10 Cloud-Based Learning Management Systems For Small Business Training

Cloud-Based Learning Management Systems For Small Business Training

By using a Learning Management System (LMS) to deliver and track employee training, businesses can minimize disruptions in the workplace, and personalize training modules. As employees can train at their own pace, retention of learning materials increases. Because they can train anywhere and on virtually any electronic device, there is no need to pay costly travel bills associated with off-site training. Incorporating a Learning Management System into your training and/or orientation routine is a great way to keep track of milestones your employees achieve in their training and learning, and to save your business money. Here's a list of 10 cloud-based Learning Management Systems for small business training. All of these services work well for corporate training, so it is up to you to decide which Learning Management System to choose depending on your business needs.

1. Mindflash

With Mindflash, you can import training materials, invite trainees to the course, and track their progress. Courses created in Mindflash can be used to train employees and salespeople or packaged and sold to clients or other companies. The software features Salesforce integration and rich tracking options for both online and instructor-led live training.

• Pros: 
  • Can upload unlimited PowerPoint, video, Word, SCORM, and PDF files for use in your training program.
  • Courses can be viewed from any computer, smartphone, or tablet.
  • Third-party services and social networks integration.
• Cons: 
  • Chat customer support feature not available with the Basic package.
  • Trial version is only 14 days, which may not be enough time to set up and execute a course to get a true feel for the service's capabilities.
• Features and plans:
  Mindflash offers three plans. The Basic plan is $249.00 USD per month, billed monthly. The Advanced plan is $699.00 per month, billed annually. The Pro plan is $1,499.00 per month, billed annually. The main difference between the plans is the number of active trainees allowed and the features available, which include:
  • Up to 1,000 active trainees and 50 admin accounts with the Pro plan.
  • Increased training tracking with the Advanced and Pro plan including.
  • Identification of the most and least engaging modules.
  • Tracking the time it takes for each trainee to complete a module.
  • Custom branding and selling of courses with the Pro plan.

2. Litmos

Litmos is a cloud-based, customizable learning solution for employee training and learning. With Litmos, your employees can complete training both in class and at home on their own devices. It has a modern look and mobile compatibility. With many features including SCORM, Litmos is loved by 1,000,000+ users. You can check the effectiveness of your training and integrate SalesForce for monitoring your sales activity.

• Pros: 
  • Simple and powerful dashboard.
  • iOS and Android applications for taking courses on mobile devices.
  • SalesForce integration.
  • No limit to the number of courses or modules you can load or access in a month.
• Cons: 
  • Trial version is only 14 days, which may not be enough time to set up and execute a course to get a true feel for the service's capabilities.
• Features and plans:
  All Litmos accounts begin as a 14-day free trial Enterprise package, which must be upgraded to one of two paid tiers at the end of the trial. The main difference between the $299.00 USD per month (billed annually) Silver Package and the $699.00 per month Gold Package is the number of active users allowed. The Silver Package supports up to 100 active users, while the Gold supports up to 500. Off-the-shelf learning modules are free during the trial, but must be purchased after the trial is up. Features in all packages include:
  • Email and phone support.
  • Shopify integration.
  • Custom branding.
  • Instructor-led training.

3. TalentLMS

TalentLMS claims to allow you to build your training courses in minutes. Courses written in TalentLMS's API are cloud-based, mobile-friendly, and easy to maintain. The service incorporates gamification, including the ability to earn and award points, rewards, and badges, making learning fun. The Learning Management System allows instructors to share courses with non-registered users.

• Pros: 
  • Free account is fully functional and without time limit for up to 5 users and up to 10 courses.
  • Easy to understand downloadable quick guide.
  • Option to use your own domain name when posting courses.
  • Marketplace for buying and selling courses.
• Cons: 
  • Automation of course assignment and user management is only available with Plus and Premium plans.
  • Does not seem to support Android devices.
  • There is a 20MB per uploaded file limit with the free account.
• Features and plans:
  TalentLMS has a variety of Standard and Unlimited plans. The difference between the two is that the Standard plans have a hard cap with respect to the number of users you can register. The main difference between the plans is the number of users that are supported. Standard prices range from the Small Plan at $29.00 USD per month (billed monthly), which supports up to 25 users, to the Premium Plan at $349.00 per month (billed annually), which supports up to 1,000 users. Unlimited plans are billed annually, and run from $79.00 per month, which supports 25 active users per month, up to $379.00 per month, which supports up to 500 active users per month. Other features include:
  • All paid versions support an unlimited number of courses.
  • Though there is a limit to the number of active users per month, Unlimited plans support an unlimited number of registered users.
  • The ability to upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your account at any time in the billing cycle.

4. iSpring Learn LMS

iSpring Learn LMS is an easy to use, cloud-based learning management system that gives you full control over the educational process and allows you to track learners’ effectiveness via detailed reports. It is a complete scalable solution that powers the entire eLearning process from course authoring to evaluating learners’ progress. The LMS also allows user feedback for instant communication between learners and trainers. It features e-commerce options and learning paths with customizable certificates.

• Pros: 
  • Advanced content security mechanisms.
  • Supports third-party SCORM courses.
  • Free mobile app for iPad and Android tablets, which allows learners to save courses and complete them offline with postponed progress sync.
  • A powerful set of detailed reports for tracking learners’ progress in your organization.
  • 30-day trial that doesn’t have functional limitations on customization, etc.
• Cons: 
  • iSpring desktop authoring tools are only PC-compatible.
  • 3rd-party SCORM quizzes don’t save detailed answers, only overall score.
  • You cannot switch from tiles view in the learner’s portal, and need to scroll a lot when there are many courses in the list.
• Features and plans:
  iSpring Learn has a three-tiered plan, with the main difference being the number of users. The Starter Plan is $97.00 USD per month for up to 50 users, the Pro Plan is $197.00 per month for up to 250 users, and the Enterprise Plan is $579.00 per month for up to 1,000 users. Plans including the authoring tool begin at $117.00 per month for the Starter Plan, $297.00 per month for the Pro Plan, and $797.00 per month for the Enterprise Plan. Plans including the authoring tool support the same number of users as those that do not. With the paid version, you also get:
  • Unlimited amount of courses to create and upload.
  • Unlimited number of public and private views.

5. Inquisiq r4

Inquisiq r4 Learning Management System is a Learning Management System designed for corporate training and designing courses to sell online. Their service allows corporate trainers and training providers to brand and sell courses from within the Learning Management System. The various features which allow for automation can provide significant administration time savings.

• Pros: 
  • Social network and linking feature.
  • Blended learning support, with the ability to track both online and instructor-led courses.
  • Pre-built courseware is available for loading directly into your Learning Management System.
  • eCommerce features, such as a shopping cart, discount codes, and PayPal support.
• Cons:
  • No product guide available online for Inquisiq r4 (r3 is available).
  • Not supported in shared server environments.
• Features and plans:
  Inquisiq's pricing varies, depending on the number of user accounts and enrollments you have in your courses. Pricing Option 1 (Standard) begins at $99.00 USD per month for 0 to 10 user accounts with unlimited enrollments and 150MB of storage space, through to $1,500.00 per month for 10,001 to 20,000 user accounts and 10GB of storage space. Pricing Option 2: User and Enrollment Based Pricing, begins at $200.00 per month for 0 to 200 user accounts and 0 to 25 course enrollments per month, with 500MB of storage space, through to $1,000.00 per month for 901 to 1,000 user accounts and up to 225 course enrollments per month, with 4GB of storage space. Additional storage space for both options can be purchased for $10.00 per GB per month. Features include:
  • The ability to make an unlimited number of branded Inquisiq Learning Management System portals under a single account, though it will cost you $20.00 per month for each additional portal.
  • Each Learning Management System portal includes all administrative rights and privileges.
  • Accounts are charged $4.00 per month for every additional user above and beyond their plan limits.

6. eFront

eFront is a content-friendly, cloud-based learning management system that allows you to create online or offline courses and/or training modules incorporating blended learning. The system has a wide range of customization options and features gamification and blended learning capabilities.

• Pros: 
  • Rich communication tools, with support for internal email, calendar and discussion forums.
  • Detailed reporting with a timeline documenting which users access and complete modules and when.
  • Built-in videoconferencing support.
• Cons: 
  • No mobile app for iOS and Android devices.
  • Must schedule a private consultation to get a quote for pricing.
• Features and plans:
  As mentioned above, eFront does not display their prices online. Interested parties are requested to either get an online quotation or schedule a demonstration of the service. The only pricing information is on their page about their cloud service, which says they charge a flat rate and have simple pricing. With a paid account you get:
  • Access to a customizable portal, including access to source code.
  • The ability to sell your courses online via PayPal or Stripe.
  • Support for offline learning.

7. Absorb LMS

Absorb LMS claims to be a flexible software platform that makes learning and training accessible on nearly any browsing device. The Learning Management System has a responsive HTML5 interface which can be adjusted for all screen sizes. Absorb LMS features e-commerce and social learning options.

• Pros: 
  • Automates many processes to free up site admin's time.
  • Optimized for more than 20 languages.
  • Display is adaptable for mobile devices, screen sizes, and vertical and horizontal orientations.
• Cons: 
  • No prices listed online; must contact company for a price list.
  • There is a one-time "affordable" setup fee.
• Features and plans:
  Absorb LMS's website does not list their prices, claiming that "each deployment of Absorb LMS is unique" and plans are therefore based on the needs of your business, no matter its size. When you sign up for a monthly plan, you get:
  • Access to Absorb's team of experts.
  • Access to their fully branded learning portal.
  • 100GB of free storage.
  • Unlimited custom user and admin roles.

8. BizLibrary

BizLibrary's website boasts it is the "largest and fastest growing library" of training videos and eLearning courses, adding more than 50 on-demand training courses each month. The system provides social learning opportunities, learning paths and formal certificates and integration with video conference services.

• Pros: 
  • Training can be delivered across desktop, mobile, and tablet platforms.
  • 30-day free trial gives you access to all training materials.
  • Integrated email messaging and notifications support informal and social learning models.
• Cons: 
  • No prices listed online; must contact company for a price list.
  • Access to technical support is limited to business hours.
• Features and plans:
  There is no mention as to how much BizLibrary charges for the use of their Learning Management System, but with a paid subscription, you have access to:
  • A variety of reports and tracking methods that can be exported in a number of file types, saved, or printed.
  • The ability to upload and track custom eLearning materials.
  • Access to thousands of on-demand courses and materials, organized into topic areas such as business skills, leadership and management, and sales and service.

9. Docebo

Docebo is a modular, cloud-based Learning Management System with unlimited storage. Courses created using Docebo can be packaged and sold online with the service's eCommerce app. Docebo can easily be integrated with your existing IT systems (HR, CRM and other preferred platforms) via an API system. The system is very user-friendly. With its Mobile app your learners can use all devices including mobile and tablet devices.

• Pros: 
  • Uses gamification design, allowing you to create badges and/or awards to help engage learners.
  • Supports web conferencing through a number of apps.
  • Learning Management System may be integrated with other third-party systems.
• Cons: 
  • Free trial lasts only 14 days, which may not be enough time to fully test the service.
  • Some features, like the eCommerce app and custom domain names, are available at an extra monthly fee.
• Features and plans:
  Docebo's prices for small businesses range from $230.00 USD per month for up to 50 active users, through to $600.00 per month for up to 350 active users. You can get 2 months for free if you pay annually. An Enterprise package is available for 500 or more users, but you must contact the company directly for the price. With the monthly fee you can:
  • Fully customize your Learning Management System, using your own colors and logos.
  • Automate to define and trigger common rules when certain conditions are met.
  • Compile your courses into your own course catalog.
  • Upload external activities and certificates into the platform for users to gain additional credit.

10. Digital Chalk

Digital Chalk allows you to track employee progress, and measure the impact of training on your business. You can use existing content from websites and video sites, convert PowerPoint slideshows, or migrate modules from another Learning Management System to create your courses. The service offers HD streaming video capability and features e-commerce.

• Pros: 
  • Online editing suite to upload, synchronize, and customize your presentations, like adding checkpoints that pause the video to quiz the user.
  • Choose from a variety of question types to create tests with embedded answer feedback.
  • Import external URLs to embed web content.
• Cons: 
  • No information on the site if they support social learning, like forums, blogs and live chats.
  • Does not support gamification of training modules.
  • There is a $10.99 one-time account setup fee.
• Features and plans:
  Digital Chalk's plans range from $449.00 USD per month for up to 75 active users (defined as a user that logs in at least once in the billing cycle), to $1,149.00 per month for up to 500 users. Companies can contact Digital Chalk directly for a quote if they need a plan supporting more than 500 users. Though you can package and sell your courses, you must have a separate plan to do so. eCommerce plans range from $25.00 to $325.00 per month. With the Corporate Learning Management System plans you get:
  • Unlimited storage.
  • Multiple language support.
  • The ability to track and report user progress.
  • Training and tech support.

Whichever software you choose, a Learning Management System will definitely help you keep track of employees’ progress and take your corporate training to the next level. Use this list of cloud-based Learning Management Systems to choose the right one according to the needs and goals of your business.

Do you have a favorite Learning Management System that doesn’t appear on this list? Share your experience in the comments below!