Learning Experience Platform vs LMS

What's The Difference?

With the advancement of software technology, learning has taken on a whole new form. 

No longer do workers or members have to meet in person in order to learn; they can now take courses online, meet in virtual gatherings, and have meaningful conversations with mentors all from the comfort of their own home. But with this new innovation also comes a new problem, which online learning platform is best for you and your community's situation?

In this article, we will discuss "What are the differences between learning experience platforms (LXP) and learning management systems (LMS)?" We will also give some things to look out for and some practical advice to help you figure out which is best for your organization.

What is a learning experience platform (LXP)?

A learning experience platform is a software solution that helps deliver engaging, personalized, and effective learning experiences to its users in a less-structured format.

By centralizing all of your learning content in one place, an LXP makes it easy for users to find and consume the resources they need to improve their skills, learn new subjects, and/or dive deeper into different areas of personal interest.

In addition, an LXP can track a person's interests and provide insights into which topics are being studied most frequently. This data can help companies tailor their learning programs to better meet the needs of their employees.

An LXP recognizes adult education is advancing to video and short courses, and most importantly, to assimilation of information learned through discussion with peers, mentors and teachers. An LXP should also incorporate tracking of student progress, assessments and downloadable certificates.

As the demand for personalized learning experiences grows, so too has interest in LXPs since they have shown to be a valuable tool for businesses that are looking to invest in their employees' development and for communities or associations who provide valuable professional education, including certifications and continuing education credits.

What is a learning management system (LMS)?

A learning management system (LMS) is a software application that enables educators to create and deliver structured courses, track student progress, and assess student performance. LMSs are used by businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions to train employees, customers, and students.

While there are a variety of different LMSs available, they all share the common goal of making learning more accessible and efficient. Thanks to the growing popularity of online learning, LMSs are advancing into LXPs and becoming increasingly popular tools for educators worldwide.

The key differences between LXPs and LMSs

An LMS is primarily focused on delivering content in a structured format while also managing and tracking learner progress. An LXP, on the other hand, is designed to provide an engaging and personalized learning experience that is more user-guided and allows peer-to-peer and mentor-to-mentee or teacher-to-student connections.

Key Purpose Type of Content Use Case Pros Cons
LXP Can be Freeform Learning (User Guided)
  • User Generated Content
  • Short Form Style Content
  • Ecosystem of Interest Based Content
  • Informal Syle
  • Informal Learning
  • Employee Collaboration
  • Employee Engagement
  • Collaborative Learning
  • Engaging
  • Personal
  • Interest Driven
  • Community Focused
  • Less Structured
  • Informal
  • Less Trackable
LMS Structured Content (Facilitator Driven)
  • Structured Course
  • Downloadable Content
  • Corporate Learning
  • Compliance Training
  • Structured
  • Trackable
  • Controllable
  • Certification
  • Less Personal
  • Less Communication
  • Rigid
  • Progress-Based Training
  • Step-by-step Training
  • Professional Development
  • Formal Learning

LMSs provide robust tools for creating and delivering content, as well as for assessing learner performance. While an LXP offers features such as social learning and recommendations based on individual interests and needs.

When deciding between each option, business leaders and educators should recognize that one is not necessarily better than the other. Each one has specific use cases that can greatly benefit any organization.

LXPs are sometimes seen as more of an evolutionary step in learning technology that help organizations move toward more interactive, user-forward learning. Robust software, however, incorporates key elements of an LMS -- including structured facilitator-driven content that doesn't change and/or that a user must learn.

What to consider when selecting a system for an organization

When it comes to choosing between an LXP and an LMS for an organization, there are a few key factors to consider. First, it is important to think about the needs of the organization. What type of learning is most important?

For example, is it more important to provide employees with access to self-directed learning content or to track employee progress and compliance? Second, it is important to consider budget. An LXP can be more expensive than an LMS, but it can also be more flexible and offer more features.

Finally, take some time to research different learning technologies and read reviews from other users. This will help you get a better idea of which platform is right for your needs. Each type of platform has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it is important to choose one that will best fit the needs of the organization.

Different Use Cases for Both

When it comes to eLearning platforms, there are two main options: a learning management system (LMS) or a learning experience platform (LXP). Both systems have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice for a given organization will depend on its specific needs. Software also is developing to merge these two cases.

An LMS is traditionally used to deliver content that is structured and linear, such as online courses or training programs. An LXP, on the other hand, is more flexible and allows learners to access content in different ways. For example, an LXP might also provide access to a library of online resources that learners can explore at their own pace.

One key advantage of an LXP is that it can provide a more personalized learning experience. Learners can choose the resources that they want to use, and they can control the pace at which they learn. 

This can be especially beneficial for learners who want to research a wide variety of topics in order to improve a multitude of skill sets. It can also help those who need more flexibility when it comes to their learning schedule. 

Additionally, an LXP can be a good choice for organizations that want to provide their employees with more opportunities for self-directed learning. A traditional LMS can be less flexible than an LXP, so it might not be the best choice for organizations that want to provide their employees with more opportunities for self-directed learning.

Why compromise when you can have the best of both?

JUNO is an all-in-one digital community engagement platform that gives you the best of both an LMS and an LXP. With JUNO, you don't have to compromise on learning content or collaboration - you can have it all!

Courses and certifications provide the structure-based learning of an LMS, while the collaborative functionality of an LXP allows for peer-to-peer learning and networking. JUNO is perfect for businesses or organizations that want to provide their users with a comprehensive learning and development experience, integrating the benefits of both formal and informal learning.

Looking to build engagement with your community members? Our live and on-demand webinars are perfect for fostering connection and creating robust dialogue. Plus, our producer tools make it easy to moderate chat, while also being able to conduct Q&A's, surveys, and polls.

Plus, exhibitor suites allow you to create virtual keynotes and panels that are packed with useful information. With JUNO, you can build a strong online community that engages and develops your people.

LXP vs LMS FAQs

So, you've heard of LXP and LMS, but you're not sure which one is right for you. 

It can be tough to decide which software is the best fit for your business needs. There are a lot of options out there, and it can be hard to know which one is the right choice.

We understand that making this decision is important, so we've put together a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions about LXP vs LMS. This should help you make an informed decision about which learning platform is right for you and your team.

Will LXP replace LMS?

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so too does the world of online learning platforms. In recent years, Learning Experience Platforms (LXP) have begun to gain traction as an alternative to traditional Learning Management Systems (LMS).

At its core, an LXP is designed to provide a more personalized and engaging learning experience. Unlike an LMS, which primarily focuses on delivering content, an LXP emphasizes social and collaborative learning, giving users the ability to connect with each other, share resources, and interact with multimedia content.

As a result, LXPs have the potential to provide a more effective and efficient way of learning. However, it remains to be seen whether they will completely replace traditional LMSs. Both have their strengths and weakness, which means adopting both in an integrated “blended learning” way may be the most optimal solution.

Why do you need an LXP?

A learning experience platform (LXP) is a software solution that helps organizations create and deliver engaging, personalized learning experiences.

By using an LXP, businesses can improve employee performance and build a more agile and adaptive workforce. Additionally, an LXP can help to reduce training costs and time to proficiency.

As the workplace continues to evolve, an LXP will become an increasingly essential tool for businesses that want to stay ahead of the curve. If you're looking to improve your organization's learning and development program, an LXP is a great place to start.

What are the benefits of an LXP?

By tracking learners' activities and providing real-time feedback, LXPs help organizations continually adapt their training programs to meet the ever-changing needs of their employees.

LXPs also offer a number of other benefits, such as:

  • the ability to socialize learning
  • connect learners with experts
  • facilitating knowledge sharing
  • collaboration
  • encouraging users to generate their own content
  • deliver a personalized learning experience

In addition, LXPs can be used to gamify learning, making it more engaging and fun. Ultimately, LXPs provide a versatile and powerful tool for organizations looking to improve their employee training programs.