10 Best Training Management Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
With so many different training management software available, figuring out which is right for you is tough. You know you want software to help you create and distribute internal training materials and track learner progress and knowledge retention, but you need to figure out which tool is best. In this post, I'll help you make your choice easy by sharing my insights on the best training management software to optimize your training processes based on my years of personal experience managing an internal training program and monitoring compliance.
What is Training Management Software?
Training management software is a tool that helps internal learning and development professionals administer all aspects of their internal training programs. They include tools to create and organize content, tools to deliver the training courses in numerous formats, and an internal tracking system that monitors which employees have reviewed the material and when. They also often include feedback and course evaluation workflows to gather insights from learners.
By acting as a single source of truth for all your internal training activities, training management software improves the efficiency of all aspects of running an internal training program and provides a better learner experience. These systems also help reduce administrative costs and improve resource utilization, giving organizations a cost-effective and scalable format to administer their internal training, monitor compliance, and make better data-driven decisions.
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Paycor
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Overviews of the 10 Best Training Management Software
Here’s a brief description of each training management software that showcases each system’s best use case, and their noteworthy features. I’ve also included pros & cons, and screenshots to give you a snapshot of their user interface too:
Trakstar is an online platform that allows managers to track and monitor employee performance throughout their careers. It helps organizations set goals, provide feedback on performance, and develop employee skills.
Why I picked Trakstar: Trakstar provides a comprehensive suite of features to support the development and retention of employees in any organization, regardless of size. Its platform allows users to develop customized learning plans tailored to individual needs, measure progress, and assign tasks quickly and easily. By creating custom learning plans for each employee, you can ensure your employees get the most out of their training experience while working towards organizational objectives.
Trakstar Standout Features & Integrations
Their multimedia course creation feature is a highly effective tool that allows curricula to be easily created and tailored. Through its intuitive platform, Trakstar simplifies the course creation process by providing templates, drag-and-drop features, and interactive slides. Those building the course can customize the lessons' look and feel while weaving in important teaching points. This gives them added control over the quality of learning in those courses.
Trakstar's SCORM compliance feature offers an efficient and effective means of integrating training courses from external sources into their online training management software. SCORM is a standard for packaging, launching, tracking, and reporting content used within the software. It allows users to integrate third-party e-learning content into their existing platform and ensure that course progress data and scores are synced across different vendors.
Integrations are available with HR systems and CRM software, and with content creation tools like Canva, Vimeo, and HTML, allowing instructional designers to create rich, engaging learning experiences that meet the needs of learners of all levels.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy to integrate SCORM content from third-party providers
- Training progress can be linked to specific employee performance goals
- Integrates with other Trakstar modules for easy onboarding workflows
Cons:
- Pricing details and plan features are not transparent
- Small list of pre-built integrations
iSpring Learn is a web-based training management solution that helps organizations onboard new hires with personalized learning experiences.
Their LMS software is simple to use. L&D administrators can customize the learning portal with their organization’s brand colors, domain, and logo. They can also upload training materials, combine them to create custom learning programs, and invite employees and external collaborators to the platform.
iSpring Learn comes with a mobile app that’s compatible with Android and iOS devices, so users can access the training content while they’re on the go. The platform tracks the users’ learning progress and can send completion notifications to their managers.
iSpring Learn Standout Features and Integrations
Features include content management, user management, training management, reporting, learner portal, and LMS customization.
Integrations include ADP, BambooHR, Salesforce, Workday, and Zoom.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Works on mobile devices
- Easy to create onboarding workflows
- Creates a branded learning environment
Cons:
- Convoluted pricing rubric (many add-on options)
- More software integrations would be welcomed
Absorb LMS is a cloud-based eLearning solution that helps organizations create engaging courses and training materials for their employees.
Their software is highly customizable and allows L&D managers to design and localize their organization’s learning portal. The platform supports multimedia content formats and its mobile-responsive design allows users to access the training material on any device. The solution also offers a mobile app that allows users to continue their training when they’re offline and then syncs their progress when their device connects to the internet.
Absorb LMS enables managers to build a content library that users can access whenever they want. Users can create profiles to keep track of their accomplishments, interact with other learners, and rate courses. Managers can promote user engagement with gamification and collect feedback with polls and surveys.
Absorb LMS Standout Features and Integrations
Features include content creation, user administration, AI-driven recommendations, eCommerce, analytics, instructor-led training, and performance tracking.
Integrations are available natively with multiple apps, including BambooHR, Ceridian Dayforce, Cisco Webex, Namely, Oracle Peoplesoft, Salesforce, Workday, and Zoom.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Responsive customer support
- Great customization and localization options
- Offline and online learning
Cons:
- System has a learning curve
- Search filters are not very specific
SkyPrep is an award-winning training management software for employee onboarding, employee development, customer training, and compliance training in the modern hybrid workforce. SkyPrep is user-friendly, with clean and intuitive interfaces for both the end user (learning) and admin (course authors).
SkyPrep has both a learning management system and a content authoring tool so you can design your own training materials and disseminate them accordingly. You can choose from dynamic design components like hotspots, integrated quizzes, and explanatory diagrams to make learning more engaging. You can also build quizzes into the learning process, using different question types like sorting, true and false, and short answer. Each page gives you the option to insert text, video, and photos and you can pull directly from Youtube and Unsplash via API connection to find materials.
SkyPrep has built-in and custom reports to track progress reports, median/mean scores per quiz, ungraded assessments, upcoming deadlines, certificate completion, assessment summaries, and re-enrollments numbers.
Why I Picked SkyPrep: SkyPrep can be used to streamline change management by building out training around new workflow processes or new technology/systems. You can distill days of instructor-led training into a few hours of SkyPrep material, following up with knowledge tests to keep track of which employees could use further instruction. Their easy course authoring features make this possible as well as custom-built reporting dashboards to track which team members are excelling and which may be lagging behind.
SkyPrep Standout Features & Integrations
Features include employee training, report & compliance, video courses, feedback management, employee onboarding, data import, calendar management, employee engagement, SCORM, class management, personal learning, gamification, and notifications.
Integrations include Single sign-on (SAML 2.0, OKTA, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.), Stripe, PayPal, Shopify, ADP, BambooHR, UKG Kronos, Paylocity, Ceridian Dayforce, Salesforce, Zoom, GoToMeeting, Cisco Webex, Microsoft Teams, ClickMeeting, BigBlueButton, OpenSesame, Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, and external calendar apps.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy to set up & learn
- Responsive customer support
- Excellent course authoring tools
Cons:
- Pricing plans not publicly available
- Automatic video captions locked to highest paid plan
Trainual is an LMS that helps small businesses save time when creating learning pathways and standard procedures thanks to its library of ready-made templates.
The tool offers hundreds of templates to choose from, so users can create comprehensive processes and internal policies in minutes. From hiring process checklists to work-from-home or diversity and inclusion policies, it seems that Trainual has a template for just about everything a growing business would need.
Trainual has a clean look and is easy-to-use. The software allows managers to organize their training materials into modules so learners can easily access all the information they need to upskill. Each course supports multimedia content, and the tool’s integrations allow trainers to offer personalized coaching when needed.
Trainual Standout Features and Integrations
Features include course creation, template creation, progress tracking, roles and responsibilities assignment, push notifications, standard operating procedures, and customized assessments.
Integrations are available natively with dozens of solutions, including ADP Workforce, Loom, Quickbooks Payroll, Slack, Square Payroll, Workday, and Zenefits.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Simple onboarding
- Customizable templates
- Easy to create courses and guides
Cons:
- Platform can be buggy at times
- Limited assessment customization
TalentLMS is an all-in-one learning management system that enables businesses of all sizes to create learning programs that encourage trainees to learn on their own with automation and gamification.
The solution has a clean interface and its onboarding process shows users how to create interactive courses from the get-go. Course creators can incorporate different types of media into a course, and they can use colors, logos, icons, and illustrations to customize the training modules to their brand.
TalentLMS allows creators to automate their enrollment and training processes, so users can create profiles, select their learning pathways, and complete courses without admin assistance. Managers can gamify courses with rewards, points, leaderboards, and badges to hook learners and increase retention.
TalentLMS Standout Features and Integrations
Features include course creation, attendee management, user activity tracking, communication, webinar hosting, analytics, and automation.
Integrations are available natively with several solutions, including BambooHR, Google Analytics, GoToMeeting, Sage, Salesforce, Wordpress, Zendesk Chat, and Zoom.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Free plan available
- Good localization features
- Mobile-friendly courses
Cons:
- Design sometimes breaks when you add new elements
- Few customization options for badges and rewards
Looop is an end-to-end online learning platform that helps L&D managers use automation to create specific learning pathways for each team or individual.
The solution is highly customizable, allowing managers to build branded learning journeys that include assessments, challenges, and quizzes. The software’s UI is clean and easy to understand. Course or pathway creators can include triggers so the app can perform certain actions, such as sending custom messages when specific criteria are met, so they can create fully-automated pathways.
Looop is a learning platform that helps businesses of all sizes simplify their L&D processes with automation. The software comes with multiple templates, so even people who are not tech-savvy can create and automate training programs without difficulty. The tool’s analytics helps managers benchmark their L&D initiatives against business metrics, so they can assess their effectiveness.
Looop Standout Features and Integrations
Features include analytics, built-in communication, custom certificate creation, and assessments.
Integrations are available natively with multiple apps, including Google Drive, LinkedIn Learning, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, OneLogin, Salesforce, and Slack.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Good reporting features
- Easy setup and pathway creation
- Outstanding automation capabilities
Cons:
- Automated emails may end up in spam
- Fitting images to banners could be easier
LearnUpon is an LMS that helps eCommerce businesses to create bespoke courses for their audiences and sell them via eCommerce storefronts.
The software enables managers to create responsive customer portals so users can access their training material on any device. Using a combination of in-app messaging, notifications, and gamification, the tool encourages learners to complete their education and certify their skills.
LearnUpon integrates with popular eCommerce solutions, so managers can publish and advertise their learning content without difficulty. The platform enables store owners to accept payment in multiple currencies, generate promotional codes or coupons, and handle VAT or sales taxes.
LearnUpon Standout Features and Integrations
Features include course creation, user management, on-demand training, webinar delivery, learner feedback, and reporting.
Integrations are available natively with several solutions, including Cisco Webex, Degreed, Microsoft Teams, PayPal, Salesforce, Shopify, Stripe, and Zoom.
LearnUpon Plans and Pricing
LearnUpon offers custom pricing upon request.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Built-in SEO and eCommerce functionalities
- Customizable user portals
- Good automation capabilities
Cons:
- Limited gamification options
- Automated emails might end up in spam folders
Docebo is an employee training software that helps enterprises run online upskilling and reskilling programs.
Their software is customizable, allowing each organization to tailor the platform to its training needs. With built-in communication and engagement features, Docebo allows employees to connect with learners from multiple locations who share similar interests and become part of learning communities.
Docebo allows L&D managers to create audience-specific pages and run social-based or reward-based competitions to encourage learning. The tool’s analytics features allow organizations to oversee and systemize their training initiatives, optimizing them to engage larger audiences.
Docebo Standout Features and Integrations
Features include social learning, mobile learning, virtual coaching, automation, and personalized upskilling and reskilling.
Integrations are available natively with dozens of solutions, including BigCommerce, Box, Cisco Webex, Drift, GitHub, Google Analytics, Gusto, Jira and Zoom.
Docebo Plans and Pricing
Docebo offers custom pricing upon request, as well as a free demo.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Versatile, customizable platform
- Encourages immersive learning experiences
- Great learner progress tracking capabilities
Cons:
- Salesforce integration can be glitchy at times
- Notifications could be easier to set up
Litmos is an eLearning training solution that helps global businesses and corporations create and distribute course content across multiple locations.
The software enables L&D administrators to create custom learning paths for different departments, teams, or subsidiaries. The solution’s content authoring tool lets users create courses or learning packages from scratch and export SCORM courses, which can be helpful for industry-specific or compliance training.
Litmos uses gamification to motivate learners to go through their online courses. Users can receive achievements, points, or badges when they complete an employee training pathway, and they can compare their scores with those of their peers in a leaderboard.
Litmos Standout Features and Integrations
Features include video assessments, monetization options, social learning, automation, and instructor-led training.
Integrations are available natively with dozens of solutions, including ADP, BambooHR, Cisco Webex, DocuSign, Mailchimp, Salesforce, Shopify, and Zoom.
Litmos Plans and Pricing
Litmos offers custom pricing upon request, as well as a 14-day free trial.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Great for global teams
- Out-of-the-box eCommerce functionality
- Good gamification options
Cons:
- User profiles cannot be edited in bulk
- Learning paths cannot be cloned
The 10 Best Training Management Software: Quick Comparison Chart
This comparison chart summarizes basic details about each of my top training management software selections. You can view pricing details and the availability of free trials or demos side-by-side to help you find the best software for your budget and business needs.
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Trakstar | Pricing upon request | Website |
| iSpring Learn | From $2.87/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Absorb LMS | Pricing upon request | Website |
| SkyPrep | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Trainual | From $10/user/month | Website |
| TalentLMS | From $89/month | Website |
| Looop | Pricing upon request | Website |
| LearnUpon | From $8.32/user/month | Website |
| Docebo | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Litmos | From $6/month/user (min 150 users) | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareOther Training Management Software Options
Here are a few more options that didn’t make the best training management software list:
- Constructor
Best training management software that fosters active learning
- FLX Systems
Best for training non-office workers
- Arlo
Best training management software for trainers and course creators
- Seismic’s Lessonly
Best training management software for sales teams
- Tovuti LMS
Best training management software for complex learning paths
- eloomi
Best training management software for personalized learning and development
- WeSchool
Best solution to simplify corporate training
- Connecteam
Best for non-tech savvy employees for onboarding and basic job training
- Qooper
Best for training through social learning and mentorship
- Coassemble
Best training management software for employee handbook creation
Selection Criteria for Training Management Software
Wondering how I selected the best training management software for this list? Here’s a summary of my selection criteria:
Key Features
These are the main features I assessed in detail when making my final selections for this list:
- Course creation and organization: You should be able to create and organize training materials.
- Performance tracking: Tracking the performance of your trainees allows you to assess the effectiveness of your learning pathways and identify potential roadblocks.
- Certification management: L&D managers should be able to keep track of their team’s past training and upcoming certification events.
- Security and data protection: Your company’s data should be secure and respect privacy policies.
- Analytics and reports: You should be able to break down the information and make data-driven decisions based on the resulting insights.
Additional Criteria
I also always dig into the following details, no matter what type of software system I'm assessing:
- User Interface (UI): I chose training management solutions that offer straightforward navigation so your new team members can quickly find all the training materials they need.
- Usability: I selected tools that are easy to use so even employees who are not tech-savvy can make the most out of them.
- Integrations: I picked software that integrates with the other solutions in your app ecosystem, such as HR solutions, content management systems, CRMs, and so on.
- Price: I chose training platforms that help you and your team members achieve a variety of goals so your organization will get the most out of its investment.
People Also Ask
Still wondering about the pros and cons of training management software? These answers to frequently asked questions will help set you straight:
Why is training management software important?
Training management software helps your organization to stand out from its competition. This software makes it easy for your team members, external collaborators, partners, and vendors to learn your processes and upgrade their skills so they can provide stellar services.
Training software enables you to organize your training materials and pick specific learning paths for each department or individual. You can also track your team’s training progress, and keep records of their training history.
What's the difference between training management software and a learning management system?
The main difference between training management software and a learning management system is their intended use.
Training management software is designed to help L&D managers organize the back-end aspects of their training operations. For example, tasks like how to assign resources, create schedules, promote courses, and so on.
On the other hand, learning management systems are designed to help managers create learning journeys, deliver educational content to students, assess candidates through quizzes, offer certifications, and so on.
However, the systems are complementary to each other and modern solutions can often be used interchangeably.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a training management system?
The main advantages of using a training management system include:
- Allowing businesses to organize and standardize their onboarding and training processes.
- Allowing trainers to offer learning materials to larger audiences
- Helping businesses sell and advertise their courses
- Improving the learners’ training experience
- Ensuring compliance
- Protecting businesses from liability
Disadvantages may include:
- Making the training process feel less personal
- Overwhelming new learners with a lot of information
- Long implementation times
- Steep learning curves
- Trainers may need coding or IT skills to use the platform
What tips can help me select the best training management software for my organization?
Selecting the perfect training management software for your organization is easy when you know how you’re most likely to use it. The answers to the following questions should help guide your decision:
- Are your courses designed for internal or external users?
- Will your training materials be used in your onboarding process?
- Do you intend to sell your courses at some point in the future?
- Do your trainees need personalized coaching?
- Does your industry-specific training require complex learning pathways?
Other Training & Learning Software Solutions
There are many other types of employee training software out there that may also be a good fit depending on your training needs. To save you time, here are some links to my other specialty lists on this topic:
- Employee Training Software
- Online Training Software
- Learning Management Systems
- Learning Management Systems for Small Businesses
- Enterprise Learning Management Systems
- Corporate Learning Management Systems
- Onboarding Software for Training New Hires
Other Resources
Of course, while I do believe software plays an extremely important part in building a good internal training program, there's more to it than that. Here are some other helpful "how to" resources to help you create a successful internal training and learning program that goes above and beyond your initial expectations:
- Training Remote Workers: 5 Strategies for Success in the Digital Age
- How To Create A Learning And Development Strategy in 7 Steps
- 5 Employee Learning Trends to Shape Your Learning Strategy
- How to Nurture Effective Peer-to-Peer Learning in Your Organization
- How A Learning Management System Can Benefit Your Business
- A Culture Of Learning Has Two Enormous Organizational Benefits
Final Thoughts
It’s not a secret that training helps organizations offer better services. A survey conducted by IBM Smarter Workforce showed that teams that receive 40 hours of training per individual meet their project objectives three times as often as teams that receive under 30 hours of training. That proves that even a small amount of training can make a huge difference.
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