We compare seven employee training software that should be on your radar for the new year. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a tool that could be the right fit for you.
If you’re managing multiple training programmes, trying to make sense of where your employees are at, or want to prove or improve your ROI, then you might be missing employee training software.
But with so many solutions out there, and all of them claiming to be the right fit for everyone, it can be hard to know which will truly bring the impact you need.
So, to help, we’ve written up a list of our favourite employee training software based on what prospects tell us, what we know about the industry, and some good old-fashioned research.
You won’t find any promo in this blog, just straight-talking facts.
✏️ A quick note
In case you aren’t already aware, we’re BuildEmpire, a platinum partner of Totara and leading LMS that supports custom development. We might not be the right fit for you, but if you’re looking for bespoke learning platforms, then we could just be.
Book a demo to see what we have to offer
With each recommendation, you’ll get their strengths, any weaknesses, plus who they’re a good fit for.
Hopefully you’ll wind up with a better understanding of what you need, and what’s out there for you.
So, let’s get started.
Our picks for best employee training software
Ok, so feel free to skip onto the full list. But we have 3 standout choices from the 7 we reviewed and researched .
So our favourite employee training software is:
- Totara – amazing for compliance-heavy organisations and enterprises who want deeper functionality
- 360Learning – great for those looking for a heavier focus on social learning
- iSpring – ideal if you’re an SMB wanting to build a lot of learning content, quickly
Not sure what it is you need from your learning management system? Check out what key 9 questions you need to ask yourself before you invest in a new learning platform.
Best employee training software: Comparison chart
Don’t want to read the full review and just want the TL:DR on the best employee training software?
We got you.
This comparison chart summarises what each platform is best for, strengths and weaknesses plus cost indication.
| Platform | Best For | Strengths | Weaknesses | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totara | Enterprises, compliance-heavy orgs | Customizable, strong reporting, multi-tenant | Steep learning curve, costly | ££-£££ depending on partner |
| 360Learning | Collaborative, agile orgs | Peer-driven, easy course creation | Reporting depth, limited customization | ££ |
| Docebo | Mid-to-large enterprises | AI & automation, scalable | Complex setup, higher cost tiers | £££ |
| iSpring | SMBs with content libraries | Easy imports, affordable | Limited scalability, basic reporting | £ |
| Trainual | SMBs/startups | SOP + training hub, very easy to use | Limited LMS features, scaling constraints | £ |
| Absorb LMS | Mid-to-large orgs | Balanced features, strong support | Cost, reporting complexity | £££ |
| TalentLMS | SMBs, fast deployment | Quick setup, affordable | Limited customization, analytics gaps | ££ |
7 best employee training software: Detailed review
Employee training software has evolved from basic course delivery to robust learning ecosystems with social learning, automation, and integrations.
Choosing the right solution depends on your company’s size, culture, and training objectives.
Below is a detailed breakdown of seven of the most popular platforms today looking at their strengths, weaknesses, and best-fit scenarios.
Totara
Totara is a flexible, enterprise-grade talent experience platform that combines LMS, LXP, and performance management in one ecosystem.
It’s designed for organisations with complex needs, regulatory requirements, and large, diverse audiences.
Strengths:
- Deep customisation and extensibility
- Strong reporting and analytics
- Multi-tenant support for different brands or divisions
- Compliance management with certifications and pathways
- Wide partner ecosystem for implementation and support
Weaknesses:
- Steeper learning curve for administrators
- Complexity may overwhelm smaller organizations
- UI/UX requires thoughtful design to feel seamless
- Can be costly depending on customisation needs
Best for: Large enterprises, public sector, and organisations needing multi-audience support, compliance tracking, and performance integration.
360Learning
360Learning brands itself as a collaborative learning platform, emphasising peer knowledge sharing and social learning. It’s ideal for fast-moving companies where subject-matter experts need to co-create training quickly.
Strengths:
- Easy-to-use course builder
- Collaborative features (comments, feedback, co-creation)
- Good UX for both learners and admins
- Automation for assignments and reminders
- Gamification and certifications
Weaknesses:
- Reporting isn’t as advanced as traditional LMSs
- Limited design customization
- Culture shift needed for companies not used to peer-driven learning
- Occasional bugs and support issues
Best for: Agile organisations that value collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and rapid content updates.
Docebo
Docebo is an enterprise-focused cloud LMS known for scalability, automation, and AI-driven features. It supports both employee and extended enterprise training (partners, customers).
Strengths:
- Scalable and flexible for large organizations
- AI-powered content tagging and suggestions
- Advanced automation and workflow management
- Portal customisation for different audiences
- Strong integration support (Salesforce, Teams, etc.)
Weaknesses:
- Setup and configuration can be complex
- Costs increase as advanced modules are added
- UX can feel inconsistent across different features
Best for: Mid-to-large enterprises seeking scalability, automation, and robust integrations for both internal and external training.
iSpring
iSpring offers a combination of an LMS and authoring suite. It’s best known for its ease of turning existing content like PowerPoints into training courses, making it popular with small and mid-sized teams.
Strengths:
- Quick content import (PPT, videos, docs)
- Simple, intuitive interface
- Affordable for SMBs
- SCORM and xAPI compliant
- Basic quizzes and assessments
Weaknesses:
- Limited scalability compared to enterprise LMSs
- Reporting and analytics are fairly basic
- Lacks advanced features like deep gamification or social learning
Best for: SMBs and teams with existing content libraries looking for a quick, affordable way to deliver training.
Trainual
Trainual blends training with SOP documentation and onboarding. It’s designed for smaller companies that need a centralised hub for processes, procedures, and training.
Strengths:
- Very user-friendly interface
- Integrates training with processes and SOPs
- Supports multimedia (videos, images, GIFs)
- Mobile-friendly
- Strong onboarding support
Weaknesses:
- Not a full LMS (limited advanced training features)
- Design and formatting options are basic
- Scaling beyond small-to-mid orgs can be limiting
Best for: Startups and SMBs that want to centralize SOPs, onboarding, and training in one place.
Absorb LMS
Absorb LMS is a robust, full-feature LMS that balances depth of features with a clean user interface. It appeals to organisations wanting enterprise-grade features without sacrificing usability.
Strengths:
- Intuitive design for learners and admins
- Scalable with advanced features like e-commerce
- Strong mobile and branding options
- Reliable support and vendor maturity
Weaknesses:
- Reporting tools can feel clunky; advanced analytics often require exports
- Higher cost for premium features
- Bulk editing for large course libraries can be cumbersome
- ILT features less flexible compared to competitors
Best for: Mid-sized to large organisations that want a comprehensive LMS with strong support and scalability.
TalentLMS
TalentLMS is a lightweight, cloud LMS designed for simplicity and accessibility. It’s a strong option for small-to-medium businesses looking to get up and running quickly.
Strengths:
- Very quick to set up
- Affordable pricing for SMBs
- Gamification and learning paths built-in
- SCORM and xAPI support
- Multi-language and branching features
Weaknesses:
- Limited customisation and branding
- Analytics are more basic compared to larger LMSs
- Scaling to large audiences may cause friction
Best for: SMBs that want a user-friendly, cost-effective LMS for onboarding, compliance, and microlearning.
Wrapping up
There’s no single “best” employee training software.
The best software for you, won’t be the best for a different organisation.
And we get it. It’s easy to be wrapped up by big marketing budgets and showy sales decks.
But you need to really dig into what you’re looking for in regards to your organisation’s size, needs, and training culture:
- Choose Totara if you need enterprise-grade customisation, compliance, and scalability.
- Choose 360Learning if you want collaborative, peer-driven learning.
- Choose iSpring for affordable, user-friendly solutions for SMBs.
- Choose Trainual if onboarding and SOPs are central to your training needs.
- Choose Absorb LMS for a balance of enterprise power with user-friendly design.
When evaluating, consider your training goals, audience size, and how much customisation you’ll realistically use.
And if the answer is Totara, well then we have good news for you.
We’re platinum partners of Totara with over 20 years of delivering out-of-the-box solutions via our Edition of Totara, as well as totally custom-built learning platforms.
Our Edition is core Totara with a bunch of extras on top, plus the scope to make it even more your own. From a unique theme, to extra dashboard blocks, to whole plugins like Ecommerce, you’re only going to find the best version of Totara, here.