While online learning may have many advantages for accessibility, delivery and personalisation, it often lacks the human connection and hands-on experience that traditional settings provide.
This is why blended learning—the hybrid approach of providing both digital and in-person training—is rising in popularity. It provides educators with the flexibility and scalability of online tools while maintaining the engagement and collaboration of face-to-face interactions.
In this article, we look at what a blended learning platform is, the top solutions available, and a buyer’s guide for those wanting to adopt a blended learning approach.
What is a Blended Learning Platform?
A blended learning platform, or blended learning LMS, is a versatile tool designed to help educators and organisations seamlessly combine online and instructor-led training programs. Blended learning combines the creation and delivery of digital content, such as interactive lessons, quizzes, and video lectures, with traditional classroom or workshop-style learning.
These platforms often include features for tracking eLearning and face-to-face activities, offering a consolidated view of learner progress, engagement, and outcomes. They also include reporting dashboards, integrations with third-party software, and options for collaboration, making it easier to manage blended learning programs effectively.
Top Blended Learning Platforms
Cloud Assess is a training and assessment platform that focuses on practical skill development. This makes it a popular choice for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), other VET providers, and businesses that want to upskill and reskill their workforces. Cloud Assess’ mobile app with offline functionality makes it a particularly great fit for frontline training and on-the-job training scenarios.
When it comes to blended learning programs, Cloud Assess helps organisations develop and deliver online courses and in-person training activities to create a seamless experience. Features like log books and evidence portfolios ensure that practical, real-world training is captured and tracked effectively, supporting hands-on learning environments.
Cloud Assess also offers tools like a training matrix and skills matrix that help educators track learner progress and development. These help VET providers and companies develop effective training plans that address specific needs and skill gaps through both digital and traditional training efforts.
Key Features
- Interactive online courses
- Social learning features
- Collaborative learning features
- Gamification features
- Virtual classroom environment
- Online skills matrix
- Extensive assessment methods
- Log books and evidence portfolios
- Mobile app with offline functionality
- Compliance tracking
- Customisable reporting with real-time analytics
- Workflow automation
- Extensive integrations
Pros
- Intuitive LMS that’s easy to use
- Offline functionality and evidence portfolios make it easy to track in-person training progress for frontline and deskless workers
- Strong compliance and assessment tools
- Automated workflows simplify enrolments, notifications and skill tracking, reducing administrative burden
- Extensively customisable to meet organisational needs
- Over 5000 integrations make it easy to synchronise data across your technology stack
Pricing
Cloud Assess offers one all-inclusive plan for training organisations and workplace training, priced as a flat fee per learner from $12. Every feature is included from day one, with no upgrade paths or feature gates. Visit our pricing page for an accurate quote.
Rating
4.7/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp, Software Advice)
#2 TalentLMS
TalentLMS is a course management system that helps organisations track learner progress across digital and instructor-led training initiatives. Features like gamification boost engagement with self-paced online training courses, while strong reporting, analytics and integrations make it easy to consolidate and track data.
However, larger organisations may find that the platform lacks advanced features and offers limited content authoring tools. Occasional difficulties with data imports and exports can also impact data accuracy, especially when capturing in-person learning outcomes.
Already Know TalentLMS Isn’t The Right Fit?
Discover similar solutions.Key Features
- Course management
- AI course creation
- Self-paced learning
- eCommerce capabilities
- Progress tracking
- Strong reporting and analytics
- Automatic notifications
- Gamification features
- Mobile accessibility
- Multi-lingual support
- Integration with third-party tools
Pros
- Supports various content formats with multiple language options
- Gamification and mobile learning make online courses engaging and accessible
- Automated notifications help to streamline training workflows
Cons
- Limited advanced features to meet the needs of large organisations
- Limited native content authoring tools
- Reviews report occasional issues with data imports and exports
Pricing
TalentLMS offers four pricing tiers: Core, Grow, Pro and Enterprise.
Core starts at $89 per month for up to 40 users. The Grow tier adds onboarding functionality and custom reports from $229 per month for up to 70 users. The Pro tier provides priority support, automations and a customer success manager for $309 monthly. Pricing for the Enterprise tier, over accommodates over 1000 users is available on request.
User Volume
TalentLMS serves various business sizes, from start-ups to large corporations in industries like IT, retail and education.
Rating
4.7/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
#3 iSpring
iSpring is a digital learning platform that accommodates online and in-person training through eLearning course authoring alongside live training support. It provides options for gamifying the learning experience, delivering webinars, and reporting on traditional classroom activities. It also integrates with conferencing tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams to capture data from video-conferencing activities.
However, iSpring splits their offering between an online learning authoring tool (iSpring Suite) and a learning management system (iSpring Learn). For full functionality, you would need to pay for both.
Key Features
- Course authoring tools
- Personalised learning paths
- Gamification features
- Mobile app
- eCommerce capabilities
- Strong reporting and analytics
- Customisable branding
- Automated notifications
Pros
- Integrates with popular systems like Microsoft, Zoom and Salesforce
- Personalised learning paths and gamification boost learner engagement
- Low per-user cost for companies that only need a learning management system (LMS)
Cons
- Full functionality requires paying for both iSpring Suite and iSpring Learn
- Limited integrations compared to many competitors
- Mobile app performance could be improved
Pricing
iSpring Suite starts at $770 per course author yearly for businesses, or $470 for academic institutions.
Pricing for the LMS platform, iSpring Learn, starts at $6.70 per user monthly for organisations with up to 50 users. This pricing decreases as more users are added to the environment.
User Volume
iSpring caters to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and education providers.
Rating
4.7/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
#4 360Learning
360Learning is a collaborative learning portal that encourages students and peers to develop training programs. The platform takes a different approach to blended learning strategies by providing opportunities for both synchronous and asynchronous training. Social learning tools, gamification and interactive content help organisations deliver engaging online learning for individual and group projects.
However, 360Learning’s focus on peer-driven interaction over structured content deliver can make it less appealing for organisations that focus on traditional training. Limited offline functionality also makes it more difficult to capture data from in-person sessions.
Key Features
- Collaborative course creation
- Social learning tools
- Gamification features
- Customisable learning paths
- Discussion forums
- Mobile accessibility
- eCommerce functionality
- Strong analytics and reporting
- Automated notifications
- Integrations with third-party tools
Pros
- Collaborative learning features promote teamwork and allow for deeper understanding of training content
- Supports various formats to accommodate different learning styles
- Encourages a continuous learning culture within companies
Cons
- Less focused on accommodating in-person training than other blended learning platforms
- Collaborative style may not suit companies that prefer traditional training methods
- Limited customisation and few advanced features may make it unsuitable for large organisations.
- Integrations only available on higher pricing tier
Pricing
Pricing for 360Learning starts at $8 per user monthly for up to 100 users on their Team tier. Business pricing, which includes automation, integrations and dedicated support, is available on request.
User Volume
Popular with SMEs in industries like technology, consulting and education.
Rating
4.7/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
#5 LearnUpon
LearnUpon is an enterprise LMS with a user-friendly and customisable interface. Its content management features support online learning and in-person training, making it easy to schedule, manage and report on live sessions, instructor-led lessons and webinars. LearnUpon also supports microlearning training delivery, allowing organisations to deliver bite-sized lessons that boost learner engagement and improve knowledge retention.
However, LearnUpon doesn’t offer as many social learning or gamification features as competitors like Cloud Assess and 360Learning. Reviews also suggest occasional issues with integrations.
Looking For Platforms Similar to LearnUpon?
We’ve compiled a list.Key Features
- Course management
- User management
- Mobile accessibility
- Customisable branding
- Learning paths
- eCommerce capabilities
- Automated notifications
Pros
- User-friendly interface and extensive customisation options make LearnUpon easy to adopt
- Course management across a wide range of content formats
- Interactive course options boost learner engagement and improve knowledge retention
Cons
- Limited social learning and gamification features
- Occasional issues with integration complicate data-synching
Pricing
LearnUpon offers three pricing tiers. Essential accommodates up to 150 users and includes custom branding, live learning and eCommerce capabilities, Premium accommodates up to 500 users and adds multilingual support and integrations. The Enterprise tier is for 500+ users and allows organisations to white-label the platform.
Pricing for these options are available on request.
User Volume
LearnUpon caters to a mix of SMEs and large enterprises across industries like professional services, healthcare, and education.
Rating
4.8/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
#6 Moodle
Moodle is a popular learning management system that offers extensive flexibility. It’s an open-source solution, making it a cost-effective option for organisations with the technical experience to customise the platform to their needs. Multilingual support and advanced reporting tools help businesses track online and traditional training sessions.
However, Moodle requires technical expertise to master. The platform offers few native tools and features, making integrations, and add-ons essential to its success. Organisations that don’t have in-house developers will need to outsource the customisation and integrations to a Moodle partner.
Learn How Cloud Assess Compares.
See a detailed breakdown of the two platforms side by side.Key Features
- Open-source platform
- Extensive customisation options
- Multilingual support
- Advanced reporting tools
- Gamification features
- User forums and collaboration tools
- Secure data management
- Extensive integrations with third-party plugins
Pros
- Accommodates various types of learning styles for an effective blended learning experience
- Cost-effective and highly customisable for organisations with in-house IT professionals
- Strong community support from other Moodle users via discussion forums
Cons
- Can become costly for organisations that need to outsource technical expertise
- Few native features make the platform reliant on plugins and integrations
- Outdated look and feel make it less intuitive to use than some competitors
Pricing
Moodle is open-source, making it free to use. However, organisations that need to host their training environment with Moodle will incur additional costs. Many companies also need to outsource the platforms’ setup and customisation, which adds cost to the implementation.
User Volume
Moodle is used by educational institutions, government agencies, and non-profits, as well as large corporations looking for scalable, customisable open-source solutions.
Rating
4.3/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
#7 Blackboard Learn
Blackboard Learn by Anthology is an LMS that helps organisations track traditional training and provides a virtual learning environment (VLE) for online training. The platform supports various content types, including interactive videos, while providing AI tools to save educators and administrators time. Collaborative features, like discussion boards, help learners engage with lessons both inside and outside the classroom.
However, Blackboard Learn has a less intuitive interface than some competitors. The platform also doesn’t offer offline functionality and requires a stable internet connection to deliver online training.
Key Features
- Multimedia content support
- Content management
- VLE support
- Customisable features
- Collaborative tools
- Mobile accessibility
- Automated grading tools
- Extensive integrations with third-party tools
- Advanced reporting and analytics
Pros
- Strong focus on making learning accessible across classroom and online platforms
- Robust reporting features for tracking learner progress across different environments
- Wide range of integrations makes for simplified data-sharing across technologies
Cons
- Complex interface makes it a difficult platform to adopt
- Requires stable internet connection
- Reviews suggest occasional technical glitches
Pricing
Anthology doesn’t provide pricing for Blackboard Learn on their website. You would need to contact them directly for more information or to request a quote.
User Volume
Blackboard Learn is used by universities, colleges, and large organisations in sectors such as healthcare, government, and corporate training.
Rating
4.1/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
#8 Canvas
Canvas LMS, developed by Instructure, provides educators with a platform for building a learning community and reporting on all training efforts. It includes collaboration and social learning features that enhance communication and increase student engagement with training materials.
However, like Blackboard Learn, Canvas also relies on a steady internet connection, with few offline features. Reviews also suggest that advanced features require technical knowledge and expertise, making it more difficult to adopt, especially for organisations unfamiliar with LMS platforms.
Canvas Not Right For Your Needs?
These alternatives may be a better fit.Key Features
- Multimedia content support
- Collaboration tools
- Social learning features
- Gamification options
- Mobile accessibility
- Reports and analytics on learning initiatives
- Customisable dashboards
- API for advanced integrations
Pros
- Strong focus on collaborative and social learning
- Various integrations make it easy to adopt into any tech stack
- Flexible course management options make it easy to tailor training to individual needs
Cons
- Limited offline capabilities make it more difficult to capture in-person learning activity
- Advanced features require technical expertise to master
- Targeted at a more educational, rather than corporate, environment
Pricing
Canvas offers a Free-for-Teacher option with access to some widely used features. More advanced features are available with their paid solutions. You would need to contact their Sales team for details on their pricing.
User Volume
Canvas is widely adopted by K-12 schools and higher education institutions. They also have a Professional Ed platform for employee training and professional development.
Rating
4.6/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
#9 Adobe Learning Manager
Adobe Learning Manager is eLearning authoring software for creating training content that can be delivered face-to-face or online. It provides opportunities for synchronous and asynchronous learning, while also accommodating in-person training. AI-driven recommendations help educators tailor training to individual needs, while video-conferencing and webinar features make it easy to deliver synchronous training. Consolidated reporting tracks attendance, assessment scores and engagement data even from in-person sessions.
However, Adobe often isn’t the most cost-effective or intuitive solution. While Adobe Learning Manager works well with other Adobe tools like Connect and Captivate, it offers limited third-party integrations.
Key Features
- AI-powered course recommendations
- Mobile learning support
- Gamification features
- Social learning features
- Strong reporting and analytics capabilities
- Unified UX across in-person and virtual classrooms
- Multilingual support
- Integration with Adobe tools
- Customisable dashboards
- Automated notifications
Pros
- Uses artificial intelligence in training to personalise learning experiences
- Interactive content creation capabilities enhance learner engagement
- Supports synchronous and asynchronous learning in person and online.
Cons
- Few integrations outside of Adobe ecosystem
- Complex interface for those unfamiliar with Adobe tools
- Reviews suggest occasional performance issues
Pricing
Adobe Learning Manager provides options for either a set number of registered users, or a number of monthly active users. Pricing isn’t available on their website. You would need to enquire directly for a quote.
User Volume
Adobe Learning Manager is popular with creative industries, corporate training departments, and global enterprises that already use Adobe’s ecosystem.
Rating
4.2/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
#10 Tovuti
Tovuti is another learning portal that supports synchronous and asynchronous learning. They provide course authoring tools for creating self-paced learning opportunities alongside instructor-led training sessions, helping organisations adopt blended learning in a virtual classroom. Communication tools make it easy for learners to interact with facilitators and each other, while reporting features help to track progress and attendance.
However, Tovuti’s reporting and analytics features aren’t as advanced as some competitors. Larger organisations may also find that the platform doesn’t scale well or provide advanced features to meet their unique needs.
Key Features
- Course authoring tool
- Gamification features
- Interactive quizzes and surveys
- Community forums
- Mobile learning support
- Customisable branding
- Basic reporting and analytics features
- Automated notifications
- eCommerce capabilities
Pros
- Integrated course authoring tools make it easy to develop training content
- Supports synchronous and asynchronous learning through instructor-led and online learning courses
- User-friendly interface makes the platform easy for educators and learners to use
Cons
- Limited scalability for larger organisations
- Basic reporting features compared to competitors
- Reviews suggest occasional performance issues
Pricing
Tovuti doesn’t provide pricing on their website. You would need to enquire directly for a quote.
User Volume
Tovuti is a good fit for SMEs and non-profits looking for a flexible and engaging platform for training and community building.
Rating
4.8/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
Blended Learning Platform Buyer’s Guide
- Define Your Training Objectives. Consider what you want to achieve, the type of content you will deliver, and the features that will support those training objectives. For example, if your focus is on skill development, finding a platform that accommodates self-paced lessons, instructor-led workshops and practical skill assessments will be essential.
- Evaluate Key Features. Important blended learning features include diverse content types, tracking and reporting for in-person and online learning activity, customisation options and integrations with existing tools.
- Budget Appropriately. Be sure to factor a blended learning platform into your learning and development budget. It’s also important to consider related costs like hosting and outsourcing where required, particularly for a platform like Moodle.
- Prioritise User Experience. Look for platforms that have user-friendly designs, mobile accessibility, offline functionality, extensive learning resources and strong customer support. These improve the learning experience for students and simplify processes for administrators.
- Video
Less Admin. More Time for Training.
A great user experience goes beyond the learner. Watch this webinar to see how Cloud Assess simplifies the admin side for your assessors too.
- Test Before You Commit. Take advantage of demos and Explore Pricing to ensure the platform you choose will meet your unique needs. Consider asking stakeholders like trainers and even students to test the platform as well before you commit. This will help you gather feedback on areas like course creation, administration, reporting and usability.
