The Different Types of Learning Management Systems

A learning management system provides a central location for managing all of the learning needs.

FREMONT, CA: A learning management system (LMS) is a one-stop-shop or platform for all forms of education and development. It's a simple approach to distribute e-learning options to employees or other users and then track their progress.

An LMS enables organizations to create, manage, and track courses, assign them to specific individuals or teams, track progress, measure performance, and provide detailed results.

Examples of LMS

LMSs come in a variety of forms and sizes. The following are some examples of frequently used learning management systems:

Cloud-based LMS

Because "cloud-based" solutions do not require specific hardware or software installed on the user's computer, they can be accessed anywhere. Rather than that, users access the system through a web portal. The Cloud approach has several advantages, including inexpensive startup costs, ease of implementation, and automatic upgrades. Cloud computing settings offer a high level of security.

According to Capterra's research, 87 percent of LMS purchasers chose cloud-based systems over on-premise hosting.

Cloud-based LMSs, accessible from any location, have proven critical for maintaining training and education during the COVID-19 issue, whereas organizations with on-premise gear and software have struggled.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS on the cloud refers to software leased on a subscription basis and is centrally hosted by the software supplier. A standardized pricing model will provide different levels of service based on the number of users, allowing for rapid scaling as the user base expands or declines. SaaS is often referred to as cloud-based software, on-demand software, web-based software, or hosted software.

Open-source LMS

An open-source LMS is one whose authors have made its source code freely available for modification by any developer or user. There are no license fees, but this does not mean the program is entirely free. Downloading the software may incur a fee.

Open-source is a popular choice for organizations who wish to alter the source code to meet their specific eLearning needs or avoid ongoing license fees.

Free LMS        

"Freemium" learning management systems frequently have a restricted number of courses and other capabilities, but they can be an excellent entry point for SMEs with limited budgets.

Spotify, a renowned music streaming service that offers free and paid choices, is a famous example of a freemium offering. Like freemium software, freemium LMSs are free up to a specified number of features or users, beyond which the organization must subscribe.

Proprietary LMS

Proprietary LMS is the polar opposite of open-source learning management systems. The software is closed-source, meaning that users cannot modify the source code.

A proprietary LMS is typically a "turnkey" solution, with technical support and managed upgrades covered by subscription and license costs. GoSkills is an example of a proprietary SaaS LMS that is cloud-based.

See Also: Top LMS Solution Companies