Learning management systems (LMS) are like the Swiss Army knives of education—lots of different tools come together in one cohesive system that makes course delivery, management, and reporting a breeze! 

Whether you’re working in an educational institution or a corporate training environment, an LMS simplifies the way you manage learning content, engage learners, and produce reports, particularly for online and hybrid learning. 

In this article, we’ll dive into the different types of LMS platforms and guide you through the key factors to consider when choosing the right one for your needs.

4 types of learning management systems 

1. SaaS (cloud-based) LMS

Think of SaaS LMS platforms as the fast food of learning management—a plug-and-play platform that is quick, easy, and ready to go. 

With Software as a Service (SaaS), you simply subscribe (typically monthly), and the LMS provider handles everything else. No hardware installation, no IT headaches—just log in via your browser or app, and you’re all set.

Benefits:

• Easy to start: Subscribe, and you’re off to the races.
• Scalable: Pay only for what you need with flexible pricing tiers.
• Low maintenance: The provider manages updates, security, and maintenance.

Examples: Absorb LMS, 360Learning, Docebo, Blackboard, LearnDash Cloud

2. Open-source LMS

Want total control? Open-source LMS platforms let you play around with the code and customize everything to your heart’s content. 

Perfect for those with a tech-savvy team, these LMS platforms are often free but require ongoing maintenance. These can overlap with other types of LMSs, like cloud-based and self-hosted (which we will address shortly). 

Benefits:

• Usually free: Open-source is often budget-friendly.
• Completely customizable: Tailor every aspect of your LMS.
• Flexible: Adapt the platform to your needs with limitless design and integration possibilities.

Examples: Moodle, Chamilo LMS, Open edX

3. Installed (self-hosted) LMS

For those who prefer to keep things close to home, installed, or self-hosted, LMS platforms are installed on your own server or infrastructure. 

While they may require more hands-on maintenance, these systems offer a good balance between customization and control. You usually access it by downloading and installing software, and you only pay one fee. 

Benefits:

• More customization: Tweak the LMS to fit your specific needs.
•  Integrations galore: Tons of plugins and integrations.
•  Higher security: You control your data and security protocols.

Examples: Moodle, Totara Learn, and includes popular WordPress plugins like LearnDash LMS and LifterLMS

4. Custom LMS

A custom LMS is like commissioning a bespoke suit—perfectly tailored just for you (or your organization). 

Whether built from scratch or adapted from an open-source solution, custom LMS platforms give you complete control but come at a price (literally). You’ll most likely need an in-house team, or you’ll need to hire freelance developers or an agency specializing in LMS creation, but the final product is worth it if you need it. 

Important factors for choosing an LMS  

When it comes to choosing the right LMS, there are several key factors to keep in mind: 

• Course authoring
• Flexibility and scalability
• Reporting capabilities
• Engagement features
• Cost
• Integrations
• Support

Let’s dive into each consideration. 

Course authoring

Many platforms allow you to create courses, but the process is not always the same. Creating courses should be as easy as pie, with no coding required. 

Look for LMS platforms that offer flexible course creation tools, such as drag-and-drop builders, media support, and speedy delivery methods like drip-feeding (which LearnDash offers!).

What to look for:

• Flexible course creation: Drag-and-drop builders make life easier.
• Media support: Ensure the LMS accepts common file types.
• Delivery speed: The faster you can set up, the sooner you can start.

Flexibility and scalability 

An LMS that fits your current needs is great, but it should also grow with you. Whether you’re a solopreneur or managing multiple sites, choose a system that scales as your business expands. You need an LMS that is flexible enough to accommodate your course content and grow with you over time. 

What to look for:

• Reasonable pricing: Look for pricing plans that suit your learner base and offer multiple payment gateways.
• Accommodation: Your LMS should work for the number of learners you have and the number of websites you’re using. (LearnDash offers pricing just for one site all the way up to unlimited sites!)
• Customizations: You will want to be able to adapt course structure, content, and appearance.

Reporting capabilities 

You’ll need to keep track of student progress, assignments, and overall course performance. Look for LMS platforms that offer robust reporting features that help you find and assist struggling learners, gauge student progress, track assignments, and more. Use reporting to learn what’s working best in the course.

What to look for:

• Analytics dashboard: Check for a centralized place to get an overview and track progress.
• Data filtering: Easily search through data to help struggling learners and identify problems.
• Custom reports: Create reports and evaluate data to discover what’s working and what isn’t.

Engagement features 

An engaged learner is a happy learner. Find an LMS that offers tools and features like gamification, collaboration, and feedback mechanisms. These features will keep learners motivated and engaged and can improve learning outcomes.

What to look for:

• Gamification: Points, badges, and leaderboards make learning fun.
• Collaboration: Forums, comments, and feedback loops enhance interaction.
• Reviews and surveys: Get direct feedback from your learners and identify problems.

Cost 

While some LMS platforms may be budget-friendly, others can eat into your profits. Always check if there are hidden fees or revenue-sharing models that might affect your earnings. For example, some LMS platforms may take a portion of your earnings, but LearnDash LMS doesn’t. Pick an LMS in your budget that will give you a good return on investment. 

What to look for:

• No hidden fees: Transparency is key!
• Budget: Know your budget, and choose an LMS that can work within it.
• Scalability: Pricing shouldn’t dramatically jump as you grow.

Integrations 

Integrating with the right tools can save time and enhance your LMS. Look for platforms that support ecommerce integrations, automation tools, and more.

What to look for:

• Ecommerce integration: Selling courses? Make sure your LMS plays nice with payment gateways.
• Automation: Integrations with tools like Slack and Zapier can streamline workflows.

Support 

Having reliable support can make or break your LMS experience. Choose a platform that offers accessible help, whether through technical support, a helpful community, or comprehensive resources.

What to look for:

• 24/7 support: Make sure help is available when you need it.
• Community: User groups or forums are a great way to get tips and advice.
• Resources: Check for documentation, tutorials, and learning aids.

LearnDash: A powerful learning management system for WordPress 

Looking for an LMS that works seamlessly with WordPress? Enter LearnDash, one of the top LMS solutions available. Whether you choose LearnDash Cloud—a fully hosted option—or the LearnDash LMS plugin for WordPress, you’ll get a feature-packed experience.

With WordPress as your foundation, LearnDash adds powerful LMS functionality, allowing you to build, manage, and deliver courses with ease.

LearnDash features for course creators

• Complete control: Design your courses without coding using a drag-and-drop builder. Choose any theme and use any media!
• Maximum revenue: Keep all your course earnings—LearnDash never takes a cut!
• Engage learners: Use quizzes, assignments, and gamification to boost motivation.
• Quick course creation: Create a course in under a minute by pasting a video playlist URL.
• Grow your business: Easily sell courses with ecommerce integrations.
• Save time: AI-powered tools like the AI Quiz Builder and AI Course Outline Builder speed up course creation and management.
• Tons of integrations: From WordPress plugins to third-party apps, LearnDash connects seamlessly.

With LearnDash Cloud, you get all of these features bundled into a fully hosted platform. No setup, no hassle—just pure LMS goodness! It’s a fully-hosted website loaded with LearnDash LMS and other premium plugins like Solid Security Pro, ProPanel, and more.

Start building courses today!

Whether you need a simple SaaS platform or a custom-built learning management system, there’s a solution out there for you. But if you want the best of both worlds—power, flexibility, and ease of use—LearnDash is the way to go. 

You can opt for the cloud-based solution, LearnDash Cloud, for absolute convenience, or you can use LearnDash LMS plugin as a self-hosted, customizable option. 

Start building your courses today, and see why it’s one of the top LMS platforms around! Try the demo to see if LearnDash is the right choice for you.