Learning Light, the UK-based independent e-learning industry market analyst, has produced its own thorough analysis of learning management systems (LMSs) identifying its top performers.

Learning Light Director, David Patterson, said: “We’re aware that other organisations – notably Craig Weiss’ E-Learning 24/7 – publish lists of the top LMSs but our detailed analysis relates specifically to these LMS’s appropriateness for use by corporate training organisations and training departments in the UK. We’ve carried out this research in the light of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)’s statement that, from September 2014, Individual Learner Records for funded further education courses must show a minimum of ten per cent of individuals’ learning via materials delivered online.

This is going to increase demand for LMSs in the UK – and, at present, there are some 600 LMSs from which to choose. We’ve based our analysis on the cost of ownership; features and functionalities; development pathway and future-proofing from a training industry perspective.” 

The Learning Light Top Eight LMSs are – in alphabetical order: 

• aNewSpring–the Dutch market leader and an LMS that is 100% aligned to training organisations. It supports mobile delivery and integrated social learning. It has its own content creation and importing environment, as well as adaptive learning pathways.
• Docebo – A comprehensive LMS with lots of up-to-date features covering most of what any training organisation or department needs. Features include classroom alignment, lots of integration options and APIs. Docebo also has a content market place, which is useful. Future development pathways look good as well.  
• Enable by Virtual College – Reporting is solid. Competencies and e-portfolios are highly evolved, driven by Enable’s assessment functionality. With the Virtual College Vocational Open Online Courses (VOOC) coming soon, this looks an innovative and exciting development pathway.
• Kallidus – An LMS that’s especially suitable for the mid-corporate training space, offering top-of-the-range learner management and reporting features. Kallidus links well to blended learning and offers resources management, while ROI calculation is also provided.
• LearnUpon – A simple e-learning platform designed mainly as an LMS for training companies. It can handle SCORM and other content and is excellent at simply uploading and managing content.
• Litmos – Branded as ‘the friendly LMS’, Litmos offers a functional, user-friendly development environment to import or build courses. Litmos is a long way down the Tin Can route and can operate as an LRS (Learning Record Store) in recording Tin Can statements that are linked to the LMS.  
• Moodle – An open source platform and, thus, it offers a different cost of ownership. To get the best out of Moodle, you’ll need in-house skills or a solid partner. Among the best configurations we’ve seen come from Webanywhere. Moodle has integrated Open Badges and Webanywhere can integrate Moodle with Google Apps.  
• Nimble by elearning 247 – Nimble LMS (and the free, template-based nimbleAuthor) is a skills-orientated LMS.  Elearning 247 offers off-the-shelf courses as well.