There’s an old saying that one award is just like another. Wait, there isn’t? Okay, well, a lot of folks, for whatever reason, seem to think that if one analyst goes this way and another goes that way, then why is that?

As if we all follow the same methodology and approach?

When you train someone, there are some basics there, but how the person overseeing the training will differ.

Ditto when you provide learning.

It is not as if we are all the same flavor of ice cream, or ice cream with different concoctions, which, at the end of it, is really ice cream.

This is the part where people bounce immediately down to the top 10, and I totally respect that.

Nevertheless, some want more specifics.

Here they are.

You will see multiple ties. I use an approach that, if vendor X ends up with, say, 140 points (out of 150), and two others have the exact point total, it is a tie.

It is not that one is X rank, then the next is a different rank, and so on.

They are not alpha in order with ties, because yeah, I could do that – but that isn’t me, plus it adds some intrigue. Why? Why does he do that?

To antagonize you.

Factors to ensure a level playing field.

It isn’t fair to compare a system that focuses solely on customer training and nothing else, and thus will lack specific capabilities that a combo – customer and L&D would possess.

Nor is it fair to compare a system that zeroes in on compliance to systems that offer compliance (which pretty much everyone does, good or bad).

A compliance solo system is going to lack quite a bit, including a state-of-the-art UI/UX. The same applies to training management systems – the goal is all around scheduling.

Those systems have advanced scheduling capabilities, and nothing more.

Far beyond what the market as a whole – combo and training do.

The variance only occurs if said X vendor has a deep integration with said X training management platform, or has decided to align with it. I’ve seen only one system do this, and even then, it is an ongoing process.

System Rankings in General

I looked at a lot of options, capabilities, and items – that you may consider or not.

Some of this information is not public – for example, customer training and support by X vendor. As I always note, support is the #1 reason people leave or hate a system and stay (it’s complicated), and yet, the buyer will toss 300 questions around security and maybe one or two around support – and they are never the “meat” of what you need to know.

The cost of a system wasn’t considered.

Simply put, the price point they initially pitch is retail. Nobody pays retail.

Vendors will say, “We won’t go lower,” – okay, then I will go elsewhere – you see how easy that is?

Anyway, not relevant to me. Nor is it the number of clients they have.

I have no idea if they are super selective with minimum numbers of buyers, or if you can look over the counter and are breathing, we will take you.

The names – big names? Happy for them, plays great in marketing – but everyone gets a big name or two.

Nobody ever asks if the vendor is exclusive – meaning they are the only learning system with said big name?

Number of users? Not relevant.

If they have high scores on G2, TrustRadius, etc., it’s great for marketing. But that’s it. (Oh, they are seeing an increase in AI bots on these sites – and hey, did you know you can get a gift card by leaving a comment? I was offered one, only because I requested to see one of the systems that happens to be on there.)

I mention all of the above because again, there is this perception that for me, this info is relevant.

It’s not.

The Top 10

I based it on 20 categories, including forward-thinking capabilities.

The latter is crucial in my opinion. Innovation and drive are a must today.

Not an exception.

The systems are from all over the world (United States, UK, Ireland, Canada, Denmark, France, and technically Italy – long story).

They represent the best of the best to me.

From small business to large enterprise.

From all customer training/education, to combo systems.

From deskless specific as the core, to deskless as a component.

From specific verticals to many verticals.

This year alone, for the first time, two of the top three vendors are based in Canada (founded and central HQ).

Keys to those acronyms you will see – (FAL) – If you see this, it means the vendor is on FindAnLMS.

It was and still is not a requirement to be considered in the tallies.

• Combo – they play in L&D and Customer Training/Education – this is the majority of the industry
• L&D – Focus heavily on employees (industry privately refers to this as ‘internal’)
• Customer – Focus only on customer training/education, partner training, and similar – think B2B – I slide associations under this, but only if the association is trade. Professional can be B2B or B2C.
• Partner Enablement – Often slides with Customer Training/Education – Thus, I put it here, and will note it as PE – for example, CT/PE would be the indicator.
• Training Consultants slide under B2B/B2C – they sell their content/services to other clients – sure, it can be solo, thus a B2B/B2C role is here.
• If the vendor plays heavy or wishes to work with frontline/deskless and does a better job than others, because everyone says this, I will note it in general.

If the client is government, then it’s L&D. If apprenticeships, then it’s L&D. If EdTech (K-12, higher education), then uh, the term is EdTech.

Therefore, you may see the following (FAL), (Combo), (EdTech)

How do I calculate small business versus large enterprise?

I went with what I see as a trend in the industry: “enterprise” returning to its legacy size. Even if the vendor angles towards enterprise, it doesn’t mean they won’t take you. I tried to mention vendors that I know have a minimum number of users, so if you are under that number, they will respectfully decline.

• Small Business 50 to 999 (if you are under 50, you are still a small business ( The acronym will be SB)
• Mid-Market (MM) 1,000 to 4,999
• Enterprise (E) 5,000 to 10,000
• Large Enterprise (LE)10,001 or more

Types of Systems

• LMS – The dominant player in the industry, even if a vendor doesn’t call themselves that
• Learning Platform – Number two in the size of the industry – A learning ops platform, for example, is a learning platform; skills dev – learning platform.
• Talent Development (TD) – If they say employee development, they are TD. Learning has to be the core.
• Knowledge Management (KM) – Growing. You will see many systems across the board adding KM – think that the AI assistant component in their system. Nevertheless, there are standalones out there – as an option, or just because it is.
• LXP – Doesn’t exist anymore – I couldn’t care if a vendor says they are only that. Even the initial vendor, Degreed, isn’t that. They are a learning platform.
• TM – Training Management – Scheduling only. Zero content
• LCMS – die already.

Two items

a. There is no perfect system out there – therefore nobody scored 150/150

b. The term traditional is just a marketing term. Ignore it.

What you will see

• Award icon, followed by vendor’s name (name includes their URL – click and go)
• Acronyms
• Highlights
• Some vendors’ info will be longer than others. I tried to condense as much as I can, but yeah, I have an issue with that – this year will be different.

Tie

Lemonade LXP (FAL) (SB) (MM) (E) (LE) (Combo)

There is a long story behind why they include LXP in their name; it involves the domain, and let’s move on.

This is an LMS.

Big Wins

Lots to like here, especially the clever out-of-the-box learning journey design, or a different design you wish to use on the front-end learner page.

They will help you – at no additional cost, which is a plus.

Skills play strongly here, although not as strongly as I would like – this is a balancing act – because so many people are stuck on “skills for job role,” rather than skills across the board, especially those who will need re-skilling.

I love the front-end UI/UX.

Areas of Improvement

The back end is solid, but it still needs improvement.

Analytics and Reporting are refreshing, but still need more IMO.

Unsure if they see themselves in the core of hospitality/retail, or if other verticals are more deskless/frontline-first. This is always a challenge with so many vendors.

I believe they can do better if they pick one and roll with it. It’s better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a large pond – or whatever that saying is.

Knowledge Anywhere (FAL) (SB) (MM) (Combo) – They do business with large enterprises and enterprise clients. I see them more in the SMB range, up to, say, 1,500.

Big Wins

• Vast improvement with UI/UX – Recently did a refresh
• Streamlined but enough for many folks, especially those in the SB range and the lower end of mid-market
• Admin side is easy to use – without compromising
• Focus around blue collar, deskless/frontline – Finally, someone can take on and beat those who play solely in that area, primarily blue-collar. I think they can do well in the apprenticeship side, too.

Areas of Improvement

• Analytics needs more
• Focus is blue-collar per se, and frontline – thus mobile needs to be stronger – and I’d like to see more specifics around the blue-collar, which systems as a whole lack – so not just a call-out to KA, but again, they have, I believe, a strong opportunity here

JoySuite(MM) (Enterprise) (Large Enterprise) (L&D) (Learning Platform)- Legit AI-focused

This is a Learning Platform with a core KM, but not a full KM – it gets a bit complicated once you first see it, but it will start to make sense upon discussion with them.

It’s all about AI, assets, feedback loops – knowledge centers.

Right out of the gate, I like Neovation’s products.

Big Wins

• Prompt Library – Finally! Includes a library of pre-built, expert prompts, plus learners can create and share their own prompts.
• AI Assistant – Learners can generate custom reports, documents, and even RFPs, which can be used by higher-ups.
• AI Mentor/Coach
• Nice UI/UX – Stands a bit out, due to their approach being heavy around AI, more so than many systems in the industry
• Feedback center and loop
• They refer to themselves, okay, I see this as well – Knowledge Center – whereas they list it as a strong function, I see them really as a KC – with the rest within it.

Areas of Improvement

• While they can be a standalone, they are a better fit tied into an existing central database or HCM/HRIS solution, or even another standalone – let’s say another learning platform.
• I place this as an area of improvement only because I’m concerned it could be a revamp 2.0 for those folks who still see SharePoint as the crux of their learning. SP was never designed to be utilized as a learning core, but it’s still popular on the large enterprise side, which limits audiences
• Metrics – when you tap into someone else’s platform, even if it’s an HCM, you risk the limitation of metrics that make you stand out.
• I can’t figure out if they want to be more standalone or centralized database side – there is a mix there – will it work, or will they eventually have to pick a side? Right now, they are edging towards the SP side – which is a concern.

HALIGHT (FAL) (MM) (Enterprise) (Frontline – especially retail) (L&D)

You know, when I mentioned that the majority of vendors who mention big names are not exclusive to say that big name?

Well, one of HALIGHT’s customers is all of Best Buy, the electronics store.

I admit, after seeing the system, it made sense how the electronics side of the retail segment would really work well here.

That said, the platform isn’t solely limited to consumer electronics – hence the retail aspect.

Big Wins

• UI/UX – I absolutely love the “snippets” idea, which sits on the learner home screen, where the learner (let’s say a clerk) can watch a 15-second video. Thus, other clerks can see and utilize – maybe highlighting a new product or a “how to use” angle that customers can understand – rather than just them looking at a box.
• The learner side as a whole is crisp and refreshing. Nobody will mistake this for a dullard. If I am on the retail side with deskless, I want to use this offering.
• Gamified learning with ‘point(s) economy’. Points can go to any piece in the system, the number of times you log in, look at a piece of content, upload a video, comment, etc. – It moves from the typical gamification booresville approach into a ‘point economy (love the wordage) – leveraged with gamified learning.
• Learners can onboard others by using a QR code or e-mail. Saves time and can really get this up and running on the floor (location)
• Offers SMS capabilities

Areas of Improvement

• While it offers integrations with e-mail marketing programs, I think having one built into the platform and usable (without paying 3rd party fees) makes sense.
• Look at adding digital signature capability again, without going through a third party. I’d make sure the digital signature is available on the mobile app.
• Tap into other options to embrace and expand the common clerk experience – way too many vendors and I mean A LOT ignore who is on that floor, their knowledge out of the gate in terms of what is being sold or offered – Thus a system needs to be one part knowledge, one part learning means fun and shows off as such, one part explain – output on mobile, to show customers – buyers are becoming more savvy on specific offerings, the clerk has to be too. A lot of missed opportunities here.
• Analytics can maximize revenue opportunities – again, the points economy can be used in so many ways – knowledge = sales. Happy employees, happy store.

If I were looking at Axonify, for example, I’d take a serious dive at HALIGHT. Personally, I think HALIGHT is better. Gamified learning only works when its output drives knowledge, short- and long-term.

Capacity (KM) (Enterprise, LE, SMB, Mid-Market) (Combo)

Best knowledge management platform in the industry (2025). If you are curious to know what makes a KM a KM, then dive Capacity.

While they seem to target Enterprise and large enterprises, I can easily see them being used across all audience sizes, depending on what and how you want to use the platform.

A KM requires as its foundation AI – Generative multimodal. Otherwise, you just have a chatbot.

They refer to their solution as an Answer Engine, which is applicable, but my thinking has shifted slightly to an AI Assistant.

Based on the question, it responds accordingly. It can go directly to the content and the specific area, and it includes sources.

The challenge with any AI Assistant is the presumption that identifying sources as an essential element, reinforcing that this eliminates hallucinations or, more specifically, eliminates them, though, is a false narrative.

Even with your own content, AI can create fake or false information, even with sources, because those sources are from your content, and the repetitive source validation isn’t ideal to assume accuracy.

That is the one thing that bothers me with Capacity is the continuation of stipulating no hallucinations – and yes, I have called them out repeatedly for saying so.

I do want to make it clear, though, that I see a significant number of vendors who have KM (AI Assistant or AI Engine) in their system who push the same “no hallucinations, because it’s your own content and sources.

And yep, I will and do call them out.

Let’s, though, look at what makes Capacity impressive.

Big Wins

• UI/UX – it is simple to use, regardless of skill level
• Admin settings include Synopsis as an option (nice) and the source connection using the logo – rather than just words. For example, Workday, Google Drive, etc.
• Data tracking – crucial
• Ability to create an RFP (yep) and the ability to generate a research brief
• Nearly a dozen out-of-the-box canned reports, including “teams questions, responses, and actions taken.”
• Love the internal training report, and Lucy (the name of Capacity’s AI Assistant) and its actions
• Offers a research mode

Areas of Improvement

• Lacks the “review before accepting” – relevant text line – for the record, I rarely see this in systems, even though you can go to any AI tool – LLM, SLM, even the World model, and see that it may create errors under it. Anyway, it is a huge peeve of mine.
• Needs stronger metrics and the ability to cross-reference to tap more strongly into training/learning

Tie – Learning Pool Learning Platform, Cypher Learning, and Intellum)

Learning Pool Learning Platform (FAL) (MM, Enterprise, Large Enterprise) (Combo)

An excellent platform that finally kicks it into overdrive. While they have some very cool AI features coming out in Q1 2026, the rankings cover 25, so let’s hit the wins.

Big Wins

• Content Blocks – Can be created using AI chatbots (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini) by providing specific instructions and pasting the generated code (JavaScript, HTML, CSS) – this is on the learner side.
• DAP – Built-in Digital Adoption Platform – In the long run, an AI Assistant could easily replace it. A DAP does offer some plus capabilities for now – they offer it not only for the admin side (common) but the learner side too. Reduces significant time from a cost standpoint for support – how to do something. Over 95% of user issues are user-related, not the system. And the days of an admin doing their own Q/A (Quality Assurance) before submitting the request are gone. Hence, the DAP’s usefulness
• Events functionality that can match Training Management systems, such as Training Orchestra. No small feat. Perfect for compliance, BTW, and on-site events.
• Continuation of development for better natural language processing when using a search with AI – in other words, the end user types in typical or common usage of lingo they would type into a search on a browser. NLP is crucial with AI, and it is never a one-and-done thing.
• Auto translation of comments using AI – I think that’s pretty cool

Areas of Improvement

• The system offers the ability to be used as an LCMS – Learning Content Management Systems – which were on life support, to such an extent, that the most significant player has re-branded themselves, in multiple types of systems, including LCMS, not once but twice, and still has no idea what they are. I think folks who love SharePoint as an LMS or their learning repository love LCMS. Well, I love skiing using tennis rackets as skis. Doesn’t mean I should.
• I like the building blocks of the system approach, but it can easily lead you down rabbit holes if you are not careful. This system screams advanced metrics based upon what it can do, and will do around compliance, tapped into skills, even ILT. It’s missing that.

Cypher Learning (FAL) (SB, MM, Enterprise, Large Enterprise) (Combo skews more towards L&D)

Big Wins

• Outstanding AI system, in the top three for the industry
• AI content creator is quite good, albeit sometimes it can get a bit confusing, especially with the mind map (that is what I call it, you can say tree branches – it reminds me more of something I would see in academia, then say corporate – I know they will disagree)
• UI/UX is easy to use and is designed effectively on the learner side
• Lists the text about potential errors/mistakes and verify it is correct before accepting (except in one area, see below in Areas of Improvement)
• Streamlined
• Continuous AI enhancements – They know what they are doing with AI, but I’m not sold on the Copilot thing

Areas of Improvement

• Their AI Assistant, which scans the system and outputs responses, never mentions the text of potential mistakes and verification – CL will note the “it is your own content,” and sources pitch.
• AI Agents offer potential, but I am still trying to figure out how an AI will benefit the learner, from a training standpoint. I mean, do I want my agent to be a co-worker (an agent premise)?
• Analytics need to be better. This system offers a lot, therefore lots of capabilities, especially with multimodal AI, means to me, better metrics and reporting.

Intellum (FAL) (Enterprise/Large Enterprise) (Customer Training, Partner Enablement) (B2B/B2C)

I’d argue that the most prominent players (elite tier in the customer training/education/partner offerings are Thought Industries, Eurekos, Docebo, Absorb, Pifini, and Intellum.

For whatever reason, a lot of folks are unaware of Intellum, and I’d say it is likely due to a series of factors, including the minimum number of learners they will accept (5,000). That’s a challenge when you are, say, a training consultant, or going from brick to online.

Big Wins

• Metrics that align to customer training – the #1 goal for the majority of folks that offer customer training is to generate $$$. You need to know the correct numbers to determine what is working and what isn’t. Data intelligence is crucial. Intellum scores well here.
• Agentic Agents – Creator (creates content), Manager, and Learner (Personal Tutor, Identifies gaps and areas to improve, with practice and knowledge checks) (Learner is rolling out in early Q1)
• Intellum Labs – Think of an early stage of what is coming out new feature-wise, beta, that an admin can jump into, test out, and see – Reminds me of the Google Labs, or any platform that says “labs” as in beta – My preference would be a word change since it can be mistaken for practice learning.
• Natural Language Reports

Areas of Improvement

• UI/UX needs a major refresh (Good news – that is on their roadmap for 2026)
• Agentic Agent data metrics are crucial – what’s the point of having them if you are not leveraging them for customer intelligence

Tie – Pifini (Formally known as NetExam+), and Digital Chalk

Pifini (FAL) (Enterprise) (Large Enterprise) (Customer Training, Partner Enablement)

Big Wins

• Metrics that align with customer/partner training/education, even folks that are training consultants – Data wise with AI – #1 for 2025
• AI metrics include learning impacts on revenue performance, deal progression, product usage, and support (perfect for clients where support impacts revenue, and it does – cost-wise, plus usage on the product side)
• Focused solely on the customer training segment (it’s rare these days that the system’s entire customer base is in the CT side – only one other vendor in the rankings aligns as well)
• UI/UX is solid
• AI Role-playing – real-life scenarios partially, AI Coach
• Their AI tools are also available as a standalone – for those that want them, but do not want the system (personally, I see their strength within the system itself, but that’s just my vibe)

Areas of Improvement

• Certification programs are huge money makers – I’d like to see Pirfini tap into that, with best practices within the system, and setting up various programs with suggestions from AI (with text included)
• Tap stronger into recognition that the majority of people providing customer training/partner enablement lack basics around profit margin, etc – the use of AI can provide that with NLP – and ongoing with that – so I can say, “If I want to make 35% profit to break even, what should I charge for my courses?” Even dive deeper with competitive insight – perhaps with an option to go “external” if the admin clicks it.

Digital Chalk (FAL) (MM) (Enterprise, Large Enterprise) (Customer Training, Partner Enablement)

Big Wins

• #1 for Mid-Market 2025
• Stronger customer training and partner enablement functionality – WIN!
• Robust functionality and capabilities
• Compliance Strong – A lot of compliance capabilities and a vendor who I believe can continue to enhance
• UI/UX – a solid refresh
• Strategic Delivery – This means they hit their roadmap with high accuracy (something that every vendor should strive for)

Areas of Improvement

• Skill empowerment – Again, this is something a lot of vendors struggle with, but DC could expand more.
• For a mid-market solution, there are potential wins here that can be leveraged as the system develops. There are growth opportunities.
• Admin capabilities with metrics need to go to the next level.

NovoEd Learn+, Practice+ (with add-on Mentor+) (Enterprise, Large Enterprise) (L&D)

They slide into the enterprise base of 5,000 that is seeing a rebirth in the market (it used to be the range in the early days, and vendors moved away, quite a few are seeing “Enterprise” in the 5,000 to 10,000 user base range)

When you purchase NovoEd Learn, you will get Practice+ in the system. P+ is outstanding, with significant potential.

Mentor+ is truly a mentoring platform, available as an add-on in the system or as a standalone.

The #6 is for Learn+ and Practice+, but I included Mentor+ because of the system’s full capabilities.

Big Wins

• Practice+ – Legit practice, real-world, real-life scenarios for all types of business skills. Many sim labs focus only on technical skills. Practice+ is business-driven
• AI mentor – Outstanding. Could someone use the mentor as a coach? Sure, but every research data point is showing that as AI continues into the workplace, mentoring – mentors, will be more important than a coach
• Wonderful UI/UX
• Forward-Thinking – you want this with a vendor
• Elite support and training
• Solid metrics

Areas of Improvement

• I’d like to see mentor+ included in the system, rather than an add-on. Keep the standalone as an option, but IMO suites are the future of our industry, primarily due to uncertainty around economics, and the impact it has on L&D and Training
• Stronger metrics – Solid is good, but I want more around Practice+ – which to me is the gold here, beyond what other vendors can do when it comes to real-world scenarios that are not just some avatar talking to you with a background that has nothing to do with the scenario
• The system needs to tell me my learning story (I will say that when it comes to the systems in general, I find that customer training systems – elite tier do this more than those that are combo or L&D focus)

Tie

LearnUpon (FAL) (Combo, top tier in Association, strong in CT) (Small Business, Mid-Market, Enterprise)

Big Wins

• Learning Live (Their term) – I like that folks can use a QR code to sign up/register – this is nice for ILT, and a twist when it comes to webinars
• Course recommender (machine learning-based) suggests courses based on individual and group behavior patterns – The behavior patterns are the key here
• Brings in Agentic AI, plus the use of Bedrock (Model as a Self Service – the premise is that, depending on the use case, Bedrock will select the best AI model for that use case). I’m a massive proponent of MaSS (there are others out there)
• Various options are visible on the home Learner screen, including showing “live sessions” as one such option
• Improvement in metrics and admin UI/UX

Area of Improvement

• The home page is static, so you can’t say move the calendar down the screen, and something like learning not yet started higher up
• White-label (your own brand) is available in only two editions: Premium and Enterprise. This should be included in all versions (I will note that many systems charge you to remove their name, so white-label is an add-on. Yes, this makes no sense.)
• While improving in metrics, LearnUpon is a combo, and yet, they slide user-wise on the CT – the metrics, though, do not validate this to the extent that they can. At some point, LU will need to decide which is the better route to go when it comes to data intelligence and UI/UX to match it
• A couple of areas, with AI – they refer to their Assistant as “Leah”, have potential, but they lack the text of mistakes/elements; they also have a current partnership with easyGenerator for content creator with AI, and yet, they acquired a content authoring tool, which will be available in their system. I am unsure why they would want to continue the partnership with EG when they will have their own built-in content tool (which can also be purchased as a stand-alone).

360Learning (FAL) (Small Business, Mid-Market, Enterprise, Large Enterprise) (Combo)

Big Wins

• They dumped the whole LXP focus angle, which many potential buyers and even competitors mentioned to them. This is an LMS with the usual content capabilities around the LXP thing, which is thankfully starting to go down the drain as a standalone term.
• Focus turns to deskless/frontline workers/manufacturing workers, including blue collar – This is a big win – a lot of vendors say they hit and do well here, but very few really do – you need a strong mobile app to achieve – 360 does
• Some items in the mobile app – Learners can see their certifications, can use a QR Code, app has on/off synch, high scores in Android and Apple stores – constantly updated (make no mistake, way too many systems’ apps do not score high, and updating and features are underwhelming – heck some vendors still do not have a mobile app, let alone on/off synch)
• On the manufacturing side, 360 supports union and non-union environments. The union one is huge. The capabilities tied to unions are crucial; 360 delivers. For example, Different training or acknowledgment/workflows can be set up for union vs. non-union workers, ensuring compliance with negotiated terms. Achieved using grouping plus the custom field rules.
• IP address filtering – Love it. Helps with training data intelligence – and accuracy
• Gamified learning – WIN!

Areas of Improvement

• Some common Virtual and ILT capabilities are missing. They are projected to roll them out in 2026. Still waitlist, has been around for more than 15 years.
• Metrics are underwhelming – this system is all about the frontline, and yet, customer training/partner enablement (see that word again) is a use case. Fine, but next we have L&D. Pick a lane. I think deskless, especially frontline and blue-collar (not a lot of vendors do well in this area, heck, let alone zero-in), is the real play here. The metrics, though, lack that, even when it comes to the mobile app data points that can honestly tell me the learning story.
• UI/UX needs improvement on the admin side. It will work for a lot of folks, and they have done a refresh, but another refresh (coming this year – 2026) tells me they are on the right track. The awards, though, are in 2025.
• Lack of baseline skill ratings in the system – it is an add-on (fee). Should be included and free.

BizLMS with Biz Skills (FAL) (Small Business, Mid-Market, Enterprise), (L&D)

Big Wins

• You get a lot with this system – streamlined but robust – easy to use
• The skills capabilities are beyond outstanding -including skills mapping (a pain point for anyone who has to do this – manually. With Biz, it is done for you – using machine learning as a component) and skills development through scenarios
• Skill metrics that make sense and will tell your learning story
• Good UI/UX
• Flexible curated content model
• Admin dashboard is very useful and beneficial – Easy to understand – (crucial)

Areas of Improvement

• Enhanced AI functionality is coming in 26 – Gen AI; I wish at least something, such as an AI mentor, was available in 2025; nevertheless, when it rolls out, it will include real-life, real-world scenarios for learning and training.
• I like the UI/UX, but I believe it needs a refresh
• BizSkills is an add-on, I’d like to see it included at no charge, think of a suite here for Biz – This is where it can really shine. I should add that nowadays, many vendors charge for skills development and management. Personally, I’m not a fan of it.)
• System screams gamified learning – perfect piece IMO

Eurekos (FAL) (100% Customer/Partner training/education), (Associations, Mid-Market, Enterprise, Large Enterprise)

Big Wins

• #2 Customer Training for 2025
• Metrics/data intelligence for CT is exceptional (such as meta-level analytics)- it tells me the story
• Very rare vendor that truly bills monthly for active users – this means you get an invoice for that month, and pay at that time; the industry in general pitches MAU, but you pre-pay – i.e., pay ahead of time. Trust me, none of those vendors who do that are Nostradamus, and there are no refunds in the market.
• Video admin module (Nice)
• Can use the system not just B2B, but also B2C
• Enhanced personalized storefronts
• Refresh of UI/UX with Dashboards
• Adding skills capabilities for CT
• Subscription bundling

Areas of Improvement

• AI is arriving in 2026 – I would have preferred to have seen something in 2025; however, knowing Eurekos, when they roll out their AI, it will deliver actionable results for customer/partner use cases.
• Refresh of UI on the learner side – the UX is there – it’s the UI that needs a tweak.
• Enhancements for Gamified Learning

The Final Three – Okay, there is a tie for #3 – again based on total points; then a tie at #2, and then the #1 system for 2025.

Tie – Docebo, Thought Industries, D2L (Business)

Docebo (FAL) (Mid-Market, Enterprise, Large Enterprise) (Combo, but user base in CT/Partner Enablement) is higher than L&D; that said, the system skews L&D.

Big Wins

• AI Capabilities – Harmony – think AI Assitant (many more features are coming in 2026); however early rollouts that are wins – Vertical Search – you can limit your search by specific content types (additional items such as course types like SCORM rolls out in 2026); option to restrict to system content types only OR ability to include web searches – they offer you a choice) – Oh, they have the text letting you know that Harmony can make mistakes – a big PLUS, and thank you for adding the text, along with verifying before accepting
• Harmony Admin Co-Pilot – What it can do is very useful and will continue to be for admins
• AI Content Creator and Virtual Coach (more on this further down)
• Was lagging with AI, now moving into an AI-first focus system (you will see this in 26, far more than what exists in 25)
• Skills development and management capabilities
• Solid compliance
• Subscription bundling
• Solid metrics

Areas of Improvement

• UI/UX refresh needed on the learner and admin side
• Harmony’s full capabilities have the potential to be a monster win – but since the awards focus on 2025, what is available is limited, and again, they seemed to be late to the party – even though they had a strong AI team in place at a point in 2025.
• Icons for SCORM and xAPI aren’t needed, most folks have no idea what it is – nor do they care – I did mention this to them – I hope they dump
• Metrics – Data intelligence (they are improving this in 2026)
• Needs to go suite here, rather than add-on options
• If you want a virtual coach, a content creator, or additional fees using credits – basically, they are pushing the cost onto you. I get it, and while I have no problem with additional fees using credits, the market as a whole is not charging for a content creator (except those that see it as an add-on, which I am not a fan of)
• Flow of Work – I always felt the module was a dud, so it’s not really an area of improvement; more of a ‘get rid of this’ – I mean, is it a need for CT? When it comes to product training?
• Certification program can be a lot stronger – so many options here
• Skills development has vastly improved – I want more – I believe Harmony can deliver this, whether they tap into it is another question

Thought Industries (FAL) (Combo – heavily focused on CT/PE, system skews to CT/PE), (Mid-Market, Enterprise, Large Enterprise)

Big Wins

• Metrics for Customer Training/Partner Enablement that continue to push the envelope. Capabilities include using pre-built (canned) or custom reports to track engagement, identify unmet needs, and drive revenue growth.
• Ability to integrate learning analytics with business intelligence tools to directly access and query data on everything from onboarding surveys to subscription purchases, with refresh rates close to real-time. (More on this in a second)
• 100% headless architecture option – no cost. They are one of the very few vendors that truly offer 100% headless, despite others who claim to. The offering is called Helium.
• Reporting hub – Executive Summary (HUGE) – as in love with it
• Update a course to maintain metadata, page content, and key settings programmatically – ideal for scale
• Continued improvement with Panorama multi-tenancy
• Create content using Generative AI (more on this in a second)

Areas of Improvement

• I have always liked TI’s UI/UX on the learner side – it has a luxury feeling to it; that said, it needs a refresh, ditto on the admin side – lots there, but refreshes are always a must (a vendor should always do a refresh every two years – IMO)
• Content Creator is an additional cost – It should be included at no extra fees – I mean, to me, it is like getting a car, and then they say, “Oh, you want tires with that?” – Any learning system needs content, which, while a commodity, drives the platform. Without it, you have an FTP or a paper manual
• Panorama is an additional fee, too – I just don’t get it. Include X number of tenants for free – you want a competitive advantage? It’s starting right at you.
• Data intelligence – advanced for free – again, CT/PE is a market every vendor wants into (okay, the majority) – lead the pack, not sit in the middle – just my take

D2L (FAL) (Mid-Market, Enterprise, Large Enterprise, CT/PE)

Big Wins

• Best in Class 2025 – AI Content Creator
• Performance Plus – Which is their advanced analytics tool – This rocks – the name? Yeah, confusing and needs a rebrand. They charge extra for PP – but wow, it should be included. One of the best I’ve ever seen in the space – lead the pack, as I say, lead the pack.
• Lumi Assistant – This is their AI component – it packs a whallop and is definitely top 10 for 2025. A couple of notable wins – ability  integrate with external knowledge bases, such as an association’s course catalog or internal documentation
• Very robust with lots of options
• Admin functionality effective

Areas of Improvement

• PP should be pushed into the system itself, and the out-of-the-box metrics removed. The system is too good for canned metrics’ appearance
• Refresh on the front-end UI/UX and modifications for the back-end. I’m not talking about a lot here, thankfully, just user-driven. This ties directly to where the industry is heading, and what is being seen already
• More Lumi – I personally believe Lumi is an untapped gold mine, and yes, I understand AI is an ongoing process, but is Agentic the be-all and end-all? I think that the world model will overtake artificial general intelligence (AGI) at least for the time being. AGI sounds great, it just isn’t fully here yet.
• Suites are going to be “in” – again, a new business enviroment impacting L&D and Training, plus the companies as a whole, one day the person can be there, the next someone else – no one is forcing them to use everything; but what if the new person wants X and can’t get it without paying extra – where are you/they going to be? Budget restructuring is happening across the board. I think D2L is sitting on an opportunity that is ready to be unleashed
• Reporting – I’d like to see more canned (out-of-the-box) reports (generally speaking, the industry needs to increase out-of-the-box reports)

Tie – You have the #1 Learning System for Large Enterprise, and the #2 system for Enterprise.

The #1 system for skills management/capabilities, and AI; and the #2 system for AI, which, based on what I know, is rolling out in 26, could become #1.

Both systems have add-ons, and while one makes total sense, I’d still think the larger win is the suite with one, the other, well, we will talk about that.

Cornerstone Learn (FAL) (MM, Enterprise, Large Enterprise) (Combo – skews heavy towards L&D – Talent Development) (#2 Learning System in 2024)

Big Wins

• Leading system for AI – #1 in 2025 – read more here
• #1 (two-time winner) for Large Enterprise – especially 50,000 and more end-users
• You get a lot when you buy Learn – including a robust LMS, best-in-class and best skills management capabilities (more on that in a sec), Digital Adoption Platform (exists within the LMS), to name just a few
• Super strong in compliance – A dominant player in the industry
• Learning Suite
• Strong UI/UX on the learner side – This is heavily targeted by competitors who claim it is dated, and traditional – I have no idea when they last saw the learner side, but I can tell you, those claims are false – It’s good, easy to use, and massively improvement on navigation and capabilities
• Immersive Learning offering
• Content studio on the admin side – uses AI, another massive YOWSA and WOWSA
• Mentoring strength capabilities
• Metrics and Reporting
• White-labeling is included
• Adoption is quickly based on use case – employee side – yes, this ties into AI – but they are moving at the speed to do it
• UI/UX improvement on the admin side – there is a lot there

Areas of Improvement

• Advanced skills data-predictive intelligence for learning/training is in another module called “Transform” – this should be in Learn. I understand if this needs to go as an add-on price-wise for Learn, but that word “Suite” places Advanced Insights using AI in Learn – included
• Some tweaks with Content Anytime – this is a 3rd party content marketplace – which many vendors offer BTW – not uh the Cornerstone aggregator, but say they use GO1 or Open Sesame, or they do it themselves – you still purchase the content for that provider or a buffet style – anyway, aggregators always face the same issues when it comes to best in class content – I think Cornerstone’s version has the opportunity to really push ahead here
• Continues to focus on UX for the admin functionality. They have made major inroads here, but the biggest knock is the cumbersome aspect. It’s always a challenge with a lot of systems – you can do robust without “requiring, in some cases, a learning curve.”
• Metrics UI/UX needs a major overhaul. I feel that the design is dated – where is the latest with data visualization? Where is the “pop”?

Learn Amp (FAL) (SMB,MM, Enterprise, Large Enterprise) (TD – Talent Development – they refer to it as employee development), (#1 learning system in 2024) – This is for Core.

Learn Amp offers multiple versions, a starter called Spark (which bills monthly, and is ideal for Small Business, say under 500), Core – the Mid-Market and higher edition – and the one focused here, and then two add-ons – Perform, which has a higher level for skills, along with a stronger tier of performance management. and Advanced, which offers a variety of capabilities, including elite data intelligence for your learning and training, without having to go and add your own BI tool.

Big Wins

• Understands the AI landscape technically – tech stack-wise, AI agentic-wise, Natural Language side, and the latest in regards to AI that will enhance a learning system for your learners
• Outstanding UI/UX on the Learner and Admin side
• Example of robust without being cumbersome on the Admin view and capabilities
• Advanced level option (included in the system) for the Learner view – lots of widgets, design in general – no additional cost
• AI content creator
• Fantastic support team – especially the implementation group and training
• Strong, powerful with compliance, CPD – referred sometimes in the states as CEU (Continuing Performance Development – CPD; CEU – continuing education units)
• Skills development out of the box
• Solid canned metrics and reports

Areas of Improvement

• Pay extra for white-label (should be included at no-charge; again a lot of vendors charge for white label – do you really want to see the vendor name along with your Widget U?)
• Advanced metrics additional cost – This is all about taking control – yeah, I may not use it – but with effective support/training – I can see the benefits of doing so – in today’s world, it is all about data intelligence for learning/training – to validate budgetary items – and drive success – quickly and more efficently. Here you go.
• Slight refresh on the Admin side
• Add more capabilities for employee development/workforce, especially around frontline/deskless workers and blue-collar – there is a lot of opps here
• Add a mobile app – I mention this every year – I still am baffled as to why they haven’t done so. They have explained why – but it’s now 2026. It’s odd to me that a company that really has impressive AI capabilities and continues to push and know the next tier, still hasn’t added a mobile app.

Absorb LMS (FAL) (Small Business, Mid-Market, Enterprise, Large Enterprise) (#1 for customer training/partner enablement; #2 for AI “Best in Class”, #2 for Enterprise, #2 for frontline/deskless workers, including blue-collar) (#1 for Associations, #1 for Suites)

Absorb has really gone and taken their system to the next level.

I’ve been totally impressed with this system, what it can do, the UI/UX overall, capabilities, AI of course, and being a learning suite – which again, no need to repeat – but I will – suites will be big in 26 (yes, the awards are for 25, but you get my drift).

Big Wins

• You get it all – from AI to upskilling to advanced metrics – training and L&D data intelligence; out of the box – user-friendly; top-tier support and training, gamified learning, content creator, and more
• Together, which is included and is a major player in the mentoring space, was acquired by Absorb. Easily in the top three for mentoring, and it is included in the LMS at no additional charge; it is and will still be available as a standalone, too. This is mentoring at its finest.
• E-commerce – totally rocks
• If you want compliance, the system has it, solid job
• Gamified learning and social are strong plays here (more on gamified in a second)
• They refer to themselves as a strategic learning system – for once, as it relates to marketing – I totally agree – this system says what it can do, and delivers it.
• Massive list of integrations/connectors (a lot of vendors offer this as well) – I just like their approach to it
• Slick UI/UX on the learner and admin side; the advanced metrics, and okay metrics/reporting in general have a very easy to view and extract by viewing learner/training data intelligence – the visualization is great
• Lots of capabilities for frontline workers – including a mobile app with on/off synch

Areas of Improvement

• A refresh on the learner side – Look, I’d say the market as a whole needs refreshing on the learner side, simply because vendors follow trends like a “Netflix”- like appearance. I think there are other ways to do this – and offer a variety of options out of the box based on use case, especially when it comes to customer training vs L&D internal – ditto with deskless/frontline workers – heck even target audience – should a retail look be the same as manufacturing?
• Gamified Learning – needs to go to the next tier – everyone has leaderboards, badges, point totals – while I do like the ranking of compliance, for example, GL is going to be a big winner in 26, especially with the variance of audiences, internal and external.
• More of More – what is next? When you are #1, you have to continue on. I see so much that is out there, untapped in the industry, despite a heavy need for it – and I’m not limited to AI here – clearly a big play, though.

Bottom Line

There you go. The Top 10 Learning Systems for 2025.

To view and download this post, which includes screenshots (all the vendors were given this option, there are those who demurred at present) – anyway, just an fyi there. Oh, “report” includes a Summary generated by AI (verified by me) and takeaways generated by AI (verified as accurate by me).

Download will be available tomorrow – Jan 8th, 2026!

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Estimated reading time: 38 minutes