Key Takeaways:
- LearnDash is the top LMS plugin for WordPress.
- It’s an all-in-one tool for designing, selling, and managing online courses.
- LearnDash is a fully managed hosting solution that requires no installation, maintenance, or domain setup.
- There are several paid add-ons available to enhance learning programs, which can also be purchased as a bundle with one of LearnDash’s annual plans.
- It offers open-source flexibility, allowing for complete customization of the site experience.
- It provides advanced features that allow for course customization, assignment management, team teaching, and much more.
- No revenue deductions; you keep what you earn.
- There’s no lifetime access to the plugin.
About LearnDash LMS
Due to its complexity, any eLearning website requires a comprehensive management system for seamless operations. Since there are many tasks involved, from managing new and existing learners to hosting online courses, keeping up with everything can become time-consuming and nearly impossible. So, you will need a robust Learning Management System (LMS) to effectively manage and create courses. LearnDash is a top-tier LMS specifically designed for WordPress websites, aimed at enhancing learning programs for anyone looking to offer them, whether for entrepreneurs or universities.
LearnDash is a comprehensive plugin that goes beyond just selling courses online. It allows you to manage your online courses from start to finish, giving you complete control over branding and course creation so you can deliver content that is truly your own. The tool is user-friendly, featuring a drag-and-drop builder that lets you create and organize content without any coding skills. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on design. LearnDash provides premium tools from KadenceWP, enabling you to quickly build professional-looking eLearning sites tailored to your preferences.
While most LMS plugins either restrict creativity or are simply too complex to navigate, LearnDash keeps things easy for course creators. You can install the plugin and start designing courses in minutes, thanks to the platform’s tutorials that will get you up to speed even if you’re not familiar with some of the features. Plus, LearnDash does not take any commissions or fees from your earnings. Your revenue belongs to you, whether you sell through subscriptions, memberships, or one-time purchases.
Overall, LearnDash is an invaluable tool for course creators who want a comprehensive plugin to design and sell interactive courses, complete with features like providing completion certificates.
LearnDash Pricing: A Quick Overview
LearnDash offers three pricing options based on the number of websites using the plugin. Here’s a quick breakdown of the LearnDash pricing plans:
Plan Type |
Price |
1 site |
$199/year |
10 sites |
$399/year |
Unlimited sites |
$799/year |
Here’s an overview of the LearnDash pricing:
1 Site
- $199 per year.
- Unlimited users and courses.
- Includes plugin updates and support.
10 Sites
- $399 per year.
- Unlimited users and courses.
- Includes plugin updates and support.
Unlimited Sites
- $799 per year.
- Unlimited users and courses.
- Includes plugin updates and support.
LearnDash Pricing Comparison
LearnDash prices vary based on how many websites you use it on. The key features are the same across all plans, with only a few differences. Below are the details of what you can expect from each pricing option.
1 Site License: $199/Year
- Access is limited to use on a single site only.
- 15-day money-back guarantee.
- Course content protection.
- Access to features like drip-feed lessons, advanced quizzing, certificates, and email notifications.
- Plugin support and updates for one year.
- Users can access two demo site templates.
10 Site License: $399/Year
- Access is allowed on ten different sites.
- 15-day money-back guarantee.
- Course content protection.
- Access to features like drip-feed lessons, advanced quizzing, certificates, and email notifications.
- Plugin support and updates for one year.
- Access to five demo site templates.
Unlimited License: $799/Year
- Unlimited access for use on multiple sites.
- 15-day money-back guarantee.
- Course content protection.
- Access to features like drip-feed lessons, advanced quizzing, certificates, and email notifications.
- Plugin support and updates for one year.
- Access to 20 demo site templates.
Key Features Of LearnDash LMS
In addition to basic features like drag-and-drop course design, LearnDash LMS offers advanced features for every aspect of course management: learning, course creation, eCommerce, and flexible design options. Let’s explore them in detail below:
Course Creation Features
- An AI-powered course outline builder that automatically designs courses based on the basic details you provide.
- Blended learning support for incorporating both in-person and virtual learning elements into courses.
- Assignment management is used to approve, comment on, and award points.
- Cohort-style courses with prefixed start and end dates.
- Dashboard to view the status and success of courses.
- A course completion page to encourage learners to share reviews or explore other courses by you.
- AI quiz builder that supports all question types and generates questions for both existing and new quizzes.
- Dynamic content delivery options, from drip-feed to linear or open progression lessons.
Learning Features
- Focus mode to eliminate distractions by hiding irrelevant content.
- Video progression to ensure smooth course completion.
- Automated notifications for instant feedback and recognition for achieving scores or performing certain tasks.
- Challenging exams are designed to allow learners to test out of a course.
- Official certification and badges for quizzes and course completion.
- Profile dashboard to view courses, course points, and quiz scores.
eCommerce Features
- Selling courses via one-time purchases, recurring fees (subscriptions), or pre-selling via sales events.
- Built-in payment gateways, including WooCommerce, PayPal, and Stripe.
- MemberDash plugin to sell via memberships.
- Course bundles to offer promotions and deals for added value.
- Stripe integration for seamless checkouts.
Flexibility Features
- Custom functionality creation through REST API, developer docs, hooks, and filters.
- Access to any WordPress-reviewed theme.
- Wide media support, including images, audio, HTML5, xAPI, and SWF files.
- Marketplace to browse over 100 developer-created add-ons for enhanced flexibility in course creation.
Pros And Cons Of LearnDash LMS
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of LearnDash LMS to help you decide whether to purchase one of its plans:
Pros
- Many customization options, including the use of branded content, are available to suit your specific course creation needs.
- You can track learner progress in real time, monitoring their engagement, quiz performance, and course completion rates. This supports data-driven decision-making for improving existing courses or developing new ones.
- LearnDash also offers in-depth reports to determine course strengths and weaknesses, allowing for content improvement.
- The plugin allows you to create highly mobile-friendly courses for maximum accessibility.
- From course cloning and multi-instructor support to live video integration, there are many features to make course creation easier and develop highly engaging content.
Cons
- There are no built-in marketing tools to promote your courses.
- Additional third-party integrations are available, but they come at an extra cost. Details are discussed below. These integrations are key to scaling your website, so the more features you add, like multilingual support and CRM tools, the more you will have to pay.
- Third-party integrations don’t always work seamlessly, meaning troubleshooting might be required.
- Native Slack integration is unavailable, so you must subscribe to a paid plan to access full functionality.
- The add-ons, which we have also discussed below, enhance the efficiency of the plugin but are only available at premium prices. Without essential features such as the instructor role, reviews and ratings, note-taking, and gradebook, using the plugin may not be very beneficial.
What Is The Real Cost Of Using LearnDash LMS?
LearnDash pricing plans are easy to understand, but costs can rise as you improve your courses. You can buy several add-ons either individually or as a bundle with an annual subscription. Although these add-ons are optional, they are important if you want to grow your course offerings and manage your site effectively.
1. Add-Ons
Add-On Name |
Annual Price |
Description |
Groups Management |
1 site – $99
10 sites – $199 Unlimited – $399 |
Setting up organizations to manage instructor groups. |
Instructor Role |
1 site – $99
10 sites – $199 Unlimited – $399 |
Empowering instructors to manage and sell courses on your site. |
Gradebook |
1 site – $49 10 sites – $99 Unlimited – $199 |
Tracking and sharing learner scores, creating custom report cards, and more. |
Notes |
1 site – $49
10 sites – $99 Unlimited – $199 |
Note-taking for learners and two-way communication with instructors. |
Ratings, Reviews, and Feedback |
1 site – $49
10 sites – $99 Unlimited – $199 |
Complete control over course ratings and reviews, as well as student feedback. |
ProPanel 3.0 |
1 site – $99
10 sites – $199 Unlimited – $399 |
Advanced analytics on enrollment and assignments to track learner details. |
2. Bundles
Bundle Name |
Annual Price |
Included Add-Ons |
Ultimate Course Creator |
1 site – $499
10 sites – $899 Unlimited – $1,699 |
|
Student Success |
1 site – $249
10 sites – $499 Unlimited – $1,099 |
|
Professional Suite |
1 site – $399
10 sites – $699 Unlimited – $1,299 |
|
Marketplace Suite |
1 site – $399 10 sites – $699 Unlimited – $1,299 |
|
Based on the above, the initial annual subscription is not the final cost. While each plan provides unlimited courses and user access, the overall cost will include any add-ons or bundles you choose, depending on the additional features you need. Here’s an example:
Chosen Feature For 1 Site |
Annual Price |
| LearnDash LMS | $199 |
| ProPanel 3.0 | $99 |
| Notes | $49 |
| Groups Management | $99 |
| Gradebook | $49 |
With these features, your annual LearnDash cost would be $495 plus taxes.
Third-Party Integrations In LearnDash LMS
LearnDash offers numerous third-party integrations to enhance your online courses. Some of these integrations are free, while others are premium and require purchase.
Free |
Premium |
Available As Free Or Premium |
|
|
What You Need To Build Courses On LearnDash
Building courses on LearnDash is relatively easy, but here are some tips to help get started the right way.
Themes For Visual Design And Course Structure
Visual designs for your courses can be achieved in two ways: you can either start with templates built for the LMS or select any WordPress-reviewed theme, such as Astra (note that themes will need to be purchased separately).
Live Video Integration For Real-Time Learning
The LMS offers many third-party integrations, allowing you to use tools like Zapier to incorporate live videos, which enhances the interactivity of your courses. Additionally, you can utilize the Zoom WordPress Plugin for smooth integration with Zoom and easy access to its specific features.
Gamification Features For Interactive Learning Experiences
Gamification is crucial for modern learners and essential for anyone providing eLearning content. With LearnDash’s BadgeOS or BuddyBoss integration, you can improve your programs by adding leaderboards, custom badges, and course points.
Multi-Instructor Support For Collaborative Course Delivery
The Instructor Role add-on enables you to include multiple educators who can create and manage courses without the need for admin access. This allows you to expand your course offerings, ultimately increasing revenue as your team of instructors grows.
Content Duplication Tools For Efficient Course Creation
LearnDash’s content cloner further simplifies course creation. You can easily duplicate existing content to quickly create multiple courses using the same template and modify the content later as required.
Wrapping Up
LearnDash stands out among LMS plugins due to its extensive range of features. It allows users to create customized courses, integrate live videos, restrict content, and provide focus mode for learners. Additionally, course creators benefit from detailed reporting dashboards. Overall, LearnDash offers a seamless experience for both learning and selling courses. However, it’s important to note that its add-ons and bundles can be quite expensive. Since these extras significantly enhance the course experience, it’s essential to factor them into your decision-making process.
References
LearnDash Pricing And Comparison with Affordable Alternatives
LearnDash Pricing: Understanding the True Cost of Building Courses
Learndash Pricing: Which Plan Should You Get?
FAQs
You can sign up for a demo of LearnDash. However, it is a paid plugin, so you will need to purchase an annual subscription.
No. LearnDash LMS only provides annual subscription plans.
Yes. LearnDash has a refund request form, but you can only apply for one within 30 days of purchasing an annual plan.
Both are LMS plugins for WordPress. LearnDash is a paid option with many features and premium customization capabilities, while LearnPress is a free plugin with optional paid features. The former is a more robust pick for course creators, while LearnPress is a budget-friendly option for basic course creation.
