6 High-Quality and Low-Cost LMS Applications for Employee Skill Development

What are the best LMS apps for employee skill development?

A learning management system gives your business a centralized platform where employees can complete training courses, review educational materials and build new skills over time. Depending on the provider, you may be able to choose from prebuilt courses or create custom training programs tailored to the specific technical and business skills your organization values most.

When evaluating LMS options, Chris Dukich, founder and CEO of Display NOW, recommends focusing on flexibility and usability. “Companies should prioritize simplicity, easy expansion and compatibility with other systems they already use,” Dukich said. He added that mobile access and reporting tools are also key, noting that “it’s critical to consider whether the platform supports mobile learning and offers reporting capabilities to assess employee activity and progress.”

Below are some of the best LMS applications to consider for employee skill development.

1. iSpring LMS

iSpring LMS (formerly iSpring Learn LMS) is a cloud-based learning management system designed for employee onboarding, compliance training and ongoing skill development. It works well for small businesses and larger organizations that want a straightforward way to deliver courses, track progress and identify skill gaps without the complexity of a heavyweight enterprise LMS.

Notable features include: 

• Reporting and analytics: One of iSpring LMS’s standout features is its reporting and data analytics. Managers can track course completion, review quiz results and identify areas where employees may need additional training. The platform also supports mobile learning through iOS and Android apps, allowing employees to download courses, complete them offline and sync progress once they’re back online.
• Support for existing materials: Businesses can upload existing training materials, including Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, videos and audio files, and organize them into structured learning paths.
• Pricing: Pricing for iSpring LMS is based on the number of users, with plans billed annually. Teams with 300 users can expect to pay $4.46 per user per month, while larger groups benefit from lower rates: $3.97 per user per month at 500 users and $3.58 at 1,000 users. Depending on team size, that works out to annual costs ranging from about $16,000 to $43,000.
• Enterprise plan: For larger organizations, iSpring offers an Enterprise plan that supports up to 150,000 users and includes features such as dedicated account support, single sign-on (SSO), unlimited APIs and optional on-premise deployment. Enterprise pricing is available by custom quote. 

iSpring also offers a money-back guarantee, which can reduce risk for teams testing the platform. Overall, it’s a strong option for organizations that want predictable pricing, solid reporting and flexible content delivery without investing in a complex or costly enterprise learning system.

2. TalentLMS

TalentLMS is a cloud-based learning management system used by more than 12,000 organizations in corporate and academic environments. For many teams, its appeal lies in how quickly they can get started and how little time it takes for employees to feel comfortable using the platform.

Notable features include:

• Course creation and customization: TalentLMS allows businesses to build courses by uploading existing training materials or creating new content from scratch. Courses can be published under your own business domain name, helping maintain consistent branding.
• Mobile access: Employees can access courses using TalentLMS’s iOS and Android apps, making it easier to complete training from anywhere.
• Free plan: TalentLMS offers a free tier that supports up to five users and 10 courses, which makes it easy for small teams to test the platform before upgrading.
• Pricing: TalentLMS offers annual, tiered pricing tied to the number of users on the platform. Plans start at $119 per month for up to 40 users, with higher tiers priced at $229 per month for up to 70 users and $449 per month for up to 100 users. Enterprise plans begin at 1,000 users and are priced separately.

TalentLMS is a good fit for organizations that want an easy-to-use LMS with flexible course creation tools, a generous free plan and predictable, tiered pricing as their teams grow.

3. Litmos LMS

Litmos (formerly SAP Litmos) is a cloud-based learning management system used by thousands of organizations worldwide, from small teams to large enterprises. It’s often chosen by companies that need a scalable LMS with strong integration options and support for more complex training environments.

Notable features include:

• Flexible training formats: Litmos supports self-paced courses as well as live, instructor-led and virtual training sessions. Businesses can set up custom classrooms, group training or one-on-one learning experiences depending on their needs.
• Integrations and extensibility: The platform integrates with a wide range of third-party tools, including Salesforce, which can be helpful for companies that want learning data connected to sales, HR or customer platforms.
• Mobile access: Employees can access training materials through Litmos’s iOS and Android apps, making it easier to complete courses from anywhere.
• Pricing and demos: Litmos uses customized pricing based on factors such as the number of learners, feature requirements and deployment needs. Businesses can request a personalized demo and pricing quote to see how the platform would fit their training goals and budget.

Litmos is a strong option for organizations that want a flexible LMS with robust integrations and the ability to tailor training programs as they scale.

4. LearnUpon

LearnUpon is a cloud-based learning management system designed for midsize and large organizations that need to deliver structured employee training across departments. It’s commonly used for onboarding, skills development and HR compliance programs in more complex organizational environments.

Notable features include:

• Department and role-based controls: LearnUpon offers strong user management tools, making it easier to assign training by team, role or business unit and track progress at different organizational levels.
• Flexible training delivery: Businesses can combine self-paced courses with live training, business certifications and learning paths. The platform also supports Salesforce integration and mobile access through iOS and Android apps.
• External training and e-commerce: LearnUpon allows companies to offer courses to audiences outside their organization and includes tools for selling training content when needed.
• Pricing: LearnUpon uses a custom pricing model based on user volume and feature needs. Plans are generally grouped into Essential (typically up to 150 users), Premium (about 150 to 500 users) and Enterprise (500-plus users), with pricing provided after a demo.

LearnUpon is a solid option for growing organizations that need scalable training delivery, advanced permissions and strong administrative controls without sacrificing usability.

5. Docebo

Docebo is a cloud-based learning management system known for its polished, intuitive interface and strong use of artificial intelligence. It’s designed for organizations that want to deliver personalized learning experiences to different audiences, such as employees, customers or partners, while managing everything from a single platform. For growing companies, Docebo’s AI-driven tools can help streamline course creation and make training programs more effective without significantly increasing administrative effort.

Notable features include:

• AI-powered personalization: Docebo uses artificial intelligence to recommend content, personalize learning paths and automate certain administrative tasks. This can help employees find relevant training faster while reducing the manual work required to manage large learning libraries.
• Integrations with popular business tools: The platform integrates with e-learning providers like LinkedIn Learning and LinkedIn Learning Skills, as well as some of the best CRM software solutions, e-commerce platforms and content management tools. These integrations make it easier to connect training data with other business systems that employees already use.
• Mobile learning and branded apps: Employees can access training through Docebo’s mobile app, or businesses can create a fully branded learning app using the company’s app builder. This is especially useful for organizations with remote teams or frontline workers who rely on mobile access.
• Pricing: Docebo uses a custom pricing model based on factors such as the number of users, selected features and deployment needs. Businesses must contact the company for a personalized quote and demo.

Docebo is a strong option for organizations that want a modern, AI-driven LMS capable of supporting personalized learning at scale, particularly when training needs extend beyond a single internal audience.

6. 360Learning

360Learning is a cloud-based LMS designed for collaboration. The software is easy to roll out, and employees typically adapt to it quickly thanks to its straightforward interface. The platform shifts training away from a strictly top-down model by encouraging employees at different experience levels to share expertise and contribute learning content.

Notable features include:

• Collaborative learning tools: 360Learning enables subject-matter experts within your organization to create and share training content, comment on courses and provide peer feedback. This approach supports continuous learning and workplace teamwork and helps keep training programs relevant as skills and business needs evolve.
• Third-party integrations: The platform integrates with popular tools such as LinkedIn Learning, Coursera and Zoom, making it easier to blend internal training with external content and live sessions.
• Fast onboarding and usability: Because the software is designed for quick adoption, teams can roll out training programs without lengthy setup or extensive administrator training.
• Pricing: 360Learning offers transparent pricing for its Team plan, starting at $8 per registered user per month for up to 100 users, with no setup fees. The company also offers a Business plan designed for larger organizations and more complex training needs, which includes additional automation, integrations and support. Pricing for the Business plan is available by request.

What factors should you consider when choosing an LMS?

Top learning management systems offer valuable features at affordable rates. However, they differ in terms of the user experience, value-added tools and precise pricing. The right LMS for your business depends on your requirements, budget and objectives.

Here are a few factors to consider before choosing an LMS app for your company:

• Scalability: The first thing to determine is how many employees will use the system. If you have many employees, you may need an LMS app geared toward enterprises that can handle a large influx of enrollments.
• Delivery method: Next, consider how you want to deliver the material to your employees. Do you want learning sessions to occur on a set schedule with specific task deadlines, or do you want employees to complete courses on their own time?
• Special features: Weigh any special features that come with the platform you’re eying. For instance, can employees access the app on their mobile devices? Are there built-in discussion forums, and can users earn certificates for completing their coursework? How much do these bells and whistles matter to you?
• The grading system: Consider how coursework is graded through the system and what kind of data you can access. For example, it may be helpful to see the percentage of employees who have completed each module successfully and how long it took them. With this information, you can identify areas where the material is unclear and determine if your employees need more help.

As you search for the best LMS app for your organization, take advantage of free trials and demos. Consult online reviews to gauge which platforms suit your business. When you’re ready to sign up with your vendor of choice, try to negotiate a short-term commitment in case you want to switch to another application later.

What are the benefits of LMS apps for employee development?

An LMS app allows employees to study at their own pace and absorb the skills and concepts presented to enhance their professional knowledge and talents. It also allows managers and decision-makers to identify skills gaps, tailor course material according to team member needs and track progress.

“LMS helps corporations to develop standard and timely training programs for their employees, which is very useful in enhancing their skills,” Dukich explained. “This is achieved through a systematic approach to monitor the progress of learning and making the materials available when needed by the employees.”

Here are some of the biggest benefits of using an LMS app with your employees:

• LMS content is available in one location: When you use an LMS app, all educational materials are available and secure in one central location. If you’re using a cloud-based app, your employees can access the information from anywhere.
• LMS apps provide user progress data: If you send employees to an all-day training event, you won’t know what they understood or even paid attention to. With an LMS app, you can monitor their progress, note course milestones, see if they pass quizzes and determine where they need additional help.
• LMS apps are less expensive than other training materials: When you invest in an LMS app, you can stop spending money on all-day training conferences, in-house trainers and printed materials. LMS apps are more effective than other types of training plans at a fraction of the cost.
• LMS apps provide interactive training materials: Employees can take quizzes, participate in online discussions and watch videos explaining the concepts they’re learning, which can help them learn and absorb the material faster.

LMS apps are an excellent complement to other professional development opportunities, including mentorship and one-on-one coaching. When you invest in employee skill development, you signal to your staff how much you care about their role at your company. Your investment in their skills and talents will help you boost productivity, employee retention and engagement.