Best LMS For Employee Training for 2025: Features, Benefits, Issues

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

Best LMS For Employee Training for 2025: Features, Benefits, Issues Table of Contents

1. Overview of Learning Management Systems 2. Emerging Trends in Learning Management Systems 3. What are the benefits and issues to consider when selecting an LMS platForm?

List of LMS Software

Overview of Learning Management Systems

As more companies recognize the need to invest in innovative training and development practices for employees, the use of learning management systems in the workplace is increasingly becoming more popular. Aside from effective instructional methods, training managers, human resource experts, and trainers are constantly on the lookout for the best LMS to use in the workplace.

In this article, you’ll find an extensive list of learning management systems to kickstart your employee training programs. The post also discusses the key features and benefits of a functional learning management system in the workplace. In this way, you will have a better idea of what to look out for when investing in the best LMS for corporate training.

What is a learning management system?

To have a good chance of success in any industry, organizations must look into what propels their business forward. Often, having a group of adaptive, flexible, and skilled employees is necessary to meet the competitive demands and challenges imposed by today’s highly globalized market. For most companies, investing in employee training management software and career development for their employees usually does the job.

Relevant and consistent training in the workplace can help companies improve performance and productivity in the office. In turn, this gives businesses a chance to report better financial performance and make a name in the industry. According to a study by the American Society for Training and Development, an organization that invests in an effective LMS for training companies generates 218% more income per employee (American Society for Training and Development, n.d).

Over the years, training and development in organizations have broadened beyond employee training system designs and instructional approaches. Emerging technologies transformed the way companies deliver the necessary corporate training and career development for their employees.

In his influential book, Employee Training and Development, Fifth Edition (2010), Professor Raymond A. Noe provided deep insight on businesses today: “Companies are experiencing great change due to new technologies, (the) rapid development of knowledge, globalization of business, and development of e-commerce. Also, companies have to take steps to attract, retain, and motivate their workforces. Training is not a luxury; it is a necessity if companies are to participate in the global and electronic marketplaces by offering high-quality products and services! Training prepares employees to use new technologies, function in new work systems such as virtual teams, and communicate and cooperate with peers or customers who may be from different cultural backgrounds."

The role of employee training management system products in the corporate setting well extends to the delivery of training and instructional materials. With such tools in place, companies are able to ensure that continuous training and development opportunities are available to everyone in their organization.

Technically speaking, an employee training LMS is a web-based technology that provides a large and indispensable set of features for the administration, automation, and delivery of educational courses and training materials in an organization. Some of its core functions are storing and managing learning resources, tracking employee performance, and providing skill assessments and evaluations.

With learning management systems in place, companies can easily facilitate and streamline the delivery of employee training. An LMS training solution enables organizations to monitor learning and skill development initiatives in one place. In doing so, businesses can support employees in their professional growth and help them develop the necessary skills to perform better in their day-to-day jobs.

What are the essential LMS functionalities?

The use of employee LMS software in corporate training is constantly on the rise, but with the ongoing pandemic, the LMS market has never seen this much growth. When COVID-19 disrupted the economy like a storm, businesses had to shift their operations to a remote setting. This includes employee training and development in most companies, which were moved from conference rooms to virtual online classrooms facilitated through various LMS platforms.

To understand the growth of virtual training in the corporate setting during the pandemic, LinkedIn collected insights from L&D professionals about the central role of LMS for training as businesses entered a new world of work (LinkedIn, 2020). According to LinkedIn’s latest report on the state of L&D, 66% of L&D professionals expect to spend more on virtual instructor-led training than they did before the pandemic, while 61% expect to spend less on instructor-led in-person training programs.

Through learning management systems, training and development for employees could continue against the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic. Today, there is an increasing number of businesses that deploy LMS platforms to facilitate employee training. From providing a central repository of learning materials to delivering training courses online, here are some of the most important functionalities that businesses find most useful in LMS platforms.

Virtual Classroom

At its core, an employee training software or classroom management software offers the opportunity for employees to access training resources while transcending physical boundaries. In most cases, LMS platforms come with built-in video conferencing tools, allowing employees to learn through the convenience of video lessons or virtual instructor-led training. These also enable employees and their trainers to collaborate, communicate, and learn in real-time from wherever they are.

Personalized Learning

Employees have their own learning styles and preferences. Some people learn much more in a collaborative environment, while others prefer to study in peace and at their own pace. There is no one-size-fits-all in learning approaches. Hence, LMS platforms provide a wide range of learning tools based on this premise.

Trainers and L&D professionals mainly use employee learning management system to curate instructional content based on the demands of specific learners. For instance, LMS platforms allow training managers to come up with customized training courses and organize them in a way that only the most relevant data will be readily available to a particular group of learners.

An employee training platform may also offer the use of personalized dashboards, allowing learners to decide which training materials they want to see on their screen and which ones they want to hide. This gives learners a sense of control of their learning process and improves their overall experience.

Incentives and Rewards System

When it comes to training and development programs, rewards and incentives can make the difference between an engaged and an unmotivated employee. This is why a rewards system can often help improve progress and performance for employees in training.

As such, most corporate training LMS today implement gamification technology that adds game elements to training courses and promotes healthy competition among workmates. Points are awarded to employees who have completed a certain number of courses, and the points are then converted to tangible rewards as determined by the management. In this way, employees can be more motivated in participating and interacting with training courses.

Key Features of LMS Platforms

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, companies are prioritizing learning and development for their employees. As the workforce faces the challenges of remote working in times of a health crisis, more companies find the need to support their employees through consistent training and professional development.

According to recent LinkedIn LMS for corporate training statistics, 68% of L&D professionals say that employers are now placing more emphasis on launching training programs within their organization (LinkedIn, 2020). These programs are designed to teach employees new skills and ameliorate gaps in performance, giving a strong focus on internal mobility.

To that end, customer training software and learning management systems play a central role in supporting businesses throughout their training initiatives. Designed to manage the development, monitoring, and delivery of training resources, learning management systems assist businesses in improving workforce skills and productivity.

Below is a detailed list of the core functions of an LMS platform.

Training Resource Allocation

A learning management system for employee training typically serves as a data repository where learners can find all the learning materials they need in one place. With an LMS solution, businesses can store and allocate instructional materials and learning resources for employees in training. Whether it’s for a webinar, elearning, or in-person workshops, LMS platforms provide tools to help training managers and L&D professionals build training courses and deliver them to employees.

Course Content Building

One of the most important functions to look for in an LMS platform is its ability to create course content. Mostly, LMS solutions come with built-in course content builders that allow you to build training courses from scratch and deliver a more targeted learning experience to employees. With this tool, you can incorporate videos, presentations, and documents into your courses, or you can use pre-built templates and reuse existing learning materials as needed on your course content. In some cases, these can also integrate with the best word cloud generators, timeline makers, and graphic design tools to help you come up with interesting visual learning aids.

Performance Tracking

Performance tracking is another important functionality of LMS solutions. This helps in monitoring the progress and performance of employees in training, allowing you to track completion rates for each learning course you have in your training program. In addition, performance tracking tools can help you assess each employee’s knowledge base, task mastery, and skill development.

Customizable Certifications

Accreditation of employees who have completed a certain course can give them a sense of achievement and motivate them to participate in your training programs. Most LMS solutions offer robust certification management tools, allowing you to offer the necessary certifications that your employees need as part of their professional growth. These tools also help you create and customize elearning certificates and award them to your employees for completion of short courses or modules.

Gamification

In elearning, applying game elements to course modules can help engage learners, improve performance, and build stronger teams. This is why gamification is one of the most desired features in an LMS solution. With gamified learning management systems, you can incorporate game principles, such as points, rewards, and badges into your training courses. You can also use leaderboards to promote healthy competition among employees in training and boost their confidence in their newly learned skills.

The Necessity of Employee Training and Development

There is no easy way to train employees and ensure that their skills and knowledge about the business are currently up to date. However, training and development for workers are vital to the overall performance and productivity of any company. To have a thriving workforce in your organization, effective and efficient employee training approaches are necessary.

Through the use of the best LMS for employee training, your organization can easily facilitate and streamline the training and development of your employees. With the introduction of these tools to your workplace, there is no reason to hold back on corporate training for your employees. Investing in the right LMS solution can help you establish a more effective training program and set your business up for more success in the future.

Emerging Trends in Learning Management Systems

The evolving landscape of technology continues to revolutionize learning management systems (LMS). To stay competitive, organizations are increasingly adopting forward-thinking LMS trends that enhance user engagement and operational efficiency. Here are some key trends reshaping the future of LMS platforms:

AI-Driven Learning Experiences: Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an integral role in creating personalized learning journeys for employees. By analyzing user data, AI can recommend tailored courses, identify skill gaps, and provide real-time feedback. This approach ensures that training aligns perfectly with individual and organizational goals.
Mobile-First Learning: With the proliferation of smartphones, LMS platforms are optimizing their interfaces for mobile devices. This shift enables employees to access learning content anytime, anywhere, fostering a culture of continuous learning. Mobile-first designs not only enhance accessibility but also cater to a workforce that is increasingly on-the-go.
Gamification: Gamified learning remains a strong trend, with more LMS platforms incorporating points, badges, and leaderboards to motivate employees. Gamification transforms training into an engaging and interactive experience while improving knowledge retention through game-based elements.
Open Source Platforms: Businesses looking for cost-effective yet flexible solutions are leveraging open-source LMS platforms. Open-source options allow customization and community-driven updates while reducing overall license costs. To explore the most robust solutions currently available, consider the best open source LMS platform for your unique training needs.
Integration with Performance Management: Seamless integration of LMS platforms with performance management tools is gaining traction. This enables organizations to assess employee progress, link training outcomes with performance evaluations, and promote data-driven decision-making.
Microlearning Modules: The preference for consuming small, bite-sized learning content in short durations is on the rise. Microlearning not only aligns with modern employees' attention spans but also allows learners to quickly apply new skills in their daily tasks. LMS platforms are now offering tools that break complex courses into digestible modules.

By incorporating these trends into their training strategies, organizations can achieve better engagement, improved learning outcomes, and a stronger return on investment. Staying ahead of these developments ensures that your business remains adaptable to ongoing changes in workplace training dynamics.

What are the benefits and issues to consider when selecting an LMS platForm?

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of organizations, both public and private, were suddenly propelled into adopting remote training methods with almost no preparation or lead time. Recent data published in Training Mag’s 2020 Training Industry Report reveals that 28% of L&D professionals consider technology as one of the biggest challenges to the workforce during the pandemic (Training Mag, 2020).

To ensure that employees are still developing effective job skills and are informed about product changes even at uncertain times, L&D professionals and training managers have turned to learning management systems to deliver online training resources. In its most basic form, a learning management system consists of two elements: a server performing basic functionalities and a user interface accessed by admins, instructors, and learners.

But what do the features of LMS platforms bring to the table? And what are potential issues do you need to be aware of before making a selection?

Benefits of LMS Platforms

Corporate training is an important aspect of employee management and retention. Aside from addressing weaknesses and strengthening existing talents, continuous training and skill development for employees can increase morale and job satisfaction in the workplace. This also leads to increased employee productivity, which converts to better financial performance for many companies.

According to the recent CIPD’s Learning And Skills At Work Survey 2021, 70% of L&D professionals saw an increase in usage of digital learning solutions over the past 12 months. Meanwhile, 36% say that there is increased investment in learning technologies within their organizations (CIPD, 2021).

Here are some of the benefits that businesses can reap from investing in LMS solutions for corporate training programs.

Organized Elearning Content

Organized content and information play a vital role in producing effective elearning modules. According to George Miller’s Information Process Theory, learners often process information in chunks due to limited attention span and short-term memory (State University of New York College at Cortland, n.d.). This is why splitting up your courses into small, manageable sections can make it easier for learners to digest, understand and remember learning content.

Through the use of an LMS platform, you have total control over building and customizing course content. To help employees navigate through loads of information, you can organize learning modules based on certain categories, order of importance, or in chronological and sequential manners. In this way, you can effectively communicate the main points of your training modules to your learners.

In addition, LMS solutions allow you to store all of your learning and development resources in a single, centralized location. In this way, your employees can easily access the training materials they need from wherever they are at any given time.

Reduced Learning and Development Costs

With a learning management system in place, you do not have to include in your L&D budget the costs for physical learning resources, such as printed learning materials and training site rentals. Also, you can completely do away with instructor and employee travel costs, allowing you to save a large part of your company’s budget for employee training and development. Through the use of LMS solutions, all your employees need for skill development is only a few clicks away.

Convenient Modifications to Learning Modules

Training managers and L&D professionals often find themselves having to modify learning modules based on new LMS trends, studies, and scientific evidence. Thanks to highly customizable and flexible LMS platforms, you can easily modify your learning content without redoing your entire module. All the necessary modifications are also reflected in real-time, so every audience of your training course has access to updated learning materials.

Improved Learning Experience

When it comes to corporate training, bringing LMS solutions into the picture gives your employees an improved learning experience and a high chance of performing better at their jobs. Web-based training modules afford flexibility that your employees can take advantage of. In this way, they can participate in corporate training and development programs at their own pace and without disruptions to their day-to-day responsibilities.

Compared to conventional training methods, LMS platforms also support a more targeted learning experience. Through course and catalog management tools, training managers can easily customize and allocate learning content for specific groups of employees in training. In some cases, you can also use LMS for customer training.

Potential Issues of LMS Platforms

Even at a time of a global crisis, training and development for employees should not be overlooked. In fact, this is a time when remote work training is in demand. According to Workplaceless’s latest report, 46% of professionals take about one to four hours per month learning about remote work or refreshing their remote work skills (Workplaceless, 2020).

For companies that want to have a group of adaptable and highly skilled workers, corporate training initiatives need to happen on a regular basis. Thus, investments in technological infrastructures, like learning management systems, are necessary to support remote and hybrid employee training environments.

However, not all learning management systems are created equal. Depending on the specific needs of your online employee training programs, you might find some LMS platforms that perform better than the others. Here are some of the potential issues you may encounter when choosing the right LMS for your organization.

User Onboarding

As with all kinds of software applications, user onboarding is often a big hurdle to overcome. If a system proves to be too complex, getting individuals to even start using it becomes a challenge. Hence, it is crucial to choose a user-friendly LMS platform that walks users through all its features in just a few minutes. Otherwise, you could end up with a group of nontech-savvy employees with little interest to engage with your complex learning methodologies.

End-User Support

Inevitably, both your employees and training managers could run into system issues while using your chosen LMS platform. Thus, end-user support comes in handy when users have queries about how certain features work. A dedicated support staff can also provide users with an effective and efficient tech support experience. The lack thereof, however, can lead to a frustrating learning experience for employees in training.

SCORM Certification

A SCORM-compliant learning management system ensures interoperability with other LMS solutions. This means your learning content can be used in other SCORM-conformant platforms. It comes in especially handy when you need to feature content from another LMS solution. Thus, choosing a SCORM-compliant solution lets you use or distribute content throughout a variety of LMS platforms with as little hassle as possible.

How can companies measure the effectiveness of their LMS for employee training?

Implementing an LMS is just the start—companies need to track and assess its effectiveness to ensure it meets organizational goals. Here are some key methods and metrics for evaluating LMS impact:

Learning Retention: Evaluate how much employees retain after completing training modules by administering quizzes, periodic assessments, or practical applications. Higher retention rates indicate the LMS is effectively supporting learning.
Engagement Rates: Track engagement metrics, such as course completion rates, active user counts, and time spent on the platform. Low engagement could signal that content or LMS functionality needs adjustment.
Skill Application in Real Work: Assess whether employees are applying learned skills in their day-to-day roles. Gather feedback from managers and track productivity changes or improvements in job performance as indirect measures of training success.
Employee Feedback and Satisfaction: Conduct surveys or feedback sessions to understand how satisfied employees are with the LMS experience. Constructive feedback can highlight areas for content or feature enhancement.

Regular evaluation allows companies to make data-driven adjustments to maximize the LMS's impact on learning outcomes and workplace performance.

How do LMS platforms integrate with other business systems?

LMS platforms often support seamless integration with other key enterprise solutions, enabling a unified approach to data management and operational efficiency. Many modern LMS solutions connect with HR management, customer relationship management, and even financial systems, reducing the need for manual data reconciliation. For example, integration with cloud based accounting software can automatically sync training expenses with financial records, allowing companies to monitor and forecast training investments more accurately. This holistic integration not only simplifies reporting but also ensures that employee performance data and cost metrics align with broader business objectives.

Key Insights

Rising Demand for LMS: The use of learning management systems (LMS) in the workplace is increasingly popular, especially with the shift to remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend is expected to continue growing, emphasizing the importance of LMS in modern employee training.
Essential LMS Features: Key functionalities of an effective LMS include virtual classrooms, personalized learning paths, performance tracking, gamification, and customizable certifications. These features ensure comprehensive and engaging training experiences for employees.
Benefits of LMS: Implementing an LMS can lead to organized e-learning content, reduced learning and development costs, convenient modifications to learning modules, and improved overall learning experiences for employees.
Challenges with LMS: Potential issues include user onboarding difficulties, the need for robust end-user support, and ensuring SCORM compliance for content interoperability across different platforms.
Top LMS Platforms: Popular LMS platforms such as Docebo, Absorb LMS, LearnUpon LMS, TalentLMS, and SAP Litmos Training are widely recognized for their comprehensive features and adaptability to various business needs.

FAQ

What are the essential functionalities of an LMS? Essential functionalities of an LMS include virtual classrooms, personalized learning paths, performance tracking, gamification, and customizable certifications. These features support effective and engaging employee training and development programs.
What are the benefits of using an LMS for employee training? Benefits of using an LMS include organized e-learning content, reduced learning and development costs, convenient modifications to learning modules, and improved learning experiences for employees. It also supports remote and flexible learning, making it easier for employees to participate in training programs.
What challenges might companies face when implementing an LMS? Challenges in implementing an LMS can include difficulties with user onboarding, the need for robust end-user support, and ensuring SCORM compliance for content interoperability. Selecting a user-friendly LMS and providing adequate training and support can help mitigate these issues.
How does an LMS help in reducing training costs? An LMS helps reduce training costs by eliminating the need for physical learning resources, such as printed materials and training site rentals. It also reduces travel costs for both instructors and employees, as training can be conducted entirely online.
Can an LMS be customized to suit specific training needs? Yes, most LMS platforms offer customization options, allowing training managers to create tailored training courses and learning paths based on the specific needs of their organization and employees. This includes incorporating company branding, specific learning modules, and gamification elements.
What is the importance of SCORM compliance in an LMS? SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) compliance ensures that an LMS can interoperate with other SCORM-conformant platforms. This allows for the use and distribution of learning content across different LMS solutions, providing greater flexibility and compatibility.
How does gamification enhance employee training in an LMS? Gamification enhances employee training by incorporating game elements such as points, rewards, and leaderboards into learning modules. This approach promotes engagement, healthy competition, and motivation among employees, leading to better training outcomes.
What should companies consider when choosing an LMS? Companies should consider factors such as the number of users, essential features, ease of use, customization options, integration capabilities with existing tools, and scalability. Additionally, evaluating the cost-effectiveness and support services provided by the LMS vendor is crucial.
Are there specific LMS platforms recommended for large organizations? Yes, platforms like Docebo, Absorb LMS, LearnUpon LMS, and SAP Litmos Training are particularly suitable for large organizations due to their comprehensive features, scalability, and robust support for extensive training programs.

References:

American Society for Training and Development. (n.d.). Profiting from training! | Rewards from management training. Business Training Experts. https://businesstrainingexperts.com/knowledge-center/training-roi/profiting-from-learning/
CIPD. (2021). The Professional Body for Human Resources and People Development. https://www.cipd.co.uk/Images/learning-skills-work-report-2021-1_tcm18-95433.pdf
LinkedIn. (2020). Online Learning & Training Platform for Organizations | LinkedIn Learning. https://learning.linkedin.com/content/dam/me/learning/resources/pdfs/LinkedIn-Leading-with-Learning-Insights-and-Advice-Report.pdf
Noe, R. A. (2019). Employee training and development. https://dedi1968blog.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/employee-training-and-development.pdf
State University of New York College at Cortland. (n.d.). Information processing theory. SUNY Cortland Faculty and Staff Web Services. https://web.cortland.edu/frieda/id/IDtheories/24.html
Training Mag. (2020, November 17). Training November/December 2020 page 28. Royle Printing Login. https://pubs.royle.com/publication/?m=20617&i=678873&p=30&ver=html5
Workplaceless. (2020). https://workplaceless.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Workplaceless_Remote_Work_Training_Report_2020.pdf

AUG 6, 2025

Best LMS For Employee Training for 2025: Features, Benefits, Issues

List of LMS Software

TalentLMS

iSpring Learn LMS

SkyPrep

Absorb LMS

360 Learning

eFront

Connecteam

iSpring Suite

TalentCards

LearnWorlds

GoSkills LMS

LearnDash

BrainCert

Gurucan

Chamilo

Groundwork1

Amploo

Blackboard

Domestika

NEO LMS

Workleap LMS