What is the best Learning Management System?
The question on which Learning Management System (LMS) is best does not have a simple answer. It really depends on many different variables, such as budget, your use-case and your future vision. We are often asked this question and then advice on the best system based on your vision and current budget.
In this article we would like to address just one of these criteria, which is often overlooked, but the first question we normally ask. The question is whether you want to deliver formal programmes or informal programmes. The different LMS systems can be categorised into these two major groupings. Let us first focus on formal learning programmes.
Learning Management Systems for Formal Learning Programmes
Formal learning programmes includes any accredited programmes offered by universities, schools or colleges. The desired LMS is then basically chosen based on two core criteria, assessment options and engagement tools.
Both the two most popular Learning Management Systems satisfy these criteria on a basic level. However when you want more assessment options, then Moodle is probably good to go for. Universities such as Monash are using Moodle.
While Moodle may have more assessment options and engagement tools than Blackboard, the experience of the teacher or facilitator when assessing with Blackboard may be better and more streamlined than with Moodle. From a pricing point of view, Moodle will generally work out less expensive.
There are other options than Moodle and Blackboard available. To keep this article brief, we decided to give a brief overview of the two mostly used systems.
Learning Management Systems for Informal learning programmes
We define informal learning programmes as any programme that are typically created by Internet Marketers, or information businesses. Many of these programmes are hosted on the well known platform: udemy. If it issues a certificate, it would be a certificate of attendance or completion.
The providers of informal learning programmes are generally mostly interested in profits from the programmes they deliver. They are not very interested in the engagement of their students or participants. Here simple tools are necessary. The basic requirement is to automate the enrollment of the student into the system and to provide sales funnel ability.
From our reviews, we have ranked Kajabi and Kartra as the top two affordable platforms in this space. Kajabi is very strong with regards to the visual experience of the participants, wheras Kartra is a very strong contender in the automation from Sales right through to content delivery.
Many people in this space also asks us what we think of ClickFunnels. Consequently we have reviewed it, but in comparison to the pricing, you’d get a lot more with Kartra. Generally Kartra has all the features that ClickFunnels have, plus an email marketing system, and a deadline funnel. From funnel automation perspective it is more powerful.
If you are more interested in the Learning journey than the sales journey of your students, then Kajabi would be a better tool. However if you are a coach, then neither is a feasible option. Coaches are more interested in engagement metrics, and monitoring their participants, and less interested in sales funnel automation. We will provide a more complete review for coaches in a separate article.
Conclusion
There are literally 100’s of Learning Management Systems out there. Many of these LMS systems are really good. But even if they are really good, they might not be the best fit for you.
This article attempted to demonstrate how significantly the options will be different based on just one simple attribute that might be different in your case. The other other attributes, such as your budget, future vision, future plans and specific learning philosophies was not even discussed.
To find the best LMS system, you will need to take a lot more variables into consideration. The last thing you want is to switch all your learning material to a new system within the first year of deployment, as that will be extremely costly. Since we can implement nearly any Learning Management System for our clients, we see ourselves as neutral and unbiased which will reduce your risk for making costly mistakes.