Business Insights

Skillsoft vs. Branchtrack: Decoding the best LMS software for your needs

May 08, 2024

Decoding the best LMS software for your needs<br />
Making sure your team stays sharp isn’t just a choice, it’s a must. That’s where learning management systems (LMS) step in as heroes. These cool systems, like Saba Cloud for example, make it easy to handle everything from delivery and tracking to grading employee training programs. But hold your horses! With so many LMS options out there, finding the right one for your business can be somewhat hectic and confusing. 

In this article, we’re going to discuss the two popular LMS contenders: Skillsoft and BranchTrack. We’ll unpack what they bring to the table, who they’re perfect for, and how their prices stack up. Our goal? To give you the lowdown so you can pick the best match for what you’re after. 

Understanding skillsoft

Skillsoft, a prominent LMS system, provides an integrated platform populated with a wide range of pre-made content. It is a one-stop shop for all your training needs, allowing employees to easily increase their workforce. 

Here’s a closer look at what Skillsoft brings to the table: 

  • Features and functionalities: Skillsoft offers a comprehensive set of features such as course assignments, learner progress monitoring, gamification aspects to increase engagement, and extensive reporting to assess the efficacy of training programs. 
  • Target audience: Skillsoft serves a wide range of industries, including IT and finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. Their enormous content library assures that everyone can find anything they want. 
  • Pricing: Skillsoft has a subscription-based pricing strategy with many tiers. Skillsoft pricing is normally determined by the number of users, the exact features required, and the duration of your contract. Expect tiered price structures, with distinct functions available at each level. 

Understanding BranchTrack

BranchTrack takes a slightly different approach to employee training. While Skillsoft excels in pre-built content, BranchTrack shines in its ability to help organizations create and deliver their custom training materials. 

Here’s a breakdown of BranchTrack’s key features: 

  • Features and functionalities: BranchTrack offers a user-friendly platform for building engaging learning experiences. Think drag-and-drop course creation, multimedia content integration, interactive elements like quizzes and polls, and robust assessment tools. 
  • Target audience: BranchTrack is great for firms that require customized training or have a plethora of internal information to share with their staff. It’s ideal for firms in highly specialized sectors or those with specific compliance needs. 
  • Pricing: BranchTrack likewise uses a subscription approach, with prices dependent on the number of active users. However, unlike Skillsoft’s pre-built content collection, BranchTrack does not provide its course materials. The platform’s cost represents its capacity to design and administer customized training programs. 

In the next part, we’ll review the pricing details for both platforms and perform a side-by-side comparison to help you understand each LMS’s value proposition. 

Before we go into the cost debate, keep in mind that while pre-built material might be a significant benefit, the ability to construct personalized training programs should not be overlooked. Consider your organization’s specific needs and how much in-house training content you anticipate developing. 

Comparative analysis

Now that we’ve examined the qualities of Skillsoft and BranchTrack, it’s time to compare them and see which one comes out on top (or, at the very least, is most suited to your needs). We’ll examine numerous factors to assist you in making an educated selection. 

User interface and experience (UI/UX) 

  • Skillsoft: Skillsoft has a clear and straightforward design that learners and administrators may easily explore. The features are well-organized, and the overall design promotes a user-friendly experience. 
  • BranchTrack: BranchTrack is similarly a user-friendly platform, although it has a much higher learning curve for course authors. However, the drag-and-drop course-building tools are intuitive, and readily available resources and tutorials can help bridge the gap. 

Content library 

  • Skillsoft: Skillsoft shines in this category. It provides a large library of pre-built, high-quality courses on a variety of topics, avoiding the need for considerable content production on your part. 
  • BranchTrack: BranchTrack doesn’t offer its content library. This platform allows you to build and distribute customized training materials, providing you with total control over the content. 

Learning tools and resources

Both platforms provide a diverse set of instructional resources and tools designed to improve the educational procedure. Here is a basic breakdown: 

  • Assessment tools: Skillsoft offers a number of evaluation methods for determining student understanding, including quizzes, examinations, and surveys. BranchTrack offers similar functionalities for assessing learner knowledge. 
  • Collaboration features: Skillsoft allows for some learner interaction through discussion forums. BranchTrack takes collaboration a step further with features like collaborative course creation and group assignments. 
  • Reporting and analytics: Both systems offer useful data and analytics for tracking student progress, identifying knowledge gaps, and determining the success of training programs. 

Integration Capabilities 

Seamless integration with existing systems has the potential to transform learning management. Here’s how they stack up: 

  • Skillsoft: Skillsoft supports integrations with popular tools such as Learning Experience Platforms (LXPs) and Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions. 
  • BranchTrack: BranchTrack has comparable connectivity features, allowing you to link it to a variety of HR systems, productivity tools, and other applications. 

Pricing and plans

As mentioned earlier, both platforms utilize subscription models. Here’s a simplified comparison: 

  • Skillsoft: Pricing typically depends on the number of users, chosen features, and contract duration. Expect tiered pricing with varying functionalities at each level. 
  • BranchTrack: Pricing is often based on the number of active users. Its costs reflect the platform’s focus on building and managing custom training programs. 

Here’s a valuable guideline to remember while assessing pricing: Don’t only think about the upfront expense. Consider your long-term value proposition. If pre-built content aligns with your needs, Skillsoft might be a cost-effective option. However, if you need a high level of customization and have in-house knowledge, BranchTrack may provide a higher return on investment.

Choosing the right LMS

We’ve examined Skillsoft and BranchTrack’s primary functions, target markets, and price structures. Now, it’s time to synthesize this information and help you choose the LMS champion for your organization. 

There is not a universal approach when it comes to LMS selection. The perfect option is based on your unique needs and here are some questions to consider: 

  • Content needs: Do you need a large collection of pre-built content, or do you have the resources and experience to create your training materials? 
  • Customization: How crucial is the flexibility to modify training programs to your organization’s unique requirements? 
  • Budget: Examine the price structures of both software platforms and analyze the long-term value proposition. 
  • Technical expertise: Do you have in-house resources who are comfortable building and managing custom training content within BranchTrack? 

Steps toward strengthening your decision

Here are some additional steps to solidify your decision: 

  • Free Trials: Both Skillsoft and BranchTrack likely offer free trials. Take advantage of these opportunities to try these software platforms and determine which one best meets your needs. 
  • User Reviews: Read feedback from customers on reliable platforms to learn about real-world users’ experiences with both LMS programs. 
  • Contact Sales Teams: Don’t hesitate to contact Skillsoft and BranchTrack’s respective sales teams. They may offer individual demos and answer any questions you may have. 

Conclusion

Remember, the ideal LMS enables your firm to conduct effective and interesting training programs that promote employee growth and corporate success. So, arm yourself with the facts presented here, dig further, and make an informed decision that moves your organization’s learning and development activities ahead.

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