Learning management systems have become a part of organizations across all sectors and sizes. It is through these LMS solutions that organizations are developing and preparing their employees, customers and partners for the changing and trying times of the future. Moreover, with technology turning a new page every day, we can see virtual reality, augmented reality and microlearning making their way into different cloud based LMS solutions in the market.
What is a cloud based LMS solution?
In simple words, a cloud based LMS solution is one that allows users to access and use the solution without installing any software or hardware. This is done by having all the users access the information through a web portal. Organizations can directly upload all the learning material, which is stored on the cloud and can be accessed by users from any location.
So, what are the benefits of a cloud based LMS?
A cloud based LMS comes with myriad benefits that include:
- Easy set-up and implementation process
- Data security
- Streamlined and automated training
- Low set-up costs
- Mobile compatibility
- Hassle-free maintenance
While these benefits just give a glimpse of the entire picture, it is imperative for companies to look for all the features in a cloud based LMS before investing in one. Here are some of the features that one cannot miss:
- Flexible reporting and analytics
- Mobile-workforce ready
- Assessment tools
- Smart scheduling tools
- Hosting options
- Test-out options
- Centralized learning materials
- Automated alerts and notifications
- Personalized user experience
- Data tracking
- Offline learning trackers
- LMS integrations
Now that we’ve looked at all the features and benefits of a cloud based LMS, let us look at some of the best ones in the market.
Absorb LMS
Absorb LMS helps businesses across the world to achieve and surpass their learning goals. The solution is built to deliver flexible training with its robust features and intuitive training offering an engaging environment that keeps the partners, customers and employees learning constantly. Owing to being one of the best cloud based LMS, Absorb LMS has a clientele ranging from a few hundred learners to a hundred thousand learners.
Key Features
Features of Absorb LMS include:
- Academic/Education
- Asynchronous Learning
- Blended Learning
- Built-in Course Authoring
- Corporate/Business
- Gamification
- Learner Portal
- Mobile Learning
- SCORM Compliance
- Synchronous Learning
- Video Conferencing
- eCommerce
- eLearning Companies
Pricing
For pricing plans, one must contact the provider directly.
Free trial
Absorb LMS does provide a free trial.
Reviews Unplugged
Pros
- One of the things that makes Absorb LMS one of the best cloud based LMS is its unparalleled support.
- The design is very easy to use with a customizable interface.
- Absorb LMS is an out of the box solution that does not need the IT or web developer’s support to set up.
Cons
- The solution has limited assessment options, especially when it comes to answer types.
- The reporting structure is not as straightforward as one would like and would need some getting used to.
- The solution makes it difficult to manage blended learning.
Adobe Captivate Prime LMS
Adobe Captivate Prime LMS is one of the best cloud based LMS to train partners, employees and customers efficiently and effectively. The platform delivers an enjoyable and enhanced experience for learners, through an ecosystem that is compliant and updated regularly. Used by millions of users, Adobe Captivate Prime LMS is adopted by some of the biggest corporations across the world.
Key Features
Features of Adobe Captivate Prime LMS include:
- Academic/Education
- Asynchronous Learning
- Blended Learning
- Corporate/Business
- Gamification
- Learner Portal
- Mobile Learning
- SCORM Compliance
- Synchronous Learning
Pricing
Pricing plans for Adobe Captivate Prime start at $4 per user, per month.
Free trial
Adobe Captivate Prime LMS does offer a free trial.
Reviews Unplugged
Pros
- With all the requisite features, Adobe Captivate Prime LMS can host all types of standard e-learning files.
- The solution allows for a solid user experience and also has a social learning function.
- The solution also allows users to add their voice to make presentations and learning modules immersive and interactive.
Cons
- The solution does not allow for one to use all the features without swapping profiles.
- The system might be inexpensive, but it commands a big upfront cost.
- The customer service is not as responsive as one would like it to be.
BrainCert Enterprise LMS
BrainCert Enterprise LMS is a modern, responsive, light and easy to use LMS solution that is designed to deliver training to users and track their progress. The solution also comes with four core platforms – online testing platform, virtual classroom, courses platform and a unified content management system.
Key Features
Features of Braincert include:
- Academic/Education
- Asynchronous Learning
- Blended Learning
- Built-in Course Authoring
- Corporate/Business
- Learner Portal
- Mobile Learning
- SCORM Compliance
- Synchronous Learning
- Video Conferencing
- eCommerce
- eLearning Companies
Pricing
Pricing plans for BrainCert start at $99 per month.
Free trial
BrainCert does offer a free trial.
Reviews Unplugged
Pros
- The solution is very easy to use, ensuring even individuals who are not adept with technology can use it without any issues.
- The appearance of the platform aided with its functions makes it a treat to use.
- The solution also lets teachers embed videos from a lot of different places.
Cons
- The virtual class recording of the solution can be a little more streamlined.
- The solution still has numerous technical glitches which hinder the entire user experience.
- The updated version of the solution is worse than the previous version.
TalentLMS
TalentLMS is an award-winning and one of the best cloud based LMS solutions in the market. Ideal for delivering engaging training online, the platform lets one create courses in just a few clicks. The solution is also known for being suitable for both inexperienced and sophisticated users.
Key Features
Features of TalentLMS include:
- Academic/Education
- Asynchronous Learning
- Blended Learning
- Built-in Course Authoring
- Corporate/Business
- Gamification
- Learner Portal
- Mobile Learning
- SCORM Compliance
- Synchronous Learning
- Video Conferencing
- eCommerce
- eLearning Companies
Pricing
Pricing plans for TalentLMS start at $59 per month.
Free trial
TalentLMS does offer a free trial.
Reviews Unplugged
Pros
- The solution deploys regular quarterly updates that improve the usability and features of the product.
- One of the biggest advantages of TalentLMS is that they’ve maintained their pricing plans even after adding big updates.
- The solution’s reporting capabilities are pretty good along with easy usability for learners and administration.
Cons
- The integration of test and graphic material along with questions isn’t as easy as one would like.
- The solution lacks features in the design area and does not have enough organizational tools.
- The certification management tools of the solution need to be improved.
Docebo
Docebo LMS is one of the best learning management systems that automates learning management, personalizes the learning experience and facilitates informal learning by harnessing the power of AI. This unique facet makes Docebo one of the top LMS solutions in the market, with more than 2000 companies using the solution in 68 countries around the world.
Key Features
Features of Docebo include:
- Academic/Education
- Asynchronous Learning
- Blended Learning
- Corporate/Business
- Gamification
- Learner Portal
- Mobile Learning
- SCORM Compliance
- Synchronous Learning
- Video Conferencing
- eCommerce
- eLearning Companies
Pricing
For pricing plans, one must contact the provider directly.
Free trial
Docebo LMS does offer a free trial.
Reviews Unplugged
Pros
- Docebo LMS is constantly evolving and growing, helping its clients to grow along too.
- Setting up of Docebo is very convenient and easy, ensuring minimal setup time.
- The interface is clean, and the pricing plans are quite friendly for small businesses too.
Cons
- The integrations in the software fail without any warnings.
- The functionality when it comes to reporting and surveys is limited.
- The solution is quite buggy when used continuously for a long time.
SAP Litmos
SAP Litmos is one of the best cloud based LMS that integrates learning management, prepackaged content, extended enterprise and content management systems together. With learner’s experience kept at the center of the design, the solution allows for content to be consumed on any device, truly allowing an embedded learning experience.
Key Features
Features of SAP Litmos include:
- Asynchronous Learning
- Blended Learning
- Corporate/Business
- Gamification
- Learner Portal
- Mobile Learning
- SCORM Compliance
- Synchronous Learning
- Video Conferencing
- eCommerce
- eLearning Companies
Pricing
For pricing details, one must contact the provider directly.
Free trial
SAP Litmos does provide a free trial.
Reviews Unplugged
Pros
- SAP Litmos is an easy technology to use that also offers seamless implementation.
- The solution can also be customized as per one’s needs, and also provides reports for anything one wants to measure.
- The library of content is large along with easy access for users.
Cons
- The solution has not brought any developments to link courses together.
- The solution also has a lot of co-dependence across features which pushes companies to pay for additional non-standard features.
- SAP Litmos also forces one to use many manual steps, because of no integration for automation.
LearnUpon
LearnUpon is also one of the best cloud based LMS solutions that coordinates, unifies and streamlines the delivery of training programs across the network. The solution is also known for bringing together user-focused technology with industry-leading experience to deliver impactful training programs.
Key Features
Features of LearnUpon LMS include:
- Asynchronous Learning
- Blended Learning
- Built-in Course Authoring
- Corporate/Business
- Gamification
- Learner Portal
- Mobile Learning
- SCORM Compliance
- Synchronous Learning
- Video Conferencing
- eCommerce
- eLearning Companies
Pricing
Pricing plans for LearnUpon start at$699 per month.
Free trial
LearnUpon LMS does provide a free trial.
Reviews Unplugged
Pros
- The learning curve for LearnUpon is very user-friendly, along with offering many helpful options while implementation.
- The solution provides multi-portal capabilities to manage customer, partner and employee training programs on a single platform.
- The technical support is quite helpful in resolving any issues or queries.
Cons
- The platform UI is not customizable beyond the typical branding and colors.
- Online help can sometimes be difficult to understand.
ispring
iSpring is an eLearning toolkit that is used to design content for collaboration or teamwork or any eLearning program. The solution helps companies create courses with interactive assessments, dialogue simulations, quizzes, videos among other tools.
Key Features
Features of iSpring include:
- Audio/Video Recording
- Gamification
- Interactive Learning
- SCORM Compliance
- Template Management
- Tests/Assessments
- Content Import / Export
- Course Publishing
- Gamification
- Interactive Content
- PowerPoint Conversion
- Self-Paced Courses
- Template Management
- Test / Quiz Creation
- Video Management
Pricing
Pricing plans for iSpring Suite Max start at $970 per user, per year.
Free trial
iSpring does offer a free trial.
Reviews Unplugged
Pros
- The solution is very easy to launch and develop since the base product still happens to be PowerPoint.
- The solution has almost a zero-learning curve, with the standard and clean interface providing an attractive and user-friendly course.
- The publishing format of the solution is seamless across all browsers and devices.
Cons
- iSpring does not allow users to create variables where one can assign values and use them for calculations, or text or for anything else.
- One of the features that the solution lacks are the different tilting facilities with video/screen capture modules.
efront
eFront is one of the best cloud based LMS platforms for companies that require extensive customization and advanced features to train their employees, customers and partners. One of the most adaptable LMS solutions in the market, eFront blends seamlessly with any integration.
Key Features
Features of eFront include:
- Academic/Education
- Asynchronous Learning
- Blended Learning
- Built-in Course Authoring
- Corporate/Business
- Gamification
- Learner Portal
- Mobile Learning
- SCORM Compliance
- Synchronous Learning
- Video Conferencing
- eCommerce
- eLearning Companies
Pricing
Pricing plans for eFront start at $1000 per month.
Free trial
eFront does offer a free trial.
Reviews Unplugged
Pros
- One of the best features of eFront is its adaptability across different types of data and fields.
- Another facet that makes eFront one of the best cloud based LMS solutions is the ease it offers in course creation.
- The solution also gives users the ability to create different membership programs and assign different roles to members.
Cons
- The pricing of eFront can be on the higher side for most companies.
- The solution is also way too complicated to make any basic customizations.
- The implementation process and maintenance require an expert’s hand and cannot be handled by everyone.