In today’s fast-paced digital environment, SaaS LMS solutions have become the go-to choice for organizations to build and deliver effective training programs. When it comes to selecting the right software, several options stand out for their exceptional features and user-friendly design.

In this article, we’ll discuss the best SaaS LMS in the market, along with their benefits, features and more to help you find the ideal learning management tool for your business.

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Best SaaS LMS

As corporations continue to embrace remote work and online learning, SaaS LMS has become a game-changer for both big and small businesses. Its cloud-based learning model allows users to conduct all training activities on web browsers and smartphones — a unique advantage for a fully remote or hybrid workforce.

Since finding a solution from so many options can be challenging, here’s a list of our top five SaaS platforms to help narrow down your search:

LearnUpon

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, eCommerce and reporting and analytics. With various user groups, administrators can segment, contact and automate processes for more than one group at a time. The platform supports both self-paced and instructor-led training.

Run data-based custom reports to monitor performance. Source

Highest Rated Features According to Our Data

• Content and Course Management — 100
• Ecommerce — 100
• Platform Capabilities — 100
• Reporting and Dashboards — 100
• Assessments — 82

Top Benefits

• Save Time: You can automate administrative tasks to save time spent on creating users, granting access, enrollments and synchronizing data. It also lets staff members sign in with a single sign-on functionality that cuts down on the need to remember multiple passwords. With a SAML login instead, learners can use G Suite, Microsoft Azure and Okta.
• Enhance 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.
• Access Easily: The solution is quick to set up and use, and can be used 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.

Primary Features

• User Roles and Permissions: You can assign executives, instructors, administrators and learners different levels of control within the program, delegate tasks and segment data to generate insightful reports.
• Customization: You can create customized learning environments to reach different audiences better. Update colors, logos or white-label content to match your brand’s identity and create animated, static or multimedia banner images.
• Course Authoring: The platform integrates with authoring tools such as Adobe Captivate, Articulate Storyline and Elucidat and supports SCORM-compliant content creation using drag-and-drop tools.

Pricing

The solution offers three pricing plans:

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

Pricing information for each plan is available on request.

Limitations

• The user roles functionality has glitches.

Features Not Fully Supported According to Our Data

• Breakout Rooms — Supported with partner integrations
• Mobile Collaboration — Not supported
• Group Chat — Not supported

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Docebo

Docebo is an AI-powered training platform that allows you to train employees, partners and customers, and can be used by administrators and learners. It provides solutions for employee onboarding, talent development, compliance training, sales enablement and more. You can create engaging courses, measure learner progress, host virtual classes, and deliver and sell courses on an eCommerce platform.

Create, manage and export tests. Source

Highest Rated Features According to Our Data

• Ecommerce — 100
• Reporting and Dashboard — 100
• User Management and Gamification — 100
• Platform Capabilities — 96
• Content and Course Management — 88

Top Benefits

• Increase Accessibility: The tool 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 learners.
• Offer Diverse Content: The solution supports all significant eLearning formats like SCORM 1.2 and 2004, AICC with PENS support, and Tin Can (xAPI).
• Support Different Learning Styles: The solution supports many learning models like instructor-led training, online training, virtual blended learning and social learning. It allows you to adjust your training program to individual and collective needs without compromising effectiveness.

Primary Features

• Course Catalog: Create a customized set of courses and learning plans that your users can either enroll in freely or purchase. You can also configure visibility settings for certain catalogs, allowing specific users to interact with a selection of courses.
• Ecommerce: For organizations looking to sell their training, the platform lets shoppers browse, see an overview and purchase content. A company looking to buy materials can access the Content Marketplace and select professional materials from various creators.
• Collaboration: The solution provides collaboration tools like discussion boards, user forums, in-app messaging and video chatting for users to discuss assignments, share training material, discuss queries and stay connected.

Pricing

The solution offers quote-based pricing.

Limitations

• Upgrade issues are common.

Features Not Fully Supported According to Our Data

• On-Demand Recording — Supported with partner integrations
• Virtual Classroom — Supported with partner integrations
• Mobile Collaboration — Not supported

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Brainier

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. It integrates with multiple partners in talent management, succession planning and other technology. You can also discover, create and deliver educational content using automation tools.

Rank learners on the company leaderboard. Source

Highest Rated Features According to Our Data

• Content and Course Management — 100
• Ecommerce — 100
• Mobile Capabilities — 100
• Reporting and Dashboard — 100
• Platform Capabilities — 93

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 systems like CRM, LCMS and eCommerce into the LMS. It streamlines data interoperability and allows you to evaluate all training activities in tandem on a single dashboard.
• Reporting and Analytics: Using built-in analytical reporting tools, you can easily monitor course and learner data, generate valuable insights and measure program effectiveness.

Primary Features

• Integrations: For companies looking for HR tools, talent management software, CRM systems or other workforce technology, it has many partners to broaden its capabilities. This includes Edcomm, ExponentHR, Salesforce, Skillsoft, TalentGuard, Vado and more
• Customization: The system allows you to brand or white-label platform elements using your company’s logo, colors, interactive templates and other attractive tools.
• Content Library: It offers multiple SCORM and AICC-compliant courses on topics such as business, compliance, computer training and safety. This includes course materials, video streaming, discussion prompts and testing questions. For premade content, the system can help convert PPTs, scripts, videos and other interactive elements to an online layout.

Pricing

You can request a quote on the website.

Limitations

• The design is too busy and the interface isn’t very intuitive.
• Setup and integration with other programs can be difficult and time-consuming.

Features Not Fully Supported According to Our Data

• Interactive Whiteboards — Supported with partner integrations
• Automated Grading — Not supported
• FERPA Compliance — Not supported

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SkyPrep

SkyPrep is a solution where administrators can tackle content and course creation, administration, publishing and selling. It creates materials, manages learners and provides analytics and reporting for training. The platform serves many industries including automotive, biotech, customer service, education, health care, finance, franchises, hospitality, manufacturing, medical, software, product development and many more.

Manage courses, enrollment and more from a central dashboard.

Highest Rated Features According to Our Data

• Collaboration — 100
• Ecommerce — 100
• Reporting and Dashboard— 100
• User Management and Gamification — 100
• Content and Course Management — 93

Top Benefits

• Improve Branding: You can use custom branding tools like logos, icons, templates, domain names and color schemes to improve the look and feel of your platform.
• Keep Data Secure: The solution provides many security features, like SSL-certified infrastructure, HTTPS protocol, login verification, encrypting data at rest and PCI-DSS compliance, to protect company data from security breaches and viruses.
• Ensure Compliance: Meet regulatory compliance requirements and keep your operations running smoothly using compliance training features for various industries like healthcare, manufacturing, finance and software.

Primary Features

• Course Management: You can create courses online using MS Word and Excel documents, PDFs, PPTs, videos and more. It allows you to invite learners to start courses, add them individually or in bulk and enable them to self-enroll into courses.
• Webinar Management: The solution allows you to schedule webinars, enroll learners in sessions and keep track of their attendance within the platform. Key capabilities include attendee enrollment, session reminders, resource library and automated enrollments.
• Reporting and Analytics: Real-time data reports help track learner progress, assessment results, course completion rates, certification and more on an interactive dashboard. You can customize reports based on your preferences, add filters to sort data and send them directly to each user’s inbox.

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

• There’s a 20 GB limit on PPT uploads.
• The API doesn’t connect properly with external programs.
• Reporting capabilities are limited.

Features Not Fully Supported According to Our Data

• Course Ratings — Not supported
• Breakout Rooms — Supported with partner integrations
• Anti-Plagiarism Software Integration — Not supported

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Absorb LMS

Absorb LMS is an enterprise-level learning and training solution that helps organizations streamline their eLearning delivery processes. Its mobile app, Absorb Learning, delivers digital training content in multiple formats, including SCORM, xAPI, PDF, MP4 and Microsoft Office files. It also offers third-party integrations with apps like Salesforce, ADP and Zoom, and connects with any system via API.

Create separate collaborations for each activity. Source

Highest Rated Features According to Our Data

• Content and Course Management — 100
• Mobile Capabilities — 100
• Reporting and Dashboard — 97
• Platform Capabilities — 93
• User Management and Gamification — 91

Top Benefits

• Personalized Learning: The Absorb Intelligence suite features a combination of machine learning, natural language recognition and optimization algorithms. Tools like Intelligent Assist, Intelligent Ranking and Absorb Pinpoint allow learners and administrators to configure and contextualize training content based on their personal preferences.
• Improved Business Outreach: An advanced eCommerce platform allows you to sell training content to internal and external learners. They can browse your course catalog online, apply coupons and discounts to orders and process payments using credit cards, wire transfers, mobile payments and more.
• Enhanced Communication: You can integrate the platform with Absorb Engage to create a community space where learners can review documents, discuss course topics, share ideas and more. It helps improve team-wide communication and makes learning a participative process.

Primary Features

• Machine Learning: The platform offers a machine learning-enhanced search option that provides learners with targeted content and gives better results through algorithms. Administrators also get insights into what their employees are searching, the results they found and the results they used.
• Compliance: Compliance is the most common form of training provided to employees and helps build a positive work culture. The platform complies with GDPR, SOC 2 Type 2, WCAG 2.0 AA, PCI and provides third-party security audits, nightly scans and more. This ensures that data is secure and meets accessibility standards.
• Content Libraries: You can choose from several different libraries to download courses and content for learners. This includes classes on compliance, IT, sales, leadership and other subjects. It integrates with platforms like BizLibrary, LinkedIn Learning, Skill Pill, Skillsoft and Whil.

Pricing

You can submit your training requirements on the website to get a quote.

Limitations

• Ecommerce capabilities aren’t flexible.
• Reporting tools aren’t advanced.

Features Not Fully Supported According to Our Data

• Anti-Plagiarism Software Integration — Supported with partner integrations
• Skills Catalog — Not supported
• Audit Trail — 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

Why Do You Need a SaaS LMS?

Based on a Wiley report, 69% of organizations face a skills gap, and 41% cite a lack of employee development initiatives as the reason behind it. Many L&D professionals are upskilling and reskilling their employees to address the challenge, but to do it effectively, an advanced learning platform is a must.

Implementing a SaaS learning management system offers unparalleled flexibility, ease of use and advanced features to give a competitive edge to your training program. Let’s look at some of its benefits.

• Around-the-Clock Accessibility: SaaS LMS platforms are accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. Employees can access training content on various devices, including desktops, tablets and smartphones, making learning more adaptive and convenient for all user groups.
• Cost-Effectiveness: SaaS solutions usually offer subscription-based payment models that cut down upfront costs associated with installing, maintaining and upgrading the software.
• Smooth Integrations: You can integrate your video conferencing system, eCommerce platform, CRM suite and other workflows with third-party apps to streamline workflows, eliminate manual data entry and automate data exchange.
• Quick Deployment: Since the infrastructure and software are hosted and managed by the vendor, you can quickly implement SaaS LMSs without extensive setup or configuration. It helps accelerate the software setup process and gets your training program up and running in minimal time.
• Uninterrupted Growth: SaaS learning management systems are highly scalable, allowing you to accommodate a growing number of learners and add new courses and features without switching platforms.
• Better Security: Data encryption and backups, secure logins, regular updates and other robust security mechanisms safeguard sensitive company information, prevent data loss and enhance operational control.

Key Features

SaaS 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: A SaaS platform acts as a central platform to build and manage an employee database. You can create user accounts, store and manage their personal 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, and completion deadlines and attach custom certificates to each course.
• Assessments and Grading: The solution 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 and to facilitate real-time interaction among learners and instructors.
• Customization and Branding: The LMS should allow you to 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: 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.
• Customer Support: Most vendors offer knowledgeable and responsive customer support through various channels like email, live chat and phone.
• 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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SaaS vs. Hosted LMS

SaaS and hosted LMS refer to the different deployment models for implementing learning management systems.

With the rise in remote and hybrid working models, SaaS LMSs have become very popular among organizations of all sizes. They provide a more cost-effective, easy-to-use and scalable platform to manage training activities than hosted LMS. On the other hand, on-premise or hosted LMSs offer a robust security infrastructure and are an excellent fit for organizations with extensive customization and integration needs.

Let’s look at how the two deployment models compare:

• Infrastructure: A SaaS LMS is hosted on remote servers and accessed through the internet, while hosted or on-premise software is deployed on servers owned and maintained by the organization or a third-party provider.
• Accessibility: Users can access a SaaS LMS from anywhere with an internet connection and device, whereas a hosted LMS only works on the organization’s private servers or through a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
• Maintenance: The vendor takes care of software updates and maintenance, security and data backups for a SaaS LMS. In the case of a hosted LMS, the organization is responsible for these tasks.
• Cost: SaaS LMSs typically offer subscription-based pricing allowing organizations to pay monthly or annual recurring fees based on the number of users or features they require. Hosted LMS require upfront payment for installing the software infrastructure, licensing and ongoing maintenance.
• Scalability: A SaaS LMS is scalable, allowing organizations to accommodate growth in the number of users or an increase in content usage on the same platform. Hosted LMSs need hardware upgrades or server capacity expansion to handle increased usage.
• Integration: Both deployment models allow integrations with third-party applications or services using APIs, Webhooks or Javascript tracking to facilitate data sharing between systems and streamline workflows.

SaaS, PaaS and IaaS: What’s the Difference?

SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS are different types of software delivery models, also used in the context of an LMS. The type of setup you need for your organization depends on various factors such as customization requirements, technical capabilities, budget and the level of control you wish to have over the system infrastructure.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

A SaaS LMS provides the full application stack and handles updates, backups, security and other system maintenance activities.

• You can pay a subscription fee based on business-specific factors such as the required number of users or features.
• The platform can be quickly deployed and easily accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

In a PaaS LMS, the service provider offers software and hardware tools to develop, run and manage the system and related applications.

• Since the software is hosted on the vendor’s infrastructure, it takes care of maintaining platform components like system updates, database and hosting.
• It’s a scalable and flexible way to build and deliver training content on the cloud, without the burden of managing system infrastructure.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

In this model, the vendor offers the infrastructure components required to run the system, such as storage, networking, virtualization and servers, as a service.

• The software may be installed and configured by the vendor, but it’s your responsibility to set up and manage its infrastructure.
• It offers more customization options compared to SaaS, but also requires technical expertise for maintaining and running the system.

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How To Find the Right SaaS LMS

The market consists of over 500 SaaS LMS solutions, each with its unique set of features, pricing models and industry-specific capabilities. Here are some questions you can ask during the software selection process to find the right solution for your organization:

Do I have pre-existing content to upload?

If you need to upload existing content to the LMS, make sure it supports various content formats like mp4, jpeg, PPTs and more to avoid compatibility issues. If not, the software should offer course-authoring tools to help you build and deliver eLearning content.

Is the software fully compliant?

The software should be compliant with eLearning standards such as xAPI, SCORM and AICC. It helps you upload, generate and track content that can be run across platforms and devices without compatibility limitations. You should be able to publish and host all types of courses and assessments and monitor learner progress within the platform.

Does it offer third-party integrations?

Third-party integrations improve existing platform capabilities and streamline workflows by leveraging the power of external applications. Make sure the software connects your internal systems like CRM, HR, payments and eCommerce with popular solutions like PayPal, Salesforce and MailChimp.

Which types of reports does it generate?

The software should offer a range of reports to track learner activity and performance along with course engagement metrics. It helps you measure the effectiveness of your training content and make necessary adjustments based on real-time data.

Does the software have a mobile app?

A mobile app makes it flexible and convenient for learners to access training content on the go, so check if the solution offers a user-friendly mobile app compatible with major operating systems like iOS and Android.

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Next Steps

Whether you’re onboarding employees, educating customers or providing compliance training, using a SaaS LMS gives you access to unparalleled capabilities to meet diverse learning needs. By leveraging the power of cloud computing and subscription-based models, it provides flexible and self-paced skill development opportunities to your employees.

Ready for the next step? Check out our free software comparison report to evaluate leading SaaS LMS products on the market and how they stack up.

So, have you used an LMS before? Are there any business-specific features you’re looking for in a SaaS LMS? Let us know in the comments below!