Looking for a different LMS and currently using Hubken? We wrap up key Totara partners you could consider as a Hubken alternative.
Hubken is a pretty popular LMS choice, for those looking to use Totara or Moodle.
But while it is a valid choice for a new learning management system, what if you’re struggling with their product, or their support and need an alternative? And what if you just want to do a bit more research on other options available?
It can be tricky knowing where to begin when it comes to choosing a new learning platform.
So, we wrapped up some key Totara partners that you should check out as a Hubken alternative.
What is Hubken?
Hubken Group is a UK-based specialist in learning management systems, delivering solutions built on Moodle and Totara platforms since 2004.
Whether your focus is compliance, onboarding, development, or external training, Hubken empowers L&D leaders with platforms that are flexible, secure, and results-driven.
Strengths
Hubken’s biggest strength lies in its customer-focused, full-service approach to delivering and managing Moodle and Totara LMS platforms.
As a Totara Platinum Alliance Partner with two decades of experience, they combine deep technical expertise with unlimited UK-based support, ensuring systems run smoothly without burdening internal teams.
“They knew what they were talking about and only said ‘yes’ when they meant ‘yes’ – there were no empty promises.” – Mountain Healthcare
Clients consistently highlight their responsiveness, honesty, and approachable service, as well as the tangible results achieved.
“The biggest benefits of working with Hubken is that when I call them, I speak with a friendly expert.”
They offer a fully managed, secure, and scalable LMS solution that empowers L&D leaders to focus on strategy and learner experience rather than technical administration.
Limitations
From our own experience migrating previous Hubken customers, they cited reasons for moving as:
Poor support
When setting up a new LMS, you need support to help get you started.
And, as you continue to progress on your journey with your platform, you want to be able to have a team alongside you to help.
According to customers moving from Hubken to BuildEmpire, one of their biggest issues was support.
Ideally, you want a team that can give unlimited support without a hefty price tag. And, support that actually solves your problem. With BuildEmpire, you can get both of those.
USP
Hubken does offer its own tools and features.
But it still doesn’t compare to the BuildEmpire Edition.
We offer new theming, tools and features like passkeys, gamification and eCommerce, plus a whole host of new dashboard banner blocks too.
Cost
Hubken aren’t necessarily more costly, but they have been known to charge for more storage. We don’t set storage levels, we just set one base cost.
Hubken alternatives to try
If you’re already using their Totara platform, then it makes sense to consider another Totara partner.
We’ve listed some ones that are highly rated.
BuildEmpire
Of course, we’re going to list ourselves.
We’re a Platinum Totara partner with over 20 years of experience building unique applications, plugins and integrations, recently building our Edition of Totara, complete with streamlined themes, engaging card formats, and built-in gamification.
AssessTech reports that development went “very smoothly,” with plugins delivered exactly to spec, cutting grading time in half and boosting pass rates.
We work closely with the public and private sectors, supporting a range of training providers, retail companies and public sector companies to deliver more impactful learning platforms.
Related: Why choose BuildEmpire
Synegen
Synegen, a long-standing Platinum Totara Partner and Totara’s 2025 Global Partner of the Year, has built a reputation for delivering powerful, scalable learning platforms that work.
With over a decade of Totara expertise and many successful implementations, they bring deep technical skill and proven results.
Their end-to-end service covers everything from strategy and implementation to customisation, branding, and ongoing support.
Cortexa
Cortexa, a respected UK Totara partner since 2017, has earned accolades like the Totara Project Award and recognition as one of the UK’s top sellers in 2021.
With roots stretching back to 2002, they bring deep experience in building flexible Totara solutions; ranging from enterprise LMS implementations to robust multi-tenant platforms.
What makes Cortexa stand out is their human-first approach: from their UK-based support team that values meaningful connection to an “in-the-flow-of-work” self-serve guidance system embedded directly within the platform.
If you’re using Hubken’s Moodle platform, then it might be time to consider switching from Moodle to Totara…
Choose a Hubken alternative that works for you
We mentioned BuildEmpire above, but we wanted to go through exactly what it is that makes us so special.
So, here are just a few reasons:
Limitless customisation
Totara’s core marketing message is limitless customisaton and it’s true for us too.
At our core, we’re a team of developers which means that you get access to the brains behind your platform. Not only does that mean we can quickly fix bugs and any outages, but we can also create anything you want in your LMS.
This means you get a whole new meaning of customised.
Unlimited support
Not only do we guarantee you a 99.99% uptime, but we also offer unlimited support.
That means you can contact one of our expert team for queries on your platform whenever you need us.
BuildEmpire Edition
We knew L&D teams didn’t just want another LMS. They wanted one built around how people actually learn.
And while Totara absolutely offers that in terms of its engagement features, its link up with performance and development, as well as its increasing shift to user-led design, we wanted to add even more.
So here’s what we’ve been working on.
New theme
First off, we created our own theme.
It’s like ‘Inspire’, but softer.
We’ve gone for rounded edges, subtle shading, and more colour control so you can build something truly unique.
Plugins
We care about security, so one big plugin for us was enabling passkeys.
In the first iteration of the Edition, we created the passkeys plugin that allows for easier logins.
We also created simplified gamification. With this plugin, you can assign points to users based on set actions.
As part of this, we also expanded the badges dashboard block from core Totara, so that it also shows you eligible badges. That way, you can see what you’ve already earned, as well as what you’ve unlocked with the courses you’re currently enrolled in.
As part of our second release of the Edition we expanded this plugin to include leaderboards, and more admin controls for point allocation, including actions in the engagement side of the LMS.
Custom blocks
When it comes to Totara, you know that there are a whole host of blocks you can drag, drop and then customise on a particular landing page.
We love the user-friendliness of this.
And we’ve added to it by creating even more, critical blocks, to test out.
From our ‘Next Activity’ block, to our banner image block to our ‘My Courses’ block, we’ve created new blocks for every possible use.
This will give you more control when it comes to creating dashboards and content for your learners to engage with.
Small tweaks to core
There are plenty of additional extras to be added to any platform. And for the Totara platform, we decided to address small problems, head on.
We’ve created new activities like podcast uploads, note activities, and improved video functionality, so that you can create, manage and report on your learning content more successfully.
We’ve also tweaked existing blocks to give them an improved look and feel. Take ‘topics format’ in core Totara. Topics in a course looked like a plain list, and didn’t really promote clicking through, or engagement.
So, we took that feature and we created a new version of it called, ‘Tiles Format’, where each list item is instead presented in a block with a title and an image. You can now also auto-generate an image that will use your brand colours with one click of a button.
Small changes like this can have huge ramifications for users.
From increased engagement to more time spent on the learning platform, having a piece of software that supports your goals is key.
Book a demo to see our platform in action.