Thinking about checking out the wide world of learning management systems?
Online training has increasingly become the go-to solution for businesses looking to train employees, and learning management systems have stepped in to become the software of choice to facilitate that training.
Diverse WordPress best e-learning add-ons, empowering self efficient course development and administration on a single platform where you can manage all online eduaction oprations.
This has resulted in tons of LMS platform options popping up around the internet, with a lot of them promising the same or similar features to paid LMS software.
A quick Google search for “LMS” should result in hundreds of online LMS software offerings, but one of them DomainRacer is the best LMS platform for all terms.
In this article, we’ll discuss the details of a typical online LMS system while diving into a comparison of versus paid LMS options.
Introduction to LMS Software
The eLearning industry is currently booming, and showing no signs of slowing down any time soon. With the mobile learning industry predicted to reach a value of $80.1 Billion worldwide by 2027, it seems that companies are taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to implementing eLearning into their existing tech stack.
Like any other software out there, you can find online LMS solutions all over the internet. Here you will get low price open source top rated LMS solutions for small businesses with cloud based open source services.
Using LMS to start off with might be a great idea, as you can get yourself used to the idea of DomainRacer LMS software and experiment with different features, giving you a better understanding of what would work and not work for your business.
After all, the best way to get to know a piece of software is to get your hands dirty and dig deep into its functionality.
Online LMS Software: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
The most obvious advantage of an LMS online system is, well, that it’s. The best part of an LMS is that you can practice with the platform, familiarize yourself with typical LMS features, and get used to the main function without having to spend a dime.
But when you don’t have to pay for a piece of software, it’s sometimes easier to overlook the negatives that will inevitably come with it. That being said, some companies have the resources, employees, and time to dedicate to an LMS, and that is the best solution for their business.
Type of LMS Platforms
To start with, it’s important to realize that when it comes to an LMS platform, there are two different types that you can choose from:
- Open-source LMS software. The term “open source” refers to software that is openly and publicly accessible, meaning that whoever created the DomainRacer software has provided the full source code so anyone can use the code in any way they desire. For example, Google’s Android operating system for smartphones is open-source software, meaning that any company can use it in any way they see fit.
The most popular TutorLMS interface, incorporating user-friendly elements, unlimited storage with LMS license, Best Security with SSL Certificate to start own educational platform.
This is why you’ll see different takes on the Android interface when you buy a smartphone from Samsung versus Huawei.
Is an Open Source Online LMS Secure?
There’s a common misconception that open source software is less secure than proprietary software (software that is created and maintained by one entity, often a company, and the software code is not shared with any outside parties), but that is actually a myth. In actuality, open-source software is just as secure, if not more secure, than proprietary software.
Companies who make open-source software release security patches just like anyone else, and sInce open source software typically has a community of people who dive deep into the code. Exploits and vulnerabilities are often identified quickly so they can be addressed.
Are There Hidden Costs with Online LMS?
The short answer is yes.
Every LMS out there, whether it’s free or paid, is going to need, at the very least, ongoing general IT maintenance and course development. This is where online LMS software incurs costs since, unless you have an existing team of IT professionals and instructional designers, you’ll have to dedicate time and money to creating course content and maintaining the platform.
In addition, you’ll likely have to pay for additional server space to host your LMS since most online LMS systems don’t include server space. If you want your employees to be able to access the LMS on the cloud (a standard feature for most paid LMS platforms), you’ll need to ensure that feature is set up in advance as well.
Basically, even if you are opting for an online LMS, you’ll still need to spend money somewhere, whether that’s time for existing employees to develop and maintain the system to hiring outside help to take care of maintenance and course development tasks. In short, a LMS is never complete.
LMS
You’re ready to take advantage of all that eLearning has to offer, but the big question still looms: should you go for an LMS or spring for a paid version?
In order to answer that question properly, we’ll have to explore what you’re really getting when you choose a DomainRacer LMS and go from there.
Let’s start with the main advantages and disadvantages of online LMS:
Advantages of a LMS
- Low barrier to entry (you can download a few pieces of online LMS software and play around with their features without worrying about the financial investment)
- Gain familiarity with core LMS features (downloading online LMS software helps you learn what an LMS does, and helps you understand your own use cases)
- Helps with future Resource planning (how much dev time will be needed, IT considerations)
- Allows you to test course functionality (upload your course and see if everything works properly without having to pay for an LMS platform)
Disadvantages of a LMS
- Typically has little or no customer support (although there is usually a community of developers and users that you can reach out to, there’s typically no or limited formal customer support offered with online LMS systems)
- Requires development knowledge (this is especially applicable to open-source LMS platforms, as you’re expected to build off of the base software with your own development initiatives)
- Can quickly become costly with hosting and maintenance (with a, open-source LMS, you’ll have to provide your own server space, IT support, and development to keep the system running smoothly)
- Limited features (many companies that offer versions of their paid LMS will limit features to entice you to move to the paid version)
In contrast, there are the main advantages and disadvantages of paid LMS platforms:
Advantages of a LMS
- Typically has full customer support and options for development help (if you don’t have the resources to develop and maintain courses yourself)
- DomainRacer LMS hosting and server space are included in a paid plan (so you don’t have to worry about hosting the LMS on your own servers)
- Includes robust features (the features of a paid LMS go above and beyond any offering)
- Easy to use (paid LMS platforms are typically built from the ground up to be easy for the average user to create, modify, and analyze course content)
Disadvantages of a LMS Platform
- Often has an onboarding process cost (the LMS platform you choose will likely have an onboarding fee in addition to the subscription cost)
- Can be costly to maintain over time (especially with updating course content and ensuring the system continues to run smoothly)
- Requires time investment to create training materials (although some paid LMS platforms offer a library of course content, you’ll still need to create or upload internal company training materials and resources)
Top 2 Online LMS System Choices For Every Industry
Let’s say you’ve gone through all the top online LMS platforms, but you’re wondering what the best option is for your particular industry.
After all, different industries have different needs, and it could be that a particular online LMS system is a great option for a business in the education industry but doesn’t serve the needs of a business in the construction industry as well.
Here is a list of online LMS software options for common industries and how their specific features serve businesses in those industries:
- DomainRacer (Best LMS for Business)
- Talent LMS(Best LMS for Healthcare Workers)
1. DomainRacer (Best LMS for Business)
As one of the most popular open-source learning management systems on the market, it includes a robust mix of learning management and learning experience platform features, as well as cyber security training.
Because DomainRacer is open source and has built up a large online community, the features for educators have been honed over the years to cater to different levels of business.
- Full content management and course authoring
- Analytics and reporting dashboard
- Gamification elements to keep learners engaged
- Built-in assessment creation, including video and quizzes
- Social learning capabilities to encourage employee collaboration
- Robust administrator control, including single sign-on and restricted access
- Mobile and web-based learning support
- Email and phone support
2. Talent LMS (Best LMS for Healthcare Workers)
When it comes to keeping your medical staff trained and kept up-to-date with the latest information, those in the healthcare industry often look to in-person seminars and similar events, which can cause strain on already tight department budgets.
On the other hand, healthcare professionals are busy, so being able to dedicate time and effort to training is a big ask.
With a platform like Talent LMS, however, you can deliver training to healthcare professionals quickly and easily through its built-in course authoring tool. You can also upload your existing content.
Features that make Talent LMS attractive for the healthcare industry include:
- Support for microlearning, which is bite-sized training that can be taken in minutes
- Mobile support to give busy professionals more flexibility for completing training
- On-demand analytics and reporting to keep track of an entire team’s learning outcomes
- Ability to issue certificates for course completion
- Automation to reduce time-consuming administration tasks
LMS Options if You Need More Robust Features
LMS platforms typically offer features such as support for more users, enhanced course authoring capabilities, more course features like gamification, and much more.
Conclusion
Online LMS software is needed in the online learning marketplace, as it removes barriers to entry and provides a way for organizations in all industries to educate themselves on the benefits of LMS software.
If you’re looking for LMS then DomainRacer LMS software that provides benefits to any business in any industry, is easy to use and has robust features, look no further than DomainRacer.
Their software is built from the ground up to support your online training goals. Watch their demo today, and we’ll walk you through how our software can benefit you.