About the vendor
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Customers
  • Large Enterprises (>10,000)
  • Non Profits
  • Public Administrations
Use Cases
  • Association Learning
  • Competency Management
  • Compliance Training
  • Employee Training
  • Public Sector External
  • Training Companies
  • Workforce Development
Industries
  • eLearning
  • Executive Office
  • Government: Federal
  • Government: State/Local
  • Information Technology and Services
  • Nonprofit Organization Management
  • Professional Services (Technical, Web, IT)
Deployment
  • Desktop Application
  • Mobile Application
  • Self-Hosted Cloud-based
  • Software as a Service / Cloud
Platforms
  • Linux
  • Mac
  • Windows
Browsers
  • Apple Safari
  • Google Chrome
  • Internet Explorer
  • Mozilla Firefox
Training
  • Documentation
  • In Person
  • Live Online
  • Online Tutorials
  • Webinars
Support
  • 24/7
  • Business Hours
  • Email
  • FAQ
  • Knowledge Base
  • Live Online
  • Online Community
  • Phone
Supported Specifications
  • SCORM 1.2
  • SCORM 2004
  • xAPI/Tin Can API
Languages Supported
  • German
  • English
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Italian
LinkedIn Page
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What is Acorn?

Acorn is the skills and development platform that closes the loop between what your people need to be able to do, what they can actually do today, and what's working to close the gap.

Powered by a proprietary framework of over 1,600 capabilities and 4,800 proficiency levels, Acorn's AI maps skills to roles and learning content, makes development visible, and captures evidence of what's actually working.

Built for complex, mixed-workforce organizations, Acorn builds each person a development plan with the learning they need to close their skill gaps and do what their role requires. Acorn measures progress against a defined standard at every proficiency level and reports on it directly: what people can now do, where gaps remain, and how development is progressing.

That gives learners clearer expectations, leaders credible data, and the business a measurable line from skills development to impact.

Overview of Acorn benefits

Skills mapping
Build your framework in minutes or import one you already have. Acorn's AI identifies, defines, and assigns the skills each role and job family needs, then makes the right learning content discoverable against every skill.

Capability assessments
Assess people against the capabilities their role requires, through self-assessment and manager assessment. A shared dashboard shows learners the proficiency level they sit at and what they need to close gaps.

Targeted development plans
Build each person a development plan with the learning they need to close their skill gaps. The right learning maps in automatically as gaps appear, and the plan updates as people progress.

Content and delivery
Make, buy, use, and organize content, whether built in-house or bought off-the-shelf, and deliver it across blended and virtual formats. Because every piece is mapped to the skills it builds, Acorn can prove which content closes which skills.

Evidence from real work
Let people capture a real example of a skill in action, link it to the skill it demonstrates, and choose whether to share it. Published examples become searchable, reusable content in your catalog, so the next person learns how the work was actually done.

Readiness and reporting
Prove the impact of every program with reporting that goes beyond completions: who is ready, where the gaps are, and how skills are progressing across the workforce. Run a gap analysis and pull the evidence to back talent decisions in minutes.

Features

Learn more about Acorn features that set it apart from the competition. Discover how its unique tools and capabilities enhance your processes.

Accounts

Add a new user Allows administrators to add new users directly to their LMS for streamlined user management.
Archive users Deactivate and store user accounts without deleting them.
Browse list of users View all registered users in the system.
Bulk User Actions Manage multiple user accounts at once.
Custom/Mandatory User profile fields Define required or optional fields for user profiles.
Upload users Import users via spreadsheet.

Activity grading

Course History View completed and ongoing courses for each user.
Gradebook
Gradebook audit trail
Gradebook comments Add comments to learner grades.
Manual Grading ("Marking") Manually review and grade submissions.
Multiple grading scales Support for different grading systems.

AI Features

Adaptive Learning
AI Powered
Chatbot
Content development
Content Translation
Intelligent recommendations
Natural Language Processing
Predictive analysis
Quiz generation
Text-to-speech

Authentication

Active Directory/LDAP Integration Authenticate users via corporate directories.
Custom User login page Personalized login interface.
Manual Accounts
No login
SAML2/API Integration Single sign-on and external authentication.
Self-Registration Users create their own accounts.
Self-Registration w. Admin Confirmation User signup requires admin approval.

Categories

Assign Courses to categories Organize courses under specific categories.
Create new Categories Add new organizational groups for courses.
Manage Categories Edit, delete, or update categories.
Priced Categories (Bundle) Sell course bundles grouped by category.

Certificate management

Certification life-cycle Track generation, renewal, and expiration.
Manage certification templates Customize certificate formats.
Predefined certification templates Use ready-made certificate designs.
Unique Certificate by Course
Unique Certification by Curriculum

Compliance management

Certificate expiration notifications Alerts when certificates are near expiry.
Certification Expiration Management Manage timelines and renewal rules.
Due Date notifications Notify learners of upcoming deadlines.
Soft/Hard Stop Due Dates Allow or block access after due dates.

Course Creation

Assignments Engine Create and manage learner assignments.
Built-In Authoring Tool
Can reuse PPTs, PDFs, Videos Upload and repurpose existing material.
Changing Course default settings Modify core course configuration.
Consume online video content Embed or stream video lessons.
Content Library
Course backup Options
Drag & Drop Interactions Interactive content creation.
Hybrid Learning Courses Blend online and in‑person lessons.
Learning Paths (Curriculums) Sequence courses into structured programs.
LRS Learning Record Store for xAPI data.
Scheduling LIVE events Plan webinars or virtual classes.
Survey Engine Create learner surveys.
Tests Engine Build quizzes and exams.
Upload courses Import courses into the platform.

Customization

Mobile Learning Support Optimize learning for mobile devices.
Personalized views Customize interface per user.

Enrollment

Attendance Tracking Track presence in sessions.
Automated Enrollment (based on User data) Enroll users automatically by rules.
Guest Access Settings Allow non‑registered users limited access.
Manual Enrollment Manually assign users to courses.
Progress Tracking Monitor learner progress in real time.
Self-enrollment Allow learners to join courses freely.
Self-enrollment (with a PIN #)
Survey enrollment (based on a response)

Format

Course Discussions Forum-style communication.
Gamification Format Add game elements to courses.
Learner Upload Allow learners to upload content.
LIVE Chat Option
Social Format Social interaction‑focused layout.
Topics Format Organize course by topics.
Video Conferencing Integration Connect with tools like Zoom/Teams.
Weekly Format

Gamification

Badge customization Design custom achievement badges.
Badges Award digital achievements.
Customize Gamification mechanics Modify points, levels, and rewards.
Leaderboards
Levels
Points
Rewards

Interface options

Additional external pages Add custom pages to the platform.
Block Management Control layout blocks/widgets.
Calendar Settings Configure system calendar.
Language settings Set default or custom system language.
Learning Accessibility
Location Settings Configure regional settings.
Media embedding settings Control embedding permissions.
Multilanguage Support Provide support in multiple languages.
Ready-made Themes

Learning types

Asynchronous Instructor-led Instructor-led but not in real time.
Asynchronous Self-paced Learners progress independently.
Blended Learning Mix online and face‑to‑face training.
Synchronous Virtual Classroom Live real-time classes.

Mobile learning

Offline (disconnected Mobile app) Access mobile content without internet.
Online (Internet connected) Access content with full connectivity.

Offline

Support for offline access to content Downloadable materials for offline study.

Reports

Automated Report Scheduling Send reports automatically.
Canned Reports Prebuilt report templates.
Dashboards and Graphic Reports Visual analytics dashboards.
Email delivery of Reports Send reports via email.
Exporting Reports in variety of formats Export data as PDF, Excel, etc.
Grading Report Settings Customize grade reporting.
Learning Analytics Tools Analyze learner behavior.
Training Record Maintenance Maintain full training logs.

Roles

Define roles Create custom permission roles.
Role Assignment Assign roles to users.
System Permissions per role Control access rights.
Teams and Team Hierarchies Organize users into teams.

Security

Anti-spam Protect forms and communication.
Anti-virus Scan uploaded files for threats.
IP Blocker Block specific IP ranges.
Restrict registration to specific domains Limit signups by email domain.
Strong Passwords Enforce secure password rules.

Shopping cart

Built-In Shopping Cart
Shopping Cart as Plug-In

System reports

Automatic email reports in predefined intervals Send periodic system reports.
Custom reports generator Create custom report layouts.
Email notification settings Control notification rules.
Live Logs Monitor system activity in real time.
Pricing

Learn more about Acorn's pricing options, cost, and plans so you can make a well-informed, business-wise decision on the best software to use for organization.

Pricing Model
  • Subscription
License
  • Paid
Starting Price
  • Inquire directly with Acorn PLMS for price.
Free Trial
  • No

https://acorn.works/pricing

Integrations

Learn more about Acorn's integration options.

Adobe Connect

Adobe Connect

ADP

ADP

API

API

G Suite

G Suite

Google Calendar

Google Calendar

GoToMeeting

GoToMeeting

HubSpot

HubSpot

Office 365

Office 365

OneDrive

OneDrive

Paypal

Paypal

Salesforce CRM

Salesforce CRM

SAP CRM

SAP CRM

Stripe

Stripe

WebEx

WebEx

Wordpress

Wordpress

Zoom

Zoom

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Reviews

Is Acorn the right solution for you? Read verified Acorn reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice.

Performance Overview
Overall Rating 91%
  • Usefulness
  • Usability
  • Customer Experience
  • Likelihood to Recommend

The AI features save us time when working with content

Jul 23, 2026

Overall Rating 90%
  • Usefulness
  • Usability
  • Customer Experience
  • Likelihood to Recommend
What do you like best? I like how Acorn is incorporating AI into the learning workflow. It helps reduce some of the manual work involved in organizing content and connecting learning with relevant skills and capabilities. For a small L&D team, those time savings add up.
What do you dislike? We still review AI-generated suggestions rather than accepting everything automatically. Our internal terminology can be quite specific, so occasionally things need adjusting.
Reviewer photo

Cindy P.

Industry : Online Media | Company size : 51-200 | Level : Manager | Focus : Education | Experience using the software : More than 1 year as Administrator, Member of the procurement team

A good platform for onboarding and ongoing development

Apr 12, 2026

Overall Rating 90%
  • Usefulness
  • Usability
  • Customer Experience
  • Likelihood to Recommend
What do you like best? We originally focused on onboarding but gradually expanded Acorn into professional development as well. New employees have a clear training structure while existing employees can continue developing skills instead of only logging in once a year for compliance courses.
What do you dislike? Our biggest challenge was organizing all of our existing content during implementation. Once we established a good structure, administration became much easier.
Reviewer photo

Lori K.

Industry : Information Technology and Services | Company size : 501-1,000 | Level : Manager | Focus : Education | Experience using the software : More than 1 year as User, Administrator

Acorn LMS is much more than a place to store courses

Apr 12, 2026

Overall Rating 84%
  • Usefulness
  • Usability
  • Customer Experience
  • Likelihood to Recommend
What do you like best? What I like about Acorn is that it connects learning with actual capability development. We can organize training around the skills people need for their roles instead of simply assigning courses and tracking completion.
What do you dislike? There is quite a lot to configure when you're first setting everything up. Having a clear idea of your learning structure beforehand definitely helps.
Reviewer photo

Jerry H.

Industry : Consumer Services | Company size : 201-500 | Level : Director | Focus : Education | Experience using the software : More than 1 year as Administrator

Reporting gives our team managers useful visibility

Apr 10, 2026

Overall Rating 95%
  • Usefulness
  • Usability
  • Customer Experience
  • Likelihood to Recommend
What do you like best? Our managers have a much better view of what their teams are learning and where development gaps exist. We're spending less time manually putting together spreadsheets just to answer basic questions about training activity.
What do you dislike? Some of the more detailed reports take a little time to understand. I'd like more flexibility for creating certain custom views.
Reviewer photo

Reviewer verified by LinkedIn

Industry : Financial Services | Company size : 201-500 | Level : Manager | Focus : Education | Experience using the software : 6-12 months as Administrator

Easy for our employees to navigate without our L&D team's involvement

Mar 24, 2026

Overall Rating 86%
  • Usefulness
  • Usability
  • Customer Experience
  • Likelihood to Recommend
What do you like best? The learner experience is simple and doesn't require much explanation. Employees can see what they've been assigned, find additional training and pick up where they left off without constantly asking our L&D team for help.
What do you dislike? I'd have liked a little more flexibility over how certain parts of the learner dashboard are displayed.
Reviewer photo

Reviewer verified by LinkedIn

Industry : Consumer Services | Company size : 201-500 | Level : Director | Focus : Education | Experience using the software : More than 1 year as User, Administrator

Good for tracking employee tracking + compliance. If you need multiple tenancies, get it!

Nov 21, 2021

Overall Rating 97%
  • Usefulness
  • Usability
  • Customer Experience
  • Likelihood to Recommend
What do you like best? It’s neat and clean, very easy to use. You can have different branding and content. It really makes it easy for admins to customize anything you like for maximum impact. If you want to track employee training and compliance, it’s legit. It’s also good that you can use it to store forms/templates or any other employee shared information you might need handy.
What do you dislike? Well, even though I like it a lot, some times, loading course content is a bit clunky. I think it has to do with how the system is structured. It would be better if it was a step-by-step process, rather than us having to mess with the settings. Let’s hope in future updates they won’t leave room for errors for whoever is setting it up.
Reviewer photo

Elizabeth G.

Industry : Information Services | Company size : 201-500 | Level : Director | Focus : Human Resources | Experience using the software : 6-12 months as Administrator

Intuitive platform for online learning. Easy to setup and work with.

Jul 11, 2021

Overall Rating 95%
  • Usefulness
  • Usability
  • Customer Experience
  • Likelihood to Recommend
What do you like best? I like how intuitive this platform is! It was a piece of cake to set it up and even easier to use. It’s very cool that you can easily customize branding. We had no problem match it to our existing style guide. Acorn fits seamlessly into our entire ecosystem!
What do you dislike? None! Very happy with the platform. It suits our organization completely. It would be great if they allowed start up pricing… It’s certainly much more than a compliance tick box.
Reviewer photo

Reviewer verified by LinkedIn

Industry : Information Services | Company size : 11-50 | Level : Senior | Focus : Program and Project Management | Experience using the software : More than 1 year as Administrator

Couldn't be happier with the user experience! Brilliant LMS features, reporting, and support.

Jun 7, 2021

Overall Rating 93%
  • Usefulness
  • Usability
  • Customer Experience
  • Likelihood to Recommend
What do you like best? What’s not to like? It does everything you want an LMS to do, and then some. Get everything done with fewer clicks and easy reporting. Other LMS providers I’ve talked to are all words just to sell but their platform is lacking major features. On the contraty, the Acorn team brings an exemplary platform. We’ve gained a lot from using their multi-tenancy functionality.
What do you dislike? Even thought their platform is very intuitive, I can’t say the same about their catalogues. Nothing major to note though as a disadvantage. If you’re in the staffing industry it’s a good choice.
Reviewer photo

Reviewer verified by LinkedIn

Industry : Staffing and Recruiting | Company size : 11-50 | Level : Manager | Focus : Human Resources | Experience using the software : More than 1 year as User, Administrator

An easy to use tool and with a clean interface. We’re very pleased with our LMS choice.

Apr 4, 2021

Overall Rating 93%
  • Usefulness
  • Usability
  • Customer Experience
  • Likelihood to Recommend
What do you like best? Overall a fantastic product! Acorn has helped us to significantly cut down on administration activities. It’s great that it can automatically do so much for us! If you need a tool to navigate learners and administrators it’s a good solution. One of Acorns’s massive advantages is its integration with other systems. I like how clean it is and that it gives a fresh look to online learning. There are many great features you can use.
What do you dislike? Nothing much to say here. Their support is good, always there when we need them. What I would like, is to be able to customize some sections. like fonts and colors of text. But besides that it has all that we need.
Reviewer photo

Reviewer verified by LinkedIn

Industry : Elearning | Company size : 201-500 | Level : Manager | Focus : Human Resources | Experience using the software : More than 1 year as Administrator

Fantastic product, fantastic team, fantastic people

Jan 23, 2021

Overall Rating 78%
  • Usefulness
  • Usability
  • Customer Experience
  • Likelihood to Recommend
What do you like best? What I like best about Acorn LMS is that right from the initail set up, we were able to add our training programs and commence people immediately. It’s an easy to use system, and at the end of the day that’s all an admin really needs. Plus, it’s also very simple for learners. I love how it can handle large volumes of interactions with no issues at all. You can literally have hundreds of students at various stages of training and it works perfectly!
What do you dislike? I’ve discovered that sometimes the same student was enrolled in other training packages that were not chosen by me, while I was the only one doing the student enrollments.
Reviewer photo

Reviewer verified by LinkedIn

Industry : Computer Networking | Company size : 201-500 | Level : Senior | Focus : Operations | Experience using the software : More than 1 year as Member of the deployment/customization team

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