The perfect learning management system. The best LMS for Enterprise. Top LMS for mid-market. Elite LMS for associations, non-profits, government, and even baristas. It’s hard to believe that some sectors, such as baristas, whiskey entities, or tennis, have a learning system, often an LMS. Specific to their industry. The content is for those sectors. The target audience – well, it’s pretty obvious.
Cannabis learning systems do exist, but if you are in the cannabis industry (don’t laugh; this is a huge $$$ market), I’d recommend going with a commercial system over building your own. Many folks may be unaware that there is cannabis content. Yep, it’s available for this segment. But you won’t find it in your LMS or LXP, let alone any system that doesn’t cater to it.
The amusement park sector looks at systems. Years back, I had one client who was (probably still exists—so maybe “is”) an amusement park. It had lots of seasonal workers, so you can see what type of system they needed.
Another client I had was an entity that flew doctors to remote areas of the world to do whatever medical was needed – or was requested (they told me, but it was a long time ago). I found them an LMS, just as I did for the amusement park. The idea that there isn’t a system for my specific segment, and thus I need to go this way, well, if you want only for your segment – and only for your vertical per se, it’s likely out there. Is it good? Who knows. I’ve checked out a few, and they are interesting. The barista content was very cool but unavailable in your system’s markets or any aggregator. There are plenty of systems that focus only on law enforcement. In my experience, they are underwhelming. UI/UX isn’t good – but they land clients. Ditto on systems only focused on aviation. I can’t understand why they are fine with what they have – and more importantly, the folks in that sector who buy them are okay with it. Regardless of price point.
I bring all of this up because perfect first doesn’t exist, and secondly, you never know what is out there – beyond the brands you hear, see, or read about all the time. Some vendors are masters of marketing – envious even. What I find more often than not, are the vendors who either lack the marketing budget to do anything (uh, organic can work), or focus on the product more than marketing. Actually, there is a third – they do not know their competition, nor the industry – what people seek and want based on messaging, so their marketing misses. It could be the greatest system in the world, but if nobody knows who you are (outside your region), your numbers will not deliver.
Every system I have ever seen has at least one big name. Many have multiple—i.e., lots. To me, this means nothing. I have seen systems resembling Mosiac 2.1 exist (1994) and have big names. Rarely are they in the entire company, but hey, naming works.
In my mid-rankings, none of that matters. I’m not here to say, “well, they have awesome marketing,” so they are here. Oh, they have a lot of clients, ergo they are here. Nor, they have a lot of users, a high completion rate, clients that love them – over 95% retention, high ARR, and blah blah blah. Congrats, I say. It is a joy to the world, but let me see your system and ask other questions I focus on, including numbers you prefer not to discuss.
For these mid-year rankings, I looked first at the initial top 10 and then saw if these vendors were still delivering at the mid-point. As with anything, you can rock and then go this way while the market blows past you and someone else appears out of nowhere to replace your spot.
People love to know the top LMS for Enterprise – the trouble is that each vendor identifies “Enterprise” in different ways – most by user bases, some by the company size – even if the system is going only into one department, and a few by revenue.
Ditto on the large enterprise. Small Business and Mid-Market—can go SMB or split out, or the vendor just has a range, and if you are in that lower range, you are in this market.
In other words, it’s chaos.
Top 10 Mid-Year Rankings
I bring up LMS in the title only because I am seeing an increase in vendors calling their systems LMS – even though they may not market it as such. Look, an LMS is a learning system, just as an LXP, learning platform, employee development platform with learning as a key, and maybe even my yard – I do learn a lot there, especially during peach season (I have a peach tree).
Ranking numbers
I debated back and forth with this. Do I list the vendors by a number (i.e., rank) or say, here are the top 10 learning system vendors – regardless if they are an LMS, LXP, and blah blah? The latter is the route, of course, but the rankings – well, why not!!!!
With these rankings, I will identify one item that really stands out, okay, sometimes a couple. It may not be something you have thought about, which is why I bring it up. Others will be like, okay, yeah, I know that. And if that is the case, please keep it to yourself.
If the vendor is in FindAnLMS (FAL) – will be by their name. So you can check them out in more detail.
Factoid – None of these vendors know ahead of time. As usual, going 10 to 1.
#10 Pluralsight
The combo of the skills with cloud guru as the selling model – works great – their skills are technical specific first and foremost but it isn’t just content and all the skill pieces you assume would be there – it includes playgrounds – labs – interactive no less. Training and L&D people are big fans of interactive, and engaging labs – whereas it mimics what the person will either do or wants to learn or placed into a situation that may come into play at some point (regardless if it is technical or business or whatever – in this case it’s technical). Another home run – well, I can’t say until next Friday (I agreed to an embargo) but yeah, I was very impressed.
#9 SparkLearn (FAL)
Out of nowhere SparkLearn is now somewhere – here in fact. The winner is the mobile app side – because Sparky (my new nickname) focuses solely on deskless workers – aka as frontline workers. Again, if a vendor is playing on the commercial side (not EdTech), deskless is common to say they have that segment. Yet, I see what the mobile app does, and think – really? If you go direct on the web – the UI/UX is deadly – and I’m saying that in the most polite way – it needs a total revamp – but on the back-end. Because the system being geared to deskless, that audience never needs to go to the system itself – if you know what I mean. Admins, and whoever is running the show does. There are other wins here, which I won’t go into. Ranking well deserved.
#8 Absorb LMS (FAL)
Finally! You get the entire suite with the LMS, rather than add-on here, add-on there. The UI/UX continues to be slick, the advanced analytics is the home run here – because if your metrics can’t tell your learning story, then yeah, that’s not good. These analytics do. People often use the term, “power rich or power driven or some other nonsense,” to refer to a system that has a lot of capabilities. Absorb for a while, was sort of over there, and now, they are back. And ready to rock and roll – oh, Engage is sweet too.
#7 NovoEd
This is how I see them, after what I’ve seen granted – Learning Science. As in Learning Science is what makes this system now tick. It isn’t just cohort-based anymore, rather I’d argue it is pivoting more so to this whole DNA approach. A hey you want hybrid – we can do it – this way. Oh, you want self-paced with an occassional facilitator – here you go. Wait, you need to create this or that, tap it into your learning project, and encapsulate it with your learning workflow – here you go. It’s a fluid system, which what I mean is a good thing. The system is ideal for large enterprise as in CLO level, with Director or VP of L&D angle (albeit you could be an L&D Manager or whatever your title is, and running the show). They have some things cooking in the lab – get it, learning science – lab? Anyway, I can’t talk about it right now, but keep a couple of eyeballs this fall..I will say no more. Conceirge support comes with the system – which means just you (the client) and a human (not AI) support person. They are not dedicated to 15 clients, just you, yourself, and uh, your administrator. Another win. And it doesn’t cost extra.
#6 Eurekos (FAL)
A system with a punch. They appeared in the rankings 23-24, at #8. What I enjoy about them is those darn metrics – because they are zeroed in on wait for it, customer training (clients/partners/etc.). I often see systems that are 90% or higher only on customer training, and then I see the metrics and go, huh? Ditto on vendors that play strong in it, but also focus on L&D – not the same modality – but I’ve covered that. Eurekos at this time doesn’t have any AI, but that is a focus for them by the end of the year. As I always say, just because a system doesn’t have AI right now, shouldn’t be a deal breaker. I am finding way too many systems with AI, that seem oblivlious to what is taking place in AI – and all the new LLMs, etc. Equally love that they have a dedicated support person – that works only with you. No more, you are in a pool of support people, have fun. Included BTW.
The Top Five
A couple of short points here before I dive in
- Vendors still can’t seem to wrap their arms around the difference between L&D and Training. We are not talking rocket science here, nor geophysics. They are different. Different modalities. Different backgrounds. Training can be both internal and external. L&D is rarely external. L&D is heavy and always has been internal. Simple. Simple. Simple. Nothing drives me more batty that vendors who ignore this. And honestly, they don’t care. Hint – you should. Most of the Learning System market are vendors who are combo – i.e. they go after L&D and Training. I know vendors who share wise, are higher on the customer training side, than L&D – yet, the focus on L&D as the messaging. Oh, talk to anyone in L&D or Training and they will concur with what I’m saying. Seriously, do I need to draw a map for you? Don’t say yes, my writing is horrible .
- First This or First That. Another wonderful spin for marketing, but rarely do I find it true. At the end of the day, don’t focus on the hype of what a vendor pushes out. Focus on the system and what specifically you need. I mean the Edsel was supposed to be the car of the future – turned out to be a huge dud. A dud that gets eyeballs when the person driving it down the street is going 20 in a 35 speed limit. I know who you are! (not really)
- A vendor who crosses the threshold into the Top five that hasn’t been in my rankings before, but follows one other vendor who bounced in, and never was before. You will see a full product review of them, this summer. Which reminds me, if a product review this summer/fall will appear on this blog, I will note “product review”.
#5 Hive Learning (Product Review)
I wrote a bit about them on LinkedIn, but I will hit a couple of points – just a couple here – because there is a lot to like, okay love. Yes, I’m in love. It’s only the uh, third time? Maybe 10th. Okay, let’s just roll, and say smitten. Smitten works!
- IMO their Generative AI tied to the learner and the content is brilliant – it works, and is crafty – a plus. I initially said they are the first to do so – and yes from a non technical skills side. and even then it goes a bit more (i.e. the one that tapped first – but it is only for technical skills). Thus, Hive is the first to do so, that is not focused only on tech skills. Confusing? Why not!
- Their content creator tool taps into folks who are new to creating content, utilizing a variety of prompts and assistance. I believe anyone could create a course, that isn’t just text dribble – that I see over and over again (sans one vendor).
- Everything is included in the system – and while they are other vendors that include what are basically add-ons that other vendors charge for – what Hive does is quite nice. A total package. The system is really around skills, and while they won’t call themselves an LMS – let’s say learning platform (which they are), which in turn is a learning system. See how easy that is?
#4 D2L
I will be upfront here – I wish they would either change the name of Brightspace (because they use it for each edition – the one for EdTech (k-12, higher ed – stronger more so), and one for corporate. Pick an edition, call it that, then come up with a different name for the other – corporate, since Brightspace was used solely for EdTech for so long.
For whatever reason, they get missed over because people think EdTech (again, this was their core target), or they just get a salesperson who doesn’t push all the goodies.
I wish they would include their content creator tool – it’s an add-on, but come on include it – especially since D2L doesn’t charge for the tokens (a nice plus – many vendors do – Gen AI isn’t free, unless you get a freebie – long story, let’s move on).
Performance Plus (Another add-on), should be included – because this is the home run of analytics for learning and training. It does quite a bit, far more than a lot of vendors, this is truly learning intelligence at it’s finest. Yes, I am smittened with that one too. I’ve told them not the love part, but push that into the system for free. I’m still waiting for a response. Sniff, Sniff. Oh, a leader in the association space, far superior to Crowd Wisdom. So, you can pass on the crowd – I made a funny; let’s move on.
Top Three
Oooh, who is here? His rankings of 23-24 (published in December) has X vendors, but I haven’t seen them yet for the mid-year. Are they in this list? Is there a tie? Or is it a bow tie?
Bowtie
#3 LearnAmp (FAL)
Can someone be in love with multiple vendors? I say yes. Okay, smitten once again.
This system screams 100% L&D and delivers it – they refer to it as a People Development Platform (aka learning platform). I like a vendor that is always one or two steps ahead than others, overall. Sure there are items that need to be included, but well, there are others that are there and being untapped.
The UI/UX is not for everyone, which I think plays a role – because people think it should look like everything else I’ve seen. A Delorean does not look like a Pinto. And you have no idea on what I am talking about, click the car links. Pinto was also famous for blowing up, but uh, yeah, let’s move on.
The winner is tied into skills – something called objectives. They mention it, but truly the images do not do it justice. What I would like to see, which is an add-on is the CPD. Another goal winner, that should be included.
#3 Docebo (FAL)
The downer – way too many add-ons; the pluses here – just a very slick UI/UX, easy to use, and you can get up and running rather quickly. The best analytics though is an add-on called Learning Data – which as they note correctly – is a term I often use – Learning Intelligence. It crushes what comes with the system – and does tell your learning story.
I’m not a fan of the old legacy term – “extended enterprise”. A lot of folks have no idea on what you are talking about – you know those customer training folks. Anyway, you see that word, plus customer education on their site. Pick one. Customer Education is aka Customer Training. Whichever works for you, I say. Anyway, I like it, but it is an add-on, just like e-commerce, which you usually need both – even if you are going free with your content. They were one of the first (not the first) that offered to white label your app, those it doesn’t have their name on it – it has yours.
DCS is an add-on too, a bit long in the tooth – I do hope a revamp is coming (I hear it is).
The point here is a lot of add-ons, however, I love that they now offer premium support as part of their Elevate package, and no longer an additional cost. Yep, their pricing is once again visible, albeit not for Enterprise.
The skills piece is nice and they use Gen AI with it, but I want more. Still a plus.
#2 Thought Industries (FAL)
This was tough. Because they are still the best system on the market for customer training/education and the old legacy term extended enterprise – which should be shoved in the bin and sent to a landfill. Anyway their focus is only customer training, and I love that they are entering the association space with some gusto.
This system ooozes sweet. They have a mobile app – YEAH. They truly are headless technology (other vendors who pitch it, are not). I love the UI/UX of the system, front especially. The panoramas are the big win here. TI offers a content creator tool using Gen AI, that aligns nicely with the system. It’s an add-on. I say include it!
The monster win of it all – is the learning intelligence – especially around financial metrics – which if you are in the customer training space – including associations – you are likely selling content (and yes, plenty go free here..). You need those metrics. The other bits of learning intelligence are solid.
Revenue Management – as they pitch it, is another win. I wish I could show you how it can appear in a way that will make you go – HOLY MOLY. The look is a wow factor. So much, so I tell others.
#1 Cornerstone Galaxy – my focus is only on Cornerstone Learn (FAL) (Product Review)
I never thought and I bet all my loyal readers will agree, that Cornerstone in my rankings, let alone mid-year would be in this spot. But, I can’t deny what I am seeing – and will see in June (I can’t wait, where are my flavored chickpeas – my partner, makes them in the oven – she deserves a star). And the LMS is now under what they call “Galaxy”. Which if you bounce over to their site – everything is included – Learning – Elevate – Transform (or whatever they call it)- Content (still costs extra as it would with any learning system’s marketplace) – and so on.
However, for me, what I am focusing on is just Cornerstone Learn (you can buy all of Galaxy, or just Learn and get those items or even buy just one of those items)
Learn – Comes with the LMS, Cornerstone Learning Experience (formally known as EdCast), Learning Fundementals, Extended Enterprise and Guide – which is a Digital Adoption Platform). I should add that for folks who do not want Cornerstone, but want SumTotal – that can be the LMS, ditto for Saba (unsure why you want either – trust me just go Cornerstone).
Okay, onto the fun stuff:
a. Gen AI capabilities – It is not even close with any other vendor. The person overseeing AI is in the top of the class group (which includes the person at Docebo) – that I have met. You see it in the system. Including skills – although I need more here – only because I’m starting to see other vendors take a whack at it. They also have a content creator tool (known as Content Studio) with AI and yep, add-on fee.
b. Skills Management – The best in the industry – I kid you not. Any vendor who says theirs is better, unless they are only a skills management platform – which means skills only – I would even say, from all the ones I’ve seen – Cornerstone still leads the pack (based on my template and reviewing of the system in comparison to all other systems I have seen in the learning system space, which includes skills focused only systems). The skills intelligence piece rocks.
c. I also like that Content Studio – their AI content creator tool is included at no charge, along with immerse (formally known as Tailwind)
d. Everything is one, and one for everything. They call it holistic, I just like the whole approach, lots of potential.
Before I get slammed by people – yes the admin side it is the best version they ever had – which is good in one way, but it still has a way to go – only because it can get confusing to a lot of people – admins specifically, even those folks running the department and trying to figure it out.
The reporting thing – hey, how is your favorite restaurant these days? However, as noted no system is perfect, so you can say I am nitpicking.
Speaking of nitpicking, please make sure my fridge is stocked with Coke, for your show (just kidding).
Actually I was staying at this hotel once and noted that the mini-bar only had two Cokes in it, and the rest was stuff I do not drink. I asked them if all could be replaced with Coke. Surprise, by the time I returned to my hotel room (post breakfast), it was all Coke. I won’t mention the hotel – but Marriott (they own the chain) should give all of you a raise – okay the front staff and housekeeping!
Bottom Line
Perfect.
Are these the perfect system for you? Well, it depends on what your use case is, how much is in your budget, how you plan to roll it out – will it go to everyone or just a select few? In regards to Cornerstone while they are a combo system, for me, they are better suited for L&D (internal) Enterprise (which I now define as a min. of 2,500 users – based on what I am seeing in the market, the reduction of user bases – thus it is 2,500 as a min – chaos, I tell you, chaos!)
The systems above actually are either better suited for internal (employees) or external (customers/clients, etc.). You can easily have a system that is internal and also external, without having to buy a lot of other systems for your company – which a lot of companies do – and it makes zero sense today. I once had over 40 entities on one system, not including me – the parent. Trust me, it makes everything so much easier – especially nowadays with APIs.
There are systems above, that I wouldn’t buy for customer training, simply because the system is better suited only for internal. Does it mean you can’t buy system X which is aligned with L&D for your external audience? No – you can! And it is okay.
I can’t promise I will bring you flowers though.
Maybe a Rose Garden instead.
E-Learning 24/7
