LearnDash vs LifterLMS: 11 Key Tips for Choosing the Right LMS

One of the most popular LMS is LearnDash. So is LifterLMS. Each offers many features for creating and managing courses. Each learning management system has unique qualities. These can make one system better suited for your needs. Therefore, choosing the right LMS is crucial. It directly impacts how you deliver and manage your online courses.

Let us compare LearnDash and LifterLMS thoroughly. This should help you decide which LMS you should go for.

1. Pricing

For those creating their first LMS, pricing is a crucial consideration. Exploring the free version of a plugin provides insight into its workings and a glimpse of its features. However, if you’re committed to your LMS and seek enhanced functionality, the paid versions of LearnDash and LifterLMS plugins offer varying features based on your preferences.

LearnDash-

Unlike some other plugins, LearnDash does not provide a free version. However, they offer a straightforward pricing model for the base plugin. LearnDash costs $199 per year per site. Importantly, there are no extra charges.

LifterLMS-

LifterLMS provides a free version of the plugin. It has limited features and lets you test and evaluate it yourself. The paid versions of LifterLMS offer pricing from $149 to $1200 per year. The functionality The cost varies based on the selected pricing plan. Their most popular plan costs $360 per year.

Pricing-wise, LearnDash wins easily with its $199 plan. While LifterLMS offers multiple plans which could confuse beginners.

2. Unlimited Courses, Lessons, and Students

When considering cloud-based LMS solutions, a crucial factor often becomes a deal breaker for many of us. You should check how many courses and students the LMS can support.

Both LMSs offer courses and lessons. They even accommodate unlimited number of students.

3. Supported Quiz Question Types

Most Learning Management Systems allow quiz creation. These quizzes test students on their course materials. To keep your courses interactive, you should use different question types in the quiz. Keep in mind that each LMS supports different question formats for quizzes.

LearnDash-

There are eight quiz question types. Single choice, free choice and multiple choice. You also get sorting, matrix sorting, fill in the blank, assessment, and essay. If you want to add a custom quiz question type to your course, you can always opt for learndash quiz customization services.

LifterLMS-

LearnDash offers 12 question types. However, their availability depends on using the free LMS plugin or a paid add-on.

For base plugins, you get Single Choice, Multiple Choice, Image Multiple Choice, and True/False.

As for paid add-ons, you get Fill in the blank, Reorder Items, Reorder Pictures, Short Answer, Long Answer, Upload, Code, and Scale.

Again when you compare quiz question types, LearnDash offers its 8 types in its package without any hidden charges. But LifterLMS has more quiz question types and you need to pay extra for them.

4. E-commerce Integration

Thinking of selling courses on WordPress? Then, WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) are key. So, check how well they work with your Learning Management System (LMS). 

LearnDash–

LearnDash works with both WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads.

LifterLMS–

LifterLMS only supports WooCommerce.

5. Course Cloning

With course cloning ability you can easily duplicate an existing course.

LearnDash–

LearnDash simplifies course cloning with its built-in functionality. Teachers can easily copy courses in LearnDash. With a single click, they clone all settings, lessons, topics, quizzes, and assignments.Educators can quickly make new courses using a template. Cloning is a crucial feature in LearnDash, and if you encounter any difficulties, consider hiring a LearnDash expert for assistance

LifterLMS–

LifterLMS simplifies course cloning with its built-in functionality. Instructors can easily copy a course in LearnDash. With a click, they clone settings, lessons, quizzes, and assignments. This feature speeds up creating new courses from existing ones.

6. Video Support

Video Hosting is a functionality that enables instructors to upload and store their video content directly on the website. This makes it smooth and secure to deliver video materials.

LearnDash–

LearnDash has native support for video, YouTube and Vimeo.

LifterLMS–

LifterLMS has no native support. But it does support YouTube. It also supports Vimeo, Wisita, and VdoCipher.

7. Assignments

Assignments are tasks or activities. Learners must complete them as part of their course. You can get graded or ungraded assignments. They may be quizzes, essays, or projects. They exist to let learners show their skills. They get feedback from instructors.

LearnDash–

LearnDash offers a strong assignments feature. It helps instructors create and manage tasks for learners. They can design various assignments to check understanding and monitor progress.

In LearnDash, instructors can add assignments to lessons. This lets students upload files as part of their submissions. You can grade these assignments. This gives valuable feedback to learners and improves the learning experience.

Also, if you have trouble setting up assignments, you can get help from a LearnDash expert. They can easily do it for you.

LifterLMS–

You’ll need to buy the ‘assignment‘ add-on. It unlocks all of LifterLMS’s features for evaluating learners’ progress. 

This add-on lets educators create assignments in lessons. Learners to submit their work directly through the LifterLMS platform. Assignments can take various formats, including essays or file uploads, and instructors can grade and offer feedback on learners’ submissions.

8. Course Content Protection

LearnDash–

You get access to tons of security plugins. You can get the free ‘LearnDash Integrity’ plugin to secure your course contents.

It offers user access control. This lets you set user roles on who can access the content. This can be based on membership levels or specific criteria.

LifterLMS–

In LifterLMS you get the security features like ‘Prevent text copy and image download’ and ‘Prevent concurrent logins’. It also allows you to control access to user roles.

9. Drip & Scheduled Course Content

Using Drip feature you can release content after specific intervals. You can set timers on courses, quizzes, and other content.

LearnDash–

LearnDash allows you to control drip content. After a specific time your course content will be released accordingly.

LifterLMS–

LifterLMS also offers drip content. Only after setting timer will your content be released.

10. Drag & Drop Course Builder

The Drag & Drop Course Builder lets you design and customize courses easily. You do this by moving and arranging modules, lessons, quizzes, and assignments using a visual interface.

LearnDash–

LearnDash includes a Course Builder. It’s enabled by default. With it you can create and customize course structures effortlessly. Organize your course with ease. Just drag and drop lessons, topics and quizzes. This method lets you quickly change their order.

LifterLMS–

LifterLMS offers user-friendly drag and drop course builder. With this visual interface, you can easily organize course elements. Just drag and drop them in the correctly. Moreover, this builder makes creating engaging eLearning easy and flexible.

Both platforms offer seamless course builders. These builders let you customize your user interfaces and add custom functionalities.

11. Front-End Course Builder

The Frontend Course Builder allows instructors to create and edit course content directly on the website. This eliminates the need for backend tools or coding. It offers drag-and-drop elements, templates, widgets, and other intuitive tools for streamlined course creation and updates. 

LearnDash–

LearnDash doesn’t natively include a Front-End Course Builder. But it does offer a backend Course Builder for instructors to create and customize courses. If you’re seeking a Front-End Course Builder experience, you can explore third-party add-ons that provide this functionality as an add-on feature.

LifterLMS–

LifterLMS has a native Front-End Course Builder. Instructors can create and edit courses directly on the website. This simplifies the process. Moreover, LifterLMS offers a user-friendly interface. This makes for a smooth experience.

Conclusion

It is crucial to choose the right LMS. It will impact your eLearning business. Each of the 11 points I explained thoroughly compares both the LMSs.

Both offer great performance and reliable support. But on some aspects they vary. By selecting the best LMS solution, you can enhance your courses, improve user satisfaction, and achieve your educational goals.