Open source LMSs offer greater flexibility and customization for online professional training, allowing organizations to adapt the platform to their specific needs. However, they require dedicated technical resources for installation, maintenance, and support, which can be a challenge for some businesses.
More and more companies are talking about “Learning Management System (LMS)” when it comes to creating content for vocational training of their teams.
Behind this technical term is an easy to use platform to manage your training content, observe the evolution of your learners and centralize your training solutions on a single solution.
Yes, but what is an open source LMS? And what is the difference with a proprietary LMS? We explain everything to you!
What is an LMS and why should you adopt it for your professional training?
The characteristics of an LMS and its role in online training
The Learning Management System (LMS) is a software (open source or proprietary) that allows you to create your online training program. It is a system that facilitates the learning of skills (“learning”) and the management of learners and training content (“management”).
What is an open source LMS?
An open source platform or solution is a program whose code can be viewed, modified, and distributed online by any contributor.
An Open Source Learning Management System (LMS) therefore refers to an open access training platform program that any company can appropriate and distribute to learners. The best known Open Source LMS platform is Moodle.
What is a proprietary LMS?
The proprietary Learning Management System (LMS) is a solution developed by a private training company and sold on a turnkey basis to other beneficiary companies. A company that acquires a proprietary LMS platform can use it very quickly and does not need special IT knowledge to get started with the tool. Very often, the platform is ergonomic and intuitive: training modules are easily created. It's a huge time-saver!
On the other hand, proprietary LMS platforms are chargeable: the price includes updates, customer support, and publisher support if necessary. This is generally a cost for the company, but it ensures a regular evolution of the tool and quality maintenance.
How do I choose between an Open Source LMS and a Proprietary LMS?
Open Source LMS is by definition opposed to proprietary LMS. It is free to access, online, free, and must require good computer skills to use (as is the case for Moodle). As for the proprietary LMS, it is chargeable, ergonomic, easy to understand, and is sold by a private company.
So How to choose between an Open Source LMS and a Proprietary LMS ?
The price of the training platform
If you don't have the budget to invest in a Proprietary LMS, opt for an Open Source LMS instead. But keep in mind that some additional costs will be expected: platform hosting, server configuration, data backup, recruitment of a full-time person to manage the platform, maintenance in case of technical bugs...
Internal resources for managing your platform
An Open Source LMS requires some internal resources to modify the source code and customize it according to your needs. If you don't have the time or the capabilities, choose a proprietary LMS.
The urgency of setting up your platform
If your professional training needs are urgent, don't waste time with an open source LMS. Turn to a proprietary LMS and start creating your training modules quickly.
The functionalities of the training platform
It is essential to check the functionalities of the LMS before you start!
- Mobile Learning : The Open Source LMS does not offer a mobile version. It will only be accessible on the web in responsive mode.
- Gamification : gamification is only available on Open Source LMS by investing in additional plug-ins (sometimes for a fee). Gamification is very important in your training course: it increases the completion rate of your courses and facilitates learning through fun courses.
An Open Source Learning Management System (LMS), such as Moodle, evolves randomly according to changes made by the community that creates the source code. A proprietary LMS is constantly updated by dedicated teams. The functionalities of an Open Source LMS are therefore more limited than those of a proprietary LMS.
Getting started with your training platform
This is the big advantage of the proprietary LMS: it is very easy to handle! This turnkey solution can even be customized for the business. The Open Source LMS, on the other hand, will require more computer knowledge before you can start using it.
The Open Source LMS is therefore a good solution for companies that have the internal resources to modify the source code and a little time in front of them. It is also an interesting financial option (excluding additional costs). But if you want a tool that is easy and quick to implement, with more varied functionalities, opt for the Proprietary LMS!
