Looking for a new LMS and not sure which Learning Pool alternative to go for? We wrap up some of our top choices.
Whether you’re already using Learning Pool, or considering selecting it as your chosen platform, it can be tricky making a final decision when it comes to picking an LMS.
Having worked in the L&D industry for 20+ years now, our biggest piece of advice is to make sure you’re selecting a platform provider that will be your supporter.
While you might have an in-house team who can manage the day-to-day runnings of your learning strategy and content, you will also want a bolt-on LMS team that can support you to improve your usage of the platform.
Not only that, but it helps to have technical support with things like building new features.
We couldn’t comment on the support that users get at Learning Pool.
All we know is that we pride ourselves on being a point of call for our customers, as and when they need it.
Ready to delve into some Learning Pool alternatives? Keep reading…
What is Learning Pool?
Learning Pool is a learning management system designed for organisations to deliver and track online training.
It’s a well know name in the L&D space, and for good reason. It’s built learning platforms for global companies supporting training for thousands of employees.
Now, it’s starting to move customers from the Totara platform, to their own LXP.
Here are some procs and cons to Learning Pool, pulled from G2 and Capterra:
Pros:
- User-friendly interface: Administrators appreciate the ease of creating and editing course pages, aligning them with organisational themes, and providing a seamless experience for both administrators and learners.
- Continuous development: The LXP they have made is constantly being developed so you can expect new plugins and features, but for those wanting a more traditional LMS, it’s not fit for purpose.
Cons:
- Lacking support: With customers being mover to the LP LXP, some users have complained about the support as they grapple with a product that isn’t quite fit for their needs.
- Additional feature costs: Certain advanced features come with additional costs, which can be a constraint for organisations with tight budgets, limiting their ability to fully leverage the platform’s capabilities.
Learning Pool Alternatives: Our Top Choices
Switching to a new LMS is a big decision, and there are several reasons why you might be considering a move away from Learning Pool.
While it offers a range of features for online training and development, some users find limitations in areas like customisation, scalability, or performance with large data sets.
You might be looking for a platform that better fits your budget, integrates more seamlessly with existing tools, or provides a more modern user experience.
Whatever the reason, exploring alternative LMS options can help you find a solution that better aligns with your training needs and long-term goals.
💡 Pro Tip
Scared of making the move? We don’t blame you, but we’ve supported a number of companies with a migration to BuildEmpire now. We’re so good at it, we got our CPO, that’s Chief Project Officer, Nate, to write up his top tips for a smooth LMS implementation.
Totara
Totara Learn is an open-source learning management system (LMS) built to help organisations deliver customised, engaging learning experiences.
It offers features like learning plans, competencies, certification management, and advanced reporting.
Its flexibility allows customisation for different industries and learning environments.
💡 Pro Tip
We’re a leading Totara partner, supporting new and existing users of Totara to build a better platform using our Edition. It comes pre-loaded with extras like gamification and new blocks to make more user-centric learning.
Totara is particularly suited for businesses that need scalability, flexibility, and integration with other tools and systems.

Best suited for: Large enterprises, businesses with specific learning and development needs, or organisations requiring complex reporting or high levels of customisation.
Pros
- Highly customisable with open-source flexibility.
- Scalable to suit large organisations.
- Strong reporting and analytics tools.
- Supports integrations with other HR and performance management systems.
- Flexible learning paths and user management.
Cons:
- Can be complex to set up and manage, requiring technical expertise.
- Less intuitive user interface for beginners.
- Requires a partner to get set up, and so you end up with a dedicated team for customisation and maintenance.
Moodle
Moodle is one of the most popular open-source learning platforms, offering a comprehensive and flexible environment for online education.
With features like quizzes, forums, assignments, and grading, Moodle caters to both academic and corporate needs.
It supports multiple plugins and themes, allowing organisations to tailor the platform for their unique requirements.
Best Suited For: Schools, universities, and small to medium-sized businesses looking for an affordable and customisable learning management system.
Pros:
- Open-source platform.
- Highly customisable with a large range of plugins.
- Easy to integrate with other systems.
Cons:
- User interface can be clunky and outdated.
- Requires technical expertise for setup and maintenance.
- Limited support unless using a paid service.
TalentLMS
TalentLMS is a cloud-based learning management system known for its ease of use and scalability.
It offers a wide range of features such as course creation, certifications, assessments, and social learning tools.
With its user-friendly interface and integrations with various tools like CRM and HR systems, TalentLMS is ideal for companies of all sizes.
Best Suited For: Small to mid-sized businesses that need an easy-to-use, scalable LMS with cloud hosting and built-in reporting.
Pros:
- Fast implementation with cloud-based hosting.
- Good mobile support for learning on-the-go.
- Strong reporting and analytics tools.
Cons:
- Limited customisation compared to other LMS options.
- Some users report limited scalability for large enterprises.
- Fewer advanced features compared to more complex platforms.
Docebo
Docebo is a cloud-based LMS that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to improve learning experiences.
It offers features like social learning, gamification, blended learning, and comprehensive reporting.
Its AI-driven features allow for a personalised learning experience, making it suitable for organisations with diverse learning needs.
Best Suited For: Medium to large businesses, especially those with a focus on employee training, customer training, and partner learning.
Pros:
- AI-powered features for personalised learning paths.
- Strong support for blended learning and content management.
- Mobile-friendly for learning on the go.
- Easy to scale as your organisation grows.
Cons:
- Can be expensive for small organisations.
- Some users find the system too complex for basic needs.
- Requires time to configure and fully understand the AI features.
Absorb LMS
Absorb LMS is a cloud-based learning management system designed for businesses of all sizes.
It’s known for its easy-to-use interface and robust features like automated workflows, gamification, and social learning.
It’s an excellent choice for companies focused on employee development, compliance training, and corporate learning.
Best Suited For: Mid-sized to large organisations that want a scalable, feature-rich LMS with strong reporting and compliance tracking.
Pros:
- Easy to use with an intuitive interface.
- Strong content management and reporting features.
- Good customer support.
- Excellent for compliance training and certification management.
Cons:
- Some users report that customisation options are limited.
- May be expensive for smaller businesses.
- Could use more flexibility in terms of integrations with third-party tools.
Choosing the best LMS from these Learning Pool alternatives
As much as we would like to say that we are the best Learning Pool alternative, we’re realistic.
We understand that choosing the best LMS is totally dependent on you, your team and your business.
With so many different factors in play, it’s clear that each L&D team needs a unique solution.
At BuildEmpire, we pride ourselves on creating bespoke solutions.
That doesn’t mean building platforms from the bottom up, because that is as expensive as it sounds.
But instead of delivering an out-of-the-box solution, we offer something a little more.
You get all the key features of Totara and BE, but you can put your own spin on it.
Want your LMS to look a particular way? You can get deeper controls on branding.
Want to build dashboards your way? We provide you a range of different blocks, and audience capabilities, so that you can display the right content, to the right people, at the right time.
Equally, if you want something simple, there are pre-set platforms you can use to set up and go.
Sound good?
Book a free demo to see how our platform can help you to create something truly unique.
