(Originally published on LinkedIn in 2018 and revised in 2023, now updated for 2025 with new insights into today’s evolving LMS landscape)
AI Create Index 040 (meaning AI was not used in the research or writing the content but was used to refine and improve the copy. AI was not used in generation of the graphics) THIS IS 90% ORIGINAL CONTENT.
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Understanding the Differences that Matter in 2025
Back in 2018, I wrote a series of articles in which I explored whether there are truly different kinds of Learning Management Systems (LMS). Spoiler: there are — and lumping them all together under one banner often creates more confusion than clarity.
That core message still holds true. But since then, much has changed in the world of learning technology. Academic institutions have gone hybrid or fully online, the corporate world is dealing with dispersed teams, and AI is reshaping everything from content creation to personalized learning paths. Even social media platforms now serve as informal learning hubs. And the metaverse? Still waiting in the wings.
In short: choosing the right LMS for your context is more complex than ever. Let’s revisit the foundational idea — not all LMS platforms are designed to do the same job — and look at what that means in today’s world.
Three Main Types of LMS
Different organisations need different things from their LMS. Broadly speaking, platforms fall into one of three main categories:
Academic LMS – These are designed for schools, colleges, and universities. They emphasize structured courses aligned with academic calendars and often integrate with student information systems. Features like lesson scheduling, assignment grading, and user roles (lecturer, administrator, student) are central.
Workplace LMS– Focused on internal skills development, these platforms serve HR and L&D teams. They typically support onboarding, compliance training, competency development, and career progression. Integration with an employee database or HRIS is common.
Commercial LMS– Built to sell courses, these systems focus on subscription management, e-commerce, user registration, and certification. A course here is a product — and often a revenue generator. Marketing tools and customer authentication are critical.
👉 Bottom line: Just because an LMS offers some crossover features doesn’t mean it’s built for your purpose. The architecture, content handling, and learner management vary significantly.
... Plus a new kid on the block - Community-first LMS's
Although technically a form of Commercial LMS, it’s worth pointing out a new group of products that have their roots in a social media style of engagement. These are platforms designed not just to deliver courses, but to help you build an active learning community around your content.
These systems allow members who sign up to:
Interact in real time through chat or group threads
Share content and ask questions within a collaborative space
Join live events, discussions, or co-working sessions
Access courses or resources as part of a broader membership experience
Think of it as blending a course platform with the feel of Slack, Discord, or Facebook Groups — but with full control over your brand, your audience, and your content.
This kind of LMS is ideal for creators, coaches, and niche educators who want to foster engagement, not just deliver static lessons. Rather than pushing learners through a linear pathway, community-first platforms encourage peer support, conversation, and momentum.
If your learning offer depends on connection, conversation, and community, this category might be the one to explore.
Different LMS's for Different Learners
One of the key differences between the types of LMS is in the type of learner each supports. Traditionally, there have been three distinct user bases that characterise LMS design — but a fourth, community-driven model has recently emerged.
Academic: Registered students, faculty, and departments — tightly integrated with institutional systems, including student databases, grading, and timetables.
Workplace: Employees, contractors, and leadership — often segmented by role or department, with emphasis on compliance, skills development, and performance tracking.
Commercial: External customers, members, or partners — requiring secure authentication, marketing tools, payment systems, and certification features.
Community-first: Learners join primarily to engage in ongoing dialogue, attend live sessions, and contribute to a shared knowledge space. These users are often peers, not clients, and the LMS becomes a hub for learning and connection. Engagement and interaction are as important as the learning content itself.
This difference in audience impacts everything — from the user experience and interface design, to data handling, compliance requirements, and even the platform’s tone of communication.
So, while some LMS platforms claim to support multiple market segments, the core needs of each learner group are fundamentally different. Recognising these differences is essential when evaluating which system is the right fit for your use case.
Content Capabilities Matter as Well
Choosing an LMS isn’t just about features — it’s about whether your content works on the platform.
- Selling explainer videos? A lightweight commercial LMS might be enough.
- Using interactive SCORM, xAPI, Storyline, RISE, or Captivate modules? You’ll need robust content support more likely to be found in a Workplace or Academic LMS.
- Embedding live webinars or virtual classrooms? Make sure your LMS integrates smoothly with your preferred virtual classroom tool (Zoom, Teams, BigBlueButton, etc.).
⚠️ Beware of the iframe trap: Some LMSs “support” complex content by embedding it via iframes. This can lead to unpredictable results, especially with nested content or mobile devices — and may pose security or tracking issues
Tracking, Compliance, and Competency
While all LMS platforms are built to track learner progress, the depth and purpose of that tracking can vary significantly depending on the context.
In academic environments, the focus tends to be on test scores, assignments, and formal grading structures — often tied to institutional standards or exam boards. The goal is typically to measure student achievement across a term or academic year.
In contrast, workplace learning often prioritizes compliance and ongoing professional development. It’s not unusual for learners to be required to re-certify on a regular basis, especially in industries where regulatory standards change or certifications have expiration dates. These systems are designed not just to deliver training, but to ensure it remains valid over time.
Meanwhile, a commercial LMS — focused on selling learning products — tends to emphasize course completion and certification. Issuing certificates upon passing a course can be a critical value proposition for learners, especially when those certificates offer perceived credibility. Some systems even build in promotional elements, such as upselling advanced modules once a certificate is earned.
In workplace settings, there’s often an additional layer of complexity: competency-based learning. Some LMSs can assess whether a learner actually needs a course before it’s assigned — identifying skill gaps and tailoring training accordingly. That kind of functionality is far less common, or even necessary, in traditional academic settings, where curriculum paths are usually predefined.
AI, Personalisation & The Future of the LMS
In 2025, we’re seeing growing interest in:
- AI-driven content generation and course recommendations
- Skills-based learning models tied to real-time job roles
- Microlearning and mobile-first delivery
- Gamification and learner engagement analytics
If these are part of your future plans, your LMS needs to be capable — or at least adaptable — in these areas. (Watch out for future articles on this topic!)
Conclusion: Start With Your Requirements
“Whilst many LMS’s present themselves as general-purpose platforms and may do a reasonable job in multiple sectors — beware! When it comes to implementation, the product’s roots begin to show.”
Choosing the right LMS is still about starting with your requirements — your learners, your content, your goals. Trying to retrofit the wrong system later on can be a costly and frustrating exercise.
Know what you need. Know who your learners are. Then choose a system that’s purpose-built for that environment.
Still unsure which option is best for your requirements? Contact us — we’re happy to help you evaluate your setup and find the LMS for your specific needs and budget – asking our advice is free! Only getting us to do it for you is chargeable.
Some Platforms you might consider:
Commercial LMS’s
The following are popular choices for selling on-line courses. Thinkific is extremely easy to set-up and to get started with but lacks some of the more powerful Sales and Marketing tools found in Kajabi:
Corporate/Commercial LMS’s
But if you need SCORM support and detailed learner progress tracking then LearnWorlds will be a better option:
Self-hosting LMS’s
If you have a WordPress website already or if you want a closer integration between your website and the LMS then consider LearnDash – combine it with hosting from the provider (Stellar Sites) if you don’t want the overhead of site administration.
Academic LMS’s
There are many – but you can do a lot worse than considering Moodle – it’s open source and Free if you are prepared to host it yourself – but even a hosted Moddle site will be far less expensive than other options.
Community -first LMS’s
Heartbeat, Circle, and Mighty Networks are great examples of this trend — with Heartbeat in particular offering a lightweight LMS layer integrated directly into its social architecture.
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