The 16 Best Learning and Development (L&D) Tools

Learning and development tools are essential to support the growth and success of a company. With them, employees can expand their capabilities and knowledge in their roles, ensuring that they’re always at their most competent in the field.

As a practitioner in human resources management, one of your key roles is to ensure that the performance and skills of the people working in the company meet the demands of the existing short- and long-term goals and objectives. To respond to this need, you’ll have to create training content and programs.

Whether you’re looking to level up your labor market value through skill development or learn more about corporate employee training, having the right learning and development tools will come in handy. In this article, we cover the top L&D platforms to help you realize your knowledge and skill-development endeavors. Not every knowledge-sharing tool here will be a perfect fit, but you should be able to find a few that will work for you.

The Best Learning and Development Tools for 2024

What Are the Different Types of Learning and Development Platforms?

Based on the self-identification of various developers addressing their learning needs, we have identified different types of L&D platforms. 

Course authoring tools

Creating course content is very important when you’re creating an online application for learning and development. eLearning authoring tools help you make the courses more interactive to fully immerse the employees in every lesson and further enhance their learning. Authoring features can include attractive visuals and infographics that can make any topic easier to understand.

Learning management systems (LMSs)

A learning management system is necessary if you want to facilitate online training. With such learning and development systems, you can do a lot in a single place. As well as delivering the course content,  learning management system can be used to monitor the progress of employees, provide assessments, and evaluate outcomes. 

Also read → Best Corporate Learning Platforms

Learning experience platforms (LXPs)

If you’re looking for skill development tools that give learners more freedom, you’ll find that an LXP is a good alternative to an LMS. The potential features are the same, so you can still monitor progress, upload course content, and more. But an LXP can also help promote a culture of learning, so that employees are motivated to continuously upgrade their skills and knowledge.

Micro-learning platforms (MLPs)

The reality is that not every company needs the detailed reports, sophisticated features, and complex eLearning content that you’ll find in LXPs and LMSs. In this case, you’ll find micro-learning platforms incredibly useful. With this type of learning and development software, you can create micro-courses, as well as accompanying quizzes, to deliver relevant information quickly.

Virtual instructor-led training (VILT) tools

This type of training and development platform was specially created to remove the barriers to a smooth instructor-led virtual training experience. You’ve probably heard of video conferencing tools like Zoom and Skype, which are very popular with all types of learners. Unfortunately, however, they’re not the best fit for online training because of the lack of important features like progress tracking or a content management system.

Communication tools

Meaningful and collaborative learning wouldn’t be possible without communication. Online learners need an avenue through which they can share insights and knowledge related to the existing course content. With training and development tools made for communicating, there will be a dedicated space for them to engage in meaningful discussions with co-learners and even instructors.

The Best Learning and Development Platforms in 2024

Price: $970 USD/author/year

iSpring Suite is one of the best training and development tools if you want to create courses in a user-friendly interface with ease. If you already have the slides in PowerPoint, you can import them into iSpring quickly. However, if you prefer to make full use of the capabilities of this powerful system, you can also create content from scratch.

What else can you look forward to when using iSpring Suite? These features will help you make an effective training strategy:

• Assessments. How well did the learners absorb the material? You can gauge this using assessments. There are 14 question types to choose from, such as Likert and hot-spot. Plus, you can see if you were able to deliver effective training based on the learners’ feedback.
• Screencasts and videos. Give your employees access to your expert instructional videos using this provider’s native video studio.
• Dialogue simulations. Do you need to train your customer service and sales teams? With iSpring Suite, you can develop communication-focused modules or courses.
• Interactions. Awaken the spirit of collaboration with interactive templates that you can use for various materials like catalogs, references, glossaries, FAQs, and timelines.

Are you ready to see one of the top professional development tools at work? Try it for free for 14 days!

Price: $1,399 USD/user/year for the Articulate Teams plan.

Articulate Storyline 360 is one of the top corporate learning tools today. It specializes in enhancing the level of interaction in online courses through its top-notch content generation features, such as:

• Characters. Make lessons even more relatable by installing characters that can help in building scenarios.
• Content Library 360 integration. This lets you access lots of resources you can use when building your courses. 
• Review 360 integration. With this integration, you’ll be able to gather feedback from stakeholders once you’ve completed the course. This way, you can get a few more sets of eyes on the course before the learners see them.

If your business wants to facilitate employee learning through homegrown online course providers and developers, Articulate Storyline 360 might be a good match. Just be prepared to try to learn the platform, because using it can be complicated at times.

Price: Available through retailers

Adobe Captivate is one of your options for training and development software tools, and it can help you easily develop top-notch content to bridge any existing skill gaps for learners. Unlike its predecessor, Adobe Captivate Classic, this version is much more user-friendly. Here are a few things that you’d love about this solution:

• User-friendly interface. Even if you’re a beginner, you can easily take advantage of creating immersive learning experiences and select from a wide range of design and animation options.
• Feedback mechanisms. If there are multiple people involved in the course creation process, collaboration will come easy as well. They will all be able to view the content in both desktop and mobile formats, and leave comments with their suggestions.
• Widget gallery. These can make your lessons more interactive through image carousels, hotspots, and more. Getting them into your course content is as easy as dragging and dropping.

With these features, you can create a solid training and development solution even with minimal technical know-how.

Best Learning Management Systems (LMSs)

Price: Upon request

If you’re looking for training and development tools that you can use for every aspect of the training process, then iSpring Learn is a must-have. From onboarding new hires to providing refresher training, this LMS solution can be your go-to platform.

This is made possible thanks to the many features it has in its user-friendly interface.

This is made possible thanks to the many features it has in its user-friendly interface. You can access training and development software tools, features, and capabilities, like:

• Learning tracks that guide employees to the series of courses they have to take and in which order.
• A native content authoring tool that lets you create simple courses and quizzes in your web browser.
• iSpring Suite, which lets you make advanced and interactive training content using PowerPoint.
• A reporting system that lets you manage and monitor the effectiveness of the training program as well as learners’ progress.
• Various integration options with HR systems, course marketplaces, and communication tools like Zoom and Teams.
• A mobile app that empowers learners to take learning wherever they are, even without an internet connection.
• Gamification features like badges, points, and leaderboards that keep learners engaged and motivated.

24/7 customer support that gives you access to iSpring engineers if you have questions or issues about the LMS.

Experience the full range of its features with a fully functional 30-day trial.

Price: Starts at $69 USD/month for up to 40 users.

TalentLMS is a training platform that has everything you would expect from a learning management system. This includes:

• A built-in creation tool that lets you create course content that is complete with assessment measures.
• eCommerce features, which help users profit from the created content. Because of this, TalentLMS may be a better option for independent course creators.
• Integration capabilities for tools that you might already be using, like Salesforce, Zoom, and GoToMeeting.

What makes this one of the great training and development software tools today is how it was able to integrate all these seamlessly. It’s so user-friendly that you can actually get started with just a few clicks.

What makes this one of the great training and development software tools today is how it was able to integrate all these seamlessly. It’s so user-friendly that you can actually get started with just a few clicks.

Price: Upon request

D2L Brightspace is a SaaS/cloud platform that offers various training methods, including in-person learning. This L&D platform ranks high in terms of accessibility, which makes it a good choice for some non-profit organizations. D2L Brightspace has task specific add-ons like Creator+ or Performance+ that allow users to benefit from the expanded functions. 

• Creator+ is an add-on that simplifies content creation. By using templates, educators can develop dynamic course experiences faster without the need for interactive design know-how.
• Performance+ has four dashboards that give users insight into ROI metrics, engagement rates, individual learning metrics, and scores.

While D2L Brightspace doesn’t provide support, the company has put effort into creating a themed eLearning community where users can exchange advice and troubleshoot issues that arise.

Price: € 17,000/year (~$18,520 USD/year)

Valamis is one of the best training and development systems if you want the option to market your training content within the platform itself. Another benefit is expanding the learning content because you don’t have to stick with the courses that the company created and can add your own content to their pre-made courses. 

With the use of an AI algorithm, your employees will always see relevant course content based on the established learning goals, as well as their preferences.

Price: Upon request

Stream LXP is a top-notch training solution from Learning Pool, offering you a series of online learning functions to help employees become more competent workers. Relevant learning materials are never more than a click away, thanks to the deep search and recommendation capabilities that always put the learner in front of relevant learning modules.

If you want software for training and development that offers bite-sized versions of more comprehensive features that you’d find in LMSs, you’ll love the fact that it also supports simple content authoring and gamification.

Price: Upon request

NovoEd understands the value of collaborative learning. That’s why, on top of the standard features that you’ll see in L&D solutions, NovoEd also supports various social learning and gamification capabilities. These include providing points for finishing modules, discussing their content, and creating collaborative projects in private workspaces.

Best Micro-learning Platforms (MLPs)

Price: $39 USD/month for 1 author; $165 USD/month for up to 5 authors

If you’re looking for cloud-based L&D tools that let you create simple courses, iSpring Page should be at the top of your list. It’s as easy as creating a post on Facebook. You can:

• Create the course text.
• Add media to complement the text.
• Make a quiz to assess your learners.

With its modern and user-friendly interface, it really is this simple. If you have an entire team to help you out before the course launches, you’ll be glad that iSpring Page also allows collaboration. Multiple people can make edits in real time; one person could be writing while others add graphics.

To make the content authoring process even simpler, this training and development system also has an AI assistant to enhance your final output, as well as generate knowledge checks.

Price: Upon request

The Absorb LMS offers a diverse content library, allowing learners to discover skills one bite-sized lesson at a time. This is a highly recommended L&D management tool if you’re looking for a turnkey solution with all the content you need already in place. It provides the essentials, enabling small to medium-sized companies to achieve compliance with industry regulations and standards.

The basic version, Absorb, comes with 500+ curated bite-sized courses. But if your learners prefer to work in a language other than English, you’ll have to upgrade to Amplify.

Price: Free basic plan for up to 10 learners. Paid plan starts at $5 USD/learner/month.

SC Training is a highly scalable micro-learning tool that includes all your desired features. From onboarding your employees to certifying your team, SC Training has got your back! Currently, there are over 1,000 learning content items in their course library that you can make accessible to your employees. You can deliver them as is, but you can also white label them to make the courses feel like your own.

And if you wish, you can easily make some using their existing templates. There’s also an AI assistant that can make courses for you with a click. 

Best Virtual Instructor-led Training (VILT) Tools

Price: Starts with a free plan. The paid plan starts at $4 USD/user/month.

Microsoft Teams attempts to close the gap created by working or meeting virtually. Using this tool, participants can do more than just see each other on the screen. They can also use emojis to help instructors gauge learner sentiment and understanding during the discussion.

If you’re holding a large meeting, you’ll be glad to know that Microsoft Teams can accommodate up to 1,000 participants. Meanwhile, as many as 20,000 users can view the video as well.

To document the discussion during the video conference, everything can be transcribed while the conference is in progress. The complete transcript can even be downloaded right after the call. Learning can also be further enhanced through the digital whiteboard, which facilitates collaboration through projects and drawings.

Did we mention that the iSpring Learn LMS supports integration with Microsoft Teams? The two learning and development systems sure are a perfect match!

Price: Free plan available. Paid plan starts at $14.50 USD/license/month.

If many users need to be online for any form of online learning, WebEx is a tool that you can rely on. Unlike many L&D solutions, this one is highly flexible, providing different pricing plans for everything from simple meetings to large-scale online conferences. But regardless of your needs, you’ll benefit from the noise reduction capability, which limits distraction while a learning session is ongoing.

WebEx has a lot of cool features that you wouldn’t normally see in other training and development software. Besides real-time transcription, they also provide a translation of the transcript. And to promote inclusivity, you can create and send emojis based on your body language. Currently, WebEx supports thumbs up, thumbs down, clapping hands, and raising a hand.

The Best Communication Tools

Price: Free plan available. Paid plan starts at $7.25 USD/user/month.

Slack may market itself as a productivity tool, but it’s truly more of a messenger app made for the corporate setting. One of the reasons it remains so popular is that it upholds data privacy to ensure that all information relayed through its channels is always safe and encrypted.

Price: $4 USD/person/month. Enhanced admin and support, as well as Enterprise Live add-ons, are each available for $2 USD/person/month.

Workplace is a communication tool created by Meta, so it’s not a surprise that it has a lot of the functions that you love about Facebook. For this L&D software, you get more than just messaging functions. Just like on Facebook, you can make posts, create surveys, engage with other people’s content, and so much more. This is a great option if you want the solution that you’re going to use to seem more organic, mimicking something that they most likely already use in their everyday lives.

Choosing the Right Learning and Development Tools for Your Company: A Step-by-Step Guide

We’ve presented 16 training and development options, but you’re probably not going to need all of them. Your ability to choose the right L&D solutions can determine the success or failure of your training program. So, be sure to follow the general steps below.

Step #1. Determine the technological resource gaps in your L&D strategy

Have you already designed the program? That would be a good place to start. Examine your desired results, the learning content format, and your intended learners. If you need both comprehensive course content and micro-courses, you should get a knowledge-sharing tool that does both. Consider asking yourself these questions:

• What skills do you want your employees to gain or improve upon?
• What are the ways that you can align the company culture with the L&D strategy?
• Have you figured out how you’re going to measure the effectiveness of the learning program?
• How do you determine the learning needs of the employees, considering various factors like their professional goals, current positions, aspirations, and interests?

Through these questions, you can detail the desired objectives and outcomes.

Step #2. Consider the budget

How much is allocated for eLearning efforts? Assess the availability of company resources that can be used for online learning as well. Make a comprehensive list of things that you’ll need, like licenses and content creation, to determine the upfront and operational costs.

It’s possible to select training and development software that addresses existing goals. But if you do an amazing job, you can provide consistent access to appropriate learning resources while keeping everything under budget. The best mix of solutions will work well together and still be within your budget.

Step #3. Give your L&D systems a try

Now that you’ve determined which ones you need, why not give them a test drive? Many of the L&D tools that we have mentioned here have free trials, so you can see for yourself if everything will work together.

To get a better “feel” for the solutions, involve a few employees in testing as well. Get their insights about the usability of the platform and how aligned the content is to their own professional goals.

Make the most of the free trial by testing all the features. Do you want to develop interactive course content quickly? iSpring Suite might be your perfect match. There’s a 14-day free trial that has all the capabilities of the paid features.

FAQ on the Best L&D Platforms

Below, we’ve answered some of the most popular questions about training and development systems:

What functions do the learning and development department fulfill in a company?

In essence, the purpose of that department is to help meet the company’s metrics for success through training. Their tasks can generally be divided into these areas:

• Identify training gaps. Professionals in the field evaluate the skills, feedback, and performance of the staff members to gauge their capabilities and see where they can do better.
• Create training content. To close the gaps that have been identified, they provide courses, workshops, and other learning resources.
• Launch training. They iron out all the details to make sure the actual training goes smoothly for the employees.

Is there a secret ingredient to formulating a learning and development strategy?

Even using the supposed best solution and the best corporate learning solutions doesn’t guarantee success. It always depends on how aligned your strategy is with the specific requirements, environment, and conditions of the company.

But if you know the basic criteria that you should look into during the creation of your training strategy, you should do well. Our comprehensive guide to learning and development has all the details you’ll need in this regard.

Why are app versions of training and development solutions important?

With apps, learners will be able to access course content conveniently using the device that’s most suitable for them. It also allows them to learn at the pace they’re most comfortable with while providing a personalized and engaging experience.

Does L&D software really improve an organization?

In the right hands, skill development solutions can go a long way. These can improve the knowledge, skills, and effectiveness of employees, which results in improved productivity levels, among other things. Plus, it helps increase retention rates, allowing the company to benefit more from its L&D investment and to adapt to the latest industry changes.