Learning Management Systems come in different shapes and sizes and that extends to the licenses they offer. This overview focuses specifically on perpetual or one-time purchased licenses. This type of license allows you to buy a digital platform with a single payment instead of the more common recurring subscription model, and is most commonly used by businesses looking for long-term solutions and better financial control.
Benefits Of Perpetual LMS Licenses
There are various benefits that come with a perpetual license of an LMS. Businesses that make this choice have better financial control of their L&D strategy as they only pay once for their LMS. This license also comes with full control of the platform, including customization, updates, integrations, etc. Most importantly, you don't have to worry about pricing adjustments or losing access to your data if the vendor goes out of business.
Cons Of Perpetual LMS Licenses
The upfront cost of buying an LMS with a single payment is significantly higher than a subscription plan. This can be a major hurdle for smaller businesses with limited budgets. Moreover, unless you pay extra for technical support, you will have to be responsible for the maintenance, updates, and troubleshooting of your platform. This requires a dedicated IT team which can drive up the overall cost of the LMS. Finally, scalability and major upgrades may be more complicated with a one-time license, possibly requiring the purchase of another solution when you outgrow your current one.
When To Choose A One-Time Purchased License
Choosing an LMS with a one-time purchased license is an important decision that you must only make if you have the budget and infrastructure to support it. Another reason to opt for such a license is if you are running a long-term and/or large-scale eLearning program whose needs are unlikely to change.
In any case, in eLearning Industry's Top LMS Software directory you can find various vendors who offer LMSs with a one-time purchased license and explore the features and functionalities they provide access to.
