We wrap up the best employee training software that you need to test out before you choose your new learning platform.
The way we learn, grow, and share knowledge has transformed dramatically, and the days of endless PowerPoint presentations in stuffy meeting rooms are long gone.
Enter the world of employee training software; a game-changer for companies looking to upskill their workforce, drive engagement, and stay ahead of the competition.
But with so many platforms out there, how do you choose the right one?
That’s where we come in.
Whether you’re after a streamlined system for onboarding new hires, advanced tools for custom e-learning, or robust reporting to track progress, there’s employee training software for every need.
So, to help you cut through the noise, we’ve rounded up some of our top choices of employee training software.
Let’s dive straight in.
| Name | Best fit | G2 Score |
|---|---|---|
| Totara (with BuildEmpire) | Large organisations or highly regulated industries needing customisable and scalable solutions. | 4.3 |
| Docebo | Medium to large organisations valuing personalised, self-paced, and engaging learning tools. | 4.3 |
| LearnUpon | Small to medium-sized businesses seeking a simple, user-friendly LMS with excellent customer support. | 4.6 |
| Cornerstone | Large enterprises with complex training needs and global teams requiring advanced tools. | 4.1 |
| Litmos | Small to medium-sized companies needing quick deployment and pre-built courses, particularly in compliance-heavy industries. | 4.3 |
| TalentLMS | Small to medium-sized businesses looking for an affordable and easy-to-use LMS with gamification features. | 4.6 |
| Absorb LMS | Medium to large organisations needing a polished, enterprise-grade platform with robust integrations. | 4.6 |
| iSpring Learn | Small to medium-sized businesses needing a simple LMS for creating and delivering custom training content quickly. | 4.6 |
| Kallidus | Mid-sized companies focusing on employee development alongside training and performance management. | 4.5 |
What is employee training software?
Employee training software is a digital platform designed to simplify and enhance the process of educating and developing a company’s workforce.
These tools enable organisations to create, deliver, and manage training programs in an engaging and efficient way, whether for onboarding, upskilling, compliance, or leadership development.
With features like interactive courses, progress tracking, certifications, and even AI-driven personalisation, these systems make learning accessible anytime, anywhere.
By automating much of the administration and offering data-driven insights, employee training software empowers businesses to build skilled, motivated teams while saving time and resources.
Types of employee training software
Employee training software comes in all shapes and sizes, each tailored to meet specific learning needs and organisational goals.
Whether you’re onboarding new hires, keeping up with compliance regulations, or empowering your team with cutting-edge skills, there’s a platform to suit every purpose.
By understanding the different types of training software available, you can make a more informed decision and create a learning experience that truly delivers value.
Here are the different types of employee training software on offer:
1. Learning Management Systems (LMS)
LMS platforms are the backbone of employee training, offering a centralised hub for creating, managing, and delivering courses.
Related: What is a learning management system
They often include tools for tracking progress, generating reports, and assessing employee performance.
These systems are ideal for companies looking to standardise training across teams or provide compliance-based learning, with examples like Totara leading the way.
2. Learning Experience Platforms (LXP)
LXPs take training to the next level by focusing on personalised and engaging learning experiences.
They allow employees to explore content at their own pace, often integrating gamification, social learning, and AI recommendations.
Related: The role of gamification in learning
LXPs like Docebo provide a learner-centric approach, making them perfect for organisations prioritising flexibility and engagement.
3. Microlearning platforms
Designed for busy professionals, microlearning platforms deliver bite-sized, focused training sessions that are easy to digest.
This type of software is ideal for on-the-go learning or quick skill refreshers. Tools like GoSkills excel in offering short, interactive lessons that fit into a packed schedule.
4. Onboarding software
Tailored specifically for new hires, onboarding software streamlines the process of introducing employees to a company’s culture, policies, and processes.
Platforms like Trainual provide structured workflows that ensure a consistent and engaging start for every new team member.
5. Compliance training software
Compliance software is dedicated to ensuring employees meet industry regulations and standards.
It often includes automated tracking and certification management.
Related: Complete guide to statutory and mandatory training
Litmos are Totara are popular choices for businesses in highly regulated industries like healthcare and finance.
9 best employee training software to try
When it comes to selecting the right employee training software, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each platform is crucial.
With so many options on the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but the good news is that there’s a perfect fit for every organisation, whether you’re a small business looking for simplicity or a large enterprise needing advanced customisation.
Below, we’ve broken down some of the top contenders, highlighting their key features, potential drawbacks, and the types of companies they’re best suited for.
This guide will help you navigate the landscape and find a solution that aligns with your training goals.
Totara – with BuildEmpire
Positives: Totara is a highly flexible, open-source LMS that’s perfect for organisations looking for customisable training solutions.
When paired with BuildEmpire, the platform gains added value through bespoke integrations and tailored features, making it adaptable to complex organisational needs.
Related: Check out the full BuildEmpire platform
Totara offers a strong focus on employee engagement, compliance training, and extended enterprise learning.
Weaknesses: The flexibility can be overwhelming for smaller organisations without dedicated L&D resources.
Best fit: Large organisations or those in highly regulated industries that need a customisable and scalable solution with advanced reporting and integrations.
Docebo
Positives: Docebo is an AI-powered LXP that prioritises personalisation and learner engagement.
Its intuitive interface, gamification options, and social learning features make it ideal for modern, tech-savvy teams.
The platform’s advanced reporting and analytics also help HR teams track ROI effectively.
Weaknesses: The pricing model can be expensive for smaller businesses, and its advanced features may be more than what some organisations need.
Best Fit: Medium to large organisations that value personalised, self-paced learning and are focused on engaging their workforce with innovative tools.
LearnUpon
Positives: LearnUpon is a straightforward, user-friendly LMS that excels in delivering employee, partner, and customer training.
Its clean interface, quick implementation, and solid customer support make it a great choice for businesses new to LMS platforms.
Weaknesses: While it’s easy to use, it lacks some of the advanced customisation and gamification features found in other platforms.
It may not be the best option for businesses with highly complex training needs.
Best Fit: Small to medium-sized companies or those looking for an accessible, no-fuss LMS with strong customer service.
Cornerstone
Positives: Cornerstone is a robust corporate LMS that offers a full suite of talent management tools, including training, performance management, and career development.
Its scalability and global reach make it a leader in enterprise training solutions.
Weaknesses: The platform’s complexity and steep learning curve can be daunting for smaller organisations.
Additionally, some users report challenges with customer support and system updates.
Best fit: Large enterprises with diverse and complex training needs, particularly those with global teams requiring multilingual support.
Litmos
Positives: Litmos is a cloud-based LMS known for its ease of use and extensive library of pre-built courses, which saves time for companies that need quick deployment.
It’s particularly strong in compliance training and offers a mobile-friendly experience.
Weaknesses: Limited customisation options and basic reporting features may not meet the needs of organisations seeking advanced functionality.
Best fit: Small to medium-sized businesses, particularly in industries like healthcare, retail, and finance, that need ready-made courses and rapid implementation.
TalentLMS
Positives: TalentLMS is an intuitive, cloud-based LMS that’s both affordable and highly customisable.
It’s easy to set up, and its gamification and automation features make it engaging for learners and efficient for administrators.
Weaknesses: The simplicity of TalentLMS might not be enough for enterprises with complex training requirements, and some users find its reporting features limited.
Best fit: Small to medium-sized businesses looking for a cost-effective and user-friendly solution to deliver engaging training.
AbsorbLMS
Positives: Absorb LMS is a polished, enterprise-grade platform with strong reporting capabilities and scalability.
Its sleek interface and emphasis on learner experience make it a standout option. It also integrates well with other business systems.
Weaknesses: The cost can be prohibitive for smaller businesses, and the advanced features may take time to fully leverage.
Best fit: Medium to large organisations seeking a professional, high-performance LMS with robust reporting and integrations.
iSpringLearn
Positives: iSpring Learn is a straightforward LMS with a strong emphasis on ease of use and fast deployment.
It integrates seamlessly with iSpring’s authoring tool, making it ideal for creating custom eLearning content. It also offers excellent customer support.
Weaknesses: The platform may lack some of the advanced features, like AI-powered personalisation, that other systems offer.
Best fit: Small to medium-sized businesses looking for a simple yet effective LMS to create and deliver custom training content quickly.
Kallidus
Positives: Kallidus is a comprehensive platform offering both LMS and performance management tools.
Its focus on employee development and user-friendly design make it a great choice for organisations prioritising talent growth.
Weaknesses: Some users have reported occasional glitches and find the reporting features to be less flexible than other platforms.
Best fit: Mid-sized companies focused on employee development and performance management alongside training.
How to choose the right employee training software
Finding the perfect employee training software isn’t just about picking the most popular option.
You need to find the solution that aligns with your organisation’s unique needs, goals, and resources.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the right choice:
1. Identify your L&D needs
Before diving into the sea of options, start by assessing what your organisation truly requires.
Ask yourself:
- What are the primary goals of your training programs? (e.g., onboarding, compliance, upskilling)
- Who will be using the platform? (e.g., employees, partners, customers)
- Do you need specific features, like gamification, custom course creation, or mobile accessibility?
Understanding these needs will help you narrow down your options and avoid investing in features you don’t actually need.
2. Set your budget
Employee training software comes with a wide range of pricing models, from flat-rate subscriptions to pay-per-user plans.
Determine how much you’re willing to invest upfront and on an ongoing basis.
Keep in mind that while some platforms may seem expensive, they could save you money in the long run by improving productivity and reducing training time.
Don’t forget to factor in hidden costs, like implementation, customisation, or third-party integrations, so you can choose a platform that offers the best value for your budget.
3. Involve key stakeholders
Your decision will impact more than just the L&D team, so it’s important to involve key stakeholders from the start.
Collaborate with HR, IT, and department managers to ensure the platform meets their requirements and integrates seamlessly into existing workflows.
Gathering feedback from end-users, such as employees or trainers, can also provide valuable insights into the kind of user experience they prefer.
When stakeholders feel involved, they’re more likely to support and adopt the solution.
4. Explore your options
With your needs, budget, and stakeholder input in hand, it’s time to explore the market.
Compare platforms based on their features, pricing, and reviews.
Take advantage of free trials and demos to get a feel for how the software works and whether it meets your expectations.
Be sure to evaluate customer support, scalability, and ease of implementation.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to find the “best” software but to find the one that’s best for your organisation.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to selecting a training platform that aligns with your goals, fits your budget, and empowers your workforce to thrive.
Speaking of demos, why not start the investigative process now by booking a demo of BuildEmpire, powered by Totara?
We’ll show you our full platform, as well as key features that could be of interest to you and your learners.