Monday, December 11, 2023
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How to compare LMS platforms – Find out the best one for you!

Jones ,  ,  , 

It doesn’t matter if you are a first-time buyer or a replacement -LMS seeker, one question is indispensable.

And that is: how to make comparisons between different LMS platforms. Furthermore, how can you identify the best LMS from the good?

LMS platforms

This is certainly not as easy as it sounds. Being aware of the relevant and necessary features can be confusing for a first-time LMS buyer. Even more complex is identifying the features that can deter the learners’ use of that LMS.

A lot of confusion stems from the impeccable marketing strategies employed by various LMS vendors, and these tactics easily pull the buyers into marketing traps.

So, how can you compare different LMS? There are a few fail-safe methods that you can use to differentiate between various LMS. A detailed study of the LMS by considering the following criteria can be an excellent way to identify the right platform. So, let’s go.

Compare based on use-case.

When comparing LMS platforms, first outline the exact use cases for them; if you need it for simple things like onboarding, compliance, or keeping attendance, you should not license an LMS with extra features. It can get too complicated and costlier than a simple platform.

On the other hand, if you want sales training or soft skills training for your employees, select a platform with more robust analytics and reporting features. Choosing one with a good webinar or online hosting abilities is good.

For instance, while making comparisons like Kajabi vs. Thinkific, be aware of the use cases for both. If you need a self-hosted cloud-based LMS, you should be going for Kajal. At the same time, Thinkific will be better if you want a SaaS (software as a service) platform.

Therefore, be aware of the use cases and nature of the LMS before comparing and choosing the right one.

Features

The next thing while comparing LMS platforms is understanding the features. These can be outdated, bloatware, and counterproductive for your learners. It becomes indispensable to know what the elements of an LMS are and avoid having them as they either add no value to your LMS or decrease it.

They might end up confusing the administrators, slow down the learning process, and even deter your learners from accessing the platform.

For instance, features like xAPI and LRS add-ons are useless for most organizations, and these add extra costs to the LMS and make the learning experience sluggish. So, before comparing different LMS platforms, keep checking their features and then decide.

Pricing

This indeed is a crucial factor while selecting an LMS platform. Usually, in small organizations, the budgets are strict. So, it is wise to know the pricing plan of your organization and the features you want for that money.

Some vendors charge on a per-active-user basis, and some on a per-registered-user basis. So, you should be well aware of these terms to pick the right pricing strategy.

So, have a clear understanding and clarity for choosing the right pricing plan, and also be well aware of the needs you have.

Based on vendors

Finally, the most overlooked aspect in LMS comparisons is vendor selection. Simply reading about the vendors or the reviews is not good enough, and there can be some practical issues even if the reviews are exceptional. So, consider these points before finalizing the vendor for your LMS:

  • Do they provide a free trial?
  • Are they offering good initial support?
  • Is the vendor providing a customer service team?

Here are a few things that you should consider when choosing a vendor. Also, ensure not to pick an LMS from a large vendor if you are a small business. These prominent vendors seldom offer good support to small businesses, which can end up burning your cash.

The Conclusion

So, these factors play a crucial role while you compare different LMS platforms. At last, it is you who will make a choice, and everything should be considered and researched well before you spend your money on an LMS. Besides these factors, be aware of your organization’s needs and the different features LMS provides. This way, you can make better comparisons, and hence better decisions.