Organizations investing in learning and development (L&D) programs provide their workforce with a clear development roadmap, supporting individual learning and growth.

To equip employees with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive, organizations are increasingly turning to innovative L&D tools. From traditional Learning Management Systems (LMS) to cutting-edge Learning Experience Platforms (LXP), the market is brimming with options.

This comprehensive guide explores a diverse range of L&D tools, highlighting their key features and benefits. Whether you're seeking to enhance employee engagement, boost productivity, or develop future leaders, this article will help you navigate the L&D tool landscape and select the best solutions for your organization.

Why Invest in Learning and Development Tools?

Learning and Development tools are more than just digital aids; they are strategic investments that yield substantial returns. By providing employees with personalized learning paths and opportunities for growth, these tools ignite a passion for continuous improvement, fostering a culture of engagement and innovation.

As employees become more skilled and confident, productivity soars, enabling them to tackle challenges with efficiency and creativity. Moreover, by demonstrating a genuine commitment to employee development, organizations strengthen their employer brand, attracting top talent and reducing turnover. Ultimately, L&D tools are instrumental in unlocking the full potential of a workforce, driving organizational success, and securing a competitive edge.

How to Choose the Right L&D Tools?

The most effective learning and development tools are customizable, flexible, and easy to use. Here are some essential features and functionalities that modern L&D tools should offer:

Personalization‍

Offers personalized content suggestions, learning paths, and assessments for each user.

Integration capabilities‍

Compatible with third-party apps and services like social media tools, networking platforms, and messaging apps.

User-generated content

Enables subject-matter experts to create and share multimedia content, such as videos, podcasts, and content.

Modern user interface

Features an intuitive design for easy use by learners and administrators.

Simplified content curation

Allows effortless creation and curation of content, supporting diverse formats and learning styles, including microlearning, gamification, and social learning.

Personalized skill development

Identifies skills gaps and leverages learning content to upskill employees.

Social functionality

Facilitates connections between learners and experts through social learning features.

Analytics

Tracks and analyzes learner progress and training effectiveness with reports or dashboards.

Mobile compatibility

Provides access to offline and online learning from anywhere, including via a mobile app, crucial for on-the-move employees.

Now that we understand what an L&D is and the key features to prioritize, let's explore the ten best learning experience platforms in 2024.

Types of Learning and Development Tools

HR leaders have a variety of tools to consider when developing a learning and development strategy. These include:

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Corporate learning management systems are platforms specifically crafted to assist businesses in creating, organizing, tracking, and evaluating their employee training and development initiatives. Implementing an LMS in corporate settings streamlines compliance training, onboarding processes, and other essential employee training programs.

These platforms serve as a dashboard for hosting learning courses and training materials, while also tracking and storing employee performance records for evaluation.

Here are the top LMS programs we have included in our list:

Teachfloor

Teachfloor is an innovative social learning platform that empowers educators and trainers to create and manage their own virtual classrooms. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for live teaching, interactive assignments, and real-time collaboration. Designed for both corporates and institutions, Teachfloor provides an intuitive, user-friendly interface that simplifies the online learning experience, ensuring effective and engaging education for all participants.

Teachfloor offers a range of powerful features designed to enhance online learning:

• Virtual Classrooms: Conduct live classes with seamless video conferencing and interactive whiteboards.
• Peer Review: Encourage knowledge exchange and critical thinking by enabling learners to provide feedback on each other's work.
• Group Activities: Promote teamwork and collaboration through engaging group projects and discussions.
• Course Creation: Easily design and manage courses with a user-friendly interface and customizable templates.
• Interactive Assignments: Engage students with assignments that include quizzes, polls, and collaborative projects.
• Student Management: Track progress, attendance, and performance with comprehensive analytics and reporting tools.
• Integration: Connect with popular tools and platforms like Zoom, Google Drive, and more for a cohesive learning experience.
• Community Building: Foster a sense of community with discussion forums, group chats, and networking opportunities.
• Accessibility: Ensure inclusive learning with features like subtitles, language support, and mobile access.

Pricing:

• Startup: $89/annually | $99/monthly
• Business: $349/annually | $399/monthly
• Advanced: Custom price range

360Learning

360Learning is a collaborative learning platform that empowers organizations to upskill from within by harnessing the collective expertise of their employees. The platform integrates collaborative tools and social features to foster a community-driven learning environment. It enables subject matter experts to create engaging, interactive courses and facilitates peer-to-peer learning through discussions, feedback, and shared knowledge.

360Learning is designed to streamline the course creation process, allowing for rapid development and deployment of training materials. It includes advanced analytics and reporting tools to track progress and measure the impact of learning initiatives. With seamless integrations with popular tools and platforms, 360Learning supports a cohesive and efficient learning experience tailored to the needs of modern businesses.

Pricing:

• Team: $8/registered user per month | Up to 100 users in a month
• Business: Custom price range

LearnUpon

LearnUpon is a learning management system trusted by innovative companies. It enables instructors to create and deliver courses for training team members across various industries. LearnUpon's philosophy is people-focused and customer-driven, ensuring engaging experiences and effective support for users.

The platform offers versatile course creation tools, supporting formats such as webinars, SCORM, and instructor-led training. Its modular structure allows instructors to define optimal learning paths for team members. With over 11 million users, LearnUpon's scalable nature makes it an excellent choice for enterprise-level training programs.

Pricing:

• Essential: Price by request | up to 150 users
• Premium: Price by request | from 150 to 500 users
• Enterprise: Price by request | 500+ users

Talent LMS

Talent LMS is a powerful learning management system designed to help organizations thrive through effective training. With over 70,000 teams utilizing the platform, TalentLMS stands out for its ability to facilitate efficient and impactful learning.

Its course management tools are user-friendly and support leading eLearning content standards like SCORM and CMI5. Additionally, it offers over 200 ready-made courses for soft skills training through its exclusive TalentLibrary.

TalentLMS courses are highly adaptable, supporting blended learning with features such as gamification, communication tools, video call support, custom certificates, and e-commerce capabilities. The platform integrates with hundreds of apps and software, enabling customizable video conferencing, e-commerce, calendar, and SSO features, along with other web apps through Zapier.

Pricing:

• Core: $69/monthly billed annually
• Grow: $109/monthly billed annually
• Pro: $139/monthly billed annually
• Enterprise: Custom price range

Docebo

Docebo's Learning Suite is an AI-powered learning management system that enables users to create custom learning content with AI assistance or leverage an extensive library of existing courses. The platform encourages social learning to boost productivity and showcase the expertise of business subject matter experts.

Designed as a comprehensive solution, Docebo offers tools for course authoring, delivery, and management, making it ideal for large enterprises with extensive learning and development needs. The software features over 400 integrations, including Google Drive, Zoom, Slack, and Salesforce, ensuring seamless compatibility with existing tools.

Pricing:

• Engage: $25,000/billed annually
• Elevate: $40,000/billed annually
• Enterprise: Custom price range

Cornerstone OnDemand

Cornerstone OnDemand is a leading talent management platform that helps organizations recruit, train, and manage their workforce. The platform offers a comprehensive suite of tools for learning and development, performance management, and employee engagement, empowering businesses to unlock the full potential of their talent.

Cornerstone OnDemand integrates seamlessly with existing systems and supports personalized learning paths, robust analytics, and real-time reporting. Trusted by companies worldwide, it delivers scalable solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of modern enterprises, enhancing productivity, fostering growth, and driving business success.

Pricing:

• Price on demand

Absorb LMS

Absorb LMS is a learning management system that includes an LXP feature known as Absorb Engage.

The platform allows for the curation of training content tailored to specific learner cohorts. When learners log in, they are greeted with a customized dashboard that can display targeted messaging or information relevant to their needs.

Absorb Engage enhances the learning experience with social learning features such as discussions, forums, and leaderboards. These tools foster skill development and encourage healthy competition among colleagues across the organization.

The system also includes a polls functionality, enabling you to gather direct feedback from learners. Additionally, it offers the ability to connect employees with specific learning content through social media.

Pros include ease of administration and high-quality support. However, pricing transparency could be improved. 

Pricing information is available upon request

Blackboard Learn

Blackboard, part of Anthology's suite of education solutions, is a leading learning management system (LMS) designed to enhance teaching and learning experiences. It provides a comprehensive platform for educators to create, manage, and deliver engaging educational content. Blackboard supports a wide range of learning activities, including online courses, assessments, and collaborative projects, catering to the diverse needs of students and educators.

Key features include advanced course authoring tools, robust analytics for tracking student performance, and seamless integration with various educational technologies. Blackboard also offers mobile access, enabling learners to engage with content anytime, anywhere. Additionally, it supports personalized learning paths, social learning, and multimedia integration, ensuring a dynamic and interactive learning environment.

Pricing information is available upon request

D2L Brightspace

Brightspace by D2L is an innovative learning management system (LMS) designed to enhance educational experiences for K-12, higher education, and corporate training. It offers a user-friendly interface and a suite of powerful tools to create, manage, and deliver engaging and personalized learning experiences.

Key features of Brightspace include adaptive learning paths that tailor content to individual learner needs, advanced analytics for tracking and improving student performance, and seamless integration with various third-party applications. The platform supports multiple content formats, such as videos, documents, and interactive activities, ensuring versatile and rich learning experiences. Brightspace also includes collaborative tools like discussion boards, virtual classrooms, and group projects, fostering a connected and interactive learning environment.

Brightspace is mobile-friendly, allowing learners to access content on any device, and offers robust accessibility features to support diverse learner needs. For pricing information, contact D2L for a customized quote based on your specific requirements.

Pricing information is available upon request

Adobe Learning Manager

Adobe Learning Manager is a comprehensive learning management system (LMS) designed to enhance employee training, customer education, and partner enablement. It offers a user-friendly interface and powerful tools for creating, managing, and delivering personalized learning experiences. The platform supports various content formats, including videos, presentations, and interactive modules, making it versatile for diverse training needs.

Key features include AI-powered recommendations for personalized learning paths, detailed analytics for tracking learner progress, and robust integration with other Adobe and third-party applications. Adobe Learning Manager also provides social learning capabilities, gamification elements, and mobile access, ensuring an engaging and flexible learning experience.

Pricing information is available upon request

Learning Experience Platforms (LXP)

Learning experience platforms (LXPs) are similar to LMS in offering a centralized platform for learning, but they leverage AI to deliver a more personalized experience for learners. LXPs integrate with more third-party technologies and offer advanced analytics, enabling L&D teams to evaluate training effectiveness and measure ROI for the company.

Valamis

Valamis offers a comprehensive learning solution featuring a robust learning experience platform (LXP), learning management system (LMS), and learning record store (LRS), all designed to boost engagement and streamline content sharing. Their scalable packages cater to various business needs, including large enterprises and the public sector.

Valamis' solution includes advanced data analytics and reporting to maximize the effectiveness of training initiatives and address skill gaps. Their experts collaborate with L&D teams to create customized solutions. Valamis LXP prioritizes security, being fully GDPR compliant and built according to stringent security guidelines and accessibility standards to ensure the protection of customer data.

Pricing:

• Starting price: $17,000/billed annually

Degreed

Degreed LXP is an integrated solution that consolidates learning, talent development, and internal mobility into a single platform. Its skill analytics feature provides real-time data on employee skills, allowing learners to create skill profiles that showcase their development through your training programs. This also helps in identifying any skills gaps within your organization.

Degreed enables seamless integration and management of both internal and external learning content. It allows you to curate training materials focused on essential skills and track employee development effectively.

The career mobility feature helps uncover hidden talent within your company and highlights new career advancement opportunities, empowering employees to pursue and support their career growth.

Pros include high-quality multilingual support and ease of use. However, content management and storage options are less dynamic compared to other solutions, and pricing plans are not disclosed.

Pricing:

• Degreed LXP​: businesses with 5,000+ employees | price by request
• Degreed LXP+: businesses with 5,000+ employees | price by request
• Degreed Academies: businesses of any size | price by request
• Degreed Content Marketplace: businesses of any size | price by request

Juno LXP

Juno is a personalized learning experience platform featuring over 120 content providers and AI-driven content recommendations.

The on-demand catalog allows learners to request content from various providers without committing to any particular one, enabling you to purchase only the content you need, exactly when you need it. AI recommendations enhance this experience by delivering learning content tailored to each learner's unique needs and skills.

The Channels feature lets learners share courses with their teams, promoting skill development across the organization. By tagging channels with specific skills, you can ensure that relevant training reaches the right employee groups. Juno also offers analytics tools to track learner progress, content requests, and generate reports.

Pros include access to over a million courses and 120 content providers. However, pricing transparency could be improved.

Pricing:

• Juno LMS: Undisclosed
• Juno LXP: Undisclosed

Course Authoring Tools

Course authoring platforms assist corporate instructors in developing course content for distribution on a learning platform or system. This content can include audio and video recordings, software simulations, and in-lesson quizzes.

iSpring Suite

iSpring Suite is a robust tool for developing materials, content, and activities for L&D programs. It provides a wide range of formats and activities, making it a versatile choice. Additionally, it offers an LMS as a separate product for L&D teams.

A key advantage of iSpring Suite is its integration with PowerPoint, which enhances content creation capabilities. Users can leverage features such as AI, SCORM format, narration recording, and video embedding. However, the platform can be somewhat dependent on PowerPoint and lacks extensive customization options.

Ideal for scenario-based training and simulations, iSpring Suite allows the creation of animated characters and role-play settings. It also includes a powerful video and screencast editor for creating guides, tutorials, and talking head videos.

Pricing:

• iSpring Suite Plan: $770/year per author
• iSpring Suite Max Plan: $970/year per author (including text-to-speech, content library, and cloud access)
• iSpring Suite Premium Plan: $1,970/year per author (with VIP support)

Articulate Storyline 360

Articulate 360, which includes the Rise and Storyline 360 tools, is an excellent choice for L&D program authoring thanks to its user-friendly editor, diverse features, and extensive library of course assets.

What sets Articulate 360 apart? It builds on PowerPoint principles but offers advanced capabilities for more sophisticated content creation. Unique features such as the On-demand Training service allow access to experts and request training for employees, while the platform boasts over 12 million course assets, including multimedia, interactive elements, and templates. For advanced program creation, however, there might be other more suitable options.

Pricing:

• Personal Plan: $1,099/annually per user
• Teams Plan: $1,399/year per user

Adobe Captivate

Adobe Captivate is a robust L&D tool that excels in creating advanced, responsive, and interactive learning experiences. Its extensive set of tools and features makes it particularly well-suited for developing complex courses and programs.

Notable features include sophisticated software simulations and capabilities for image and video editing, such as screen recordings, which enable L&D professionals to design intricate learning experiences with high levels of interaction, multimedia, and gamification. The platform also offers elegant design options and powerful animations. However, its array of features can make it somewhat cumbersome and challenging to navigate.

Pricing:

• Individual Plan: $33.99/month
• Teams: available upon contacting sales or support
• Enterprise: available upon contacting sales or support

Online Course Providers

Online course providers are platforms on the internet that produce and host training videos and educational content. These resources are accessed by companies aiming to train their employees or individuals pursuing personal development. Many organizations subscribe to learning websites like LinkedIn Learning or Udemy, offering access to a vast array of learning materials.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning's learning experience platform utilizes LinkedIn skills data to enhance your content curation and upskilling efforts, enabling access to in-demand skills in 11 languages. The career path functionality allows learners to explore career trajectories based on roles, skills, and development, customizable to business goals and validated with certificates.

With LinkedIn Learning, you can utilize ready-made employee training courses to support organizational growth. Integrations enable reaching learners where they already engage, simplifying the learning process for both L&D professionals and employees.

Pros include a vast content library with over 16,000 expert-led courses. A notable con is that ongoing product support is less comprehensive compared to other providers. 

Pricing:

• Starting at $19.99 / month billed annually

Udemy Business

Udemy Business is a powerful L&D platform that provides a wide range of courses for organizations. It features advanced AI-driven software that personalizes learning paths, offers on-demand content, and facilitates resource sharing.

Udemy Business provides access to over 25,000 top courses under the Enterprise Plan, along with a specialized Leadership Academy. The AI tool helps identify the best courses for your business needs based on your specific requests. Additionally, the platform includes cohort and interactive learning courses designed to enhance collaboration and assignments.

The platform also allows you to create custom learning paths using pre-built templates, issue certificates, and gain insights into organizational learning through analytics dashboards and behavior data.

Pricing:

• Team Plan: $30/month per user (for 2-20 users)
• Enterprise Plans: available upon contacting sales
• Leadership Academies: available upon contacting sales

Coursera

Coursera is a premier online learning platform that provides a diverse array of courses, specializations, and degree programs from renowned universities and industry leaders around the globe. With over 4,000 courses in subjects ranging from data science and technology to business and personal development, Coursera caters to learners of all levels.

Coursera offers expert instruction from top instructors at leading universities and companies, allowing learners to access courses anytime, anywhere, and at their own pace. It provides in-depth learning paths through specializations and professional certificates, as well as fully accredited online degrees in various disciplines.

With mobile accessibility via the Coursera app, users can learn on the go. Coursera's commitment to accessible, high-quality education empowers learners to advance their careers, develop new skills, and achieve their educational goals effectively.

Pricing:

• Free Courses: Access to course materials is available at no cost for many courses, though these do not include certificates.
• Guided Projects: Short, hands-on projects typically cost between $10 and $50.
• Individual Courses: Certificate courses range from $39 to $99, providing a shareable certificate upon completion.
• Coursera Plus: An all-access subscription service priced at $59 per month or $399 per year, offering unlimited access to over 7,000 courses, specializations, and professional certificates.

Knowledge Sharing Communication Tools

The learning and development process for employees continues even after completing a training course. Knowledge sharing tools facilitate the storage and distribution of essential resources, such as employee manuals or training overviews, ensuring ongoing, easy access to learning materials during daily work.

These asynchronous tools encompass various digital apps, including knowledge base software, internal messaging apps like Slack and MS Teams, and recording tools such as Loom.

Confluence

Confluence, developed by Atlassian, is an essential tool for effective knowledge management and project collaboration. It is particularly beneficial for L&D operations, serving as a robust knowledge base for organizations, especially those using Jira for task management.

This L&D software excels in curating training materials, allowing users to create and collaborate on pages, brainstorm on whiteboards, and organize content in dedicated spaces. The Atlassian Intelligence feature enhances team communication, highlights insights, and supports the training curriculum.

Confluence integrates seamlessly with Figma, Google Docs, and YouTube, enabling real-time editing and collaborative commenting, which is vital for effective L&D strategies.

Pricing:

• Free plan: $0
• Standard Plan: $6.05/month per user for 10 users
• Premium Plan: $11.55/month per user for 10 users
• Enterprise Plan: available upon request

Loom

Loom is a screen and video capture software designed for asynchronous learning and development. This user-friendly tool enables instructors to record training videos from Mac, Windows, or mobile devices, creating visually engaging training content.

Loom's features include instant editing, custom branding, and engagement insights, enhancing the effectiveness and ROI of training programs. Trusted by over 14 million users across 200,000 companies, including Hubspot, Atlassian, and Netflix, Loom is a go-to solution for modern training needs.

Pricing:

• Starter: Free
• Business: $12,50/month billed annually
• Enterprise: Custom price range

Notion

Notion is a versatile knowledge management and L&D tool that excels in organizing notes, tasks, and assignments within a centralized workspace, linking them to organizational goals and employee development.

The platform provides a wide array of templates for creating pages that organize information, learning resources, and facilitate collaboration. Its robust editing tools, including embedded media and a drag-and-drop editor, enable the creation of dynamic and interactive learning materials. Notion also features a calendar to manage events and set reminders.

Pricing

• Free Plan: $0
• Plus Plan: $10/month per user (for up to 100 guests)
• Business Plan: $18/month per user (for up to 250 guests)
• Enterprise Plan: available upon contacting sales

Communication Tools

Whether streaming live or uploading files, video is essential for sharing knowledge and facilitating communication. However, it's not the only tool for delivering educational material or enhancing team efficiency. Instant messaging services like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and WhatsApp Business also play a crucial role.

These platforms allow team members to engage in group or one-on-one conversations via channels dedicated to specific topics, such as accounting or HR. Employees and customers can use these tools for real-time conversations and to send and share links, files, and documents.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a robust collaboration platform that integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for team communication and productivity. It features chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and app integration, enabling teams to collaborate in real-time and stay organized. With dedicated channels, teams can manage projects, share documents, and engage in discussions, all within a single platform.

Microsoft Teams supports integration with numerous apps, enhancing its functionality and adaptability to various workflows. Its cross-device compatibility ensures that team members can stay connected and productive from anywhere.

Pricing:

• Free plan: Includes unlimited one-on-one meetings, group meetings up to 40 minutes, and 100 participants per meeting.
• Pro: $14.99/user/month, offers meetings up to 30 hours, 1 GB cloud recording, and social media streaming.
• Business: $19.99/user/month, includes all Pro features plus up to 300 participants, dedicated phone support, and single sign-on (SSO).
• Enterprise: $19.99/user/month (minimum 50 hosts), includes all Business features plus up to 500 participants, unlimited cloud storage, and executive business reviews.

Slack

Slack is a popular collaboration platform designed for teams to communicate and work together more effectively. It offers real-time messaging, file sharing, and integration with numerous third-party apps and services. Users can create channels for different projects, topics, or teams, enabling organized and focused discussions. Slack also supports direct messaging, voice and video calls, and searchable message history, making it easy to find past conversations and shared files.

Pricing:

• Free plan: Limited message history, up to 10 app integrations, and one-on-one video calls.
• Pro: $7.25/user/month, includes full message history, unlimited integrations, group video calls, and screen sharing.
• Business+: $12.50/user/month, includes all Pro features plus advanced identity management, compliance exports, and priority support.
• Enterprise Grid: Custom pricing, designed for large organizations with enhanced security, compliance features, and dedicated support.

Zoom

Zoom is a leading video conferencing platform known for its reliable and user-friendly interface, which supports HD video and audio calls, virtual meetings, webinars, and collaboration features. It enables users to host and join meetings from any device, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Zoom offers features like screen sharing, breakout rooms, meeting recording, and virtual backgrounds, enhancing the remote communication and collaboration experience.

Pricing:

• Free plan: Includes unlimited one-on-one meetings, group meetings up to 40 minutes, and 100 participants per meeting.
• Pro: $14.99/user/month, offers meetings up to 30 hours, 1 GB cloud recording, and social media streaming.
• Business: $19.99/user/month, includes all Pro features plus up to 300 participants, dedicated phone support, and single sign-on (SSO).
• Enterprise: $19.99/user/month (minimum 50 hosts), includes all Business features plus up to 500 participants, unlimited cloud storage, and executive business reviews.

Conclusion

Learning and development tools are essential for organizing, creating, and engaging learners effectively. From learning management systems (LMSs) to assessment tools, each type of Learning and Development software serves specific purposes and addresses various organizational goals and needs. When selecting Learning and Development Tools, consider those that enhance your strategy and provide opportunities for program development.