LMS vs. LXP: Which Type of Learning Platform Is Right for You?

‍Learning Management Systems (LMS) and Learning Experience Platforms (LXP) aim to enhance learning but serve different purposes.

LMSs are robust platforms designed to efficiently organize, manage, and deliver training program materials. They offer a centralized and structured environment that ensures consistency and ease of access for learners. LXPs complement this by providing more interactive and personalized content from various sources, but LMSs remain the backbone for formal, comprehensive training delivery.

Deciding between an LMS and an LXP can significantly impact your business’s training efforts. Choosing the right eLearning platform can not only boost learner skills and engagement but should also align with your strategic objectives, driving both individual and organizational growth.

Defining LMS & LXP

The best way to understand the differences between LMSs and LXPs is to consider the key offerings of each. 

Main features and functionalities of a Learning Management System

An LMS is designed to create, deliver, and manage educational programs and training courses. Key features include:

• Course management: LMS platforms are great for creating, organizing, and delivering courses. They allow you to develop diverse training modules and keep all learning materials centralized and easily accessible.
• Progress tracking: LMSs excel at tracking learner progress, monitoring course completion rates, assessment scores, and overall performance through detailed analytics and reporting tools.
• Certification and compliance management: LMSs are built to handle compliance requirements effectively. They can automatically issue certificates upon course completion, track certification renewals, and ensure compliance with industry regulations—especially critical for fields like healthcare, finance, or manufacturing.
• Detailed progress tracking and reporting: LMSs provide deep insights into learner progress. Expect detailed reporting on completion rates, assessment scores, and overall performance that help you track training effectiveness and prove compliance.
• Content delivery: LMS platforms support various content formats like videos, documents, quizzes, and interactive activities, catering to different learning styles and preferences.
• User management: Effective user management is another critical feature. LMSs let you assign roles, manage enrollments, and control access permissions, so the right people have access to the right learning content.

Main features and functionalities of a Learning Experience Platform (LXP)

An LXP is an artificial intelligence-powered peer learning platform designed to deliver personalized and engaging learning experiences. Key LXP features typically include:

• Content curation: LXPs curate content from diverse sources, including external websites and internal databases, making learning more personalized. While this flexibility ensures a rich and varied learning experience, it can sometimes lead to inconsistency.
• Personalized learning paths: Personalization is at the core of an LXP. The platform uses algorithms and learner data to tailor learning paths to individual users. This can be a valuable add-on, but it doesn't replace the formal learning tracks an LMS provides for meeting compliance and organizational objectives.
• Collaborative learning: LXPs facilitate social learning through features like peer discussions and content sharing. However, they lack the structured approach and formal oversight that make LMSs critical for large-scale learning initiatives.
• Advanced analytics and insights: LXPs provide deep insights into learner behavior and engagement through advanced analytics. This data helps you understand how learners interact with content and identify areas for improvement.
• On-the-job training support: LXPs are particularly useful for providing just-in-time learning. This way, employees can access resources as they need them on the job. However, this flexibility is best used along with the formal, outcome-based training delivered through an LMS for best results.

Key differences between an LMS and an LXP

1. Focus and purpose

An LMS is all about structured learning, tracking progress, and ensuring compliance. It's great for managing formal training programs and regulatory requirements, offering a clear path for development.

On the other hand, LXPs focus on personalized, ongoing learning, but don't provide the same level of structured management or compliance tracking. If your organization needs a centralized system to handle formal training, an LMS is still the best option.

2. User experience

LMSs prioritize consistency, offering predefined courses and learning paths that align with company goals. This structured approach ensures everyone gets the same high-quality training, which is key for maintaining compliance and performance.

An LXP has a learner-driven model, which allows for more personalized experiences. However, the structured nature of an LMS is essential for industries that need to ensure training meets specific objectives.

3. Content delivery and engagement

LMS platforms provide a more structured and efficient learner experience. Training content delivery is consistent because companies control the course materials, so they can make sure that learners receive the necessary information in a clear, organized format. LMSs also have robust assessment tools which make it easier to measure skill development and knowledge retention.

While an LXP encourages user-driven content discovery, this can lead to scattered learning experiences that may not align with corporate learning goals. For companies that want to provide comprehensive, reliable training, an LMS is the best choice for delivering consistent results and maintaining engagement.

4. Flexibility and customization

LMSs are designed to provide consistent training across an organization but still allow for customization to meet the needs of different teams or roles. This ensures that all employees receive the essential knowledge and skills they need for operational efficiency and compliance, if applicable.

Since the learning process is self-directed with LXPs, the learning pathways to achieve specific competencies may not be clear and key content could be missed. 

5. Integration with other systems

Both LMS and LXP platforms can integrate with other systems, but their focus is different. LMSs typically integrate smoothly with HR systems, compliance tracking tools, and administrative software, making it easier to manage training, track progress, and generate reports.

For example, Skilljar connects with hundreds of tools to create a strong tech ecosystem that enhances functionality.

LXPs, on the other hand, integrate with content sources like content management systems and AI recommendation engines. Since LMSs tend to focus on critical business systems, they are better equipped to help L&D teams make sure that training aligns with company goals and compliance standards.

Can LMS and LXP integrate with each other?

Yes, LMS and LXP platforms can integrate to create a unified learning ecosystem, combining the strengths of both systems. Through this integration, you can manage learning journeys and compliance initiatives through the LMS, while offering adaptive, personalized experiences with the LXP. Best of both worlds. 

Take Salesforce, for example. It uses an LXP to ensure employees complete required compliance training, often pulling content from platforms like Coursera or Udemy. It connects with the company's LMS to make everything feel like one system. APIs and middleware ensure the two platforms share data easily, so employees can stay on track with certifications and customized learning paths based on their roles.

The result? Learner progress tracking is synchronized so both formal training and personalized experiences are recorded and monitored. 

Additionally, you can use diverse content types and social learning features from the LXP within the structured LMS framework to create a more dynamic and comprehensive learning environment. This holistic approach improves learner engagement and motivation, while enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of your training programs.

Tips for choosing which system is best for your organization

LXP vs LMS—what's the right learning solution for your company? Here are some tips to help you choose:

Assess learning goals and objectives

First, define your learning goals and objectives. If compliance, standardized training, and managing certifications are your main concerns, an LMS might be the best fit. For example, a healthcare organization where staff must complete mandatory training on patient confidentiality and safety would benefit from an LMS.

On the other hand, if you want a more personalized experience where learners can choose their own content, an LXP would be more suitable. 

Consider content type

The type of content you deliver matters. If your training involves a lot of formal, structured content (think: compliance training, safety protocols, certification courses), you can uplevel training with an LMS. For a mix of formal and informal learning, social learning, and user-generated content, an LXP is more effective. 

Evaluate user learning needs and preferences

Understand your training and learning needs and review the preferences of the users. If your products, systems, or partners prefer structured learning paths and require progress tracking and certifications, an LMS will provide the necessary framework. 

However, if the user teams are diverse with varying learning styles, an LXP can offer a tailored learning experience that keeps them engaged. A creative agency might choose an LXP for its curated content and collaborative tools catering to different preferences.

Analyze integration needs

Evaluate how well the learning platform integrates with your existing systems. If seamless integration with HR systems, compliance tracking tools, and other administrative software is crucial, an LMS is likely the better option. But, if your organization relies on various content sources and collaboration tools, an LXP’s ability to integrate with these platforms will be advantageous. 

Budget and resource considerations

Finally, consider your budget and available resources. LMS platforms often have a more predictable pricing structure, which is better for organizations with strict budget constraints. LXPs, while potentially offering more advanced digital learning technologies and features, can be more expensive and require greater investment in terms of time and resources to implement effectively. 

Skilljar enables more effective learning experiences

With Skilljar, you can create, manage, and distribute various content—from interactive courses to videos and assessments—to provide learners with diverse and engaging training materials. 

The intuitive interface and robust analytics track progress and measure the impact of your training programs, which facilitates continuous improvement and alignment with your goals. Skilljar also stands out for its flexibility and integration capabilities, seamlessly connecting with your CRM, marketing automation, and analytics tools. These integrations streamline training processes and support your overall business objectives.

Get a Skilljar demo to learn how to deliver tailored, impactful learning experiences for your organization.