Are you responsible for selecting the perfect Learning Management System (LMS) for your company?

If so, you're on a quest.

We know that this process involves researching various LMS options, listening to persuasive sales pitches, and taking demos. This can take months for you to come to a suitable conclusion.

But don't worry – we've taken care of this for you. We have shortlisted 12 Learning Management Systems, delving into their top features, benefits, costs, customer likes, and dislikes – giving you a base in your research for the ideal LMS.

Besides using LMS for learning courses, if you're looking to have an LMS for navigating and learning enterprise applications such as Salesforce, SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, and others, we have a smarter platform. A solution that will help your users to learn all these applications effectively right on the job.

Stay tuned; You'll discover this alternative by the end of this blog!

First, Let's start by understanding what a Learning Management System (LMS) is.

What is a Learning Management System(LMS)?

A Learning Management System(LMS) is an organization’s centralized learning hub, accessible via the web, where you can seamlessly gather, organize, host, distribute, and track all your learning and training content.

If you’ve taken an online course – you’ve probably used a LMS. It’s been around since the 1990s and, ever since, helping learning and development(L&D) folks to create learning content, distribute it to relevant job functions/roles, and track its performance.

How is it used in different situations?

  • Employee Onboarding: When new folks join your company, LMS makes sure they get the scoop on company rules and initial training for their first 30 or 60 days. It's like a library of courses customized for them, with schedules and progress tracking.
  • Customer Service Skills: If your customer service team needs to brush up on their skills, LMS has their back. You can find courses and role-playing exercises to improve their communication with customers, and you can even check how well they're doing.
  • Sales Manager Know-How: To make sure your sales managers know your product pipeline in and out, LMS lets you host webinars and workshops. It's like having a place to go for expert advice and tips to boost their performance at work.

Why Having an LMS Is a Good Idea

You probably have a specific reason for wanting an LMS, but let's talk about some benefits you'll enjoy once you've got one.

1. Centralized Learning Hub:

With an LMS in place, all your courses are neatly organized in one spot. It's like having a tidy library for your learning materials, making it super easy for your users.

2. Progress Tracking for Improvement:

LMS systems come with analytics to show you how your courses are doing. You can see who's completed, who's passed, who hasn't finished, and more. It's like having a report card for your training.

3. Ideal for Remote Work:

In today's world of remote and hybrid work, LMS platforms make learning possible from anywhere. It's like carrying your training materials with you, no matter where you're working.

4. Keeping Everything Up to Date:

You can always update and fine-tune your courses. It's like having a magic wand to make your training content even better.

So, an LMS isn't just a tool; it's your secret weapon for streamlined learning, progress tracking, and staying ahead in the world of remote and flexible work.

Must-Have Features in an LMS

Let's break down the must-have features in an LMS, considering your specific training needs, user base, and the growth trajectory of your organization:

  • Content Compatibility: Start by assessing the training materials you intend to deliver. Ensure the LMS supports various content formats such as text, videos, images, presentations, and SCORM-compliant(means a way to ensure that your training materials can be easily shared and used) eLearning modules.
  • Scalability: Determine the number of users who will be using the system. If your organization is in a growth phase, choose an LMS that can scale accordingly without incurring exorbitant costs. Look for pricing models that align with your user expansion plans.
  • Hosting Options: Consider whether a cloud-based or self-hosted LMS suits your needs. Cloud-based solutions offer easy maintenance and accessibility from anywhere, while self-hosted options provide more control but require IT infrastructure.
  • Content Migration: If you are transitioning from an existing LMS or have a significant amount of content, ensure the new LMS supports easy content migration.
  • Competency Tracking: Effective training involves assessing and tracking the progress of learners. Look for an LMS that offers competency tracking and reporting features.
  • User-Friendly Interface: A user-friendly interface is essential for both administrators and learners. A clean and intuitive interface makes it easier for users to navigate courses, access resources, and track their progress.
  • Security: We can’t stress enough on this! Your training materials contain sensitive or proprietary information. Thus, the LMS should have robust security measures, including data encryption, user authentication, and access controls.

Other than these seven must-have features of LMS, prioritize customization and branding to reinforce your company's identity. Another feature that might be needed is mobile compatibility, as today’s learners like to learn anywhere and everywhere, right from the pocket device.

What does LMS cost?

The cost of a learning management system (LMS) can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including:

  • The size and complexity of the organization
  • The number of users
  • The features and functionality required
  • The deployment model (cloud-based or on-premises)

In general, cloud-based LMSs are more affordable than on-premises LMSs, as they do not require the organization to purchase and maintain its own hardware and infrastructure.

Here is a general overview of LMS pricing models:

  • Subscription-based: This is the most common pricing model for cloud-based LMSs. Organizations pay a monthly or annual fee per user, with discounts typically offered for larger volumes of users. Subscription fees typically range from $10 to $50 per monthly user but can be higher for enterprise solutions.
  • Per-user, per-use: This pricing model is less common, but some vendors offer it for cloud-based LMSs. Organizations are charged based on the number of users who access the LMS and the number of courses or modules they complete.
  • Licensing fee: This pricing model is typically used for on-premises LMSs. Organizations purchase a license to install the LMS software on their own servers. Licensing fees can range from $500 to $20,000, depending on the size and complexity of the LMS.

In addition to the subscription fee or licensing fee, there may be other costs associated with implementing and using an LMS, such as:

  • Setup fees: Some vendors charge a setup fee to help organizations implement and configure their LMS.
  • Training fees: Some vendors offer training to help organizations use their LMS.
  • Support fees: Some vendors offer support plans to help organizations troubleshoot problems and get answers to their questions.

Overall, the cost of an LMS can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the factors mentioned above.

Top 12 Learning Management Systems

1. Docebo

Quick Overview

  • Year Founded - 2005
  • Avg Annual License: $10-25K
  • Avg Setup Cost: $5-10K
  • Top Clients - Zoom, Kiehl’s, Smartly.io
  • Pricing - Not Available
g2 Ratings

Docebo is a cloud-based end-to-end Learning Management System (LMS) solution. Its standout feature is its unrivaled customization, making it a top pick for organizations aiming for scalability without compromising on tailored solutions.

What sets Docebo apart is its unwavering commitment to user-friendliness, delivering a seamless experience for both administrators and end-users alike. Its extended enterprise setup enables the segmentation of the LMS for various target audiences. Overall, Docebo is one of the best learning management systems available.

Top Features

  • Course Authoring: Course Builder allows you to create custom courses, while Assessments & Quizzes help evaluate learning progress. Instructor-led training supports live, in-person learning experiences.
  • Course Delivery: Learning Paths guide learners through a structured curriculum, available 24/7. Communication and notifications keep everyone informed, and Assignment Scheduling ensures timely coursework.
  • Course Management: Manage diverse user types efficiently and track certifications effortlessly to maintain compliance and skill development records.

Answers to Your Docebo Queries

  • Does Docebo have a Free trial?

No, it does not have a free trial. You’ll have to book a demo to understand its features and how it works.

  • How many products does Docebo have?

Docebo offers two main products: Docebo Platform, a cloud-based LMS for businesses of all sizes, and LearnGOV, tailored for government agencies. They also provide add-ons like Docebo Content, Docebo Coach, and Docebo Impact.

  • What do customers like best about Docebo?

Adaptability, user-friendliness, innovative menu and page designs, dynamic group functionality, extensive reporting choices, and integration capabilities with various systems.

  • What do customers dislike about Docebo?

Limitations of the learning plan system include the inability to mark content as optional, issues with enrolling users in newly added courses, a lack of reports on skills, no support for multiple language versions in a single course, and a missing progress bar in channels/catalogs.

2. TalentLMS

Quick Overview

  • Year Founded - 2012
  • Avg Annual License: Less than $5000
  • Avg Setup Cost: Free Implementations
  • Top Clients - Infosys, Hudl, SalesRoads
g2 Ratings

TalentLMS is a true pioneer in the learning management systems industry, championing simplicity as its core ethos. It's a platform designed to elicit a resounding 'yes' from users of all backgrounds, offering an intuitive and user-friendly experience that doesn't require a tech expert's know-how.

Building engaging learning content with quizzes and tests is a breeze. TalentLMS takes it up a notch with gamified elements like badges and ranks, making the learning journey easy and enjoyable. In a crowded market, TalentLMS stands out as a beacon of simplicity and effectiveness, transforming learning into a captivating adventure rather than a daunting task.

Top Features

  • Unlimited storage: Offers limitless storage capacity, ensuring you can host as much course content as you need without worrying about space constraints.
  • Webinar integrations: Seamlessly integrate webinars into your e-learning experience, allowing for interactive live sessions and learner engagement.
  • Custom user permissions: Tailor user access and permissions to your organization's specific needs, granting or restricting access to features and content as required.

Answers to Your TalentLMS Queries

  • What’s the pricing structure of TalentLMS?

TalentLMS provides a free option for five users and ten courses, with four paid plans:

  • Starter: $89/month for up to 40 users.
  • Basic: $189/month for up to 100 users.
  • Plus: $369/month for up to 500 users.
  • Premium: $569/month for up to 1000 users.
  • What data security measures does TalentLMS SOC-2 take?

TalentLMS is SCORM 1.2, Tin Can, cmi5, ISO/IEC 27001:2013, ISO 9001:2015, and GDPR compliant.

  • What do customers like best about TalentLMS?

The preloaded content from the Course Library has been a valuable resource, enabling customers to refresh and modernize their existing materials. Additionally, the ability to create custom courses using their own content is a standout feature.

  • What do customers dislike about TalentLMS?

Some customers have faced issues with delayed responses in customer service. They also mention a lack of renewal or loyalty discounts and concerns regarding the value offered by the tiered pricing options.

3. LearnUpon

Quick Overview

  • Year Founded -2012
  • Avg Annual License: $25-50K
  • Avg Setup Cost: $5-10K
  • Top Clients - Twilio, Hootsuite, BambooHR
  • Pricing - N/A; Three Pricing Plans: Essential, Premium and Enterprise
g2 Ratings

LearnUpon gets the job done but falls short of offering the full functionality of more robust systems. It's a mid-range LMS in terms of both cost and capabilities. The basic course builder and learner interface are serviceable. It also excels in hosting SCORM and TinCan content.

LearnUpon's interface stands out as inviting but intuitive and engaging, catering to admins and users. It is an excellent introduction to online learning, especially for those new to an LMS or digital learning environment. Even for training and learning professionals without extensive IT backgrounds, LearnUpon simplifies the administration and management of an LMS.

Besides that, they've also launched their generative AI LMS, and you can book a demo to learn more.

Top Features

  • Automated Reporting: Streamline your data analysis and insights by automating the reporting process, saving time and enhancing decision-making.
  • Blended Learning with ILT Modules: Integrate Instructor-Led Training (ILT) modules into your e-learning programs.
  • Gamification: Enhance learner engagement and motivation by incorporating game-like elements, such as points, badges, and leaderboards, into your courses.

Answers to Your LearnUpon Queries

  • Does LearnUpon have a free trial?
  • LearnUpon doesn't offer a free trial; you'll have to schedule a demo to see what capabilities will suit your needs.
  • What do customers like best about LearnUpon?
  • LearnUpon's module-saving system facilitates quick course development when reusing content, but it can be cumbersome to manage in larger organizations with complex training needs. Despite its limitations, the reviewers on software listing sites note positive experiences with LearnUpon's customer support.
  • What do customers dislike about LearnUpon?
  • The biggest drawback lies in how user roles are structured, with certain permissions restricted to higher-level roles, like admins, even when it might make sense for lower-level roles like managers or instructors to have some of these abilities.

4. Cornerstone OnDemand

Quick Overview

  • Year Founded - 1999
  • Top Clients - Sodexo, Samsung, Alaska Airlines
  • Pricing - N/A
g2 Ratings 

Cornerstone Demand is a forward-thinking and adaptable HR solution positioned to empower organizations with the tools they need to nurture a modern and agile workforce.

Its AI-powered, skills-focused approach aligns well with the needs of contemporary organizations aiming to modernize their learning and development processes.

The platform's user-friendly interface, customizable pages, and Learner Home feature indicate a thoughtful design that caters to end-users' needs while offering administrators powerful automation and data leverage capabilities.

Top Features

  • Skill Graphs: Immediately access a comprehensive overview of your workforce's competencies, allowing you to identify the ideal individuals for specific tasks.
  • Engagement Surveys: Assess the effectiveness of talent initiatives on your organization's performance and attain a precise understanding of employee engagement and contentment levels.
  • Core HR: Streamline and simplify your human resources operations within a single platform to enhance your ability to support, recognize, and engage with your employees.

Answers to Your Cornerstone OnDemand Queries

  • Does Cornerstone OnDemand offer a Free Trial?

No, they do not offer a free trial.

  • What do customers like the best about Cornerstone OnDemand?

The reporting functionality, especially after upgrading to Enhanced Reports (Reporting 2.0), stands out as excellent. It provides a remarkable ability to extract extensive data for various business lines, which is particularly valuable. The flexibility to use Organizational Units for creating groups for assigned training is appreciated, especially in a highly regulated industry where role-specific training is essential.

  • What do customers dislike about Cornerstone OnDemand?

Managing the user interface from an Admin standpoint can be quite challenging, with even simple tasks often involving a convoluted series of steps and screens filled with perplexing fields that offer minimal guidance on what's required.

5. SAP Litmos

Quick Overview

  • Year Founded - 2007
  • Avg Annual License- $10-25K
  • Avg Setup Cost- Free Implementations
  • Top Clients - Fitbit, Lindt, Youtube
  • Pricing - N/A;  Three Pricing Suites: Foundation, Premier & Platinum
g2 Ratings 

SAP Litmos is one of the best eLearning solution providers. It’s a fantastic learning management tool, particularly for training staff using video training tools, such as sales agents learning about company products and customer service practices.

Universal accessibility is a standout feature, making it easy for all users to use. Whether you're developing customized training modules or overseeing your employees' progress through comprehensive learning journeys, the platform offers the tools and insights needed to optimize your training initiatives.

Top Features

  • Automated Onboarding: Streamline the onboarding process by automating tasks and workflows for new employees, ensuring a smoother and more efficient start.
  • Foundation Training Content: Access a comprehensive library of fundamental training materials to build strong foundational knowledge among learners.
  • Multiple Accessibility Features: SAP Litmos offers various accessibility features to accommodate diverse learners, ensuring inclusive and user-friendly training content.

Answers to Your SAP Litmos Queries

  • Does SAP Litmos have a free trial?

Yes, SAP Litmos offers a 14-day, no-obligation free trial.

  • What are the use cases of SAP Litmos?

SAP Litmos is versatile, serving various use cases, including employee training, customer education, and extended enterprise learning, and it's also valuable for non-governmental agencies and state or local government organizations.

  • What do customers like the best about SAP Litmos?

It excels in user-friendly video training, fostering universal accessibility, and providing robust course creation and monitoring capabilities.

  • What do customers dislike about SAP Litmos?

SAP Litmos experiences widespread glitches, with some issues in the Ideas portal that seem more like fixes that should be implemented rather than mere ideas. Additionally, bulk imports occasionally suffer from glitches, indicating room for improvement in the platform's stability and functionality.

6. CYPHER Learning

Quick Overview

  • Year Founded - 2009
  • Avg Setup Cost- Free Implementations
  • Top Clients - MacDonalds, Cengage, GraphiSoft
  • Pricing - N/A
g2 Ratings

What truly sets CYPHER Learning apart in our eyes is its modern approach to Learning Management Systems. It's a dynamic fusion of LMS, Learning Experience Platform (LXP), and content management, all supercharged by the power of AI.

Whether you want to sell learning content or enable skills-based learning, it integrates with some great payment gateways, offers sophisticated automation, and integrates with gamification.

Top Features

  • Customizing UX/UI - You can tailor the platform to your company's identity by incorporating your logo, URL, color palette, terminology, and other branding elements.
  • Incorporating rules into learning paths - Rules can be integrated across various platform sections, including classes, learning paths, groups, accounts, and mastery, allowing for a highly configurable learning experience.
  • Personalized Adaptive Learning - The system dynamically adjusts the content and assignments presented to students within classes based on their individual performance, ensuring a tailored learning journey.

Answers to Your Adobe Learning Manager Queries

  • Does CYPHER Learning offer a free trial?

No, it doesn’t offer free trial.

  • What do customers like the best about CYPHER Learning?

Its modular structure is a game-changer. You can set up calendars and schedules, send messages, and create chapters, assignments, and groups effortlessly.

  • What do customers dislike about CYPHER Learning?

We've taken a close look at reviews and discovered that one of the major setbacks for some users is the gap between promises and actual delivery.  Some users have reported that the system's integration capabilities weren't as seamless as hoped.

7. Valamis

Quick Overview

  • Year Founded - 2007
  • Avg Annual License- $100,000-$500,000
  • Top Clients - Valtech, FCG, Hermes
  • Pricing - Starts at €12,000, with an annual subscription being mandatory.
Capterra Rating

Valamis proudly labels itself as a pioneer in digital transformation, and rightfully so. The Valamis Complete Learning Solution simplifies your learning technology, consolidating all elements into a cohesive corporate learning platform that maximizes engagement and minimizes unnecessary interactions.

By merging the strengths of learning experience platforms and learning management systems, Valamis ensures you won't have to compromise. This enables you to effortlessly provide your learners with compliance training, recertification, and reskilling opportunities.

Top Features

  • Skills Management tools: Effortlessly track, assess, and enhance employee skills with intuitive tools, ensuring your workforce stays competitive and adaptable.
  • Mobile Learning App: Access learning resources on the go, anytime, anywhere, with a user-friendly mobile app that empowers continuous learning and development.
  • Event Management: Seamlessly organize and manage training events, workshops, and seminars, streamlining registration, communication, and attendance tracking for smoother learning experiences.

Answers to Your Valamis Queries

  • What do customers like the best about Valamis?

Valamis customers value the platform's ambitious and smart design, finding it highly configurable and user-friendly.

  • What do customers dislike about Valamis?

It's worth noting that Valamis lacks a significant presence on software listing websites, with only a limited number of public reviews. However, what caught our attention was the issue of pricing, as it can be perceived as relatively expensive for certain organizations.

8. Lessonly

Quick Overview

  • Year Founded - 2010
  • Pricing - N/A
  • Top Clients - Lyft, Angie’s list, Birchbox
g2 Ratings

Lessonly by Seismic is a simplistic yet powerful LMS on this list. Its intuitive interface and straightforward design make it a breeze to navigate, even for those with limited technical expertise. But don't let its simplicity fool you; Lessonly packs a powerful punch when it comes to enhancing the learning journeys of both employees and customers.

Another aspect of Lessonly is its robust analytics and reporting capabilities. These insights provide valuable data on learner engagement, progress, and overall effectiveness of training programs. Such granular information helps organizations to make informed decisions about their training strategies, ensuring that their investments yield tangible results.

Top Features

  • Global User Assistance - Lessonly provides a global cloud infrastructure that can assist users across various devices, teams, and locations worldwide, focusing on rapid response and robust security measures.
  • Integration with existing tech stack - It’s an open platform that integrates with your existing tech ecosystem, may it be comprehensive APIs, smooth data integration, and sandbox environments.
  • Machine Learning Capabilities - With Seismic's data, the learning processes can uncover the content, actions, and user behavior for a more effective learning experience.

Answers to Your Lessonly Queries

  • What problems are Lessonly by Seismic Solving?

Lessonly is addressing onboarding, ongoing training, and ad hoc training needs. However, it may not effectively contribute to long-term knowledge retention beyond the initial lesson completion.

  • What do customers like best about Lessonly by Seismic?

Creating and using curricula as templates for future training needs is effortless with this tool. Building certification paths is also a breeze, whether you're an admin assigning courses or end-users completing them.

  • What do customers dislike about Lessonly by Seismic?

When there's a complex lesson that users are reading, it's really hard to retain the information if it's spread out over multiple pages.

9. WorkRamp

Quick Overview

  • Year Founded - 2015
  • Avg Annual License- $25-50K
  • Avg Setup Cost- < $5000
  • Top Clients - Reddit, Intercom, SproutSocial
  • Pricing - N/A
g2 Ratings

WorkRamp's Learning Cloud is the most comprehensive LMS solution available, capable of scaling with growing companies. Its seamless integration with third-party apps and admin-friendly management make it a top choice.

Collaborative course creation with version history control is a plus, but the platform could improve in extracting feedback from courses, often requiring manual effort to gather registrants' input.

Top Features

  • Compliance Training: Streamline and track compliance training, ensuring organizations meet regulatory requirements effectively.
  • Upskilling & Growth: Versatile platform for upskilling employees and fostering professional growth through customizable learning paths and assessments.
  • Manager Development: Supports manager development by offering targeted training content, coaching resources, and performance-tracking tools.

Answers to Your WorkRamp Queries

  • What do customers like the best about WorkRamp?

Customers appreciate that WorkRamp is exceptionally intuitive and easy to learn, allowing them to become proficient quickly even if they are new to the training side of technology. They find it especially valuable for converting their knowledge into user-friendly content that benefits end-users of their software.

  • What do customers dislike about WorkRamp?

Customers have expressed frustration with the video uploading process, noting that it often necessitates substantial compression for longer files to facilitate smooth uploads. Some found the reporting tools on the admin side clunky, which can pose challenges regarding efficient data management and analysis within the WorkRamp platform.

10. Rippling

Quick Overview

  • Year Founded - 2016
  • Avg Annual License- N/A
  • Top Clients - Sitemate, Frogslayer, Chess.com
g2 Ratings

Rippling is a good option for organizations that are looking for a user-friendly, affordable, and comprehensive LMS. It is particularly well-suited for organizations that are already using Rippling's other HR tools as it’s popular for its global workforce management software.

For instance, in their US course bundle, they've pre-configured enrollment rules for anti-harassment compliance training across all 50 states. With just a single click, employees and managers can be enrolled in the mandatory courses and re-enrolled annually.

Top Features

  • Automated Course Enrollment: All the users get assigned to their course with specific triggers from within the platform, like signing an offer letter or promoting an employee. This cuts down on manual course enrollment, saving you a ton of time.
  • Record Certifications: Keep a record of all your employees' certifications and send them to them as soon as they achieve them.
  • Add Enrollment Rules: Take control of course access by customizing who can enroll. Whether it's restricting courses to sales managers or implementing specific criteria, you have the power to tailor access as you see fit.

Answers to Your Rippling Queries

  • What do customers like best about Rippling?

Rippling arranges all the necessary customer items in easily accessible spaces, simplifying their requirements. It recently provided significant assistance when customers needed to re-enroll in their insurance under their respective companies.

  • What do customers dislike about Rippling?

Getting accustomed to Rippling from a business perspective may take some time. Finding newly entered entities can be a bit cumbersome, especially when they haven't filled out their profiles yet. For instance, contractor profiles are labeled as "Contractor" until completed. Sifting through incomplete "Contractor" profiles can be tedious as an admin.

11. Moodle

Quick Overview

  • Year Founded - 2002
  • Pricing - Free
  • Top Clients - Walmart,  New Hall Kidz,  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
  • Supported in - Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, Unix, NetWare
g2 Ratings

Moodle is an open-source learning management system (LMS) primarily popular among K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and large companies. It's widely used, but getting started with it can be tricky. You'll need the expertise of a developer to set it up.

Once you're up and running, Moodle is quite versatile. You can use it to create, manage, and monitor courses with various interactive features like blogs, chats, and glossaries to enhance your users' learning experience. Moodle's infrastructure is expandable, allowing you to add various plugins for things like custom themes, content filters, enrollment processes, and authentication methods. This flexibility is a big plus.

However, it does have a couple of downsides. First, its user interface is outdated and not as modern as other LMS options. Second, it lacks certain features for grading and assessing student performance, which might be important for some educational or training scenarios.

Top Features

  • Moodle LMS: Generate captivating eLearning journeys using our adaptable learning management system.
  • Moodle Workplace: Enhance employee training results with an enterprise-level learning and training management system that scales alongside your organization's growth.
  • Moodle Cloud: Moodle offers a variety of flexible, dependable, and sturdy hosting options for Moodle LMS and Moodle Workplace, spanning from cost-effective cloud-based Standard Plans to comprehensive, fully-managed Premium Solutions.

Answers to Your Moodle Queries

  • What do customers like best about Moodle?

Moodle's user-friendliness has made it a breeze to use, and the regular updates consistently introduce fantastic new features and plugins. What truly delights customers is the ability to tailor the platform's appearance to their liking, ensuring a seamless and engaging user experience.

  • What do customers dislike about Moodle?

The platform is not very user-friendly, and it sends email notifications for every teacher post, potentially overwhelming inboxes. Tracking updates is challenging without email notifications, and understanding its usage can be difficult, especially for first-time users who may need some assistance.

12. D2L Brightspace LMS

Quick Overview

  • Year Founded - 1999
  • Avg Annual License- Cost depends on the client
  • Avg Setup Cost- $10-25K
  • Top Clients - BrucePower, Dematic, EllisDon
g2 Ratings 

D2L Brightspace is a veteran, and they've done a great job adapting to the times with their approach to Learning Management Systems (LMS). They've got some cool modern stuff like analytics and a design that works well on all sorts of screens, which is a big help for educators and trainers. It makes creating learning stuff easier and ensuring it matches your goals.

You can check out some of the top features below, and there are even more, like discussion boards and designs that work great on mobile phones. These features mean you can learn from anywhere in the world, which is super useful if you've got users everywhere. But, as some reviews mention, how you set up your courses might not be as flexible as you'd want it to be.

Top Features

  • Outcome-Based Assessments: Measure how well learners have achieved specific learning outcomes.
  • Assistive Tech for Maximum Accessibility: Provide learners with disabilities with the tools they need to learn.
  • Advanced Analytics: Help instructors track learner progress and identify students needing additional support.

Answers to Your D2L Brightspace LMS Queries

  • What do customers like best about D2L Brightspace?

The best part of D2L-Brightspace is that it is very robust-- anything that you can imagine accomplishing is possible. The conditional releases, intelligent agents, and many many different feedback options make it possible to create complex and engaging interactions.

  • What do customers dislike about D2L Brightspace?

Simple operations often take too many clicks. The main examples of this that come to mind are setting up a grade item, linking a grade item to an assignment, and reordering assignments in THREE different places if a change is made: the grade book, the assignments section, AND the content area. A simple adjustment can take many minutes, and it's often not obvious how to do these.

Why is DAP better than LMS?

When it comes to fulfilling your application learning needs, it's important to realize that Learning Management Systems (LMS) aren't the only player in town. In fact, a newer player, Digital Adoption Platforms (DAP), has been making waves.

But what exactly is a DAP?

Digital Adoption Platforms, or DAPs, are simply software that can sit inside any software application and give users the ability to navigate applications with ease.  

To be precise - It is your in-app tour guide to help users learn how to use the ANY application.

DAPs use interactive walkthroughs and contextual help articles that ensure your users get the job done and truly understand the process within the application itself.

Contrast that with LMS, a sophisticated(& sometimes complex) system that manages, delivers, and even automates learning materials. It offers courses or resources related to the application, including tutorials, videos, and documents, that have to be accessed on different web pages or apps.

Rather than having your users keep taking courses or constantly switch pages to figure out what to do next within the application, a DAP can guide them from point A to point B, saving time and getting the ROI on your application investment faster.

Learning Management System Vs. Digital Adoption Platform
LMS Vs. DAP

In a nutshell – When it's about getting your users acquainted with software and applications, think DAP, not LMS.

Gyde As DAP: Innovative Application Learning & Training

Gyde integrates with any of your existing software applications and helps your learners (whether they are customers, employees, or partners) in process navigation. It does this by offering proactive features such as walkthroughs and help articles.

You can craft audio-visual walkthroughs that can be converted into videos. Also, you can create context-specific help articles that can be downloaded as PDFs. In this way, these help resources are easy to consume, both online and offline.

As depicted in the image below, you'll notice the 'What's New' feature in the side panel, which serves as an excellent tool for informing your users about the latest process walkthroughs related to application updates.

Gyde working on SAP SuccessFactors
Gyde working on SAP SuccessFactors

Gyde’s Top Features

  • Interactive Audio-Visual Walkthroughs - Guided, step-by-step tutorials using multimedia elements to assist users in mastering tasks or processes.
  • Contextual Help Articles - Information and tips displayed within the application interface to provide relevant assistance at the right moment.
  • ‘What’s New’ Feature - Keeps users informed about recent updates, changes, or additions to the software.
  • Code-Free Walkthrough Creator - Allows the creation of guidance and tutorials without requiring any coding skills.
  • Multilingual Help - Provides support and content in multiple languages to cater to diverse user bases.
  • Power Analytics - Know how many users viewed your provided help content and pivot accordingly.
  • Quick Assessment - Ask users a few quick questions on the process and analyze how well they learned a process.

Furthermore, Gyde's unwavering commitment to data security is evident through our SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO compliance. Our reputation for speedy responses and outstanding customer support is widely recognized.

One Last Thought

During the recent Navigate 23 summit, Susan Makinda mentioned the following about learning management systems when talking about innovative tools:

LMS systems serve as the foundation, enabling the use of technologies such as Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to provide personalized course/training recommendations for your employees. They also allow you to consolidate all your learning resources in one central hub, greatly simplifying your life, particularly when managing various subscription models alongside.”

Indeed, LMS platforms are the keystone of efficiency in the world of modern learning.

Among the 12 LMS options discussed earlier, you have the freedom to select the one that perfectly aligns with your unique requirements. Use this as a launchpad for your research journey.

If nothing, now you know for sure that if it's an application or software training we’re talking about, digital adoption platforms a.k.a DAPs should be your supreme choice.

Speaking of DAPs, aren’t you already curious about Gyde's potential for your learning strategy?

Do schedule your free consultation today!

FAQs

  • What is the difference between LMS and LXP?

LMS and LXP are both important in the e-learning world, but they have different focuses. An LMS, or Learning Management System, is like the organized librarian of e-learning. It helps you create, manage, and deliver courses. On the other hand, an LXP, or Learning Experience Platform, is more like a personalized learning assistant. It's all about tailoring content to each learner's needs, kind of like a good recommendation engine.

  • What are the best LMSs for organizations?

There are quite a few great LMS options out there! Some top choices include Docebo, TalentLMS, LearnUpon, Cornerstone Demand, SAP Litmos, CYPHER Learning, Valamis, Lessonly, WorkRamp, Rippling, Moodle, and D2L Brightspace LMS. The best one for your organization really depends on your specific needs and goals.

  • What are LMS's Advantages and Disadvantages?

LMS platforms have their pros and cons. On the plus side, they're fantastic for organizing and delivering training efficiently. They make tracking progress and compliance a breeze. However, they can sometimes be a bit rigid, making it challenging to adapt to different learning styles. It's all about finding the right balance between structure and flexibility for your organization's needs.

  • When not to use LMS?

When your training needs are small-scale and informal, consider alternatives like sending materials via email, using intranet or shared drives, or conducting live training sessions with video conferencing tools. Hands-on training is best delivered through mentorship, apprenticeships, hands-on workshops, or providing quick reference guides (job aids). For temporary or short-term training needs, explore online training marketplaces (Udemy, Coursera) or host custom webinars/workshops without a full LMS setup. If resources are limited, opt for free or low-cost tools for creating and delivering training content, or consider social learning platforms for collaborative learning.