The Best Employee Training Software to Empower Your Workforce
Everyone who has ever been in the L&D field knows that the transformation from an average employee to a top performer isn’t magic — it’s a mix of profound learning programs and reliable employee training software.
With literally thousands of online training platforms for employees being available nowadays, choosing the one that fits your needs perfectly is no piece of cake. To make your life easier, we performed extensive research and picked the best employee training software available on the market in 2024.
It includes a wide range of award-winning employee development platforms. Click on any tool below that seems more relevant to you, or continue reading to get the scoop on each employee training software.
Tool | Best for | Rating out of 5 (from G2) |
1. iSpring Learn | Any corporate training scenario, intuitive UI, high security and reliability standards, and content authoring. | 4.6 |
2. TalentLMS | Selling training courses online and delivering both internal and external training. | 4.6 |
3. LearnUpon | Running blended learning programs and training various audiences under one roof. | 4.6 |
4. Whatfix | Digital product onboarding and induction training in enterprises where day-to-day operations are powered by multiple software applications. | 4.6 |
5. Docebo | Managing long-term online L&D programs and personalizing training with AI-driven recommendations. | 4.4 |
6. Litmos | Learning management and off-the-shelf courses, especially for compliance training in specific regions. | 4.2 |
7. Skillsoft | Ready-made online training courses for employees and personalized learning paths tailored to employee career goals and growth objectives. | 4.2 |
8. eFront | Fully customizable enterprise-focused platform with flexible features. | 4.5 |
9. LearnWorlds | Selling training programs and educational materials online and onboarding new hires on the same platform. | 4.7 |
10. Bridge | Managing workplace training, performance evaluations, and aligning the goals of an individual, team, and the organization. | 4.2 |
11. Absorb | Training and upskilling employees, customers, partners, and members anywhere in the world. | 4.6 |
Types of Employee Training Software
As you may have noticed, this article primarily focuses on learning management systems (LMSs). However, employee training software is not limited to just LMSs. Let’s explore the various types of training apps available.
1. Learning management systems (LMSs)
LMSs are centralized platforms for managing, delivering, and tracking training programs. The main functionalities include course creation, content and user management, progress tracking, reporting, and analytics.
Examples: iSpring Learn, TalentLMS, Absorb LMS
2. Learning experience platforms (LXPs)
LXPs are personalized learning environments that focus on user experience and engagement. The key features include AI-driven content recommendations, social learning, user-generated content, and integration with various content sources.
Examples: Degreed, EdCast, Cornerstone OnDemand
3. Microlearning platforms
These employee training apps help deliver training content in short, focused segments to enhance knowledge retention and learner engagement. Their main features are the creation of bite-sized lessons, mobile accessibility, and gamification.
Examples: Axonify, Grovo, Qstream
4. Virtual classroom software
Also known as video-conferencing tools, they allow trainers to conduct real-time, interactive online training sessions. The main functionalities are live video conferencing, screen sharing, breakout rooms, interactive whiteboards, and recording capabilities.
Examples: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Adobe Connect
5. eLearning authoring tools
This is software that enables trainers and course developers to create eLearning content. The main features include multimedia integration, interactive elements, and SCORM compliance.
Examples: iSpring Suite, Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate
Also read: Articulate Storyline 360 vs. Adobe Captivate vs. iSpring Suite
How to Choose Employee Training Software
Since there’s no universal solution in the employee training software market for all needs and training scenarios, choosing the right tool can be a bit tricky. Here are some key steps to help you select the best training software:
Identify your L&D needs
Are you focusing on employee onboarding, safety training, skill improvement, or a combination of these? Keep in mind that certain LMS platforms are more specialized, like those tailored for the onboarding process. So, before you start assessing different platforms, clearly define the purpose — what you intend to achieve with your training strategy.
Determine your audience
Consider your employees’ learning styles, tech-savviness, and work arrangements — are they primarily office-based or remote? This will help you find the most effective content formats and preferred training devices, and engage employees in their learning journey.
Estimate your budget
For small businesses, cost considerations are particularly important. You may prefer to avoid enterprise-oriented platforms or solutions with inflexible pricing plans that include unnecessary features and can’t be customized. This step will help you narrow down your options to software that offers the right balance of affordability and essential features for your training initiatives.
Explore the options
Most vendors offer free trials and provide live demonstrations to showcase their functionality and discuss your case. So, don’t rush into a purchasing decision. Instead, take advantage of these opportunities to test multiple options and compare their features, user experience, and suitability for your organization.
Once you’ve gone through all the steps of the software selection process, you’ll be equipped to make an informed decision and choose software that supports your training objectives effectively, enhances employee engagement, and maximizes the return on your investment (ROI).
Key Features of Employee Training Software
Here are some important features you need to consider when selecting an employee training app:
- User-friendly interface. The platform should have an intuitive design that’s easy to navigate, both for employees and trainers.
- Content creation and management. It should include tools for creating training content, such as courses and quizzes, and support for various types of content formats, including SCORM.
- User management. Effective user management features are crucial, including the ability to create and manage user accounts, assign roles and permissions, and organize users into groups or teams.
- Progress tracking and reporting. The platform should provide the tools needed for the real-time tracking of employee progress and detailed reporting tools, so trainers can evaluate their performance and identify areas for improvement.
- Mobile accessibility. A mobile-friendly design and native mobile apps are necessary, along with offline access to training materials to ensure that employees can learn anytime, anywhere.
The 10 Best Employee Training Software to Consider in 2024
Here you’ll find a detailed overview of each platform on our list, including their pros, cons, the most common use cases, and pricing details.
The best employee training platforms for large businesses
Now let’s have a look at the solutions that are most suited for large organizations.
1. iSpring Learn
Why we picked it
iSpring Learn is an online employee training platform that takes the top spot in our ranking for its minimalist design and robust feature set that allows you to implement any learning scenario, from new hire onboarding and employee certifications to product training and compliance training.
This training software stands out for its impressive authoring capabilities, thus removing the need for any other tools to create training content. With the iSpring Learn LMS, you can deliver courses separately or combine them into cohesive learning tracks and automate all the tedious tasks like reminders, notifications, and new assignments. You can also track training from every angle with 20+ detailed reports and gamify the entire training process with custom certificates, points, badges, and leaderboards.
Pros
- Unlimited storage and administrators
- SCORM and xAPI support
- Instructor-led training (ILT) support
- User-friendly interface
- 20+ real-time and scheduled reports on the progress of entire teams or individuals
- Structured, easy-to-follow learning tracks
- Build courses directly on the platform or with the bundled robust authoring tool, iSpring Suite
- Mobile learning support (both iOS and Android)
- Responsive 24/7 customer support via phone, chat, or email
- The opportunity of on-premise installation
Cons
- No multi-tenancy support
- No freelance, academic, and non-profit discounts
Pricing
You only pay for active users — those who access the platform in a given month:
- 100 users — $6.64 per user/month.
- 300 users — $4.10 per user/month.
- 500 users — $3.75 per user/month.
Billed annually. A free 30-day trial and a live, personalized demo are available.
Best for
iSpring Learn is the best employee training software for medium-sized companies and even enterprises looking for a reliable platform with on-premise installation or a rich feature set that goes beyond LMS functionality, such as employee performance evaluation, corporate portal, and org chart. On the other hand, it’s also a great choice for small businesses that are new to eLearning and want to implement an employee training platform quickly.
2. LearnUpon
Why we picked it
The LearnUpon LMS is a cloud-based training system for enterprises. Like TalentLMS, it allows you to create independent portals to train various audiences.
You can make eLearning courses mandatory with automated enrollment based on user groups or allow employees to browse the course catalog and self-enroll. The platform also allows you to combine courses in learning paths in a specific sequence or at random.
This training platform for employees is great if you use a blended learning approach. You can easily schedule and manage ILT sessions, record and track learners’ attendance, and get reports on live sessions, just as with a standard employee training program.
Pros
- Intuitive user interface
- Unlimited learning portals
- Many ways to add users: bulk upload with email, auto-import from your HRIS or CRM, and self-registration
- The opportunity to schedule reports and apply date ranges
- ILT support via Zoom, GoToWebinar, and Adobe Connect integrations
- Multiple content formats, the opportunity to add captions to videos and prevent learners from skipping
- Integrations with popular tools like CRM and HR systems
- 24/7 live technical support
Cons
- Different languages aren’t available in the basic subscription plan
- White labeling is only available in the Enterprise plan
- No on-premise installation
- No HIPAA compliance
Pricing
The vendor offers three subscription plans:
- Essential (up to 150 users) with core features
- Premium (150–500 users) with multiple languages, webinar integrations, SSO, and API
- Enterprise (500+ users) with white labeling and Salesforce integration
You’ll need to contact the vendor to get the values and terms for each plan. A live demo is available.
Best for
LearnUpon is a more medium-sized business and enterprise-focused online employee training platform that will serve companies with over 50 users perfectly, especially if they’re looking for a single platform for training employees, partners, and customers.
3. Docebo
Why we picked it
Docebo presents a multi-product suite of learning management tools designed to cover the entire employee learning lifecycle, from content and course creation, management, and delivery to learning impact measurement.
The online employee training platform provides a catalog of thousands of pre-designed skills and roles and uses AI to personalize learning. The built-in AI assistant identifies and tags specific skills within your learning content, automatically matches them to your employees’ roles, and assigns tailored learning paths for individual employees.
Docebo can also serve as your corporate social media, where internal experts can share meaningful content, and employees, in turn, can ask questions and learn from each other in the workflow.
Pros
- Convenient drag-and-drop interface that allows one to move blocks (widgets) and customize the learners’ portal view
- Unlimited cloud storage in all plans
- 400+ integrations with course creation tools, HRIS, SSO, SRM, messaging platforms, and more
- Social learning tools / collaborative learning features
- eCommerce
Cons
- The interface is a bit clunky at times and not very intuitive, especially in the mobile app.
- Custom and manager dashboards, eCommerce, and MS Teams integration aren’t available with the Engage plan.
- No free trial period.
Pricing
Three subscription plans are available:
- Engage — starts at $25,000/year.
- Elevate — starts at $40,000/year.
- Enterprise — custom, upon request.
Best for
Docebo can be a perfect employee training tool for enterprises with training needs that exceed the functionality of standard employee training management software. You may want to consider this the best option if you run lengthy training programs and/or want AI-driven recommendations, gamification elements to make learning fun, and integrations with popular business tools.
4. eFront
Why we picked it
eFront is an enterprise-focused employee development software with a rich feature list and customization options. It features everything that large organizations might expect from an LMS for employee training, from content authoring and training management to automation and reporting.
This business training software allows you to create independent branches, conduct learner skill gap analysis, package related courses into curriculums, and provide tailored online training programs for employees and specific branches. If needed, you can seamlessly integrate eFront with your existing toolbox via API and fully customize the look and feel of both the learning portal and mobile apps.
Pros
- Multi-tenancy support
- SCORM 1.2, xAPI, and cmi5-compliant
- Native mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Dedicated CS manager in all plans
- Custom reports in all plans
- Cloud or on-premise installation
- ILT support
- SSO
- Available in 22 languages
Cons
- Can be expensive for small companies or startups
- Somewhat outdated interface
- No free trial
Pricing
With eFront, you can choose to pay for active or registered users:
- Registered (1,000 registered users) — starts at $1,200/month.
- Active (150 users that can use your portal in a 2-hour window) — starts at $2,000/month.
Best for
eFront includes an impressive array of features designed particularly for medium and large enterprises that are looking for fully customizable employee development software with high security standards.
5. Bridge
Why we picked it
Bridge is comprehensive employee training and development software that provides both learning management and performance evaluation. It offers good authoring capabilities, training automation, blended learning support, and an AI assistant that can automatically map skills to job roles and tag content with skills. As for training analytics, you can schedule and automatically distribute reports so your leadership teams are always informed of learning progress.
The employee performance module helps align each employee and team goal with the strategic objectives of an organization. You can also conduct 1:1 performance review sessions, develop manager coaching and feedback skills, define employee problem areas, and enable succession planning with the 9-box grid module.
Pros
- Off-the-shelf content right in the LMS (soft skills and compliance training topics)
- Native mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Intuitive course authoring directly on the platform
- SCORM compliant
- ILT support
- Integrations with HRIS, eCommerce, content providers, video hosting platforms, and SSO + open API
- Around-the-clock technical support
Cons
- One of the key differentiators, AI skill development, requires an additional fee
- No on-premise installation
- Users complain about the unintuitive interface in some modules
- No customizable training completion certificates
Pricing
You can choose from three subscription plans, but Bridge doesn’t publish their prices:
- Learn — an LMS to create, catalog, and deliver learning programs.
- Perform — a performance evaluation platform for goal setting, development plans, feedback, and more.
- Learn + Perform — a single tool for learning and development.
Best for
Bridge is the best employee training software for companies that want to launch complete L&D programs and need a single solution with training management and performance evaluation features.
6. Absorb LMS
Why we picked it
Absorb LMS is one of the top AI-powered training software solutions designed for enterprises across all industries to train and upskill employees, customers, partners, and members. It helps organizations meet compliance standards, foster business growth through continuous learning, and monetize course content.
The core features of Absorb LMS include learner and course dashboards, scheduled reporting, a turn-key content library, and seamless integrations. The platform supports automated enrollments, mobile learning, multilingual capabilities, and gamified elements like leaderboards.
Pros
- AI-powered tools (course builder, Intelligent Assist for task management, and intelligent recommendations)
- A built-in course authoring tool
- Powerful training automation features
- Customizable reporting and scheduling features
- Support for xAPI, SCORM, and AICC standards
- Integrations with third-party systems like Salesforce, Zoom, and BambooHR
- Access to a third-party course library
Cons
- Some aspects of the platform are not fully customizable
- Reports cannot be set for all managers
- Some users find the admin experience overwhelming
- Integration with third-party content vendors can be slow and cumbersome
Pricing
Upon request.
Best for
Absorb is best for organizations seeking a strategic learning system that offers industry-leading support and a powerful yet user-friendly interface. It’s a comprehensive solution for employee, customer, and partner training.
The best employee training apps for small and medium businesses
Here you’ll find the best employee training solutions that are ideally suited for small and medium-sized companies.
7. TalentLMS
Why we picked it
TalentLMS is a training software for employees that’s designed with simplicity and usability in mind. One of its primary features is branches, which allows you to create independent training portals and train internal teams, franchisees, or partners separately.
This system allows you to schedule and conduct instructor-led sessions (both online and offline) as an integral part of a course and conduct webinars using a built-in video conferencing tool.
Besides the core LMS functionality, TalentLMS shines with its social learning features. Instructors and administrators can create discussion boards, similar to discussion forums, to encourage debate among team members. They can also send messages to the entire branch, a group, or a specific employee.
Pros
- Multi-tenancy support (branches)
- Unlimited file storage, admins, and groups
- Native integrations with HRIS, CRM, calendars, Zapier, and more
- SSO using Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn accounts
- Content creation: tests, surveys, audio/video recording from a browser, document converter
- Reports in the form of visually appealing infographics
- Built-in eCommerce features to sell online courses
Cons
- Live chat support only with the Premium plan
- No security watermarks when uploading videos or PPT files from your computer
- No on-premise installation
Pricing
TalentLMS offers four types of subscriptions and the option to pay for all registered users or only active ones. If you pay annually and for active users, you can choose from these plans:
- Starter — $149 per 40 active users/month.
- Basic — $269 per 100 active users/month.
- Plus — $389 per 250 active users/month.
- Premium — $519 per 500 active users/month.
- Enterprise — custom plan, pricing available upon request.
The vendor also offers a free plan limited to 5 users and 10 courses.
Best for
TalentLMS is great employee training software if you want to train different types of audiences, such as employees, partners, customers, or employees from different business units, and even sell your online learning courses to external learners — all under one roof.
8. Whatfix
Why we picked it
Whatfix is an online training platform that allows organizations to create in-app, contextual training modules without any coding knowledge, which helps employees master software programs on their own, without assistance from IT staff.
You can create interactive flows and guided tours within the apps, and show accurate navigation through smart tips, beacons, and customizable pop-ups. It’s also easy to create a self-help block consisting of text documents, web links, and other content formats that will appear on the appropriate page. With Whatfix, you can also create task lists and provide new hires with a roadmap of what they need to learn.
Pros
- Works in web, desktop, and mobile apps
- In-app code-free content creation
- Analytics that allow you to track workplace training metrics
- The opportunity to create contextual guidance that’s segmented for specific user roles.
Cons
- The tool can be somewhat complex — some LMS features aren’t as easy to use as they seem when one signs up.
- Whatfix is probably not well suited for larger web apps that present users with multiple options to accomplish the task at hand.
Pricing
Upon request. Whatfix uses a custom pricing model based on the specific training needs and size of the organization. A free trial and a live demo are available.
Best for
This online employee training platform can be extremely handy for customer training in SaaS companies and onboarding new employees in enterprises where daily operations are powered by multiple software applications.
9. Litmos
Why we picked it
Litmos is a corporate training platform with an attractive, easy-to-use interface. In addition to the standard functionality, there are video assessments. Learners can record and upload videos of themselves delivering communications, such as sales pitches, and then the built-in AI scores them based on keywords (that should or should not be used) and speaking rate.
This learning platform also offers a collection of over 2,000 online training courses for employees on topics ranging from finance and sustainability to customer service and online social presence. The library also includes customized compliance collections for the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Pros
- Ready-made video courses for personal and professional development with supplemental materials such as workbooks and handouts
- New courses added to the library every month
35 languages supported in each plan - Native mobile apps for iOS and Android
Cons
- Not possible to create custom user roles
- Technical support isn’t always prompt, according to user feedback
Pricing
There are three plans: Foundation Suite, Premier Suite, and Platinum Suite. Pricing is available upon request.
Best for
Litmos is the best employee training tool for companies looking for highly intuitive staff training software with off-the-shelf courses. It will also be handy for conducting compliance training in the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
10. Skillsoft
Why we picked it
Skillsoft is an online employee training software known for its extensive library of ready-made courses that you can integrate with your LMS platform or deliver training through Skillsoft Percipio. This is an AI-powered employee training solution that offers over 17,000 customizable role- and skill-based paths. Employees can choose what they want to learn from various in-demand topics, including leadership and business skills, tech proficiency, and more.
Skillsoft Percipio also features the Embedded Learning Synchronized Assistant (ELSA) — a browser plug-in that allows learners to highlight words in their messengers or browsers, search relevant eLearning content in the LMS, and learn directly in their natural workflow.
Pros
- Ready-made courses developed by industry leaders, subject matter experts, and renowned authors
- Executive dashboard with real-time data on the number of content launches, learning hours, and training completions
- Content format for different learning styles: users can initially choose from “watch,” “listen,” and “read”
Personalized learning experiences - Many training programs are aligned with the compliance requirements or various professional certification exams, particularly in areas like IT and project management
Cons
- Compliance training is only available with the Enterprise plan
- Only 5 GB are available for your content in the Team plan
- Some courses may be a bit outdated
Pricing
Upon request.
Best for
Skillsoft is a great employee development platform for companies looking for a platform with ready-made content to provide their employees with personalized learning paths tailored to their specific career goals and growth objectives.
11. LearnWorlds
Why we picked it
LearnWorlds is an AI-powered platform for online employee training and development designed to help businesses and entrepreneurs create and distribute online courses. The LMS places a strong emphasis on interactive learning experiences and provides numerous ways to create training material, such as courses, assessments, and video lectures.
You can create personalized training paths based on employee role and skill levels, and then evaluate training ROI through 50+ comprehensive report templates. In addition to delivering L&D programs, this training software has everything you need to monetize your courses. It provides an intuitive interface, so you can create your cloud academy, even without any coding skills, and sell courses online.
Pros
- SCORM/HTML5 compliance
- eCommerce features
- Great authoring capabilities
- AI assistant in all plans
- Native mobile apps
- ILT classroom sessions support
- Integrations with financial, analytics, CRM, and video conferencing software
Cons
- Some crucial features – like training automation, white labeling, custom user roles, and learner groups – are only available with the Learning Center plan and higher
- Push notifications on mobiles and learner reminders come as an add-on
- There’s a steep learning curve in some areas, according to user feedback
Pricing
LearnWorlds offers three subscription plans, all billed annually:
- Starter — $24/month.
- Pro Trainer — $79/month.
- Learning Center — $249/month.
A custom plan and a free trial are available.
Best for
LearnWorlds is perfect for companies that primarily sell their learning programs and educational materials online and want to onboard their employees with a single learning platform.
FAQs on Employee Training Software
Here you’ll find some of the most commonly asked questions about training software for employees:
1. Is employee training software the same as a learning management system?
These terms are related, but not exactly the same. Employee learning software is a more general term that can include any type of software that may not have the full range of management and tracking features that a learning management software does. While all LMSs are types of employee training software, not all employee training software can be considered full LMSs.
2. What should I look for when choosing an online employee training platform?
Here are some factors to consider when choosing between employee training systems:
- Usability. The learning and development platform should provide intuitive training management features and facilitate easy course creation. In this way, employees will enjoy a seamless training experience, without having to spend hours learning how to navigate the software.
- Functionality. This covers a range of core features, such as the opportunity to create learning paths, store training materials in the knowledge base, or integrate the learning platform with other software in your toolbox. Some platforms might also feature built-in course builders.
- Content authoring. Do you need to create online employee training courses, or is it sufficient to use ready-made collections? If you plan to roll out brief courses quickly and constantly develop content in-house, opt for a training platform that’s integrated with content creation tools or offers a built-in authoring functionality so your subject matter experts can create guides, tutorials, and courses quickly.
- Reporting options. These features help create detailed, real-time reports on individual or team progress and allow you to make informed decisions about training effectiveness.
- Mobile accessibility. It’s better to use software that’s also accessible on tablets and smartphones. This makes learning more flexible and lets employees acquire knowledge and train skills anytime and anywhere.
- Training automation. This refers to the system’s ability to streamline training routines without constant manual effort, which allows HR managers to use their time for more important tasks. Primary features might include the automatic assignment of learning modules, learning scheduling, due date reminders, and automated grading systems.
- User reviews. Checking user reviews can provide insights into the real-world performance and reliability of the software.
Additionally, when selecting a training platform, consider how it aligns with your company culture and the learning opportunities it offers. HR leaders should ensure the platform supports the company’s values and goals, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and engagement.
3. What is the difference between users and active users when it comes to pricing models?
“User” typically refers to any individual who has an account or access to the employee training solution, even if they only log in once a month or even less frequently. The definition of an “active user” can vary, but it often means someone who has logged in to or interacted with the software within a certain timeframe, such as the preceding (billable) month.
With pricing models, this distinction can be important. One employee training software may charge based on the total number of users, while another only charges for active ones. The latter model can potentially save companies significant amounts of money if they have many users who only need to use the platform occasionally.
Looking for the Best Employee Training Software?
If you’re ready to explore options, consider starting with iSpring Learn. Sign up for a live, personalized demo to see the platform in action — it’s absolutely free. Discuss your training project with our eLearning manager and decide if this LMS is right for your business needs.