LMS Guide for HubSpot
AWARD-WINNING AGENCY SERVICES PROVIDER Instrumental Group - HubSpot Implementation Experts
Crafted through the experience and knowledgebase of Instrumental Group, an esteemed HubSpot Implementation Agency with Elite Partner status. Years of experience successfully implementing LMS solutions for numerous clients informed the content in this guide.
OVERVIEW What is a Learning Management System?
A learning management system (LMS) is a software application or web-based technology used to plan, implement and assess a specific learning process. It's used for e-learning practices and, in its most common form, consists of two elements: a server that performs the base functionality and a user interface (UI) that is operated by instructors, students and administrators.
In this guide, we focus on the specific compatibility with HubSpot. If you have HubSpot and want to leverage a LMS, this guide will help you choose the best solution for your business.
TOP 3 BENEFITS OF LEVERAGING A LMS
BUSINESS CASE Benefits of Using a LMS
Organizations in any industry that want to educate their internal team, vendor partners, or customers can benefit from a LMS. While individual benefits will vary based on application and educational tracts, here's a short list of the benefits you can expect to gain by implementing a learning management system:
- Improves the organization's ability to manage learning materials.
- Allows administrators and learners to track progress and accomplishments.
- Reduces learning development costs and timelines.
- Improves the learner's overall experience and retention of materials.
- Makes program updates and expansion fast and easy.
- Supports compliance management, helping your team stay up to date.
QUALIFICATION CRITERIA What Makes a Good LMS?
According to Go1.com, the best learning management systems will:
Allow you to add your own branding
Paid and open-source software will allow you to customize your LMS, enabling you to use your logo, colors, and fonts, as well as other options to keep it on-brand.
Be compatible with other platforms
Ensure the LMS system you choose is quickly and effortlessly compatible with other software and systems, including content hubs, CRM, payroll, HRIS, and more.
**HubSpot is the specific platform this guide evaluates for true compatibility**
Personalize the learning experience
Not every student learns at the same pace. That’s why a good LMS allows you to personalize the learning experience for students, and identify when additional support is needed.
"An effective LMS is not just an educational tool; it's a strategic asset for growth. By providing tailored, scalable learning solutions, an LMS empowers businesses to extend educational offerings to customers. This expansion of knowledge services can significantly increase market share and attract new customers, positioning the company as a leader in both innovation and customer engagement. In today's competitive landscape, leveraging an LMS is key to fostering loyalty and driving business growth."
Amanda Althaus
RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS Top options for adding a LMS to HubSpot
We're recommending what we believe to be the five most viable Learning Management Systems for HubSpot. You can evaluate the strengths and drawbacks of each to determine which fits best for your business and commission structure.
LearnWorlds
LearnWorlds is an LMS SaaS (Software as a service) solution. They claim to be the best online course platform for creating, selling, and promoting your online courses. LearnWorlds features a native integration with HubSpot, making it a viable solution for consideration in this guide.
Pricing
- LearnWorlds offers transparent pricing with 3 standard plans.
- Starter: $24/mo + $5 per course sale and 1 admin
- Pro Trainer: $79/mo with no transaction fees and 5 collaborators
- Learning Center: $249/mo with no transaction fees and 25 collaborators
- High Volume & Corporate: $99/mo with no transaction fees and customized admin/collaborators
Strengths
- Great plan options for small teams.
- Price is significantly lower than several other options evaluated.
- It also integrates with MailChimp, Mixpanel, Paypal, Shopify, Stripe, and Zapier.
- Deeper integration capabilities available with Zapier.
Drawbacks
- The native integration is not available at Starter plan level.
- Native integration is not certified by HubSpot.
- Native integration is limited to three data points, and syncs only one direction, from LearnWorlds to HubSpot.
- Pricing published above is for yearly payment, monthly increases price significantly.
HubSpot Software Requirements
- LearnWorlds works with all HubSpot plans.
Implementation & Support
- Implementation support varies by package.
- Pro Trainer includes access to core support and LearnWorlds Academy.
- Learning Center adds additional personalized onboarding but inclusions aren't specified.
- High Volume & Corporate ads a dedicated success manager.
HubLMS
HubLMS is a 3rd party solution built by Impulse Creative, a long-time HubSpot Agency Partner with a strong reputation. This solution avoids the need for extra apps like other options offer. HubLMS features a native application to HubSpot, making it a viable solution for consideration in this guide.
Pricing
- HubLMS offers transparent pricing with 3 standard plans.
- Pro: $1,200 one-time.
- Enterprise: $8,500 one-time.
- Custom: this price is based on customizations and starts at $20,000 one-time.
Strengths
- HubLMS is a native solution, built in HubSpot.
- The one-time purchase provides the ability to build your LMS solution directly inside HubSpot without the need for third-party software.
- Unlimited lessons.
- Unlimited users.
- Native application works with all pricing options.
- It also integrates with FormStack, TwentyThree, Vimeo, Wistia, YouTube, and Vidyard.
- HubLMS offers onboarding support for an additional cost on smaller plans.
- If you love HubSpot and have the technical chops to do it yourself, this option should be considered.
Drawbacks
- The Content Hub Enterprise requirement makes this solution cost-prohibitive if you don't already own the software. This effectively adds $18,000/year to your cost.
- Native integration is limited to two data points, and syncs only one direction, from HubLMS to HubSpot.
- Native integration is not certified by HubSpot.
- Requires a good deal of self-implementation or outsourcing the setup.
- Difficult to evaluate true costs of ownership prior to purchase.
HubSpot Software Requirements
- Content Hub Pro for HubLMS Pro.
- Content Hub Enterprise + Marketing Hub Pro for HubLMS Enterprise.
Implementation & Support
- Implementation support varies by package.
- Pro: Self-guided Onboarding Course & and 1 Setup Meeting with email and ticket support.
- Enterprise: Assigned onboarding team, training, support tickets, phone/zoom support.
- Custom: Dedicated PM, hands-on support team, support tickets, phone/zoom support.
Learn LMS
Learn LMS is a brand-new LMS product built exclusively for use with HubSpot by Instrumental Apps. This HubSpot-exclusive solution was purpose-built to create a seamless experience within HubSpot and was tailored after the powerful HubSpot Academy.
Learn LMS features a native integration with HubSpot, making it an ideal solution for consideration in this guide.
Pricing
- Standard: $249/mo or $2,490/yr
Strengths
- Affordable price for small teams.
- Easy to install and admin.
- Easy to style.
- Built to accommodate prerequisite courses
- Allows for use of different kinds of media in your courses:
- PDFs
- Google Press
- Plain Text
- Option for multi-correct answers and multiple quizzes.
- Doesn't require expensive HubSpot license upgrades.
- Presents the closest match to HubSpot Academy. If you love the experience HubSpot provides, you can replicate it for your needs with Learn LMS.
Drawbacks
- A new solution on the market.
- Limited to 1 plan option.
- Is only viable with a HubSpot subscription.
- Requires knowledge or assistance with:
- HubSpot Themes
- CMS aptitude in general
- Database management (although documentation makes it pretty simple; a rudimentary understanding is enough)
- Native integration is not certified by HubSpot.
HubSpot Software Requirements
- Works with CMS Hub Pro & Enterprise, Content Hub Pro & Enterprise
Implementation & Support
- Free access to technical support team
- Paid packages for customization support available, but not required
Northpass
Northpass is now owned by Gainsight. Another SaaS (Software as a service) solution, focused on transforming businesses with digital customer education. Northpass features native integration with HubSpot, making it a viable solution for consideration in this guide.
Pricing
- Northpass doesn't publish its pricing plans. They offer fixed-price plans for unlimited users, admins, and content
- According to their website plans start at $20,000/year
Strengths
- Native integration is one of the best, with more endpoints and solid reviews.
- Native integration is certified by HubSpot.
- It also integrates with BambooHR, Google Analytics, Salesforce, and Zoom.
Drawbacks
- Lack of pricing options.
- Requires annual payment.
- Integration is one direction and does not allow any data to sync from HubSpot to Northpass.
- Requires course management outside of HubSpot.
HubSpot Software Requirements
- Northpass works with all HubSpot plans.
Implementation & Support
- Northpass doesn't list any inclusions for implementation.
- Their knowledge base features handy resources for getting started, certificates, and more.
LearnUpon
LearnUpon is another SaaS (Software as a service) solution. They claim to provide your team the tools to deliver engaging learning experiences that impact what matters. LearnUpon features native integration with HubSpot, making it a viable solution for consideration in this guide.
Pricing
- LearnUpon doesn't publish its pricing on its pricing page but offers three plans.
- Essential: for up to 150 users
- Premium: 150-500 users
- Enterprise: 500+ users
- According to their native integration page, the Essential plan start at $14,988/year. Plan pricing appears to go from there.
Strengths
- A good solution for high user counts.
- The only option for two way native sync, allowing Contact data in HubSpot to sync back to Learner data object in LearnUpon.
- Native integration is available at the smallest plan option.
- It also integrates with MS Teams, Salesforce, Stripe, Zapier, Zendesk, and Zoom.
Drawbacks
- Plans are not fit for smaller teams, which cuts out a large percentage of HubSpot customers.
- Native integration is limited to two data points.
- Native integration is not certified by HubSpot.
- Do not offer plans suitable to small teams.
- Hiding pricing for higher tiers makes evaluation difficult.
HubSpot Software Requirements
- LearnUpon works with all HubSpot plans.
Implementation & Support
- Customer Success Manager for action planning.
- Implementation Consultant to help configure, integrate, and launch.
- Technical Support is 24/7, 365 days a year.
NEXT STEP Supercharge learning with your very own LMS!
Now that you're aware of the benefits, use cases, and options for LMS, what will you do with this knowledge? Will you shelve it for another priority or take action?
In our experience, your personalized learning experience matters. Your unique use case should be considered against the top options on the market. If you're still unsure of which solution will fit your needs best, schedule demos. Take a look at them and put them to the test. Seeing is believing.
Good luck in your journey. If you find yourself in need of advice, reach out!