LMS Plugin or Platform? Which One is Best For Your Online Course Business

Wondering whether to host your online course on an LMS Plugin or Platform, this article will help you make the best decision.

Selling your course online should be exciting, but with so many options out there, it can feel a bit overwhelming. 

The elearning market has grown so much that figuring out where to start can leave you confused.

Moving your course content and students to a different tool later on isn’t just a hassle, it can be tricky and time-consuming. This is why it is important to make the right decision from the start.

And if your course becomes as successful as you’re dreaming it will, switching platforms might not even feel like an option.

That’s why we’re here to help. The first big choice is deciding between an LMS plugin or platform. In this post, we’ll break down both options so you can find the one that fits your needs best.

What Is The Main Difference Between an LMS Plugin or Platform?

The key difference between an LMS plugin or platform comes down to where your online course is hosted.

• LMS Plugin: With a plugin, your course runs directly on your WordPress website. This creates a seamless user experience where everything, from your branding to your course content, is under one roof. It also adds credibility to your brand since your audience interacts with your course right on your site, without being redirected elsewhere.
  
• LMS Platform: On the other hand, an LMS platform is hosted on a separate domain. While some platforms offer advanced features like a REST library to connect your website and the LMS, it usually requires a developer to set it up. Keep in mind, that ongoing developer support may be needed to handle maintenance and make updates as your course evolves.

Understanding this difference is crucial because it affects how your course operates and the kind of experience you’ll provide for your students.

Comparison Factors To Consider Between an LMS Plugin or Platform

Choosing between an LMS plugin or platform is no small decision. Both options have their pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your unique goals, resources, and priorities. 

To help you make an informed decision, let's break down the key factors that set these two solutions apart.

From setup costs to scalability, ease of use to profitability, there’s a lot to weigh before committing to one option. 

Setup and Running costs 

When it comes to costs, the choice between an LMS plugin and an LMS platform depends on your current setup and long-term goals.

• LMS Plugin: If you don’t already have a WordPress site, you’ll need to set one up to use an LMS plugin. While this requires an upfront investment, having your own website is a smart move for your brand's professionalism and credibility.
  
  You’ll also need to factor in ongoing maintenance costs for your site. That said, LMS plugins are significantly more affordable over time, with annual costs typically ranging between $200 and $600.
  
• LMS Platform: With an LMS platform, you don’t need your own website since it runs on the platform’s domain.
  
  However, convenience comes at a price. Most platforms charge anywhere from $99 to $200 per month, which adds up to $1,200–$2,400 per year, a considerable expense compared to plugins.

Conclusión: In the long run, LMS plugins are the more cost-effective solution, especially if you’re planning to grow and scale your course offerings.

Facilidad de uso

The ease of use depends largely on your familiarity with WordPress and how comfortable you are learning new tools.

• LMS Plugin: If you’re already familiar with WordPress, navigating an LMS plugin should feel natural. Even if you’re hiring a developer to build your site, they should provide you with helpful handover notes or tutorials to ensure you feel confident making updates and managing your site.
  
• LMS Platform: For those with zero experience using WordPress, an LMS platform may seem like the easier option. Most platforms are designed with simplicity in mind, making it straightforward to set up and manage your course. However, some platforms can feel overwhelming due to an overload of features and options.

The truth is, it’s hard to say which option is definitively easier. Some LMS plugins offer excellent tutorials to get you up to speed, while some LMS platforms are more complex than they initially appear.

Conclusión: LMS platforms are generally considered easier for beginners. Regardless of the option you choose, prioritize a solution with a responsive support team and a thorough knowledge base. Reading testimonials and reviews can give you a better sense of what to expect.

Flexibility & Customization

When it comes to flexibility and customization, LMS plugins take the lead by a wide margin.

• LMS Platforms: While some LMS platforms are feature-rich, they come with limitations. You’re restricted to the options and features the platform provides, which may not fully align with your unique needs.
  
• LMS Plugins: LMS plugins thrive in the WordPress ecosystem, giving you almost limitless flexibility. For example, if your LMS plugin doesn’t include a built-in forum, you can simply install a plugin like bbPress to add that functionality. Want to include feedback forms? A tool like Formas formidables makes it quick and easy to set up.

Top Tip: For ultimate flexibility, choose an LMS plugin that also doubles as a membership plugin. This way, you can protect any type of content on your site – not just courses – giving you granular control over what your users can access.

Conclusión: This is a clear win for LMS plugins. Their ability to adapt and expand ensures your course can grow and evolve along with your needs.

Ownership and Control

When it comes to owning and managing your course content and data, LMS plugins offer significant advantages.

• LMS Plugins: Since LMS plugins operate within your WordPress CMS, you have complete control over your entire ecosystem.
  
  All your data, whether it’s student information, course content, or analytics, is stored on your server. This means you retain full ownership and control, which is a big plus for privacy and flexibility.
  
• LMS Platforms: LMS platforms, on the other hand, are standalone systems designed specifically for online education. While they can simplify some processes, they often come with trade-offs.
  
  Data ownership varies by provider, with many platforms storing your data on their servers. This could lead to concerns about privacy, access, and even portability if you decide to move to another solution.

Conclusión: LMS plugins win here. The control and ownership they provide ensure your course and its data remain firmly in your hands.

Escalabilidad

Scaling your online course business is an exciting challenge, and the right LMS solution can make or break your growth journey.

• LMS Plugins: As your course offerings and student base expand, LMS plugins offer cost-effective scalability. You can upgrade your hosting solution to handle increased traffic and add new functionalities with ease, thanks to the vast WordPress plugin ecosystem.
  
  However, managing a larger site might require more technical expertise, so it’s crucial to choose an LMS plugin like MemberMouse. Its robust data architecture is specifically designed to support growing businesses.
  
• LMS Platforms: Many LMS platforms are built to scale effortlessly, with the infrastructure to accommodate more students and courses as you grow. That said, you’re still limited to the features provided by the platform.
  
  As your business evolves, these limitations can become frustrating. Plus, higher subscription costs for advanced plans can significantly impact your profitability. Before committing to an LMS platform, take a close look at all pricing tiers to ensure you won’t be hit with hefty monthly fees as you scale.

Conclusión: LMS plugins win this round. They provide the flexibility and cost-effectiveness needed to grow your business without being confined by platform limitations or rising subscription fees.

Marketing and Sales

When it comes to marketing your courses and driving sales, the flexibility of your chosen LMS solution plays a big role.

• LMS Platforms: Some LMS platforms come with built-in marketing tools and analytics, which can be helpful if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution.
  
  However, these features are often limited in scope compared to what’s available in the WordPress ecosystem. This can restrict how effectively you can market your courses and optimize your sales strategies.
  
• LMS Plugins: Running an LMS plugin on your WordPress site gives you far more control and options for marketing and sales. You can leverage advanced SEO customization to boost organic traffic, reducing marketing costs over time.
  
  Plus, WordPress allows you to implement powerful sales funnels, create targeted email marketing campaigns, and integrate with a wide variety of marketing tools like CRMs, ad platforms, and analytics software.
  
  This level of flexibility ensures that your marketing efforts can evolve and adapt as your business grows.

Conclusión: LMS plugins win here. The extensive marketing and sales capabilities they enable make them the better choice for course creators who want to take full control of their growth strategies.

Profitability

When you consider all the factors – costs, flexibility, scalability, and marketing capabilities – it’s clear that LMS plugins come out on top for long-term profitability.

LMS plugins are more economical to run, offering lower yearly costs compared to the hefty subscription fees of many LMS platforms. 

They provide unmatched flexibility and scalability, allowing you to grow your business without being restricted by platform limitations.

Plus, their extensive marketing capabilities make it easier to reach your audience and drive consistent sales.

While LMS plugins may have a steeper initial learning curve, the time you invest in learning about WordPress LMS plugins will pay off in the long run. 

If you’re serious about making your online course a lasting success, starting with an LMS plugin is a smart choice.

Introducing Courses for MemberMouse: An LMS Plugin

MemberMouse, with the Cursos para MemberMouse add-on, is a leading WordPress membership and LMS plugin designed to help you create and manage your online courses with ease. 

Built for scalability, it’s perfect for course creators who want a robust, flexible solution that grows with their business.

Here’s what you can do with Cursos para MemberMouse:

• Constructor visual de arrastrar y soltar for seamless course creation
• Cree unlimited courses and manage unlimited members
• Add cuestionarios and award certificados to enhance the learning experience
• Track student progress and schedule lessons with contenido por goteo
• Use inbuilt payment and ESP integrations with popular providers
• Integrate with thousands of apps via Zapier
• Cross-sell and upsell courses and materials
• Enjoy granular content protection across posts and pages
• Automate communications to keep students engaged
• Manage recurring subscriptions effortlessly
• Access in-depth reporting and analytics to track success
• Offer social sign-ups and logins for a frictionless user experience
• Provide personalized student dashboards to enhance engagement

…and so much more!

Whether you’re creating your first course or scaling an existing library, MemberMouse makes it easy to deliver a professional and user-friendly experience for your members and students. 

Conclusión

Choosing the right LMS solution is a critical decision for your online course success, and an LMS plugin offers distinct advantages that make it the better choice for many course creators.

With an LMS plugin, you gain unmatched flexibility, complete control over your content, and the ability to scale your business without being tied to the limitations or rising costs of a third-party platform. 

Plus, it’s a more profitable long-term investment, giving you the tools to grow your audience and revenue effectively.

Here’s a quick recap of why LMS plugins come out on top:

• Flexibility: Customize your site and expand its functionality with ease.
• Controlar: Own your data and manage your content your way.
• Profitability: Lower running costs and better ROI over time.
• Escalabilidad: Adapt your site and hosting to handle growth seamlessly.

If you’re ready to take the next step, MemberMouse is the ultimate WordPress LMS and membership plugin to get started.

With its powerful features, scalability, and ease of use, MemberMouse empowers you to create an exceptional course experience for your students while supporting your business growth.

We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts or experiences with an LMS plugin or platform in the comments below.

¿Listo para empezar? Check out our guide to choosing the right LMS plugin for your organization.

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