Revolutionise your training by choosing the best LMS platform!

These days, the market is constantly evolving at a frenetic pace. Given this paradigm, it's hardly surprising that many professionals feel they're falling behind: new technologies, new methodologies, new products... That's why training has become a major challenge for companies. To stay in the race, you need to keep your employees up to speed!

Training employees is OK... but how do you go about it?

Over the last few years, we've seen the development of a category of software that responds perfectly to these challenges: the LMS platform.

What are the best Learning Management Systems on the market ? What exactly do they consist of, and why are they so beneficial to organisations? How do you choose yours?

These are just some of the questions that will be answered in this article. Get out your notebooks 📒!

See all software Learning Management System (LMS)

What is an LMS platform?

The LMS platform: definition

First introduced in the 1990s in the university sector, the LMS ( Learning Management System) platform is a tool designed to distribute and manage training and learning programmes for learners.

Thanks to this software, users have easy access to content developed around a defined training strategy, as well as to mechanisms for assessing what they have learned.

Although they are aimed at a number of target audiences, such as educational institutions, LMSs have developed strongly as companies have become aware of the benefits to be gained from digital learning, starting with increased flexibility (learners follow courses independently, at their own pace).

Learning Management Systems have therefore won over the hearts of organisations that want to enhance the skills of their employees, but also to disseminate the same level of knowledge to all teams.

💡 Note: to better track employee skills and promote consistency in training actions, these platforms integrate perfectly with company information systems (HR tools, CRM, etc.).

How does an LMS platform work?

An LMS platform is primarily used by trainers to distribute and manage online courses. Some of them also handle the content creation phase, with the integration of several types of media such as text, video, audio, etc.

Learners (employees, students, etc.) then access the Learning Management System using their log-in details. Once logged in, they follow the course, but can also submit assignments or interact with other users via dedicated forums and chats.

Finally, LMSs are capable of tracking student progress and generating reports on student engagement and course effectiveness. This data is a valuable source of information for continually improving content and methods.

Comparison of the 5 best LMSs on the market

What are the different LMSs on the market? Don't confuse them with training platforms!

Focus on 5 examples of tried and tested LMSs 🔎.

360learning

360learning is an all-in-one LMS for collaborative learning. Its aim? To engage employees through the power of in-house expertise. The proof? Completion rates of 91%, compared with 21% on the market. Its broad functional coverage, beyond that of traditional LMSs, is convincing training teams, encompassing LXP, content creation and skills management functions.

👍 The key benefits of 360learning :

• A flexible, comprehensive solution that adapts to changes in your training needs as well as to all learner use cases and habits (blended learning, mobile application, etc.) ;
• Integration with a wide range of tools ( HRIS, Salesforce, business applications, etc.) to streamline processes and link training to your internal workflows;
• Innovative software, powered by AI, capable of automating time-consuming tasks for training teams so they can concentrate on strategic projects.

360Learning

+200 reviews

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Collaborative Learning Platform

Learn more about 360Learning

Adobe Learning Manager

Released by Adobe, Learning Manager is an LMS that helps you develop the skills of your employees, with the clear aim of increasing productivity and turnover. This software also focuses on training customers and partners.

👍 The key benefits of Adobe Learning Manager :

• A single platform to deploy any type of experience, thanks to dedicated features for blended learning, webinars, videos, etc. ;
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, used to personalise each learner's learning path as much as possible;
• More than 86,000 references available in a content marketplace, so you can enrich your learning programmes with just a few clicks.

Adobe Learning Manager

+200 reviews

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Revolutionise Learning Management with Advanced LMS

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Didask

Powerful and innovative, the Didask LMS combines artificial intelligence and cognitive science to help companies create much more engaging training courses... in less time! In fact, thanks to the authoring tool with pedagogical AI, training designers can develop and structure their content very easily and with complete autonomy, even if they are not e-learning experts.

👍 Didask's key advantages :

• The contribution of cognitive science, which promotes pedagogical effectiveness, i.e. anchoring newly-acquired knowledge in the memory and putting it into practice in day-to-day work;
• The deployment of personalised learning paths (adaptive learning) based on the needs and progress of the user;
• A tenfold reduction in the time taken to create courses and modules, thanks to artificial intelligence.

iSpring

iSpring is a tool designed to develop your employees, from the moment they join your company and throughout their career. At the same time, it enables you to distribute courses to your partners and customers. Suitable for all business sectors, iSpring has more than one million learners worldwide.

👍 The key benefits of iSpring :

• Support for content creation, including interactive courses, videos, simulations and assessments;
• Saves time by automating many time-consuming tasks, such as re-registering employees for recurring training sessions;
• Continuous assessment of employee commitment, thanks to the information that emerges from reactions on the news feed, comments on courses or chat exchanges.

iSpring Suite

+200 reviews

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E-Learning Training Software

Learn more about iSpring Suite

Moodle

Thanks to its open source nature, the Moodle LMS platform offers a high degree of customisation. It is therefore perfectly suited to any type of organisation, whatever its size or field of activity. Moodle even includes accessibility checkers and text-to-speech tools, so that anyone can easily follow the courses.

👍 The key benefits of Moodle :

• Different task or activity formats, which are handy for offering learning paths tailored to employees' preferences ;
• A mobile or email alert system, to notify learners of key information (upcoming deadlines, for example), and thus guarantee their attendance;
• Integration with a number of certified partners, to extend the functionality of the solution with reliable, user-approved tools.

Moodle

+200 reviews

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Comprehensive LMS for Education Professionals

Learn more about Moodle

What needs do LMS platforms meet?

Particularly popular with companies, Learning Management Systems support employees throughout their career.

Since they are used to disseminate a certain level of knowledge to employees, with a specific objective in mind, they are particularly popular in the following situations 👉.

Integrating new employees

The issues surrounding the integration of new employees are becoming increasingly important, especially at a time when there is a severe shortage of talent.

According to a Mercuri Urval study, 50% of employees have already considered leaving their company before the end of their trial period.

One of the bottlenecks identified by new recruits is the lack of communication and the feeling of being a little lost in this unfamiliar working environment.

Thanks to LMSs, these worries are a thing of the past, as they offer an effective way of introducing new employees to the necessary policies, procedures and training... and tracking their progress!

Accelerating digital transformation

As Covid has clearly demonstrated, it is impossible for organisations to ignore digitalization, whether in their working methods or in their commercial practices.

LMS platforms are speeding up the digital transformation of companies:

• by supporting individuals through change (acquisition of digital skills, etc.) ;
• stimulating innovation.

In short, they provide a better grasp of new technologies, which are essential for staying ahead of the competition.

Improving product knowledge

Launching new products, keeping up to date with the latest consumer expectations... it's all part of corporate life.

Learning Management Systems simplify the dissemination of up-to-date information about the product range to employees, partners and customers alike.

Aligning partners

If you work with a large number of partners, who may be scattered across the four corners of the globe, LMSs offer many advantages.

They allow you to offer everyone the same level of knowledge about your products, as we have just seen, but also about other key aspects such as your distribution methods or the components of your brand image.

Complying with new regulations

As we saw a few years ago with the RGPD, implementing actions in line with new regulations is far from a smooth process.

Here again, learning software comes to the rescue of professionals by speeding up compliance. Ultimately, they help to reduce legal risks.

💡 Good to know: when it comes to company size, LMSs are not just the preserve of large groups! More and more SMEs are getting in on the act too, aware of the added value of these platforms when it comes to developing their employees' skills quickly, at lower cost.

The benefits of LMS platforms

For companies

Train quickly and well

From a purely operational point of view, LMSs enable employees to be trained quickly on the skills they are lacking, the best practices deployed within the organisation, and so on.

This is achieved by means of a system structured around a logical and progressive learning path, which is far more effective than simple webinars and YouTube tutorial videos.

Standardising knowledge

Thanks to Learning Management Systems, employees receive the same standardised training, which is essential for maintaining consistency in processes and corporate culture.

In addition, LMS solutions encourage the sharing of knowledge and practices between different employees. This supports collective intelligence mechanisms, a key component of continuous improvement!

Making savings

Before the development of Learning Management Systems, organisations were already training their employees... but at a cost! These included travel costs (for the trainer or the learners), teaching materials and even the cost of hiring a room for the lessons.

Although LMS platforms are not free, they considerably reduce expenditure, since all actions can be carried out online, from a computer or even a mobile phone.

They therefore promise an excellent return on investment.

Gathering feedback

Compared with other training media, Learning Management Systems are particularly well suited to gathering feedback from learners. They also incorporate data analysis functions.

They therefore have the advantage of helping companies to check reliably whether the training programmes they have developed are bearing fruit, both in terms of user commitment and knowledge acquisition.

Benefit from a high degree of customisation

Finally, most Learning Management Systems allow a high degree of customisation and flexibility, so that learning can be adapted to the needs of the company, but also to the skill level of the employee.

And if there is a need to update the content (because of new regulations, for example), updates within the tool are easy to make and immediately visible to users.

For employees

Greater flexibility

According to #VyondTheSurface, 51% of employees prefer guided online self-training to instructor-led training.

It has to be said that this learning method promises all the flexibility sought by today's employees.

And with LMS platforms, resources can be accessed anywhere, at any time, even if teams work remotely and/or on a flexible working hours model.

Collaborate more

Alongside flexibility, collaboration is another factor in well-being at work.

Employees are now looking for a more horizontal approach , as opposed to the vertical models that are still all too common. This more participative type of management means more freedom to speak out and active contribution to the life of the company.

The good news is that a Learning Management System often includes collaborative spaces, such as discussion forums and chat rooms, where teams can exchange knowledge and practices. Perfect for stimulating the collective intelligence mentioned above!

Learning... while having fun!

Finally, with LMSs, employees can take advantage of training courses that have more impact, and are even more fun, than a good old PDF to read through or a face-to-face training session that drags on forever. And that's bound to stimulate learning.

What's more, some of this software incorporates gamification principles, by introducing game mechanisms and other reward systems designed to motivate users.

And the limits of Learning Management Systems?

In view of the above-mentioned advantages, the LMS platform seems more than suited to the needs of companies. However, we should bear in mind that, as with any system, there are sometimes limitations.

Starting with those specific to e-learning. While e-learning may be all the rage, it should not be forgotten that it is not suitable for :

• for all subjects, especially those that are really complex or require practical application (manual skills, for example) ;
• to all profiles, since organisations still have to deal with many employees who are not very technophiles. Not to mention the fact that some individuals find it difficult to work independently.

☝️ It is therefore important to make an in-depth assessment of your own situation before deciding whether e-learning is right for you.

Some experts also see limits to Learning Management Systems themselves, or at least to some of them. In their view, the lack of certain functionalities means that professionals need to compare the different solutions carefully before making their choice.

• Are they ergonomic enough to engage employees and maintain their level of interest?
• Do they leave enough room for the much sought-after collaboration?
• And above all, do they include all the necessary functionality? This is a central question, hence our next section 👉.

What are the functionalities of an LMS platform?

The basic functions of LMS software

The acronym LMS, which, let's not forget, stands for Learning Management System, clearly shows the two essential components around which these solutions are built:

• learning
• learner management.

The primary functionalities of these tools are as follows:

• Centralising and organising training content, making it easily accessible to users and tailored to specific needs.
  
  
• Setting up learning paths that guide students towards their objectives, using a logical sequential itinerary.
  
  
• Managing and monitoring learners. More specifically, this involves integrating them into the platform and giving them access to the resources they need, according to their profile. But it also involves tracking learners to find out who has done what, who has succeeded, what the sticking points are, etc.
  
  
• Progress assessment systems, such as quizzes, open-ended questions, online interviews, etc., are also used. The aim? To know whether the employee has acquired the expected skills and to provide the necessary feedback for improvement.

Other features of Learning Management Systems

As with all software, functional coverage is expanding and there is something for every company.

LMSs therefore sometimes take charge of :

• The development of the courses themselves, i.e. the editing of content, whether texts or assessment devices.
  
  
• The use of mobile devices. Here's a feature to consider, at a time when more and more people are using their mobile phone as a priority when surfing the Internet.
  
  
• Gamification and rewards, which have proved their worth in terms of learner engagement. These can take the form, for example, of a competitive system to challenge learners or simply solving puzzles.
  
  
• Social learning, an approach that encourages horizontal knowledge sharing. Basically, each user teaches as well as learns.
  
  
• Analytics and reporting, designed to test the effectiveness of the training courses deployed. Thanks to these tools, you can monitor various KPIs (success rates in assessments, user satisfaction, etc.) and then determine whether adjustments are necessary.
  
  
• Certification and compliance, essential for ensuring that employees comply with internal or external regulations.

💡 Good to know: as you will have realised, all LMS platforms have their own features. Some even benefit from a high level of parameterisation, to build the tool best suited to your company.

How do you choose your LMS platform?

Compare these 5 software packages at a glance

Rates raised in March 2025.

Selection criteria to evaluate

To choose the LMS platform that is right for your organisation, start by identifying the features that are absolutely necessary from among those mentioned above.

☝️ But that's not all! There are other criteria to consider too:

• The hosting method. In general, companies opt :
  • either for a SaaS model 👉 here, the data is hosted in the Cloud. This is a cost-effective solution that saves on the costs of installing the software, IT infrastructure and technical updates;
  • an on-premise model 👉 this leaves more autonomy to the organisation, but is more expensive.
    
    
• Ergonomics, which is very important if learners are to get to grips with the platform quickly and adopt it fully.
  
  
• Management of different types of content, beyond simple text format. This includes audio, and especially video, as it has been shown that learners retain 10% of what they read, compared with 50% of what they see and hear.
  
  
• Flexibility. Your Learning Management System needs to adapt to your existing IS, as well as to your internal processes. Ideally, it should be scalable, i.e. support a growing number of users and content, if your company is going to grow.
  
  
• Costs. A good LMS necessarily promises the best possible return on investment. Hence the importance of carefully assessing all the costs associated with deploying the solution.
  🤑 Looking for a free LMS platform? Beware of the all-too-common belief that open source = free. In fact, even if you don't pay a licence or subscription fee, beware of the costs associated with hosting and customising the tool!
  
  
• Integration with your other software. For example, by connecting with your CRM, you can see the correlation between the company's results and the training provided. Learning Management Systems can also be interfaced with HR tools, to streamline all operations relating to GPEC, onboarding, etc.
  
  
• Customer service quality. Very important! Because despite the quality of the LMS selected, you will always need to contact it at some point. It's best if it's available and responsive!

See all software Learning Management System (LMS)

The LMS platform in brief

With LMS platforms, you can take your training activities up a gear 🚀.

Gone are the days when employees swallowed a ton of content presented on very unsexy media (hello printed PDF 👋). Learning Management Systems have grasped the full potential of digital learning to put some glitter ✨in employees' lives, by means of much more user-friendly and attractive courses.

Some of this software even leaves more room for learners and mitigates vertical models, by developing collaborative learning features.

All that's left for you to do is find the LMS that's right for you, by examining a number of criteria such as its functionality, of course, but also its intuitiveness, flexibility, scalability... and of course its ROI!

And since progress is relentless, why not take a look at artificial intelligence, and find a Learning Management System that understands the benefits of this technology in developing more relevant and personalised learning paths? We're told that AI is clearly going to change the way we think about training...