18 top learning management systems for 2025
LMSes have a reputation for being stodgy, but they're still a must-have. Today's best learning management systems have the content creation and social tools for modern workforces.
Learning management systems have long been popular tools for managing online learning in corporations, nonprofit organizations, schools and government agencies. The typical LMS handles every major step of the process, from planning and creating educational content to delivering it to learners, tracking their progress, certifying completion and maintaining records. It serves as an administrative hub and central repository for e-learning.
LMSes earned a reputation as stodgy, often on-premises legacy systems that are hard to use, but LMS vendors have striven to shake that image with modern, web-friendly UIs; SaaS deployment; personalized learning paths; and generative AI that can make recommendations, write course descriptions and even create entire courses.
Companies often incorporate an LMS into their HR system infrastructure to offer training to employees, which can be a cost-effective way for workers to build new skills and complete compliance courses. LMSes are geared to instruction that is delivered online, though many LMSes also support in-person, instructor-led training.
While many LMSes offer comparable features, HR leaders must consider the full product offering when comparing one system to another. Some LMSes are part of a larger HR system in which the LMS is one module among many. Other LMSes are standalone and typically include more features.
LMSes compete to some degree with a newer type of software, the learning experience platform (LXP), which emerged to make it easier to discover and deliver user-generated learning content, such as short microlearning videos and quizzes, and generally modernize and improve on the LMS user experience (UX). But rather than replacing LMSes, LXPs are nowadays viewed more as a complement, with many organizations keeping their LMS for administrative purposes.
Here are some of the best LMSes on the market, as well as some key features that help differentiate each system. The unranked list is based on web research and my use of one platform, LearnUpon; it only includes products referred to by their vendors as LMSes and excludes LXPs.
1. Docebo
Docebo offers an AI-powered LMS, as well as gamification, auto-assignment of training based on required employee skills, and a catalog of skills and roles.
The company also provides access to more than 400 integrations through its marketplace, which simplifies single sign-on configuration and integration with HR information systems, conferencing systems and CRM software.
2. TalentLMS
TalentLMS' implementation process is relatively quick, and the process for creating new courses is easy. The software includes a library of prebuilt courses as well, which speeds up the transition from signed contract to employees using the system.
TalentLMS also supports common course file types, such as Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM), as well as more than 40 languages, so companies with a global workforce can configure the system to support each user's time zone and language. The LMS also supports conference calls right in the system, with options for integration with third-party video conference systems.
3. LearnUpon
The LearnUpon LMS enables HR leaders to set up customized portals for each target audience, such as employees or partners. It also includes an authoring tool that makes course development easier and supports common course file types.
LearnUpon works with several partners to simplify integration with third parties, including the LXP vendor Degreed.
4. Moodle
Moodle is a free, open source system. That means companies can customize it to meet their specific needs, and a community of developers works to improve the system. Companies download and install Moodle, which is unusual since most other LMSes run in the cloud. Companies that require help with installing, configuring and maintaining the system can hire Moodle specialists directly through the vendor or through Moodle's certified partner network.
Moodle currently supports over 100 languages.
5. GyrusAim LMS
Like many LMSes on the market, GyrusAim LMS supports both instructor-led and e-learning courses. It also supports numerous online conferencing applications, so instructors can offer live webinars. Instructors can register users through GyrusAim LMS, which is also the case for many other LMSes.
GyrusAim LMS can track user skills and competencies for gap analysis and recommend courses for users through its AI.
6. Cornerstone LMS
Cornerstone LMS is an LMS module that is part of a larger HCM system that enables organizations to digitize and partly automate the entire HR ecosystem.
An advantage of this type of system is that users can draw on data from the entire Cornerstone HCM system when building reports and dashboards and using features like employee skill tracking. For example, a manager can refer to an employee's course progress when working on a performance review.
7. Canvas
This platform is designed to support learning at all levels, from children in K-12 schools to higher education and, finally, to corporate learners. It provides features for employee training in blended learning environments or more focused in-person or remote settings. In 2024, Canvas was updated with a slew of AI and collaborative learning features.
Using the Canvas Studio tool, trainers and employees can work collaboratively during a live session, enabling students to upload videos to share with their peers and add comments. Trainers can also upload content for further reading by course participants.
8. Blackboard
Blackboard has been in business for more than 20 years, and its platform is widely used in higher education as the de facto standard for course management, which has provided the vendor with the opportunity to expand its product offering.
Blackboard includes an LMS and additional modules designed to enhance the learners' and training team's experience. The LMS can be accessed on any device with a responsive interface, providing users with a mobile learning experience that matches the one available on a desktop computer. The vendor is focused on providing an accessible learning environment for all learners, including features that conform to global accessibility standards. They include Blackboard Ally, a tool that checks content for accessibility. Blackboard also offers consulting services to help customers develop accessible training content.
Like many products here, Blackboard saw significant AI additions in 2024 -- notably, a generative AI "persona" that can carry on conversations with students on specific educational topics and doubles as a tool for building AI literacy.
9. Brightspace
Brightspace bills itself as a learning innovation platform, moving beyond what is available in a traditional LMS with additional functionality and an improved UX. The system can be used for people in any organizational setting or stage of life, including K-12, higher education, corporations and nonprofits.
The Brightspace system includes gamification features, functions that support accessibility and a responsive website that supports any device, according to the vendor. Learners can download lessons to complete them offline, and create a profile that shows what they are working on and interested in. Additionally, Brightspace has an AI feature that provides feedback to learners on how they speak and use key terms. An accessibility bundle introduced in 2024 includes an AI-based accessibility checker and a text-to-speech reader.
10. iSpring Learn
The iSpring Learn platform is available both as SaaS and on-premises. Courses can be developed in a variety of ways and contain different types of content. For example, the system supports traditional SCORM files -- the LMS standard for e-learning content -- in addition to role-play simulations, interactive courses and training videos. It is designed to enable course creation by learning professionals as well as subject matter experts with user-friendly tools that speed up and simplify course development, including such familiar software as Microsoft PowerPoint.
In addition to the LMS functionality, companies can also use iSpring Learn to host a corporate news feed, including companywide announcements, organizational charts and employee profiles, according to iSpring's website.
11. Absorb LMS
Absorb LMS offers users many standard features of an LMS, plus the ability to add other modules to build a comprehensive learning environment. It comes preconfigured to enable third-party courses from different vendors. This lets companies pick and choose courses that best meet their needs and start engaging employees quickly.
Companies can integrate other offerings from Absorb; for example, Infuse provides features for integrating course content directly in the systems employees already use, such as CRM or ERP. That capability is great for microlearning, where courses are short and can be taken on the spur of the moment. Absorb Engage adds a social aspect to the learning environment, including leaderboards, the ability to add news articles and the option to add public social media.
12. Cypher
Cypher is an LMS for training children in K-12, students in higher education and employees. The vendor uses AI to drive many of the product's features, such as sped-up course development and the ability to assign courses to employees automatically. There are also features designed to enhance community involvement and help employees find internal coaches and mentors, as well as peers who are interested in the same topics.
Organizations can also use Cypher to train external workers, and each learning program can have its own portal and security.
13. LearnWorlds
The LearnWorlds LMS supports both internal training for employees and external training for partners and customers. Companies can also use it to sell courses. The LearnWorlds website touts the platform's simplicity for trainers and learners alike.
An organization's learning team can use the platform's form and survey designer to get feedback from the people who take the courses to identify areas for improvement. LearnWorlds also provides functions for building a customized mobile app, with supposedly no coding required, which enables system administrators to design the app in a way that matches the organization's brand.
14. Acorn
Organizations can use the Acorn LMS for employees, customers and partners, and third parties can use it to monetize delivery of courses. The portal for each group can be customized to meet its specific needs. In addition, Acorn comes with built-in performance management features, which enables organizations to directly connect their performance management process with the training available in the LMS.
With Acorn's social features, employees can collaborate to share their knowledge and experience in a way that can be more easily captured and reused by others. The system is also designed to record employee development plans.
15. Eloomi
Eloomi is marketed as a combined LMS and LXP on the vendor's website. The platform also offers performance management features, including the ability to record one-on-one meetings, create goals and connect employee skill development requirements with courses available in the LMS.
As for course offerings, users can build courses in Eloomi, import them from other systems or choose prebuilt ones from Eloomi's content store. Users can also put courses in learning paths that can support blended learning approaches.
HCM software vendor Dayforce, formerly Ceridian, acquired Eloomi in early 2024.
16. eFront
The eFront LMS is unique in that customers get access to the software code to customize the platform, which runs in the cloud or on-premises. In addition to enabling code changes, the LMS comes with numerous configuration features available out of the box.
Organizations can offer training content on its own or as part of a learning path that can include quizzes and tests. Courses can be configured to be assigned according to predetermined criteria, such as skills attained or prerequisites completed. In addition, customers can use eFront to sell courses to external parties.
17. ProProfs
The ProProfs LMS comes with 100-plus professionally built courses that companies can brand and edit to meet their needs. According to the vendor's website, ProProfs online courses can include handouts, flashcards and end-of-chapter assessment quizzes, in addition to many other features. While editing courses, users can add other kinds of learning content, such as videos, graphics and presentations.
To simplify file sharing among members of the training team, the system comes with shared folders with access control. Organizations can also use the system as a knowledge base and to store training materials.
In November 2024, the vendor announced its acquisition of PeopleGoal, a maker of performance management software, but did not specify to what degree the software would be integrated with the ProProps LMS.
18. SkyPrep LMS
SkyPrep LMS comes in 14 languages to support companies with an international footprint. The LMS offers gamification tools to encourage learning, including points, badges and a leaderboard. It also automates routine tasks, such as course assignments, based on configured rules, reminders and scheduled reports, as well as updates employee profiles using course completion ratings.
The vendor also offers a product called SkyPrep Studio for creating rich, engaging and interactive learning content with minimal effort, according to the website. The authoring tool has a drag-and-drop UI and lets users save courses to SkyPrep LMS or export them as SCORM files.
Editor's note: This article was updated in January 2025.
Eric St-Jean is an independent consultant with a particular focus on HR technology, project management and Microsoft Excel training and automation. He writes about numerous business and technology areas.
