5 Best Free LMS Platforms (No Cost, No Catch)

Sometimes, the best things in life don’t cost anything, including LMS platforms.

Many paid learning management systems can cost a small fortune. That’s why we offer a free plan that covers basic needs for businesses and educators.

We’ve also found other free LMS platforms so that you can try different ones and see what works best before committing long-term. 

Without any further ado, let’s explore some of the best free LMS platforms to help you start training your team and improving productivity.

Is Free LMS Really Free?

Research shows that only 45.4% of learning professionals feel ‘very knowledgeable’ about choosing and using a learning management system before they begin. We hope our insights help more people find the right system for their needs.

Let’s start by revealing if such a thing as a free LMS even exists. There’s no doubt that free LMS is particularly beneficial for individuals and organizations like nonprofits, small businesses, or independent teachers. 

Typically, a free LMS is a SaaS or open-source solution that you can access anywhere. And while some free learning management systems come with basic features that meet the needs of some parties, they usually have limitations.

While researching free LMS online, we discovered that many of the options presented aren’t actually free. They usually offer a free trial or demo, but that’s not the same as a free product, right?

Luckily, we were able to find a few actual free LMS platforms, which we’ll review below, but first, let’s explore the shortages of free LMS systems.

For starters, we must understand that in the world of LMS, the term “free” often describes the basic or limited version of the product that doesn’t initially cost anything.

The free version typically includes essential features like course creation, content upload, and tracking of learning progress. Unfortunately, the basic or limited version of a free LMS limits the number of users, courses, and even storage space.

Moreover, more advanced features such as advanced reporting, customer support, and third-party integrations might be available within paid plans only.

One more thing you should know about free learning management systems is that they’re not the safest, meaning data security isn’t their priority. That’s why you must be careful when choosing a free LMS.

When looking up free LMS platforms, you might also come across the term “freemium.” Some LMS providers lure users into using this model and then monetize their premium features and services.

Best Free LMS Platforms: Our Top 5 Picks

As training experts, we’ve tried multiple free LMS platforms and the following can compete with paid tools on the market. Here’s our list of free LMS for business individuals, schools, and solo trainers.

1. Coursebox AI (Best Free LMS Platform Overall)

If you’re looking for a 100% free LMS, look no further than Coursebox AI, one of the best AI tools for personalized learning.

We have a free FOREVER plan that includes quizzes, videos, course selling, website publishing, and a marketplace listing. Moreover, it supports unlimited learners, a mobile app, Canva, and Google Slides integration, and allows 10 active learners per month.

The best part? Coursebox AI is AI-powered, making the course creation much faster and smoother. Creating a 1-hour eLearning course usually takes 40-49 hours. But with Coursebox AI, this time is significantly reduced. You can create your first course in less than 1 hour!

Additionally, you can integrate Coursebox AI with your existing LMS or HR systems and generate certificates upon course completion, making it the best LMS for HR.

However, some of the more advanced features, such as AI course outline generator, AI quiz generator, branded certificates, and AI grading and assessment fall under the paid plans.

Overall, the free plan has everything you need to get you started on your first training journey. It’s perfect for freelancers, small business owners, and educators looking for a simple yet powerful platform to engage learners.

Pros:

• Offers free essential tools like quizzes, videos, course selling, and website publishing
• Supports unlimited learners and integrates with Canva, Google Slides, and existing LMS or HR systems
• Allows website publishing and marketplace listing, helping users reach a wider audience

Cons:

• Only 50MB of storage in the free tier
• Certificates and custom domains require extra fees
• May not offer the same level of advanced customization and functionality as some competitors

Pricing:

• Free FOREVER plan
• Paid plans start at $83/monthly/billed annually

2. EdApp (Best Free LMS for a Small Business)

EdApp, now known as SC Training, is a free LMS software designed for mobile-first training, making it one of the best mobile learning apps on the market.

Trusted by organizations like the United Nations, Mizuno, Shell, and Marley Spoon, it supports teams of all sizes across the globe.

SC Training focuses on making learning accessible and engaging, with a strong emphasis on creating, managing, and delivering training content efficiently.

EdApp’s free plan provides unlimited content creation. It also includes core features, like course authoring and mobile learning.

Users can access pre-made courses from industry experts and create custom content easily with templates and multimedia tools, no coding is needed. It also offers control over content management with analytics and reporting tools.

The platform uses gamification to make learning more engaging and fun, making it one of the top tools for eLearning gamification. Other tiers include social learning tools, API access, personalized support, and contract-based billing options.

Pros:

• Free for up to 10 users
• Mobile-first, making it easy for learners to access content on the go
• Pre-made courses from industry leaders
• Easy-to-use tool for designing custom content without coding
• Powerful analytics and reporting features for tracking progress
• Gamification features to keep learners motivated

Cons:

• Limited to 10 users on the free plan
• Some users might find the mobile-first approach less ideal for desktop training
• The course library may not cover all niche topics or specific needs

Pricing:

• Free plan
• Paid plans not disclosed

3. Sakai (Best Open-Source LMS)

Sakai is a free LMS platform created through the collaborative efforts of universities, colleges, and commercial organizations. This community-driven platform is designed to support training, learning, and research.

Sakai offers features like banner alerts, notifications, lesson tools, and intelligent feedback, making it adaptable to the needs of educators and learners.

Sakai’s platform is constantly evolving, with ongoing improvements to enhance user experience and functionality. It allows users to create and manage courses and share resources within a flexible, responsive environment.

Pros:

• Supports mobile and web access with a user-friendly interface
• The open-source nature allows customization and integration
• Includes tools for course creation, collaboration, and feedback

Cons:

• Lacks some advanced features found in other LMS platforms, such as detailed analytics
• Updates and improvements depend on voluntary community contributions, which may lead to slower development
• Lacks the professional support and extensive resources that come with some commercial LMS platforms

Pricing:

• Free plan
• Paid plans not disclosed

4. Google Classroom (Best Free LMS for Teachers)

Google Classroom is a user-friendly platform designed for collaboration and managing assignments. As a free service, it suits people with limited budgets, making it the best LMS for nonprofits and individual educators.

It integrates smoothly with Google Workspace apps like Docs, Forms, Meet, Drive, and Calendar. The platform makes creating and sharing content in real-time easy, especially for organizations already using Google tools. However, it has some limitations, such as fewer options for reporting and course management.

Pros:

• Budget-friendly and interactive
• Seamlessly integrates with Google Docs, Forms, Meet, Drive, and Calendar
• Simple features for creating and sharing content

Cons:

• Limited customization
• Lacks comprehensive and advanced course creation tools
• Primarily tailored for K-12 education

Pricing:

• Free plan
• Paid plans not disclosed

5. Alison (Best Free LMS for Schools)

Alison is a free online learning platform that offers over 5,000 courses in various fields, from business and technology to language and personal development.

Founded by Mike Feerick, Alison aims to make education accessible to everyone. The platform partners with renowned institutions like Google, Microsoft, and the University of Cambridge to provide high-quality courses.

You don’t pay to access the courses, and they’re well-structured and cater to different learning styles with multimedia elements like engaging training videos, audio, and text. However, learners must pay for a certificate if they want to display their achievements to employers.

The platform also offers extra resources such as a resume builder, a mental health assessment, and a career section, providing more than just courses. However, while the platform offers a broad range of topics, the quality of courses can vary.

It’s also great for individual educators who want to create online courses with ease.

Pros:

• You get free access to all courses
• Over 5,000 courses across many categories, catering to various interests and careers
• Offers extras like resume reviews, mental health assessments, and career tools

Cons:

• Certificates aren’t included for free; learners must purchase them separately
• Some courses may not meet everyone's standards, and the quality can differ from course to course
• Some learners might find certain audio content less engaging

Pricing:

• Free plan
• You must purchase certificates separately

How to Choose the Right Free LMS Platform

When choosing the right AI LMS for your needs, start by defining your learning goals. You can do this by exploring the strengths and weaknesses of your employees.

Also, consider your timeline for a successful LMS implementation and integration. The setup of some learning management systems requires technical skills, while others, like Coursebox AI, offer a simpler and easier implementation and integration.

Now, let’s discuss other important considerations when exploring free LMS options.

Is it Really Free?

The best part about free LMS is that they’re cost-saving and allow people to reap the benefits of online learning and training even if they’re on a tight budget.

However, as we’ve already stressed, most LMSs out there aren’t actually free. That being said, before giving any free LMS software a try, contact customer support and ask about hidden fees. Typically, free plans come with strings attached.

Simply put, LMS providers don’t disclose operational expenses, like content creation, staff training, technical support, and periodic upgrades.

These hidden costs might not be obvious at first but can result in additional expenses for the organization using the LMS.

Is it Limited?

Some features of LMS you can’t get for free, especially more advanced ones that can make your training easier. However, when exploring free or cheap LMS options, make sure they offer the necessary features at least.

The basic features include course creation, basic analytics, content management, user registration, and communication tools like groups or discussion forums.

Some more advanced features you won’t likely get with a free LMS system include unlimited users and data storage, customization options, personalized learning paths, gamification, and detailed analytics.

Lastly, remember that free LMS platforms usually come with limited customer support, which can be a problem for organizations with growing potential or more complex needs.

Does it Expire?

If you decide on a free trial of a learning management system, inform yourself of how long it lasts. Every free trial expires and once it does, you lose access to the platform. This doesn’t happen with actual free LMS systems like Coursebox AI.

Can You Lose Your Data Down the Road?

Speaking of free trials of LMS platforms, you should also know that with one, your work doesn’t always come with you if you decide to upgrade in the future. In other words, the data is completely lost in the move.

To prevent this, choose a platform that can ensure a transfer of your data in case your organization requires a paid plan. Or choose a system with a free plan like Coursebox AI from the get-go that doesn’t take your hard work for granted.

How Many Users Can It Handle?

As you would expect, a free LMS tool limits the number of users. However, the actual user number varies by platform, so you should check the specific provider’s website for the exact number of users on their free plans. If it’s not disclosed, contact their customer support.

Is it Secure?

Make sure the provider of the learning management system you choose takes data security, user authentication, employing encryption, and regular backups seriously. Also, make sure it’s SCORM-compliant.

Free LMS Platforms: Closing Thoughts

When exploring LMS platforms for a small or medium-sized business, choosing a free one can be a smart, cost-effective decision.

However, you must be super careful with your choice because most LMS aren’t really free but offer a free trial, which is not the same as a free plan like the one Coursebox AI and the rest of the LMS platforms above have in place.

Adding a new system might feel challenging, but Coursebox AI gives you the flexibility to fit it into your schedule. Whether you work in HR, L&D, or IT, you can take your time to make sure everything runs smoothly. Your LMS can easily work with your other tools, helping your team learn without any interruptions.

Start free with Coursebox AI today!

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