Learning Management Systems vs Standalone Online Learning Platforms: Which is Right for You?

Choosing between a Learning Management System (LMS) and a standalone online learning platform is a critical decision for course creators and organisations alike. This post breaks down the key differences, from features to audience, helping you select the right tool for your eLearning goals.
LMS vs online learning platforms

I am often being asked how to choose the right platform to host and deliver eLearning content. There are two main options available: Learning Management Systems (LMS) and standalone online learning platforms. While both help provide online courses, they cater to different needs and priorities. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between these two popular eLearning solutions.

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Learning Management Systems (LMS) are designed primarily for educational institutions, corporations, and organisations that need to manage, deliver, and track eLearning courses. LMS platforms focus on creating, administering, and assessing courses at scale, with tools for managing large numbers of learners, handling assessments, and tracking progress.

  • Focus: Managing and delivering educational content within an organisation or institution.
  • Features:
    • Course Management: Organise courses, track learner progress, and manage assignments.
    • User Management: Create and manage user accounts, assign roles, and track learner activity.
    • Assessment & Grading: Create and deliver quizzes, exams, and assignments, and track grades.
    • Communication Tools: Facilitate communication between instructors and learners through forums, chat, and announcements.
    • Compliance & Reporting: Generate reports on learner progress and compliance with training requirements.
  • Examples: Moodle, Canvas LMS, Blackboard

Real-life scenario: A university might use Canvas or Blackboard LMS to deliver structured learning across multiple departments (degree programmes to Students and CPD courses to Staff), manage student enrolments, track grades, issue certificates and facilitate communication between lecturers and learners.

Standalone Online Learning Platforms

Standalone platforms are more geared toward individual course creators, small businesses, or entrepreneurs. These platforms provide tools for course creation, marketing, and sales. They’re typically easy to use and designed for those who want to monetise their expertise directly.

  • Focus: Serving entrepreneurs, creators, and businesses who want to create and sell online courses to a broader audience.
  • Features:
    • Course Creation: Tools to create and design engaging courses with multimedia elements.
    • Marketing & Sales: Features to promote courses, manage sales, and process payments.
    • Community Building: Tools to foster interaction and engagement among learners.
    • Website & Branding: Options to customise the look and feel of your online course platform.
  • Examples: Thinkific, Teachable, Kajabi, LearnWorlds, Podia

Real-Life Scenario:

An example would be a yoga instructor using Thinkific to create and sell online yoga courses, build a community around their brand, and manage their online business. Or a business coach uses Kajabi to create and sell courses on entrepreneurship, using built-in marketing tools to grow their customer base.

Key Differences

FeatureLMSStandalone Platform
Primary AudienceOrganisations and educational institutions that require a structured learning environment for students or employees.Entrepreneurs, creators who want to sell their expertise online.
FocusContent management & deliveryCourse creation & sales
Branding & CustomisationHighly customisable and flexible for educational needs and institutional requirements.Limited and dependent on the plan. Offer a balance of ease of use and customisation but are more focused on selling and monetising courses.
Marketing & Sales ToolsBasic or noneExtensive. Offer integrated marketing and sales tools, making them ideal for creators looking to monetise their content directly.
Features and ToolsAdvanced. Offer features like compliance tracking, certifications, grading, and reporting—geared towards structured academic or corporate environments.Limited. Focus on course creation, marketing, and sales, with built-in payment processing and content delivery features.
PricingOften subscription-based or open-sourceTransaction fees or monthly subscriptions
Community BuildingBasic featuresStrong emphasis on community features

Choosing the Right Platform

When choosing between an LMS and a standalone online learning platform, consider your needs, goals and audience. If you’re working within a large organisation or educational institution, an LMS may be your best choice for managing large groups of learners. However, if you’re an entrepreneur looking to sell courses, a standalone platform will provide the necessary marketing and sales tools.

Explore both options in-depth and choose the one that aligns with your needs.

Keep an eye on future posts where I will cover the main platforms – in-depth comparisons and tools may help you make the right choice.

Note, that this post provides general information about Learning Management Systems.

It is important always to consider the specific context and requirements of your learning projects. If you have any questions or would like to delve deeper into the topic, please email me or book a free online consultation via my contact page.

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