LXP vs LMS: Which One is BEST for You?

When creating your eLearning course, you will likely decide whether you want an LMS or LXP. The two have a lot of similar traits and functions, but there is a key difference. You can think of an LXP as a more advanced version of an LMS. That is because when you compare an LXP vs LMS, you will notice that the LXP offers the same features as an LMS. But the LXP also has some additional functions. 

Common Features of LMS and LXP

As mentioned, an LXP will also do everything that an LMS does. With that in mind, there are four main functions of an LMS. 

Hosts Your Course

One of the most important things that your LMS or LXP does is host your course. This means that it keeps your course somewhere online. If you don’t have an LMS, another platform would have to host your course, as it can’t exist without hosting. 

Sequence Your Course 

Whether you look at an LXP vs LMS, either will also sequence your course. This refers to putting your milestones and modules in order when your learners interact with the course. 

Delivers Your Course to Your Learners 

Speaking of your learner interacting with your course, an LMS also delivers your course to your learners. It makes it possible for your learners to access your course. 

Collects Data

One of the most important functions of an LMS is its ability to collect data. This is one of the reasons that we recommend using an LMS or LXP to most clients. You need data on your course, or you won’t be able to improve it. 

Specifically, you need data on where your learners engage the most and where they engage the least. This knowledge helps you know how to adjust the course to meet the needs of learners. better.

Extra Things an LXP Offers 

As mentioned, an LXP also has some additional functions. In a comparison of an LXP vs LMS, the following will be unique to an LXP. 

Community Aspect - User Experience Like Social Media 

LXPs create a user experience that is more similar to social media with a community aspect. For example, users can interact, post comments, and share things. 

User-Generated Content 

An LXP also supplements your content with user-generated content. Whether you make an LMS or LXP, you will start with your course, which is the content you generated. But an LXP lets your learners add to it. You can think of it as similar to how people can share resources or video clips with each other on social media. 

Personalized Experience 

Finally, an LXP delivers a personalized experience. It determines what your learners are most interested in and makes recommendations or other types of personalization. One example of this from a non-LXP is how Netflix suggests other shows or movies based on your watch history. 

Conclusion

Both an LMS and an LXP will host, sequence, and deliver your course as well as provide data on learners. On top of that, an LXP will create a community experience that is similar to social media, allow for user-generated content, and deliver a personalized experience.