How Much Does an LMS Cost?
Many people are considering introducing or switching to an e-learning system, but are unsure which one to choose because there are so many to choose from.
In recent years, many e-learning systems have appeared on the market, with a wide range of features and fee structures. When comparing and examining the various services, the cost is of particular concern.
In this issue, we will introduce the price of e-learning systems, which is the most important information for those in charge of human resources and training. We hope you will find this information useful when selecting an e-learning system.
Table of Contents
01Types and Costs of e-Learning Systems
Types of e-Learning Systems
Prices of e-Learning Systems
02Points to compare e-Learning systems
Functions
Operability
Support System
Track record
03Cloud-based e-Learning Price Comparison
Types of e-Learning Services
Price comparison of 5 popular companies
04If you want to try an e-learning system, learningBOX is recommended
05Summary
Types and Costs of E-Learning Systems
E-learning systems vary widely in terms of the types they offer and their cost systems. Let's take a look at the types of e-learning systems and their costs.
Types of e-Learning Systems
There are two main types of e-learning systems: "on-premise" systems, which are built on a company's own servers, and "cloud" systems, which utilize a system built on a service provider's server. The development and construction costs for the on-premise type are said to be in the millions of yen range, and the cloud computing type is now becoming the mainstream.
Pricing of e-Learning Systems
Let's take a look at the cost of cloud-based e-learning systems.
First, there is the initial cost, which often ranges from 0 yen to 200,000 yen. Recently, many services with an initial cost of 0 yen have appeared on the market, and this is a point to consider when making comparisons.
In most cases, the cost of e-learning systems is based on a monthly or yearly fee structure, depending on the service offered by each company and the number of users.
For example, the most common cost ranges from 30,000 yen to 60,000 yen per month for up to 100 users, and from 50,000 yen to 80,000 yen per month for 200 users. Calculated on a per user basis, that would be 250 yen to 600 yen per month.
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Points to Consider When Comparing E-Learning Systems
While cost is important when comparing e-learning systems, there are several other points to keep in mind. Let's review them in turn.
Functions
Although it depends on the purpose of introduction, if you want to use the system for training new employees, you will need a function that allows progress management and a communication function such as a chat function that allows you to easily ask questions.
If you want to use it for compliance training, you should also check whether it has a notification e-mail function or a questionnaire function.
By clarifying the purpose of introducing the system, you can identify what functions are necessary for your company.
Operability
If operations are complicated or difficult to understand, both the user and the administrator will be burdened, and this may cause a decrease in motivation. It is also important that the system is multi-device compatible so that it can be used with tablets and smartphones.
Selecting a system that is easy to use, even for those who are not IT literate, will lower the hurdles to implementing an e-learning system.
Support System
It is very important to have sufficient support for any unclear points or problems that may arise during the implementation and operation of an e-learning system. It is also important to check what kind of support is included in the support package and how it is provided, such as by phone or e-mail.
Track record
As one of the indicators for comparison, you may refer to the "number of companies using the service" or "number of users" announced by each company.
In some cases, actual case studies are introduced, so it will be easier to find the best service for your company if you refer to examples of companies in the same industry as yours or companies with similar issues.
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Cloud-Based E-Learning Price Comparison
Now that we have reviewed the points for comparing e-learning services, we will introduce the types and detailed costs of the cloud-based e-learning services that are currently the mainstream. We recommend that you compare the various types of e-learning services and choose the one that best fits your company.
Types of e-Learning Services
Cloud-based e-learning services can be divided into two main categories. One is the subscription type, where you pay a monthly fee to use pre-prepared training content, and the other is the type that provides only an LMS platform and uses your own original teaching materials.
The subscription type costs around 500 yen to 1,500 yen per user, while the LMS platform-only type costs around 200 yen to 600 yen per user.
Price Comparison of Five Popular Companies
Let us compare the prices of actual e-learning system providers. Each company has different areas of expertise, so please use this as a reference to determine the best service for your company.
*In case of using a standard plan (annual contract)
Companies A and B are subscriber types, while companies C and D are LMS platform-only types.
The EC function is a function to sell and manage the learning content created in the e-learning system.
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If you want to try out an e-learning system, learningBOX is the place to go!
In this section, we will introduce the prices of our e-learning system, learningBOX, which we are often asked about in practice.
There are six standard license plans available for learningBOX. The least expensive, Standard Plan, costs 33,000 yen per year for 100 accounts (27.5 yen per user). The popular Standard Plan costs 99,000 yen per year for 100 accounts (82.5 yen per user).
We also offer a free plan (up to 10 accounts, no time limit, excluding optional paid features) that allows you to try the same features as the paid plan for free.
Please click here for details of the fee plans.
In addition, corporate training content (harassment training, compliance training, etc.) supervised by experts is available through learningBOX's content distribution service, learningBOX ON. Free content is also available, reducing the cost and effort of creating educational materials.
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Conclusion
There are many types of e-learning systems, so when comparing the services of different companies, it is important to consider all perspectives, not just cost.
It is a good idea to clarify the purpose of introducing an e-learning system to your company and compare specific e-learning systems while considering the features of each company according to points such as what specific functions you need, whether you need pre-existing contents for teaching materials, and the cost.
We hope you will find this article helpful in selecting the best service for your company.
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