Choosing an LMS platform is an important task, especially since there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Here are some benchmarks for comparing WordPress-based WordPress LMS and separate LMSs, and the pros and cons of each!

Should you start with a WordPress learning management system? Advantages and disadvantages

It’s that time of year when the eLearning world is gearing up to introduce some great new courses, thanks to the upcoming school year. Many aspiring authors are probably faced with the million-dollar question: which learning management system, or in other words, which WordPress LMS, should they start with?

This is a major issue because whichever platform you choose will be the backbone of your entire eLearning program, making it critical that the system is reliable. Due to the different LMS platforms on the market today and their different features, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for eLearning websites. However, some platforms clearly stand out from the crowd of learning management systems, such as LearnDash, Sensei, LifterLMS, Moodle, Canvas, and others.

Here, we compare two alternatives used to create the progression website:

  • A WordPress-based learning organization system using an LMS plugin such for example LearnDash.
  • A proprietary learning management system such as Moodle that works in the eLearning niche.

Both platforms have their advantages and limitations, which we’ll talk about in a minute. It’s important to note that WordPress LMS and Moodle are open source, which means they can be modified as needed.

Moodle has been in the eLearning market for over a decade and has a good understanding of the eLearning niche. WordPress joined the club in early 2010 and has grown rapidly since then.

With that out of the way, let’s break down and review these systems based on a few key points.

1. Easy to use

Designing, creating, and managing a course requires significant effort on the part of the course author. The ease of use of the WordPress LMS platform is one of the most important factors when choosing the learning management platform you develop. In this regard, WordPress offers unlimited flexibility in website design and management. It is one of the best content management systems that requires a smooth learning curve and can be used with a little practice. No coding knowledge is required, and the process is very simple.

Native solutions like Moodle lack ease of use as they often require a deep understanding of coding and web development to design a course and all its elements successfully. Moodle is widely used in universities, corporate organizations and other educational institutions. It follows that the complexity of the podium will increase as its capabilities increase. Although there is a steep learning curve, it becomes easier to use once the basic concepts are clear.

2. User Interface

The user interface, or website interface, is where all your students interact with the course. With thousands of themes available for WordPress, it’s easy to choose the look of your eLearning course website. A good user interface and straightforward navigation are some of the benefits of a WordPress LMS website.

In contrast, Moodle’s user interface is pleasant at best. The stage has made a concerted effort to improve the situation with themes like Edwiser RemUI and others, adding the much-needed interactive touch. However, the fact remains that WordPress is superior to other native eLearning platforms in terms of better user experience and front-end experience.

3. Own Functions

Built-in features that are considered an integral part of every WordPress LMS include core courses, lessons, quizzes and assignment creation capabilities, course enhancement options such as gamification, an integrated payment gateway for transactions, progress tracking and learner analytics capabilities.

Most WordPress-based LMSs only have course creation (and related items) as their main feature. However, all other features require installing separate plugins, which increases the size of the website over time.

Native learning management systems include all the landscapes mentioned above as an integral part of their core package. This is understandable since they are designed to support purely eLearning websites. However, the extensive list of features available for natural LMSs reduces the time and effort required to set up and connect each plugin separately. Plus, there are no compatibility issues here, unlike WordPress, where a bad plugin can frequently break your site.

4. Extensions

Extensions are used to extend the functionality of your website beyond the usual. WordPress is superior to Moodle in terms of extensions. At last count, there are over 51,000 plugins for WordPress, and the number continues to grow every day. While this number includes all sorts of plugins for e-commerce, e-learning, and countless other WordPress LMS applications, it far exceeds the number of extensions available for Moodle. Additionally, even if the extension is not specifically designed for eLearning, the flexibility of WordPress gives you the ability to customize the plugin to suit your requirements.

Moodle has nearly 1000+ extensions, each designed to enhance the capabilities of your eLearning platform. This feature set allows you to integrate live video, drip content, course combinations, and more. The fact that Moodle has an inherently powerful portfolio of features limits the development of extensions.

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Summing Up

WordPress is huge. There are many plugins for almost every function needed to create, develop, and deliver courses in a learning management system. The system is easy to use and has many levels of customization and many powerful integrations. Adding resources and marketing plugins to your blog can help increase your website’s reach.

However, as is the case with many chefs, sometimes too many choices can be overwhelming. WordPress is a global business solution and is not focused on e-learning, unlike native learning management systems such as Moodle. This can be a disadvantage since even basic functionality may require the installation of separate plugins. Native WordPress LMS platforms like Moodle have all the features built-in, so all the features are at your disposal. Integrating too many plugins can also weigh down a website, resulting in slow loading speeds or a lengthy optimization process.