• Rubrics: You can set evaluation criteria and frame scoring strategies to measure learners’ performance in assessments and discussions.
• Assignment Warnings: Send warning alerts to learners when they’ve overloaded themselves on assignments based on set thresholds to avoid excess workloads.
• Learning Plans: Create unique learning plans for each learner based on their interests and requirements. For example, you can give extra assignments to underperforming employees or increase the number of modules to segment information and break down long-form content.

Pricing

The solution offers four pricing models under its standard plan:

• Starter: $120 for 50 users and 250 MB storage.
• Mini: $200 for 100 users and 500 MB storage.
• Small: $380 for 200 users and 1 GB storage.
• Medium: $870 for 500 users and 2.5 GB storage.
• Standard: $1650 for 1000 users and 5 GB storage.

You can submit a form on the website to request information about premium solutions.

Limitations

• The solution has a steep learning curve.
• Many users said the user experience is outdated.

Features Not Fully Supported According to Our Data

• Assignment Warnings — Not supported

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Best for Collaboration: SkyPrep

The collaboration features of an LMS are designed to facilitate real-time communication among team members. This can be done through discussion forums, two-way messaging, group workspaces, video conferencing tools and file sharing.

SkyPrep allows administrators to create, administer, publish and sell eLearning content. It helps manage content and learners, and provides analytics and reporting for training.

Its suite of collaboration tools enable users to:

• Communicate and share knowledge about course content through discussion forums.
• Connect virtually through video conferencing.
• Send messages to instructors, administrators and peers.

Create an engaging learning experience with a virtual classroom. Source

Highest Rated Features According to Our Data

• Announcements — 100
• Content Sharing — 100
• Discussion Board — 100
• Group Chat — 100
• Two-Way Messaging — 100

Top Benefits

• Global Reach: The platform can be translated into 14 different languages, including Spanish, German, Russian, Chinese and Italian, making it easier for international users to access the system.
• Multi-Location Management: You can create sub-platforms for different segments of learners, and navigate and manage them centrally.
• Easy Customizations: Customization options allow you to add your company’s logo, color theme, layout and other visual elements to the platform to align it with your brand’s identity.
• Efficient Training: The solution has been running with a 99.99% service uptime for the last 12 months, and the current uptime is always kept up to date on the website.
• Secure Data: SkyPrep ensures data security with SSL-certified infrastructure, HTTPS protocol, login verification, encrypting data at rest, IP and domain restriction, PCI-DSS compliance and more.

Primary Features

• Announcements: You can post information and content that appears on the homepage of your learners’ interface using the Announcements Board.
• Video Conferencing: Create, schedule and manage your online training sessions from within the system interface. It integrates with third-party apps like Zoom, GoToMeeting and BigBlueButton.
• Notes and Annotations: Learners can add notes, comments and annotations in documents or images provided in the course.
• Group Chat: All learners, instructors and administrators can connect and collaborate in a group chat.
• Discussion Boards: The solution offers discussion boards, also known as message boards or discussion forums, that enable information and knowledge exchange among users about eLearning content.

Pricing

The solution offers three plans with different feature sets:

• Lite: Includes 100+ active users, custom branding, SCORM packages and email support.
• Professional: Includes advanced reporting, API and SSO, gamification and workflow automation.
• Enterprise: Includes multiple platforms, migration services, multi-year discounts and custom SMTP.

You can contact the vendor for pricing information about each plan.

Limitations

• The solution offers limited analytical capabilities.
• Some users reported that the API didn’t connect well with other programs.

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Best for Compliance: Brainier

Compliance is the most common form of training employees receive at work. An LMS can help ensure your staff are in compliance with various industry-specific laws and regulations related to data security, privacy, accessibility and content standards.

Brainier is an enterprise learning tool that provides training management, content curation and specialized speakers to deliver information. It’s cloud-based, mobile-compatible, and designed for collaboration and building a broader community around development efforts.

The solution allows you to provide compliance training to employees using a range of tools and capabilities. Employees can use single sign-on (SSO) to access assigned content on a centralized dashboard. You can also customize the look and feel of the LMS to match your brand’s unique identity and create a personalized learning experience.

Get an overview of all compliance activities using insightful reports. Source

Highest Rated Features According to Our Data

• AICC Compliance — 100
• SCORM Compliance — 100
• xAPI Compliance — 100

Top Benefits

• Better Engagement: You can improve employee engagement with personalized learning paths, collaboration tools such as discussion groups and video check-ins, gamification elements, and social and blended learning formats.
• Easy Integrations: Off-the-shelf software integrations use APIs to transfer data from existing CRM, LCMS and eCommerce systems into the LMS. It streamlines data interoperability and allows you to evaluate all training activities in tandem on a single dashboard.
• Data Security: The platform has passed multiple inspections and lives up to many industry standards. It complies with the GDPR standards and the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework to work with EU and worldwide databases.
• Analytical Insights: Using analytical reporting tools, you can easily monitor course and learner data, generate valuable insights and measure program effectiveness.
• Quality Content: The built-in content library provides access to a range of multidisciplinary courses, and off-the-shelf content curated by professional speakers and industry experts. This makes it easier for learners to access quality and updated training materials anytime and anywhere.

Primary Features

• Certification Renewals and Updates: Administrators can set custom expiration dates for recurring training like annual compliance courses or re-certification. They can also configure reminders about upcoming expiration dates, reducing the risk of overdue training or fines for non-compliance.
• Branding: You can customize your training platform interface with your company’s logo and colors, attractive templates, colorful buttons and other engaging elements.
• Dashboard: Learners can access their assigned courses, training progress and other compliance-critical information on a personalized dashboard.
• Off-The-Shelf Course Libraries: It offers a range of compliance training content from leading providers like Skillsoft and J.J Keller, covering issues such as harassment, computer security, code of conduct and more.
• Reporting and Analytics: You can enable managers to view each learner’s course progress on the analytics dashboard. Built-in reporting tools help view learning data on any specific learner or group while admins can filter reports to review the status of compliance training for each team member.

Pricing

You can request a quote on the website.

Limitations

• It doesn’t support two-factor authentication.

Features Not Fully Supported According to Our Data

• COPPA Compliance — Not supported
• FERPA Compliance — Not supported
• LTI Compliance — Not supported

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Best for eCommerce: Docebo

Many LMS solutions offer eCommerce functionality that enables the sale and purchase of courses, training programs or educational content directly through the training platform. With the eCommerce market expected to reach $400 billion by 2030, many organizations are selling their eLearning content online to reach more customers and increase business revenue.

Docebo is an AI-powered training platform that allows you to train employees, partners and customers, and can be used by administrators and learners. You can create engaging courses, measure learner progress, host virtual classes and more.

Its range of eCommerce capabilities help you:

• Allow customers to browse course catalogs and purchase training content.
• Manage eCommerce processes without having to set up and manage payment gateways.
• Integrate with popular eCommerce platforms like Shopify.
• Compose and sell bundles of courses through subscription plans.
• Use payment gateways like Authorize.net, Paypal and Alipay.

Sell courses in a currency of your choice. Source

Highest Rated Features According to Our Data

• Course Bundles — 100
• Course Selling — 100
• Discounts and Promotions — 100
• Manage Subscriptions — 100
• Transaction History — 100

Top Benefits

• Easy Access: The solution supports all standard eLearning formats like SCORM 1.2 and 2004 and Tin Can (xAPI), so you can deliver up-to-date content accessible to all users.
• Customized Interface: You can create a unique system interface that reflects your brand identity and offers a consistent experience to users using a range of white-labeling and branding elements such as templates, logos, colors and custom domains.
• Diverse Content: Authoring tools help create multidisciplinary content in all major eLearning formats like SCORM 1.2 and 2004, AICC with PENS support, and Tin Can (xAPI).
• Different Learning Styles: The platform is compatible with many learning models like instructor-led training, online training, blended learning and social learning. It allows you to adjust your training program to individual and group needs without compromising effectiveness.
• Global Learning: It can be translated into over 40 out-of-the-box languages along with localized date formats. This cuts down on implementation time and allows employees, customers and partners from different regions to access the platform.

Primary Features

• Discounts and Promotions: The solution allows customers to apply discounts, coupons and promo codes to courses or subscriptions.
• Mobile App: Users can access the online marketplace on the mobile app, compatible with iOS and Android devices.
• Course Bundles: Create course bundles by grouping multiple courses or training products together and selling them as a single unit.
• Notifications: Real-time notifications alert managers and learners upon new course additions, failed wire transfers and other similar updates.
• Transaction History: You can manage all marketplace transactions on the desktop and the mobile app. The solution allows you to track revenue from online sales, view customer’s purchase history and export them in CSV and Excel formats.

Pricing

The solution offers quote-based pricing.

Limitations

• Upgrade issues are common.
• The communication tools are not effective.

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Best for Mobile Capabilities: LearnUpon

While LMSs primarily operate on desktop or web-based platforms, many service providers have developed mobile applications to extend their capabilities and provide on-the-go access to training materials. With the rise in remote work, smartphone access to office work and eLearning content is a must, and LearnUpon’s mobile app provides that and more.

LearnUpon is an online learning and development platform that helps train employees, customers and partners. It offers a wide range of capabilities such as course creation, user management, gamification, mobile learning, and reporting and analytics. Using the mobile app, you can:

• Get a dashboard view of all training activities.
• Browse the course catalog and self-enroll in courses.
• Rate and add comments to courses.
• Send new messages and respond to existing ones.

Allow learners to start and resume courses on the mobile app. Source

Highest Rated Features According to Our Data

• Mobile Course Tracking — 100
• Mobile Learning — 100
• Native iOS and Android Apps — 100
• Push Notification — 100
• White-Labeling Mobile Apps — 100

Top Benefits

• Efficient Operations: You can automate administrative tasks to save time spent on creating users, granting access, enrollments and synchronizing data. The software also lets staff members sign in with a single sign-on functionality, so you don’t need to remember multiple passwords or log on to various systems separately.
• Instant Communication: Collaboration tools like discussion forums, group and private messaging, content co-authoring and real-time notifications help team members stay connected and updated at all times.
• Easy Access: The solution is quick to set up and use, and accessible from anywhere and at any time. It supports all major operating systems like Windows and Mac and comes with an iOS and Android-compatible mobile app.
• Better Security: It provides industry-leading privacy and security standards to facilitate a safe training experience for customers and learners. The Amazon Web Services-powered platform complies with ISO 27001:2013 and SOC 2 guidelines and has a 99.99% uptime.
• Scalable Learning: A scalable training platform allows you to add users and course content without storage or hosting limitations. You can create additional portals to roll out training for new users and integrate with third-party applications to conduct training across different time zones, shifts and locations.

Primary Features

• Course Progress: The solution allows users to access assigned courses and resume in-progress ones using mobile devices.
• Content Authoring: You can create mobile-responsive content like courses, modules, video tutorials and more using authoring tools.
• Dashboard: A unified dashboard provides an overview of all training activities like course progress, upcoming submissions, progress reports and more.
• Offline Content: Learners can access courses, complete them offline and sync their progress when back online from mobile devices.
• Mobile App White-Labeling: You can brand the mobile app using custom logos, fonts, colors, themes and more.

Pricing

The solution offers three pricing plans:

• Essential: 50 to 150 users
• Premium: 150 to 300 users
• Enterprise: 300+ users

You can contact the vendor for pricing information about each plan.

Limitations

• Some users expressed that the features are limited.
• Users can’t download assignment results as PDFs via the app.

Features Not Fully Supported According to Our Data

• Mobile Collaboration — Not supported
• Offline Learning — Not supported

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How We Choose Products

Our team of writers and analysts at SelectHub is committed to giving you the best recommendations based on our data. To make our list, products had to meet two criteria:

1. Closely match the topic
2. Earn a top-5 analyst score in our selection platform

Our analyst scores are based on an in-depth research process using primary and secondary sources. This includes SelectHub Analyst Briefings, direct communication with vendors, and reviewing materials such as user reviews, product brochures, specification sheets, case studies, user manuals, and technical documentation.

Our platform’s Scoring Engine processes the research and computes the analyst score. The score also factors in platform settings such as industry and company size.

Learn more about our research methodology and editorial standards

Primary Benefits

Learning management systems have revolutionized the way organizations run and manage their training programs. They provide a wide range of features and functionalities that enhance efficiency, streamline administrative tasks and optimize the training process for employees.

One of the key advantages of LMSs is their ability to centralize and organize learning materials, making them easily accessible to both employees and instructors. Through a variety of content formats, such as videos, presentations, quizzes and interactive modules, LMSs enable instructors to create interactive learning experiences tailored to the needs of their employees.

LMS platforms also offer robust assessment and tracking tools that allow instructors to monitor learner progress, identify areas of improvement and provide timely feedback. This data-driven approach to learning facilitates personalized instruction and helps employees develop their skills and knowledge effectively.

Administratively, LMS solutions simplify the management of courses, employee information, certification data and grading systems. You can also integrate the software with third-party applications to enhance data interoperability and improve the overall efficiency of the software.

Some more benefits of an LMS include:

• Automates tasks to save time and money.
• Improves and facilitates real-time communication
• Provides accurate data insights.
• Facilitates personalized learning.
• Ensures compliance with industry standards.
• Provides unlimited access to training materials.
• Integrates with third-party applications.

Key Features

LMSs cater to a wide range of business types and sizes. Some solutions can work wonders for small and medium organizations with a limited employee base and basic content requirements, and some may be an excellent fit for enterprises looking to train thousands of learners in an array of disciplines.

While the specific features of an LMS can vary depending on your organization’s unique needs and training model, here are some must-have features to consider when evaluating different options:

• User Management: An LMS acts as a central platform to build and manage an employee database. You can create user accounts, store and manage their details, assign them roles and permissions, track individual progress, monitor course activity and more.
• Course Creation and Management: Intuitive and user-friendly authoring tools allow you to create engaging multidisciplinary content. You can add documents, images and videos to courses, organize them into modules or lessons, add descriptions, set completion deadlines and attach custom certificates to each course.
• Assessments and Grading: The software lets you create and deliver assessments in the form of quizzes, tests and assignments, and share them with learners. You can create quality rubrics for each task, customize different question types and learning outcomes across topics and add default grades to each assessment.
• Communication Tools: Most solutions come with a range of collaboration tools, such as discussion forums, in-app messaging, group chats and video conferencing to facilitate real-time interaction among learners and instructors.
• Customization and Branding: You can customize the platform’s appearance to match your organization’s branding elements such as logo, colors and themes. This helps create a consistent learning experience and reflects your company’s unique identity across the platform.
• Gamification: Elements such as badges, reward points and company leaderboards, enhance learner engagement and motivation. You can rank employees on leaderboards, offer badges for reaching milestones, give free course access as rewards and more.
• Mobile Accessibility: An LMS mobile app allows users to access course content anywhere and at any time with an internet connection. Some solutions also support content downloads for offline use.

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Next Steps

LMS platforms have revolutionized the way organizations deliver and manage their training programs. Be it for small startups, mid-size firms or enterprises, they provide a range of capabilities to suit a mix of business requirements. With the demand for new skills and career development initiatives on the rise, these platforms will continue transforming the corporate training landscape in the coming years.

Ready to take your training activities up a notch? Check out our free software comparison report to compare leading market solutions based on key LMS features and capabilities.

So, based on the capabilities we went over, which LMS software best suits your business needs? Are there any specific features or functionalities that you prioritize while evaluating your options? Let us know in the comments!