July 30, 2024
Table of contents
Today, companies are facing drastic changes in the way they provide training to their employees. The evolution of technology, coupled with the arrival of new learning methodologies and a greater emphasis on skill development, have driven organizations to offer their workforce more attractive and effective learning experiences – ones that amplify their growth and development.
To help achieve this, e-learning platforms are unquestionably the best ally, providing advanced tools for both training and continuous development. But, with so many options available on the market, how can you choose the right one for your company? In this post, we’ll explore two of the most important e-learning platform types: learning management systems (LMS) and learning experience platforms (LXP). Although both share similar aims, their approaches and respective benefits are quite different, and can be a decisive factor in the effectiveness of your overall training strategy. So, shall we get started?
A learning management system (LMS) is an e-learning platform designed for the management, delivery and assessment of learning and development content. In other words, LMSs allow companies to centralize the administration of their training courses and programs, making it easier to monitor employee progress and meet wider learning objectives.
The existence of these systems is nothing new for modern companies. In fact, 83% of organizations currently use an LMS in their training strategies. However, recent research points to a noticeable increase in usage of the systems over the last three years, revealing that, by the end of 2025, the global LMS market is set to reach a value of $28 billion.
A learning experience platform (LXP), on the other hand, is a platform designed to offer students a personalized and user-centered learning experience. Unlike an LMS, which tends to focus more on the needs of the L&D department by delivering different types of training, an LXP puts control back in the hands of employees, giving them the means to direct their own learning with autonomy and flexibility.
While the LXP market (currently valued at $500 million) is not quite as large as the LMS market, its annual growth rate is projected at 50%, which is why experts believe that this technology could surpass the LMS before long.
For now, let’s set aside that data and get down to the actual features of these two platforms. We begin with the differences between the two:
There are certain differences between these two platforms, some of the main ones are:
The main difference between these two platforms lies in the approach they offer. LMSs are primarily designed so that training managers can organize and administer training courses in the most direct, agile and simple way. Here, employees access the content assigned to them by their managers, following a clearly structured learning path.
LXPs, on the other hand, are more focused on the end user, which in this case is employees. These platforms allow professionals to take control of their own learning, enjoying a customized experience based on their individual interests and professional needs. Artificial intelligence plays a key role here in recommending relevant content, making learning more intuitive and engaging.
LMSs offer predetermined and clearly structured learning paths, which are assigned by administrators. Customization is usually limited to the administrator, who configures those learning paths and assigns courses to specific employees.
LXPs on the other hand provide a highly personalized experience. Through artificial intelligence algorithms, they are able to recommend content based on previous user behavior and preferences, so that training continually adapts to the changing needs of employees.
Another key difference between the two platforms is the ability to track users. LMSs are the ideal e-learning platforms for assembling a detailed record of student progress in specific courses. They allow administrators to see who has completed which course, what grades they earned, and how much time they spent on each module. With these analysis and reporting tools, training managers can closely monitor usage of the platform and the impact of learning on job performance.
For their part, LXPs, since they offer a more flexible approach through custom learning routes, lack the structure and rigid learning plans that make close monitoring possible. So, although they do include some features that help to analyze the learning process, these lack the same depth or robustness as those of LMSs.
LMSs tend to prioritize direct navigation aimed at simple course completion, while LXPs offer more complex learning experiences adapted to newer content consumption patterns. Examples include social learning features, personalized recommendations, microlearning and gamification.
As we mentioned before, LMSs and LXPs also share certain similarities. Let’s see them:
Both types of platforms are basically designed to facilitate learning and the development of skills within an organization. Both LMSs and LXPs alike have the main objective of improving training and assisting the professional growth of employees, by ensuring that they possess all the necessary skills for their roles.
As far as flexibility goes, both LMSs and LXPs are designed to be accessed from multiple devices, including computers, tablets and smartphones. This allows employees to access learning content anytime, anywhere, helping to build an environment of continuous learning that can adapt itself to the individual needs of each user.
Both LMSs and LXPs offer integration capabilities with other business tools and systems, such as ERP and CRM, as well as HR systems. This integration makes it easier to synchronize data related to employee training, helping to create a more holistic and interconnected learning ecosystem.
Both platforms allow for the creation and management of assessments and certifications, ensuring that employees meet all training requirements and possess the skills they need.
Finally, both systems support a range of different learning approaches, including online learning, blended learning, and in-person learning. This allows employees to choose how and when they want to learn, so that training can meet their individual needs and preferences.
The choice between an LMS and an LXP can be critical for the success of your training strategy. Both platforms offer unique approaches, and the best option will depend on the specific needs of your company and your team. To help you make an informed decision, you can start by asking yourself the following questions:
If your organization needs to comply with strict regulations and keep detailed training records, then an LMS may be the best option. LMSs are specifically designed to manage and deliver structured training courses, including assessments and certifications. This is ideal for compliance, product, and even onboarding training. On the other hand, if you want to promote more autonomous, personalized learning, then an LXP is more suitable. LXPs allow employees to direct their own progress by offering up recommendations on potentially interesting content, and giving them the freedom to learn and explore at their own pace. This is especially useful in more dynamic and creative environments.
LXPs typically offer a modern, intuitive interface, similar to those you can find on social media and entertainment platforms. This makes learning more engaging and motivating for employees. LMSs are not far behind in terms of actual usability, but their interface is more concerned with creating a structured, formal experience, providing predetermined learning paths assigned by administrators.
Personalization is one of the main advantages of LXPs, which use algorithms to adapt content, and offer recommendations based on user behavior and preferences. This allows for more focused and effective learning. LMSs on the other hand, while allowing for the creation of specific learning paths, and for those pathways to be assigned to different groups of employees, do offer less flexibility overall in terms of customization.
Answering these questions will help you determine whether an LMS or an LXP is the best choice for your organization. Carefully evaluate your goals, intended user experience, and desired level of customization, so you can make the best possible decision.
The reality is, you don’t need to choose! Now you can enjoy the best of an LXP and an LMS together in a single platform. We present isEazy LMS, a complete solution that offers you all the robustness of an LMS topped off with the enhanced user experience of an LXP.
Usability and efficiency, together in the same e-learning platform
isEazy LMS combines the best features of a learning experience platform (LXP) with those of a powerful learning management system (LMS) together in a new generation of learning platforms. Organize your training content in an effortlessly dynamic, attractive and flexible way, and improve your programs, communication and corporate knowledge processes.
So why choose when you can have it all? Discover the full potential of isEazy LMS, and request a demo today!
An LMS is primarily designed to manage and deliver structured training courses, including assessments and certifications. It is particularly helpful for ensuring regulatory compliance and maintaining detailed training records. An LXP, on the other hand, focuses on offering a personalized, user-driven learning experience, taking advantage of artificial intelligence algorithms to recommend relevant content to users.
The choice depends on the specific needs of your organization. If you need to comply with strict regulations, and want to maintain rigorous control over training, then an LMS is the best option. If, however, you’re looking to encourage more autonomous and personalized learning, an LXP may be more suitable. However, consider that platforms like isEazy LMS combine the best of both worlds, offering a comprehensive solution to satisfy both needs.
Yes, with a solution like isEazy LMS that integrates both the features of an LMS and an LXP into a single platform. This allows organizations to efficiently manage their training processes, while simultaneously delivering an engaging and personalized learning experience for employees.
An LXP enhances the learning experience by offering a modern and intuitive interface, similar to those found on social networks. It uses artificial intelligence to recommend relevant content based on user behavior and preferences. This makes learning more attractive and motivating, encouraging higher levels of participation and commitment from employees.
isEazy LMS combines the best features of an LMS and an LXP within a single platform, so it allows you to manage and optimize all your training processes to create a personalized, attractive learning experience. On top of this, it simplifies administrative tasks, reduces the time it takes to manage multiple courses, and heightens engagement in training and completeness ratios. Companies such as Vodafone, Clarel and Grupo ASV have already transformed their corporate training with isEazy LMS.
LMS vs. LXP? Why choose when you can have both?
Enjoy the best of both an LXP and a powerful LMS in a new generation of LMS
LXP is revolutionizing corporate training
Discover the best learning experience platform (LXP) and learning management system, combined in a powerful NextGen LMS
Request a demo
LMS vs. LXP? Why choose when you can have both?
Enjoy the best of both an LXP and a powerful LMS in a new generation of LMS
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