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10 Best Learning Management Systems (LMS) for Small Businesses in 2023

The Best LMS for Small Business List

Here’s the list of the best LMS for small businesses that I’ll cover in this article:

  1. 1. Trakstar — Create training systems, onboarding programs, upskilling content, and learning paths
  2. 2. iSpring Learn — Create interactive online courses easily and encourage engagement with advanced gamification features
  3. 3. SkyPrep — Easy-to-use LMS platform with an intuitive user experience and quality customer support
  4. 4. Connecteam — Easy to use course creation tool best suited for onboarding & basic job training
  5. 5. TalentLMS — Diverse learning management system with training incentives and drag-and-drop course builder tools
  6. 6. 360Learning — Collaborative learning management system with flexible content authoring and learner feedback tools
  7. 7. LearnUpon — Comprehensive LMS system with distinct learning portals for different employee groups
  8. 8. isEazy LMS — LMS with attractive user interface and useful personalization options based on employee job roles and individual preferences
  9. 9. Tovuti — Sophisticated learning management system with rich employee engagement features and robust admin settings
  10. 10. Trakstar Learn — Trusted LMS platform, well-suited for tracking mandatory training compliance

Does your organization already have a learning management system (LMS) in place? If not, I recommend you implement one as soon as possible. With learning and development (L&D) trending upward, having a dedicated LMS for small businesses could be a game-changer for your company.

There are so many reasons to invest in a solid learning management system. LMS software helps you centralize your organization's internal learning and training initiatives. They will also improve your employee engagement and enhance your employee's information retention. Their advanced L&D analytics will also make tracking training compliance easier too.

There are many different LMS options on the market, but some are not ideal for small businesses. In this article, I'll walk you through the best LMS options for small businesses and explain what they can do.

Comparison Criteria

Wondering what I look for when selecting the best learning management systems for small business? Here’s a summary of my LMS evaluation criteria: 

  1. User Interface (UI): I’ve selected LMS software with clean, colourful and uncomplicated interfaces to make the learning experience fun and engaging. 
  2. Usability: I prioritize systems that organize their online learning content in an easily understandable way, with bonus points given to systems that can tailor how content is displayed for different user groups to avoid a cluttered user experience.  
  3. Integrations: I look for systems that have native integrations with other commonly used HR software applications or the ability to create custom integrations through an API. 
  4. Value for $: I prefer pricing structures that are transparent and affordable for small businesses, especially flat monthly fees not tied to the number of system users. 

LMS for Small Business: Key Features

Here’s a summary of the main LMS features you can expect to find in the best LMS for small business:

  1. Customizable branding: The ability to change the appearance of your training portal so it includes your corporate logo and resembles your company brand. 
  2. Course content libraries: Many systems come with preloaded content libraries for a variety of industries, so you can access top-quality material without having to create it yourself from scratch. 
  3. Multimedia content authoring tools: The ability to combine multimedia files such as text, images, video clips, audio clips, presentation slides, weblinks, and more into engaging digital training content. 
  4. Learning paths: A feature that allows you to organize training content so it must be completed sequentially. 
  5. Distinct learning groups: It’s helpful to be able to designate training courses for distinct employee groups since not all training will be relevant for all roles. Having different learning groups makes it easier to maintain a better user experience, by only giving users access to what they actually need. 
  6. Diverse question & answer formats: There’s more than just multiple-choice questions. The best LMS systems have more options, including true or false, image-word match, fill-in-the-blank, and others.
  7. Engagement tools: Features that incentivize and reward employees for completing e-learning tasks, including points, medals, badges, leaderboard status rankings, or other content gamification features.
  8. Information retention tools: Built-in functions like quizzes, assessments, and polls that test how well learners are retaining information. 
  9. Automated expiry reminders: Sometimes training courses expire! Automated expiry reminders are appreciated as they keep training compliance numbers high.
  10. Mobile accessibility: Not all employees work from a desk, so mobile device accessibility is important as well. 

Related: Key Learning Management System (LMS) Features You Need To Know

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Overviews of the 10 Best LMS for Small Business 

Below you’ll find a brief description of each LMS for small business that explains the tool’s key features, plus screenshots to show the user interface. 

1

Trakstar

Create training systems, onboarding programs, upskilling content, and learning paths

Trakstar offers a purpose-built learning management system (LMS) through its Trakstar Learn module, which allows HR professionals to create engaging training systems, onboarding programs for new hires, quality upskilling content, and effective learning paths. Trakstar is ideal for small businesses looking for an all-in-one HR solution for talent management, as it offers performance management, applicant tracking, workforce analytics, and learning management solutions.

Trakstar Learn is a learning management system that can support large enterprises as well as small businesses. It is SCORM-compliant, which means that any course content created with Trakstar Learn is supported by and can be uploaded to other LMS systems that are also SCORM-compliant. This will result in better accessibility as learners are able to access valuable learning content with virtually any SCORM-compliant LMS.

Learners can easily access meaningful learning content and materials, whether they’re taking a course in work safety, regulatory compliance, or product/service training across different sectors like higher education, eCommerce, government, and healthcare. Trakstar’s cloud-based LMS can be used online, in person, or in a hybrid environment to maximize its capabilities; i.e., learners can get the most out of the onboarding program, upskilling content, and ongoing training courses.

Small businesses with a relatively small workforce can use the quizzes and assessments feature to engage their employees with multiple-choice questions, problem solving, short answers, and other related questionnaire types. Businesses are not charged to start using the various Trakstar products. They also get unlimited storage for course content, sessions, reviews, and other data. Reporting is included in the subscription.

Pricing for Trakstar is quote-based. Small businesses can complete the request form on the Trakstar pricing page to get a personalized price quote.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.3 188

Free demo available

Pricing upon request

2

iSpring Learn

Create interactive online courses easily and encourage engagement with advanced gamification features

iSpring Learn is everything you’d expect from an LMS: automated training delivery, learning paths, and mobile learning. You can help new employees adapt to the workplace quickly, identify and develop their competencies and qualifications, create training content with quizzes and multimedia online, and build an ever-expanding corporate knowledge base.

iSpring Learn is designed with the needs of small and medium-sized companies in mind and will let you scale your business by upskilling your team and enhancing business processes. iSpring Learn also has gamification features like leaderboards, points, and badges to encourage employee engagement.

iSpring Learn's interface is super intuitive and you can customize it by adding your brand colors and logo. Thanks to the interface, even people without strong tech skills can master all the capabilities right away. Even employees enjoy their learning experiences on the platform; it’s so user-friendly and modern looking that browsing and taking courses feels like selecting a TV show on Netflix.

The main advantage of iSpring Learn is that it lets you go beyond training to make a real difference. A built-in newsfeed keeps all employees up to date on product releases and company news. A 360-degree performance appraisal module helps you track the precise competencies of each employee and even identify hidden interpersonal challenges among them. And its reporting engine is a game-changer for your communication with business executives: they trust metrics, and iSpring Learn generates progress reports that clearly show how your training activities affect teams and business.

iSpring Learn integrates via REST/SOAP API with your HR system, corporate portal, ERP system, and other systems used by your back office, as well as things like Zoom and single sign-on (SSO).

Pricing for iSpring Learn starts at $2.99/user/month, billed annually. They also offer a 30-day free trial.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.6 47

30-day free trial

From $2.87/user/month (billed annually)

3

SkyPrep

Easy-to-use LMS platform with an intuitive user experience and quality customer support

SkyPrep is a powerful and intuitive learning management system (LMS) that helps small businesses train their employees, customers, and partners with ease. SkyPrep provides an easy-to-use and intuitive platform that was developed for non-technical users to make the learning experience engaging and effortless for both admins and learners alike.

The modern design, simplified navigation, and efficient user flows make everything uncomplicated, from viewing information, accessing different features in the platform, to completing tasks.

SkyPrep is not just known for providing an easy-to-use LMS, they are also known for their best-in-class customer support. Every client on a paid plan is paired with a single dedicated and knowledgeable Customer Success Manager and a personalized action plan is created to help them get the most out of the solution.

Whether small businesses are looking to onboard new staff, upskill employees, train customers on their products, or keep up with compliance requirements, SkyPrep makes the training experience easy and seamless.

SkyPrep integrates with ADP, Google, Microsoft Office 365, PayPal, Salesforce, Zoom, and more. Additional integrations can be accessed through a paid plan with Zapier.

Pricing details for SkyPrep are available upon request. You can also request a 14-day free trial through their website.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.5 59

14-day free trial

Pricing upon request

4

Connecteam

Easy to use course creation tool best suited for onboarding & basic job training

Connecteam is an all-in-one learning management system that enables SMBs to create online courses and training programs for their employees. Users can easily upload lessons, presentations, videos, and quizzes and organize this content into structured courses and learning paths. Employees can access the platform on any device to complete courses on their schedule. Administrators have a dashboard to monitor engagement, progress, and results. The software’s survey feature lets managers gather employee feedback on their learning experiences. Its notification system allows users to automate email and push notifications sent to learners throughout the course.

Connecteam has messaging and communication tools to help users engage learners and foster teamwork. They can create groups, send messages, and interact with trainees. These features help create a more social and intuitive learning experience that keeps employees invested in the training process. The platform provides businesses with various course templates, which they can customize with their branding and training content. Connecteam simplifies onboarding by delivering an intuitive process where companies can upload training materials, such as policies, job descriptions, and welcome videos. The software also features an e-signature function, enabling companies to ensure employees acknowledge the materials before commencing work.

Connecteam allows supervisors to monitor employee progress and gather valuable insights. Managers can track individual and group performance, test scores, and communication for audits and compliance. These features allow SMBs to constantly iterate their training programs and make data-driven decisions for their employee development. Connecteam’s mobile apps for Android and iOS devices make it easier for staff to access their training modules and communicate with their supervisors, providing a flexible training experience. The app allows employees to learn independently, complete tasks, and share with colleagues, providing seamless employee training and development experience.

When an employee excels in their training, onboarding, or upskilling, you can use the Connecteam rewards and recognition program to shout them out. Assign points that can be traded for customized gifts, or create social awards to acknowledge them in a public channel. You can encourage peer-to-peer recognition to keep your team motivated (and even a little bit competitive) about training and upskilling. 

Connecteam costs from $29/month (30 users). All premium plans come with a 14-day free trial. Connecteam also offers a free plan with some feature limitations.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.3 34

Free plan available

From $29/month (30 users)

5

TalentLMS

Diverse learning management system with training incentives and drag-and-drop course builder tools

TalentLMS supports a wide range of training programs, including employee training (e.g., onboarding, compliance, lifelong learning and remote workforce training), department training (e.g., customer support, sales and marketing), and external training (e.g., customer, partner and extended enterprise training). You can create your own courses using a drag-and-drop building tool that supports text, presentation files and video content, or embed other features like quizzes, tests, assignments or surveys to evaluate learners at the end of each course. You can also use TalentLMS to create custom course certificates to acknowledge training completion too.

To help connect employees who are completing training remotely, TalentLMS supports video conferences, and includes tools to start discussions, send messages, or leave course feedback. In addition, their system includes incentives for training completion, such as badges, points, rewards, and a leaderboard, to gamify the learning experience and make it more fun.

TalentLMS integrates with BambooHR, GoToMeeting, Salesforce, Zapier and Zoom. They also have an API to support additional custom software integrations too.

Talent LMS has a freemium plan that lets you host 10 courses for up to 5 users. After that, pricing for their paid plans starts at $69 USD/month for up to 40 users, with additional options to scale up for larger workforces too.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.6 623

Free-forever plan for up to 5 users

From $89/user/month

6

360Learning

Collaborative learning management system with flexible content authoring and learner feedback tools

360Learning is a modern LMS focused on collaborative learning and helping organizations upskill from within by tapping into their existing network of employee knowledge. Their main goal is to empower knowledge sharing and real-time feedback in an engaging, easy-to-use learning environment.

Their authoring tools include course templates, cheat sheets, video recording tools, numerous question and answer formats, and an answer correction feature that improves information retention. To further measure information comprehension, their Knowledge Check feature keeps learners engaged by intermittently quizzing them on items they recently learned.

A combination of collaborative editing tools, plus co-authoring and group-level authoring tools allow multiple authors to develop content together. Content authors also have access to a centralized feedback inbox, making it easier to track suggestions instead of following pings and tags in multiple locations. To further support collaboration, learners can give feedback at the activity level by adding a Reaction Score or a Relevance Score at the end of each course.

360Learning integrates with 25+ commonly used software tools, including content programs like Busuu, Canva, Coursera, Genially, LinkedIn Learning, Loom, OpenClassrooms, SCORM, Skillsoft and Udemy Business, and HCM systems like BambooHR, Cornerstone, HiBob, and SAP SuccessFactors. They also have a Chrome extension and integrations with Salesforce, Slack, Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

Pricing for 360Learning starts at $8 USD/user/month for up to 100 users. You can also request a free demo or a 30-day free trial through their website.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.6 201

30-day free trial

From $8/user/month

7

LearnUpon

Comprehensive LMS system with distinct learning portals for different employee groups

LearnUpon LMS allows teams to create dynamic content in a range of formats that can be mixed and matched, including extensive, multi-part or bite-sized training using SCORM or xAPI files, video clips or documents. Like most LMS systems in this list, their platform also comes with lots of engagement features, including earning badges and points, a leaderboard, and multimedia banners to highlight important messages. You can also customize their system to award course credits and completion certificates to your employees too.

One thing I like about their platform is the ability to segregate your users into different groups through distinct learning portals. This is helpful to streamline your individual user’s experience, since different types of staff will have different types of training requirements. By only allowing users to see and access the training that’s relevant to them, their user experience will be improved instead of cluttered and confusing. You can also create learning paths that link courses together in a sequence, with guardrails for progression criteria and timeframes for completion.

Other helpful features in LearnUpon’s platform include the ability to automate key tasks like reminders, notifications and pre-scheduled reports. They also have a discussion forum for learners, a robust learner-facing mobile app, and a training dashboard, which updates in real time. On top of all that, their system is available in 20 different languages too.

LearnUpon integrates with many webinar tools, including Adobe Connect, GoToWebinar, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, and Zoom, as well as other commonly used systems like Salesforce, Degreed, and Zapier. Their webhooks and flexible API also support additional custom software integrations too.

Pricing details for LearnUpon are available upon request. You can also request a free demo or a free trial through their website.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.6 120

Free trial available

From $8.32/user/month

8

isEazy LMS

LMS with attractive user interface and useful personalization options based on employee job roles and individual preferences

isEasy LMS gives organizations the tools they need to identify training requirements, plan and allocate resources, execute and automate the training roll out, and evaluate their training impact with tools to measure compliance by person, department, region, or other useful characteristics.

Their user interface uses blocks and cards to organize course content, and it can be personalized based on user behaviors. Users can also rate content, share their opinions and ideas post-completion, and collaborate with others through live classrooms, forums or posts. Other useful features include automatic and personalized notifications for users, certificates and diplomas that automatically generate each time a user completes a course, and the ability to automatically schedule business intelligence reports.

Pricing for isEasy LMS starts at 350€ per month for up to 100 users. You can also request a free demo or free trial through their website.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.9 22

Request a free demo

From 350€/month for up to 100 users

9

Tovuti

Sophisticated learning management system with rich employee engagement features and robust admin settings

Tovuti’s LMS software supports customized e-learning, virtual classroom experiences, and virtual events. Their course management features allow you to track lesson completion and create gated lesson plans, so staff have to complete training in a sequential order before proceeding to the next one. You can also use their platform to host quizzes and other assessments to ensure what they’re learning is sinking in.

Their LMS system has a long list of rich features to make the learning experience fun. You can develop your own interactive course content using 44 pre-built modules to help you make your training material engaging, with no limits on the number of courses you create. They also have a Community feature within their online learning platform that functions like a mini social media site. It’s a great place for teams to interact with each other when completing training simultaneously or remotely. As well, they have a Team Leaderboard feature that incentives employees to complete all their training to get featured in the top 5.

Their user interface is bright and colourful, which also creates an engaging experience. Their learning portal appearance is also fully customizable, meaning you can adjust the colour, add your corporate branding, and toggle features on or off depending on how you want your dashboard to appear.

Their system gives you the option of creating different learning groups, to create a streamlined experience for your staff. For example, your administrative staff would need a different set of training than any staff working in safety-sensitive positions. Another useful administrative feature is their system’s ability to automate recurring emails for trigger events (like training expiry dates and annual or quarterly reminders) so you don’t have to chase employees down to maintain your training compliance.

Tovuti has native integrations with over 55 common software applications, as well as an open API. You can also access many more applications by connecting Tovuti to a Zapier account too.

Pricing for Tovuti LMS starts at $775 USD/month for 50 users, plus an additional setup fee. You can also watch a free demo through their website.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.7 238

Free demo available

Pricing upon request

10

Trakstar Learn

Trusted LMS platform, well-suited for tracking mandatory training compliance

Trakstar Learn (formerly called Mindflash) has developed a multi-purpose LMS that’s intended for onboarding training, employee training, compliance training and virtual classroom experiences. Their system is currently used in over 177 countries by some well-known companies including Apple, Dyson, Kellogg’s, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft and PBS.

Using their Perfect Content Conversion tool you can preserve your existing course content and upload it to their system as is, then add interactive elements such as animations, embedded videos, audio clips and slides to make your presentation more engaging. Their system also supports quizzes and assessments in a variety of formats, including multiple-choice, sequencing, labeling pictures (as shown above), true or false, open-ended questions and more.

Their LMS system also makes it easier to track training compliance thanks to their analytics and reporting feature. You can generate a detailed report showing your mandatory training compliance scores at any point, and auto-enroll any employees who have expiring items coming up in the near future.

Trakstar Learn integrates with several HRIS systems, including ADP, Namely, and BambooHR, as well as Google Workspace, Office 365, Slack, Zoom, and other systems.

Pricing details for Trakstar Learn are available upon request. You can also request a free demo through their website.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.2 416

Request a free demo

Pricing upon request

The 10 Best LMS for Small Business Summary

Tool Free Option Price
1
Trakstar

Create training systems, onboarding programs, upskilling content, and learning paths

Free demo available

Pricing upon request Visit Website
2
iSpring Learn

Create interactive online courses easily and encourage engagement with advanced gamification features

30-day free trial

From $2.87/user/month (billed annually) Visit Website
3
SkyPrep

Easy-to-use LMS platform with an intuitive user experience and quality customer support

14-day free trial

Pricing upon request Visit Website
4
Connecteam

Easy to use course creation tool best suited for onboarding & basic job training

Free plan available

From $29/month (30 users) Visit Website
5
TalentLMS

Diverse learning management system with training incentives and drag-and-drop course builder tools

Free-forever plan for up to 5 users

From $89/user/month Visit Website
6
360Learning

Collaborative learning management system with flexible content authoring and learner feedback tools

30-day free trial

From $8/user/month Visit Website
7
LearnUpon

Comprehensive LMS system with distinct learning portals for different employee groups

Free trial available

From $8.32/user/month Visit Website
8
isEazy LMS

LMS with attractive user interface and useful personalization options based on employee job roles and individual preferences

Request a free demo

From 350€/month for up to 100 users Visit Website
9
Tovuti

Sophisticated learning management system with rich employee engagement features and robust admin settings

Free demo available

Pricing upon request Visit Website
10
Trakstar Learn

Trusted LMS platform, well-suited for tracking mandatory training compliance

Request a free demo

Pricing upon request Visit Website

Need expert help selecting the right Agile Project Management Software?

People Managing People has joined forces with the software comparison platform Crozdesk.com to assist you in finding the best tool for your needs. Crozdesk’s Learning Management System (LMS) Software advisors can create a personalized shortlist of software solutions with unbiased recommendations to help you identify the solutions that best suit your business's needs. Through our partnership you get free access to their bespoke software selection advice, removing both time and hassle from the research process.

It only takes a minute to submit your requirements and they will give you a quick call at no cost or commitment. Based on your needs you’ll receive customized software shortlists listing the best-fitting solutions from their team of software advisors (via phone or email). They can even connect you with your selected vendor choices along with community negotiated discounts. To get started, please complete the form below:

Other LMS Options

Here are a few more LMS options that didn’t make the best learning management system list:

  1. Easy LMS

    Affordable, user-friendly LMS with useful administrator tools and a training Academy, available in multiple languages

  2. CoreAchieve

    Functional LMS software, available as a pre-designed SaaS or customizable PaaS model

  3. Agylia LMS

    Straightforward LMS with a visually rich interface and content distribution groups for a simplified user experience

  4. EdApp

    Mobile LMS solution with research-backed tools to improve information retention, well-suited for deskless workers

  5. eloomi

    Combined LMS and performance management solution, well-designed for onboarding and ongoing training compliance

  6. KMI LMS

    Straightforward LMS platform with helpful integrations for easy content authoring from Microsoft or Google systems

  7. Constructor

    Easy to use LMS with AI-powered course content creation for a multimedia, interactive approach to learning

  8. Coassemble

    Online training course management system with deep user data analytics that link training outcomes to business impacts.

  9. Moodle

    Free LMS option, available as open-source software - supporting 100 languages.

  10. Docebo

    AI-backed LMS with online course content catalog and tools to shape your existing content into engaging e-learning presentations.

What’s the Difference Between a Learning Management System and a Training Management System? 

The terms “learning” and “training” are often used interchangeably, though they are technically different in scope. 

Training forms one portion of a learning management program, but training is focused on teaching the user a specific task and how to perform it correctly. Health & safety procedures or other technical skills are common examples of this.

On the other hand, learning is intended to expand, develop or enhance a learner’s skills, and is more focused on long-term career development. In this category, you’ll find training on softer topics such as management skills, or a course on how to be an effective mentor.

Training and learning are both important, and for that reason, most LMS systems in this list do incorporate them both within their learning management software. While a true training management system would only focus on procedural training, learning management systems tend to have a broader, more comprehensive focus. 

If you’re interested in the nitty gritty distinction between training and learning, take a look at Learning vs Training: What’s the Difference and Why Do You Need to Know, by the Academy to Innovate HR. 

Other Resources

If you made it this far, I hope this list helped you find an LMS solution that piques your interest. 

Need some ammunition to get buy-in from your executive committee? Take a look at our article outlining How a Learning Management System Can Benefit Your Business for a quick and digestible summary. 

Curious what other LMS options are available for larger organizations? Take a look at our original list of the best learning management systems, which may have what you’re looking for.  

Last but not least, I recommend you sign up for our free People Managing People newsletter to receive our latest content aimed at helping leaders, managers, and business owners achieve greater success in the workplace.

Also Worth a Read: Best HRIS for Small Businesses to Manage HR Data

By Kim Behnke

Kim Behnke is an HR Tool Expert & Writer for People Managing People. She draws on her 9 years of human resources experience and her keen eye for systematic processes to support her analyses of the top HR tools on the market. She is passionate about maximizing efficiencies and streamlining workflows to ensure internal systems run smoothly. Kim's HR experience includes recruitment, onboarding, performance management, training and development, policy development and enforcement, and HR analytics. She also has degrees in psychology, writing, publishing, and technical communication. When away from her desk, she can usually be found outside tending to her ever-expanding garden.