7 Best LMS for Training Providers: Handpicked by Experts
18 minutes
If you’re a training provider, you know that delivering high-quality and engaging training programs is key to success. But it’s equally important to consider how you deliver these programs to your trainees.
In this context, a learning management system (LMS) can be a game-changer. Not only will it streamline the administration and delivery of your courses, but it will also enhance the learning experience for your clients. However, with the myriad of learning management systems that are available, finding the perfect fit can be a daunting process.
In this article, we’ve collected the seven best LMSs for training providers. Read on for details about each of the seven platforms. But first, let’s see how an LMS can help address the main challenges of training companies and what functionalities it should have.
Our Top Picks
Key Challenges of Training Providers and How an LMS Solves Them
Training providers use an LMS to streamline and enhance their training operations and address critical challenges in education and workplace learning. Below are key tasks that an LMS resolves:
Centralized learning platform
Challenge: Managing diverse training materials across various platforms.
Solution: An LMS offers a centralized repository for all educational content, making it easy to access, update, and manage materials.
Streamlined administration
Challenge: Handling administrative tasks like enrollment, tracking progress, and scheduling.
Solution: An LMS automates these processes, reducing the administrative workload and errors.
Scalability
Challenge: Expanding training programs to accommodate more learners without increasing costs significantly.
Solution: An LMS can easily scale to support a growing number of users and courses without serious additional investment.
Engagement and interaction
Challenge: Keeping learners engaged and motivated.
Solution: An LMS incorporates interactive elements like quizzes, forums, and multimedia content to enhance engagement.
Cost-effectiveness
Challenge: Minimizing training costs while maximizing impact.
Solution: An LMS reduces the need for physical materials and venues, cutting down on expenses.
8 Must-Have LMS Features for Training Providers
When selecting an LMS, it’s important to consider features that streamline administrative tasks and support resource management. Here are some must-have features a training company should consider:
1. User-friendly interface and easy navigation
The LMS should offer an intuitive experience for everyone involved. Whether you’re looking to find a course, manage users, or track progress, the system should be easy to navigate. This simplicity not only enhances engagement but also makes the entire process more enjoyable and efficient for both learners and administrators.
2. Effortless content creation and management
Uploading content and building courses should be straightforward, even for those with no technical expertise. The LMS should support a variety of content types — like videos, presentations, and PDFs — and make it easy to assemble them into comprehensive courses. Assigning courses and allowing self-enrollment should also be hassle-free.
3. Integrated authoring tool
To create courses that truly stand out, having built-in authoring tools is extremely important. These tools allow you to create interactive and visually engaging content that makes learning not just educational but also enjoyable. It’s about crafting an experience that captivates learners and sets your courses apart from the competition.
4. Seamless automation
Automation is key to making life easier for training providers. An LMS platform should handle repetitive tasks like sending reminders, tracking progress, and generating reports automatically. This not only saves time but also reduces the risk of human error. By automating these processes, the system allows everyone to focus more on learning and development rather than administrative details.
5. Robust eCommerce capabilities
For training providers looking to monetize their courses, having strong eCommerce features in an LMS is essential. The system should support secure payment processing, allowing learners to purchase courses online easily. Features like customizable pricing, discounts, and promotional codes can help attract more learners. Additionally, the LMS should offer tools for managing subscriptions, bundling courses, and handling taxes.
6. Comprehensive reporting and analytics
A solid LMS should offer robust reporting and analytics features to provide valuable insights into learning and performance. These tools enable training providers to track learner progress, completion rates, and engagement levels. By analyzing this data, you can identify trends, pinpoint areas for improvement, and tailor your courses to better meet learners’ needs.
7. Branding
Your LMS should feel like an extension of your organization, not just another generic platform. That’s why branding is so important. It provides the ability to customize the platform’s look and feel, such as incorporating your logo, colors, and fonts. This personal touch not only strengthens your brand identity but also makes the whole learning journey more inviting and meaningful for everyone involved.
8. Mobile compatibility
Having an LMS that’s mobile-friendly is not just about being able to access courses on a phone or tablet; it’s about learning whenever and wherever it suits them. It’s even more efficient to select an LMS that comes with a native mobile application that allows learners to download content for offline access, get notifications about course updates, and interact with materials seamlessly on the go.
By focusing on these features, training providers can ensure successful LMS implementations that enhance learning outcomes and boost operational efficiency.
The Top 7 LMSs for Training Providers
While these learning platforms share common features and are well suited for training companies, they also differ in specific functionalities and pricing. To select the LMS that best fits your needs, review the detailed descriptions of each option.
iSpring Learn is a powerful LMS designed to meet the diverse needs of training providers. It offers a comprehensive suite of features that streamline the creation, management, and delivery of training programs. The platform is highly intuitive, allowing for LMS implementation in a single day.
Content creation and management
iSpring Learn is a SCORM-compliant LMS that also supports a variety of other content formats, including PPT, video, audio, and documents. It comes with a built-in AI-powered tool that allows you to create courses with quizzes in minutes. The subscription to the platform also includes access to iSpring Suite, a robust authoring tool for creating professional learning content with assessments, video tutorials, and simulations.
Learner management
The platform enables efficient organization of users and groups, role management, and employee enrollment, and includes an events calendar for training activities. It also integrates with Zoom and MS Teams for conducting web meetings and VILT sessions.
Delivery options
The LMS provides convenient access to training materials on any device. It comes with a mobile app that allows learners to take courses anytime, anywhere, even when offline.
Assessment and evaluation
Users can create comprehensive quizzes and surveys, and generate detailed reports to track learner progress and performance.
eCommerce capabilities
The platform is integrated with Shopify, which enables you to launch your own online store. This integration allows you to monetize your training programs by selling learning content from the LMS, promoting it on the web, connecting payment services, and automating all routine tasks.
Additional considerations
The LMS offers extensive customization and branding options, integration with other systems via API and SSO, customer support, and robust security measures, including optional on-premise deployment.
Pricing
iSpring offers plans for different numbers of users:
- 100 users: $6.64 per user/month
- 300 users: $4.10 per user/month
- 500 users: $3.75 per user/month
A custom plan is available upon request.
Best for
It’s the best LMS for training providers, small and medium-sized businesses that want to enhance corporate training, and non-profits. It is ideal for those who require strong course authoring capabilities, flexible user management, advanced reporting, and the ability to monetize courses.
Also read: How to Choose the Right LMS
LearnWorlds is the best LMS for external training that allows for creating, selling, and promoting online courses. It enables you to create a high-converting course selling website with a broad range of pre-designed templates.
Content creation and management
LearnWorlds enables the crafting of engaging courses with the help of an AI assistant, interactive videos, online exams, and self-assessments. You can also upload existing SCORM/HTML5 packages and activities.
Learner management
The platform offers advanced tools for managing learners, including segmentation, progress tracking, and personalized learning paths. Educators can also conduct live sessions to foster human connection and interactive learning.
Delivery options
LearnWorlds supports flexible course delivery, including self-paced courses and live sessions that are accessible via a mobile-friendly user interface.
Assessment and evaluation
The assessment builder allows you to create online exams and self-assessments hassle-free. Automated, detailed reporting provides immediate insights into learner performance.
eCommerce capabilities
LearnWorlds features a powerful marketing engine for growing your school, including tools for creating bundles and subscriptions. The platform supports affiliate programs, safe payment gateways, and flexible pricing models.
Additional considerations
The platform includes tools for building a fully branded website and mobile app, with zero coding required. White-label options ensure a seamless brand experience for learners.
Pricing
LearnWorlds offers four plans:
- Starter: €24/month
- Pro Trainer: €79/month
- Learning Center: €249/month
- High Volume & Corporate: available upon request
Best for
LearnWorlds is an ideal LMS for trainers and businesses that want to create, market, and sell online courses with a focus on interactive learning experiences. It’s especially beneficial for those who need a high-converting website and a fully branded mobile app for mobile learning.
Absorb is a comprehensive learning management system for training providers who require a scalable and user-friendly platform for delivering engaging and effective training programs. It stands out with robust LMS features to enhance both the learning experience and the trainer’s workflow.
Content creation and management
Absorb LMS supports various training content formats, including SCORM, xAPI, and video, and provides a centralized content library for easy management and updates. It also offers an AI-powered tool for creating courses right in a browser.
Learner management
The platform allows users to create and manage user groups, supports automated enrollment rules, and includes automated notifications and reminders. Trainers can easily monitor learner activity and performance through detailed dashboards and LMS reports.
Delivery options
The Absorb LMS supports multiple delivery methods, including self-paced learning, instructor-led training, virtual classrooms, and blended learning.
Assessment and evaluation
The system includes robust assessment tools, such as quizzes, exams, and surveys, to evaluate learner engagement and understanding.
eCommerce capabilities
Absorb allows training organizations to sell courses directly through the platform. It supports various payment gateways, discount codes, and customizable storefronts to facilitate transactions and course monetization.
Additional considerations
This LMS is known for its user-friendly interface and strong customer support. It also offers extensive customization options, mobile compatibility, and advanced security features.
Pricing
You need to contact their sales team for LMS pricing plans.
Best for
Absorb is best suited for organizations seeking a flexible, scalable, and user-friendly learning LMS to deliver and manage training programs across diverse learner groups. It’s a good fit for businesses looking for corporate training, as well as training providers who need robust eCommerce capabilities.
Also read: LMS Requirements: An Ultimate Checklist
TalentLMS is an intuitive LMS that enables training centers to design, distribute, and evaluate online courses. With its extensive customization options, the learning platform helps organizations deliver high-quality training and monitor learner performance with ease.
Content creation and management
TalentLMS provides a powerful AI tool for generating eLearning courses. It also supports various media types, the SCORM, xAPI, and cmi5 standards, and includes a robust file repository for organizing training content.
Learner management
Its learner management capabilities include user profiles, group management, and learning paths. Trainers can easily assign roles, track progress, and use a variety of mass actions to streamline administrative tasks.
Delivery options
This learning management system for training centers supports blended learning, allowing for both offline instructor-led training and online sessions via integrated video conferencing tools like Zoom and MS Teams.
Assessment and evaluation
TalentLMS includes an advanced assessment engine for creating quizzes, tests, and surveys, with options for multiple-choice, drag-and-drop matching, and other question types.
eCommerce capabilities
The LMS enables trainers to sell courses individually or via subscription, with support for discounts, coupons, and payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe.
Additional considerations
The platform is highly customizable, with options for white-labeling, custom domains, and communication emails. It supports extensive integrations, offers strong security measures, and complies with GDPR.
Pricing
TalentLMS offers four pricing plans:
- Core (up to 100 users): $199 USD/month
- Grow (up to 500 users): $369 USD/month
- Pro (up to 1,000 users): $696 USD/month
- Enterprise (1,000+ users): available upon request
Best for
TalentLMS is an excellent choice for training companies looking for an easy-to-use and cost-effective LMS, as well as businesses that want to streamline corporate training. It is particularly helpful for organizations needing a quick setup and a user-friendly interface to manage and track learner progress.
Docebo is another one-stop LMS solution for training centers that features AI-enhanced personalized learning paths, efficient content distribution, and in-depth performance analytics. The benefits of this AI-powered LMS also include extensive social and collaborative learning capabilities.
Content creation and management
Docebo supports various content formats, including SCORM, xAPI, and AICC. It also uses AI to streamline the creation and management of learning content.
Learner management
This platform offers detailed user profiles, progress tracking, and automated notifications. It also supports group segmentation and provides advanced analytics and reporting features to measure training effectiveness.
Delivery options
The LMS allows for self-paced online learning, instructor-led training, and virtual instructor-led training.
Assessment and evaluation
Docebo includes robust tools for assessment, such as quizzes, tests, and surveys, which help measure learner understanding and engagement.
eCommerce capabilities
Docebo’s eCommerce enables the creation of an online marketplace for selling training courses. The platform supports multiple payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.net, and offers features like self-registration, coupons, and comprehensive transaction tracking.
Additional considerations
Other features include mobile learning, content curation capabilities, and social learning functionalities that foster collaboration and peer learning.
Pricing
Docebo offers three pricing plans:
- Enterprise
- Elevate
- Engage
You’ll need to contact their sales team for prices.
Best for
Docebo is ideal for mid-size to large enterprises seeking a flexible LMS to manage workplace training, including sales, product, and compliance training, as well as development programs. It is also the best LMS for training companies that want to monetize their content.
Litmos is a cloud-based platform that stands out with its robust integration capabilities that allow for seamless connection with over 50 third-party applications. This flexibility, combined with its intuitive course creation and analytics tools, makes it a solid solution for training centers.
Content creation and management
Litmos supports a wide range of multimedia formats and allows you to build training programs from different content types. It also comes with an AI-powered built-in content authoring tool that makes creating mobile-responsive SCORM courses easy for everyone.
Learner management
The Litmos LMS simplifies learner management with automated enrollment, progress tracking, and personalized learning paths. It also supports group management and offers automated notifications and certifications.
Delivery options
The system supports blended learning, combining online courses with in-person sessions, and allows for live virtual classes.
Assessment and evaluation
The LMS enables you to create online quizzes and conduct interactive video assessments that provide AI-powered personalized feedback.
eCommerce capabilities
Litmos offers integration with eCommerce platforms like Shopify, so you can sell training programs. This allows you to connect your courses with Shopify’s storefront, manage course listings, and handle transactions directly through the eCommerce platform.
Additional considerations
Other features include robust reporting and analytics, mobile learning, gamification, social learning, and a content library.
Pricing
Litmos offers three pricing plans:
- Foundation Suite
- Premier Suite
- Platinum Suite
You need to contact their sales team for pricing details.
Best for
The Litmos LMS is ideal for businesses that want to train employees from day one and training providers of all sizes that need a flexible and comprehensive platform to deliver, manage, and track training and development programs efficiently.
LearnUpon is a robust LMS that has all the necessary functionalities for training employees, customers, partners, and members. Its integration with eCommerce tools makes it an excellent choice for training providers. Plus, its standout multitenancy feature offers significant benefits for some training companies.
Content creation and management
With LearnUpon, you can easily design versatile L&D programs, whether they’re comprehensive and multi-part or concise and bite-sized. You can choose from a wide array of interactive content options, such as webinars, instructor-led training, SCORM and xAPI files, documents, and videos.
Learner management
Administrators can effortlessly track learner progress, manage enrollments, and generate detailed reports to assess performance and engagement levels. The LMS also supports automated notifications and reminders and provides a personalized training experience by allowing customization of learning paths.
Delivery options
The platform offers diverse delivery options, such as virtual classrooms, eLearning modules, and live training sessions.
Assessment and evaluation
LearnUpon provides diverse assessment tools, including customizable exams, direct or file-upload assignments with feedback, and embedded knowledge checks.
eCommerce capabilities
The platform achieves eCommerce functionality through integrations with Shopify, Stripe, and PayPal. These integrations allow you to display courses on the Shopify marketplace, manage payments smoothly with Stripe, and accept payments easily via PayPal.
Additional considerations
LearnUpon also offers multitenancy, mobile accessibility, certification management, customizable branding, and customer support.
Pricing
LearnUpon offers three pricing plans:
- Essential
- Premium
- Enterprise
You need to contact their sales team for pricing details.
Best for
LearnUpon is ideal for organizations seeking a comprehensive LMS to train employees, customers, partners, and members, thanks to its robust features like multitenancy and diverse content delivery options. It’s also beneficial for training providers who need seamless eCommerce integration and customizable learning experiences.
FAQ on LMSs for Training Providers
Here, you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about an LMS for training companies.
What is the difference between an LMS and a TMS?
A learning management system (LMS) helps manage eLearning and provides opportunities for content management, course delivery, and progress tracking. In contrast, a training management system (TMS) streamlines the back-office processes for instructor-led training (ILT) and virtual instructor-led training (VILT).
Why should you use an LMS for training?
A learning platform allows you to deliver and track online courses efficiently and ensure that learners can access training materials anytime, anywhere. It also provides valuable insights through detailed reporting and analytics, so a training department can evaluate the effectiveness of training programs. Considering specific use cases can further enhance the decision-making process.
How can you select an LMS for training companies?
To select an LMS, start by considering the features we outlined in the article, such as content and user management, delivery options, eCommerce capabilities, and others. Next, compare different LMS options based on these criteria and create a Request for Proposal (RFP) to gather detailed information from vendors. It will also be wise to book a demo of the LMSs you’re considering and test-drive each learning platform with a free trial, if there is one.
Also read: LMS Migration: The Ultimate Guide
Conclusion
All seven learning management systems we’ve explored are solid training solutions. Whether you prioritize user-friendly interfaces, robust reporting features, or strong eCommerce capabilities, there’s an LMS on this list that can take your training initiatives to the next level.
Among them, the iSpring Learn LMS stands out as one of the best LMSs for training providers with its intuitive design, powerful content creation features, and exceptional customer support. If you’re ready to see how this platform can transform your training, book a free LMS demo today.
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LMS Implementation: A 10-Step Plan for Success
