LXP vs LMS: Difference, Business Benefits, Key Features [Ultimate Guide!]

The primary goal of an LXP is continuous learning for creating internal mobility, addressing talent gaps, and growing highly performing professionals. If your company uses LMS for corporate education, shall you switch to LXP or just add advanced features to your LMS? Or if it’s your first time to choose an eLearning platform, what to choose to make the best investment decision? Keep on reading to find out.

Based on 15+ years of expertise in eLearning, we will analyze your business needs in-depth and recommend the system that will resolve all the challenges your company faces, whether it is LMS, LXP or even TMS. Get a free quote!

What is LXP?

LXP stands for Learning Experience Platform.

As software for professional learning, LXP is a solution to the problem of the up-to-date content shortage typical for an LMS.

There are a lot of high-quality learning libraries with content that is automatically updating. It's more cost-efficient just to integrate your e-learning platform with this ready-to-use content than to deal with old content that you need to import manually into your LMS. With LXP functionality both options are possible: you can import some courses manually, as well as integrate with courses providers via API.

LXP provides high engagement. Compared with a strict predefined learning path in LMS, LXP's learners build their own path that gives them more control and more productivity, both in acquiring new skills and in upgrading their qualifications.

Artificial Intelligence behind LXP accelerates the adoption of new knowledge. AI-driven algorithms recommend to the learner personally structured content that is exactly what the learner needs exactly at this time. Neither more nor less.

Some experts compare LXP with Netflix in eLearning due to its consumer-oriented methodology and intelligent content recommendation. Here is how its interface usually looks like (example of Linkedin LXP).

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LMS vs LXP: Key Differences

The line between those two classes of software is blurry and will depend on the functionality of a given system.

For example, many LMS’, including Docebo and D2L, have addons that let the system perform as an LXP. Any educational software that supports the LTI standard can stream third-party learning content. On the other hand, features like learning paths and social integration are pretty much industry standard for an LMS.

So companies may have an LXP, an LMS, or both depending on their goals and employees’ training approach.

Use the LXP and LMS in tandem to:

• launch and track LMS-created course in LXP;
• augment your LMS-based training with a vast content library that LXP provides;
• allow admins to easily manage all corporate learning processes;
• get all analytical data from different platforms in one place.

Have an LMS and cannot decide if you need to switch to LXP or just add more functionality to upgrade your LMS to get all innovative features? Contact our eLearning expert to get professional advice based on your situation.

How LXP resolves business challenges

Learning Experience Platforms appeared as a response to new business challenges that stakeholders faced and couldn’t resolve without an innovative approach.

Among the major business challenges that companies face now there are:

• the need for continuous upskilling and reskilling of the workforce;
• preventing talent shortage;
• organizing internal mobility;
• timely building of employees’ in-demand and future-proof skills;

• leadership retiring and preparation of the next generation;
• avoiding employees’ burnout and increasing engagement.

To address the mentioned business challenges, the learning content within the LXP must be highly relevant and just-in-time, which is achieved through highly personalized recommendations. 

Personalized recommendations allow learners to choose the learning path that will mostly favor their skill-building and keep up their engagement rates.

Let’s turn to Josh Bersin, the expert researcher in the topics of corporate HR, talent management, and technology. He suggests that LXPs recommend content based on the following approaches:

1. Skills-based recommendations.

An LXP associates a job position with a certain skill set. So creating a profile in an LXP requires mentioning your actual skills. 

When employees decide to upskill or reskill they choose the desired position. The LXP detects the skills they are supposed to possess. 

Then the system matches these skills with the available content.

The content for learning will be recommended based on the gap between the actual skills and the skills required for the desired job position.

degreed.com

2. AI-based recommendations.

An AI engine collects data about learners, their performance, behavior, and learning paths.

Imagine you give an AI engine 1000 learners’ profiles. AI labels all the data from the profiles (skills, expertise) and the requested content (course categories, difficulty level). 

Then the engine finds patterns that allow making automatic predictions about the interest of learners and the content relevance.

Essentially, the underlying task of Artificial Intelligence is to predict the engagement of learners, given contextual information about the learners and courses.

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3. Usage data-based recommendations.

The LXP aggregates massive amounts of the data of other learners with similar profile information to use as a basis for your content recommendations. 

Such an approach has its bottleneck. If some course is widely recommended, it outcompetes other content that could be more relevant and valuable. And the LXP developers are working to resolve the issue.

Some LXPs also let learners segment into communities. Thanks to this, the platform can recommend the most relevant and popular content within the community. 

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4. Recommendations based on learner’s personal choice.

To find out what content to recommend you can directly ask the learner.

This experience is similar to the first launch of Spotify when you need to choose your preferences. 

In the case of LXPs, thanks to defining your interests and goals, the system gets relevant information about your learning preferences. 

Except for the content recommendation directly, this approach can be used for the best learning process adjustment. So the system may ask you about your level of expertise and your preferable way of learning (e.g., through articles, podcasts, or videos).

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Have you thought about deploying one of these innovative content recommendation approaches into your corporate training? Discuss all the options with our eLearning expert.

Key LXP features

The first step to deploying an LXP in your company is to understand what your employees expect from the program. Based on this information, you can decide what LXP functionality would be the best fit. 

However, there are the key LXP features every solid platform must have.

Highly intuitive individualized interface

The interfaces of LXPs are much like Netflix and Google have. They reveal past interactions, learning paths, preferences, and recommendations. The user interface is responsive, individualized, and ubiquitous in delivery. It provides highly immersive learning experiences to users of the platform.

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Social learning

This includes inbuilt functionality for communication and knowledge exchange (e.g. community-recommended or user-generated content);

Many learning experience platforms have rating systems, public comments, and sharing options like in social media networks.

Moreover, learners can showcase their expertise in the topic to their peers.

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Microlearning

LXPs include brief learning pieces that answer topic questions precisely (e.g. “How to create a diagram in Google Doc”). 

Such bite-sized learning allows employees to learn within the working environment, easily switching to the LXP on the desktop or a mobile device. 

The microlearning method supports different types of learning, including blended learning, group-based learning, problem-based learning, ILT. 

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Gamification in LXP

Gamification is using game-design elements in a non-game environment. For example, a system of points, levels, and badges awarded for diligent study and high test grades is gamification.

Gamification is used much more often, as it requires less investment to implement. Yet it has proven its effectiveness. Here’s what it brings:

• Better learning outcomes. Studies show that gamified software is more effective at teaching than its non-gamified counterparts.
• Improved motivation. Game elements make people willingly spend more time studying, thus increasing the overall effectiveness of learning.
• Fun. People who participate in gamified learning as part of their work report increased enjoyment and loyalty towards their company.

For more information on gamification, its benefits, and risks see our article. And for examples of this approach in corporate training, read another one.

Don’t confuse gamification with game-based learning.

Game-based learning, on the other hand, is using play to teach skills or transfer knowledge. Solving equations quickly to make your racecar run faster than the opponents is an example of game-based learning.

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Extensive integration capabilities

Being a learning gateway, an LXP is usually just a part of a corporate L&D and HR system. It integrates with many other types of business software, including CRM, HRM, ERP, LRS, etc.

It permits the platform to collect the data it needs to curate content more effectively and to get valuable data for improving employee management.

For example, an LXP integrates with an LRS to deliver trends and patterns through data analytics. The purpose is to help in personalizing learning even further.

In-Built Artificial Intelligence

A key feature of the LXP is the Artificial Intelligence engine for content recommendation and personalization of a learning path.

The platform automatically recommends relevant learning materials based on a learner’s job position, experience level, previously completed courses, and other relevant information. 

The use of AI includes the recommendation of lessons from third parties and “non-learning” systems such as YouTube.

Artificial Intelligence also performs a prediction function. 

Thanks to the integration with HR, LRS, CRM platforms, AI collects data and identifies trends and patterns in the on-demand skills and jobs

So based on these data, business stakeholders can make informed training and learning decisions.

Advanced analytics with xAPI (SCORM, cmi5, LTI)

One of the primary goals of an LXP as a basis of a corporate learning culture is to connect learning with on-the-job performance.

To perform it successfully, LXPs have adopted advanced standards, such as experience API (xAPI), cmi5, LTI, or SCORM (as the one of the previous generation but still highly in use).

For example, it allows tracking how learners succeed in the course, what certificates they get, what skills they master, which courses are the most relevant and effective, etc.

All this information helps business stakeholders understand how the learning process influences the work that people perform and whether your training is truly effective.

Seamless access to multiple devices 

It’s critical to give learners the ability to access content anytime and anywhere so that they could start a desktop course and be able to complete it later on a mobile device. 

For that, your content must be available on any device, including desktop, native mobile, and progressive web apps. 

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How Belitsoft Can Help

Being in the eLearning market for more than 15 years and having delivered several LXPs, we know what we are talking about. Here’s how we can help you:

• Custom LXP development. If none of the boxed solutions fit your needs we can make you a new one from scratch.
• LXP customization. If you need to make a few tweaks to an existing open-source system (whether it is changing a logo and a color scheme or adding new features and modules) we can do that.
• LXP consulting. We can discuss your needs in depth and recommend the system that would be the most beneficial for your company.
• Content development. Should also need to create lessons and quizzes or repackage the existing ones in a different format, we can do it for you.

Custom LXP vs Out-of-the-box LXP

In this regard, the LXPs are not too different from any other software. The advantages of a turnkey system are as follows:

• Total control. As the owner of the system, you decide which features to include, which information to store or access and how to do it. This allows you to precisely tailor the LXP to your company and your employees.
• Better long-term value. With a custom system, you don’t have to pay license fees, which can add up, especially in case of a “per user” pricing. After the initial investment pays off, a custom LXP becomes an asset.
• Added valuation. A turnkey software system is a valuable piece of intellectual property that will increase your company’s valuation on the market.

A boxed system, on the other hand, has the following benefits:

• Low initial cost. The software is already complete, so you don’t have to pay for its development or wait till it’s finished.
• The vendor provides support. You don’t have to have your own IT-team (whether in-house or outsourced) to handle the maintenance of your LXP, as it is the responsibility of the company you bought the system access from.
• Community. Products have a community around them. Participating in one allows learning from others’ mistakes and using your LXP to its maximum potential.

FAQ

✅ What is the main difference between LXP and LMS?

The key differences between LXP and LMS are:

• Business purposes. LMS learning focuses on onboarding, compliance training, and licensing, while LXP is aimed at continuous professional development to grow highly performing professionals.
• Who manages the content and the learning process. LMS is an administrator-centric system when an admin creates a learning path, manages the content, assigns tasks, etc. LXP, on the contrary, is a learner-centric system when learners choose content based on recommendations and their own interests, and can self-direct their learning paths.

✅ Who Uses LXPs?

The primary application of LXP is corporate training. So LXPs are widely used by companies from small to large.

The main users of the platform are employees that use it for upskilling and reskilling. Managers and executives, including heads of L&D and HR departments, use LXP as a tool to track and train their employees with the purpose of organizing internal mobility and preventing talent shortage.

✅ What Will Be the Future of Learning Experience Platforms?

The LXP market is progressing fast. The software will be improved thanks to such innovative features as Artificial Intelligence, gamification, IoT, AR / VR and cognitive technologies, and many others. It will deepen the level of personalization and engagement, leading to accomplishing business goals faster and more effectively.

✅ How Can You Help?

We offer the following services: custom LXP development , LXP customization and consulting, сontent development. Click to find out more here.

LXP Market Growth

The LXP market in 2019 was estimated to be around USD 300 million. Compared to the whopping USD 4 billion LMS market this seems insignificant until you learn that LXPs have been growing by over 50%  annually.

The vendors of traditional LMS’ understand the importance of the innovations and include elements of LXPs in their products. Things like flexible learning paths, LXP-style user interface, and third-party content are becoming quite popular.

Now that the eLearning market got a significant growth push due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we can expect the LXPs to gain even more prominence.

Top 10 LXPs

Valamis LXP

This Finnish company has been on the market since 2003, although its LXP offering is much younger.

Valamis. Source

Valamis has all the core features of an LXP and a bit more:

• Personalized recommendations
• Flexible learning paths
• Third-party platform integrations
• Built-in authoring tool
• Learning analytics
• Built-in learning records store (LRS)

Customers praise Valamis for its flexibility and scalability, although they consider it to be quite pricey.

Edcast LXP

Edcast is a US-based eLearning company that has been founded in 2013. Besides an LXP it offers a couple of other relevant products. 

Edcast on a mobile device. Source

Edcast features the following:

• Personalized recommendations
• Flexible learning paths
• Third-party platform integrations
• Built-in authoring tool
• Learning analytics

In addition, the company has a marketplace where the users can buy quality learning content and connect with experienced corporate trainers.

Edcast is liked for its rich functionality and powerful AI. However, the administration side isn’t as good as the rest of the platform.

Degreed LXP

Degreed operates out of San Francisco, California. It has won over 25 industry awards.

Degreed. Source

Degreed boasts the following core functions:

• Personalized recommendations
• Flexible learning paths
• Third-party platform integrations
• Built-in authoring tool
• Learning analytics

All-in-all, Degreed has a wide array of powerful features. However, some of them, like the Skill Review (adaptive assessment system) require extra fees. In addition, the AI, while powerful, requires the learner to complete the content (or at least check the completion box), otherwise, the recommendations won’t be as precise.

Learn Amp LXP

Learn Amp is a powerful, though relatively unknown product. It is developed by a small company and targets SMEs as its primary customers, although it certainly could work for large companies as well.

Learn Amp. Source

Learn Amp has the following main features:

• Personalized recommendations
• Flexible learning paths
• Third-party platform integrations
• Built-in authoring tool
• Learning analytics

The functions also include classroom management and event management, both rare in the LXP market.

Learn Amp is a well-balanced system with efficient content curation. However, its analytical capabilities are lacking, compared to its better-known competitors.

LinkedIn Learning LXP

Microsoft-owned LinkedIn Learning is a cross between a MOOC platform and an LXP.

LinkedIn Learning. Source

LinkedIn Learning has the following core features:

• Personalized recommendations
• Flexible learning paths
• Third-party platform integrations
• Learning analytics

One of the advantages this LXP has over its competitors is its access to the users’ LinkedIn profiles. The platform uses this to improve content curation: for example, you can get recommendations based on your job function, industry, or skills you’ve mentioned.

LinkedIn Learning has great UI and UX on both desktop and mobile devices. However, its customization options are extremely limited, and its analytics is not as robust as with other systems.

Instilled LXP

This system has been released in 2019 but quickly gained the admiration of both its users and competitors.

Instilled. Source

These functions are at the core of Instilled LXP:

• Personalized recommendations
• Flexible learning paths
• Third-party platform integrations
• Built-in authoring tool
• Learning analytics

Instilled is praised for its powerful authoring tools (especially video editing), robust analytics, major eLearning standards integration, and seamless UI and UX. Unfortunately, the lackluster data visualization and lack of content partners are the proverbial flies in the ointment. 

Percipio LXP

Percipio is developed by Skillsoft - a company well-known for its Skillport LMS and content development.

Percipio. Source

Percipio has the following core features:

• Personalized recommendations
• Flexible learning paths
• Third-party platform integrations
• Built-in authoring tool
• Learning analytics

This LXP has a Google Chrome extension that allows you to search for content on the platform just by highlighting certain words or phrases as you surf the web. Other advantages include good UI/UX, powerful mobile app with an offline mode, and integration with all the widespread eLearning standards (SCORM, xAPI, CMI-5, and even AICC). Still, the system isn’t perfect - for example, it suggests a lot of low-quality and outdated content.

Thrive LXP

Thrive is a UK-based company that launched its LXP in 2019.

Thrive Source

Thrive has the following core features:

• Personalized recommendations
• Flexible learning paths
• Third-party platform integrations
• Learning analytics

True to the LXP concept, Thrive has a great UI and UX, a powerful set of additional features, and a content marketplace with learning modules. However, the lack of an in-built authoring tool and gamification options sets it back.

Infuse LXP

Infuse was developed by Absorb, an LMS vendor. This system is focused on corporate training. 

Absorb Infuse. Source

Infuse boasts the following major functions:

• Personalized recommendations
• Flexible learning paths
• Third-party platform integrations
• Built-in authoring tool
• Learning analytics

Infuse’s UI is good, although inconsistent in some places. It also has certain in-built gamification elements and its skills/certification management is solid as well. However, it could use more social learning functionality and better integrations.

Coorpacademy LXP

Coorpacademy has offices in the UK, Switzerland, and France. It focuses on microlearning and corporate training. 

Coorpacademy. Source

Coorpacademy has all the main functions an LXP needs:

• Personalized recommendations
• Flexible learning paths
• Third-party platform integrations
• Built-in authoring tool
• Learning analytics

This system has one of the best data visualization systems in the LXP field. It also features a unique game-based learning system allowing users to challenge one another to a trivia battle. Gamification is also there. Unfortunately, Coorpacademy is only compatible with xAPI and no other standards.