If you are planning on selling online courses, you might have considered using a Learning Management System or LMS. With this software, you can easily create a customized e-learning experience. However, the variety of different options can make it difficult to choose the right tool for your needs.
When managing a WordPress website, it can be beneficial to install an LMS plugin. These tools makes it easy to create, manage, and customize online courses in your dashboard. With the right plugin, you’ll be able to add learning-focused features and even track your students’ progress.
In this post, we’ll define what an LMS plugin is and why you should consider installing one on your website. Then, we’ll show you the top five LMS plugins for WordPress. Let’s get started!
Why You Should Consider Using a WordPress LMS Plugin
Before diving into LMS plugins, let’s explain what a Learning Management System is. Essentially, this is a software application that helps you administrate educational programs. Using an LMS, you can create structured online course content.
An LMS plugin has the same features but is designed for WordPress websites. You’ll have all the tools you will need to build courses, enroll students, and track learner progress when you install a WordPress LMS plugin.
Although many LMS plugins are available, the right option will offer various features to fit your course needs. Here’s what you can do with a WordPress LMS plugin:
- Build courses: An LMS plugin will likely contain a course page builder. Using this tool, you can upload videos, PDFs, and links to e-learning materials.
- Enroll students: You’ll be able to register students, create memberships, and collect registration fees.
- Track progress: This feature lets your students view how much progress they’ve made on your courses.
- Enable content dripping: As students progress, you can release previously hidden learning materials.
- Include gamification: WordPress LMS plugins typically support game-like incentives for completing tasks. These can consist of rewards such as badges or certificates.
- Support payment gateways: For monetizing your courses, an LMS plugin will need to integrate well with popular payment gateways such as PayPal or Stripe.
Overall, an LMS plugin for WordPress can include many useful features for creating and managing online courses. This tool can be a perfect solution for beginners who want to launch an educational website.
Best LMS Plugins for WordPress
After deciding to install an LMS plugin on your website, you might struggle to choose the best option. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of our favorites. Here are five of the best LMS plugins for WordPress!
1. LearnDash
LearnDash is another powerful LMS plugin that is used by many universities, Fortune 500 companies, and bloggers. This LMS plugin can even support various learning programs. Although it has a simple course-building interface, LearnDash can build dynamic and intuitive online curriculums.
Key features:
- Drag and drop course builder
- Content dripping and access prerequisites
- Badges, certificates, course points, and leaderboards
- Integrations with WooCommerce, Mailchimp, Slack, PayPal, and more
With LearnDash, you can improve your students’ learning experience. By rewarding users with badges, certificates, and points, you can encourage them to complete your courses. You can even display a leaderboard to create a fun competition.
Although LearnDash is a premium plugin, it offers many free integrations with software such as WooCommerce, bbPress, and PayPal. These tools can extend the functionality of your online courses by adding payment options and student forums.
Price: LearnDash annual subscription plans start at $159 for one site license. This plan supports unlimited courses and users, drip-feed lessons, and free integrations.
2. LifterLMS
If you’re looking for an affordable but feature-packed LMS plugin, LifterLMS could be a practical option. Using this tool, you can quickly build, sell, and protect your online courses. Since the basic plugin is free, LifterLMS can also be an excellent choice for beginners.
Key features:
- Multi-tier drag and drop course builder
- Content protection by restricting access to members
- Achievement badges, certificates, and personalized emails
- Customizable payment plans and pricing models
- Integrations with third-party tools such as Stripe, PayPal, WooCommerce, and ConvertKit
Whether you’re building a membership site, employee training program, or online school, you can use LifterLMS to structure your online courses. It enables you to upload multiple media formats, including audio, images, and text.
LifterLMS is one of the best tools for scaling your e-learning website. You can start with the free core plugin and purchase individual add-ons as needed. This way, you can access advanced features without paying for expensive premium plans.
Price: The core LifterLMS plugin is free. However, if you need to access extended add-ons, you can purchase a larger premium plan. Pricing starts at $199 per year.
3. Tutor LMS
With Tutor LMS, you can design a minimalist course that simplifies the learning process for your students. This LMS plugin has a front-end drag and drop builder to customize quizzes, lessons, and assignments. You can also implement a pre-made layout to easily create course catalogs and detail pages.
Key features:
- Front-end course builder
- Drag and drop certificate builder
- Personalized dashboards for students, administrators, and instructors
- Reports on student performance and course earnings
- Integrations with Easy Digital Downloads and WooCommerce
One unique feature of Tutor LMS is its earning and commission allocation. If multiple people administrate your website, this setup can quickly distribute course earnings between them. This feature can also be helpful if you have more than one instructor.
Moreover, Tutor LMS has many beneficial features for students. Online learners can access your courses and submit assignments on any mobile device. There is also a built-in event calendar to easily view upcoming tasks.
Price: Tutor LMS is a free WordPress plugin. Alternatively, the premium version starts at $199.00 per year. This subscription enables you to access a front-end course builder, drip content, and automate student grading.
4. Sensei LMS
Since it was created by Automattic, the developers at WordPress, Sensei LMS contains responsive software that integrates well with any WordPress theme. If you need further convincing, this LMS plugin is often used to build employee training programs for WordPress.
Key features:
- Insert blocks with course and student information into pages and posts
- Create lessons with images, videos, and slideshows
- Enable content dripping and course expiration settings
- Enable Learning Mode
- Integrate with WooCommerce
Unlike other plugins, Sensei LMS lets you turn on Learning Mode. Essentially, this setting will create a distraction-free experience for your students. Plus, this feature is fully customizable using Full Site Editing.
By installing Sensei LMS, you can start teaching online for free. This setup can be an effective way to start developing simple learning material. However, the free version of Sensei LMS doesn’t enable you to sell online courses.
Price: The core plugin is free. However, if you want to monetize your content, you’ll need to purchase Sensei Pro. This plugin costs $179 per year and integrates with WooCommerce. Additionally, you’ll be able to implement content dripping and timed quizzes.
5. WP Courseware
Similar to other LMS plugins, WP Courseware provides an easy-to-use course builder. You can simply drag and drop elements to organize and structure your curriculum. With WP Courseware, you can also create an engaging learning experience by embedding media files.
Key features:
- Drag and drop course builder
- Support for unlimited courses and students
- Progress reports, certificates, and achievements
- Built-in shopping cart and automated transaction emails
- Integrations with PayPal, WooCommerce, Memberium, OptimizePress, and more
WP Courseware also supports many different quiz options. You can include true/false, multiple-choice, or open-ended questions. You can also randomize questions when a student retakes a test to maximize retention.
Although WP Courseware is a premium LMS plugin, it offers some of the most feature-packed subscriptions. It can support an unlimited number of courses and students. Plus, even the cheapest plan supports two WordPress sites.
Price: Subscriptions for WP Courseware start at $129 per year. These plans come with one year of support and updates. Plus, you’ll receive a 30-day risk-free guarantee.
Conclusion
If you have a passion for teaching, a Learning Management System can help you create and structure online courses. Using the right WordPress LMS plugin, you can easily start selling engaging, informative content on your website.
To review, here are five of the best LMS plugins for creating online courses in WordPress:
- LearnDash: A popular LMS plugin that provides management integrations and features for rewarding students.
- LifterLMS: This affordable LMS comes with options to scale your online courses by purchasing individual add-ons.
- Tutor LMS: This simple tool can enable students to take courses from their mobile devices and view assignments in a built-in calendar.
- Sensei LMS: A responsive LMS plugin that integrates well with WordPress themes and provides a Learning Mode to decrease distractions for your students.
- WP Courseware: With any plan, this premium plugin can support an unlimited number of courses and students.
