If you’re looking to create an e-learning website, LearnDash is a popular option that offers two different solutions: LearnDash LMS and LearnDash Cloud. Both platforms are designed to help you create, manage, and sell online courses, but they differ in the way they are hosted and the features they offer.
LearnDash LMS is a self-hosted solution that allows you to install the software on your own web server. This means you have complete control over your e-learning site and can customize it to meet your specific needs. LearnDash LMS is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a scalable and flexible platform that can handle a large number of students and courses.
On the other hand, LearnDash Cloud is a cloud-based solution that is hosted by LearnDash. This means you don’t need to worry about hosting, security, or maintenance. LearnDash Cloud is a great option if you’re looking for a hassle-free way to create and sell online courses. With LearnDash Cloud, you can focus on creating content, while LearnDash takes care of everything else. However, the trade-off for this convenience is that you have less control over your e-learning site compared to LearnDash LMS.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at LearnDash LMS vs. LearnDash Cloud, comparing their features, benefits, and drawbacks to help you decide which platform is the right choice for your e-learning site.
Building Your First Online Course Website
Whether you should start with LearnDash Cloud or the regular LearnDash LMS depends on your specific needs and preferences.
LearnDash Cloud is a fully hosted solution that includes all the features and functionality of the regular LearnDash LMS but with the added convenience of cloud hosting. This means that you don’t need to worry about hosting your own website or managing your own servers, as everything is taken care of for you.
On the other hand, the regular LearnDash LMS is a self-hosted solution that requires you to have your own website and hosting. While this may require more technical knowledge and effort on your part, it also gives you greater control over your website and allows you to customize it more extensively.
If you’re just starting out and don’t have much technical knowledge or experience with hosting websites, LearnDash Cloud may be the better option for you. It’s a simple and straightforward solution that allows you to focus on creating your course content and delivering it to your students.
However, if you already have your own website and are comfortable with hosting and managing it, the regular LearnDash LMS may be a better choice. It gives you greater flexibility and control over your website, and allows you to customize it to your specific needs and preferences.
Regardless of which option you choose, it’s important to note that you can switch between LearnDash Cloud and the regular LearnDash LMS at any time. LearnDash provides an easy migration process that allows you to transfer your course content, student data, and other settings between the two options seamlessly.
So, if you’re not sure which option to choose, you can always start with LearnDash Cloud and switch to the regular LearnDash LMS later if you decide that it’s a better fit for your needs.
LearnDash LMS vs LearnDash Cloud
Can’t make up your mind? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each option.
LearnDash LMS
Pros:
- Greater flexibility and control: With LearnDash, you have complete control over your website and can customize it to your specific needs and preferences.
- Lower long-term cost: While LearnDash requires you to pay for your own hosting and website, in the long term, it can be more cost-effective than paying for a subscription to LearnDash Cloud.
- More extensive integrations: LearnDash has a wide range of third-party integrations, allowing you to connect your LMS to other tools and systems that you may be using.
Cons:
- Requires technical knowledge: Setting up and managing your own website can be challenging and requires some technical knowledge.
- Higher initial cost: To get started with LearnDash, you’ll need to purchase your own hosting and domain, which can be expensive upfront.
- Time-consuming: Setting up and managing your own website can be time-consuming and may take away from the time you could be spending on course creation.
LearnDash Cloud
Pros:
- Convenient and easy to use: LearnDash Cloud is a fully hosted solution, meaning that you don’t need to worry about setting up and managing your own website or hosting. This makes it easy and convenient to get started.
- Lower initial cost: With LearnDash Cloud, you don’t need to purchase your own hosting or domain, which can save you money upfront.
- Automatic updates and backups: LearnDash Cloud handles all updates and backups automatically, ensuring that your LMS is always up-to-date and secure.
- Analytics: With this option, you get access to Propanel preinstalled, giving you easy access to your eLearning analytics.
Cons:
- Limited control: With Cloud, you have less control over your website and may not be able to customize it as extensively as you would with the regular LearnDash LMS.
- Higher long-term cost: While LearnDash Cloud is cheaper upfront, in the long term, it can be more expensive than the regular LearnDash LMS due to its subscription-based pricing model.
- Limited integrations: LearnDash Cloud has fewer third-party integrations than the regular LearnDash LMS, which may limit your ability to connect your LMS to other tools and systems.
Ultimately, the choice between LearnDash and LearnDash Cloud comes down to your specific needs and preferences. If you’re just starting out and don’t have much technical knowledge or experience with hosting websites, LearnDash Cloud may be the better option. However, if you already have your own website and are comfortable with hosting and managing it, the regular LearnDash LMS may be a better choice.
If you want the freedom of regular LearnDash LMS, while simplifying the set-up option, you can also opt for a middle ground, like LearnDash Quick Launch, where our experts help you build and configure your site for a fixed price, without having to pay for a monthly subscription. Later on, we can also assist you with support and maintenance as an additional service, as needed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both LMS options offer excellent options for creating and managing online courses. Which platform you choose will ultimately depend on your specific needs and preferences.
If you’re looking for complete control over your e-learning site and want the ability to customize it to your liking, LearnDash LMS may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you want a hassle-free solution that takes care of hosting and maintenance, LearnDash Cloud may be the way to go.
Regardless of which platform you choose, it’s important to have a team of experts to guide you through the process. At our consultancy, we have a team of experienced LearnDash professionals who can help you choose the best platform for your needs and build your e-learning site from start to finish. Contact our LearnDash experts today to learn more about how we can help you succeed in the world of online education.
