A Comprehensive LearnDash Review 2023: Is It the Best WordPress LMS Plugin?

In this article, we decided to review and rate LearnDash WordPress LMS Plugin, which helps you to make and manage online courses. The LearDash was reviewed and rated by its use, documentation, pricing, functionality, and adaptability. We went through the pros and cons of LearnDash and numerous tests to help you decide if this plugging is worth the money. 

Check out how we scored and reviewed LearnDash in 2023 industry standards:

Course building	5
Value for money	5
Course building	4,5
Pros and Cons	4,5
My experience	5

Overall, LearnDash is a highly customizable and powerful platform ideal for anyone looking to create and manage online courses. While there are some limitations and challenges to using the platform, its flexibility, robust assessment options, and integrations with other platforms make it a top choice for many course creators.

LearnDash is a powerful WordPress Learning Management System (LMS) plugin that has been around since 2023. This comprehensive review will look at the features, pricing, functionality, user experience, support, and overall value of LearnDash to help you decide whether it’s the best LMS plugin that suits your needs.

This comprehensive LearnDash review will evaluate the plugin based on ease of use, course-building features, pricing, and customer support. We will also present the pros and cons of the LearnDash plugin. Ultimately, our goal is to help you decide whether LearnDash is the right choice for your needs.

Don’t have time for long reading? Jump Straight to review the summary or one of the listed sections:

What Is LearnDash?

LearnDash is a powerful Learning Management System (LMS) for WordPress that enables users to create and manage online training courses. It’s used by educational institutions, training sites, companies, and anyone looking to build their own course content. 

With multiple features such as a course builder, content creation tools, drip feed content, a block editor, and a play bar, LearnDash is the perfect choice for creating engaging courses.

The latest version, 3.0, has incredible new features like Focus Mode and an amazing Course Builder that make it easier to use than before! 

Universities, educational institutions, or companies providing onboarding training can benefit from using LearnDash thanks to its open platform, which allows you to easily create your own content or transfer existing posts/pages and even process payments through Stripe.

Integrating with third-party apps like email services and Zapier means you can set up automated trigger notifications based on user actions, such as enrolling in a new course or completing a lesson. 

Plus, plenty of engagement features are available, including lesson timers, flexible prerequisites, knowledge forums, grade books, course points, certifications, badges, and more!

In short, LearnDash is one of the top options when it comes to WordPress LMS plugins, so investing time into learning this plugin will be worth it in the end! With its comprehensive range of old and new features, LearnDash offers everything you need to create and manage courses successfully. 

Let’s end this introduction here and jump into facts about the plugin.

Who Is LearnDash For?

{Photo – person + laptop + logo learndash}

LearnDash is a learning management system (LMS) plugin that can create and deliver courses on WordPress websites. It’s a great choice for educational institutions, small businesses, solo course creators, and casual users who want to make the most of their site and online presence.

Use LarnDash in colleges.

Colleges and trainers can use LearnDash as well – it allows them to craft courses tailored specifically for their students or clients. 

With this powerful tool, organizing your course structure is simple; creating and delivering content is effortless; assessing student progress is straightforward; tracking performance is a breeze! 

And if that wasn’t enough already – LearnDash also supports integration with third-party plugins so colleges and trainers can extend their courses even further.

Therefore it is a great way to create an engaging form of education for college students and trainees.

Perfect for small course creators!

For those working alone or in small teams – fear not! LearnDash makes it easy for solo course creators or companies with only one employee to install the plugin quickly without any hassle. 

You’ll be able to create, manage, and deliver courses from your website while monetizing it too! The plugin offers plenty of features such as quizzes, certificates, etc., ensuring all bases are covered when crafting engaging online courses.

A great way for corporation training and onboarding.

Explain why LearnDash is a great plugin for corporations to create in-house training and onboarding. Show some arguments, and keep the information straightforward. The text should sound professional, but the language should be friendly and simple.

In conclusion: whether you’re an educational institution looking for an LMS solution or just someone wanting more control over their user experience – LearnDash provides everything needed for creating and delivering top-notch online courses on WordPress websites!

How Does LearnDash Work?

LearnDash is an easy-to-use Learning Management System (LMS) plugin for WordPress sites. It allows users to create and manage online courses with ease. The basic setup process for LearnDash is simple, and users can quickly spin up a course from a video playlist by simply pasting the URL from YouTube, Vimeo, or Wistia Project.

The visual course builder of LearnDash makes it easier for users to create and customize their courses. It allows users to open editors for all course content from one spot and make changes using drag-and-drop. Questions for quizzes can be added directly from the builder tab, and users can quickly add new lessons, topics, and quizzes. The native WordPress block editor can be used for course listing page content, giving users a native feel.

In addition to the course builder, LearnDash also provides several management tools. It supports multiple user support with reporting, analytics, user groups, and course progress tracking. It also offers automated email notifications and integration with Zapier, which allows for automating actions based on user activity. LearnDash also integrates with Stripe Connect to start selling courses without additional add-ons.

LearnDash Plugin vs. LearnDash Cloud

LearnDash Plugin is a WordPress plugin allowing users to easily create and manage online courses. It is a comprehensive learning management system with a wide range of features, such as course building, content creation, drip feed content, quiz results, email notifications, and more. It is suitable for educational institutions, small businesses, and solo course creators.

LearnDash Cloud, on the other hand, is a platform that provides an all-in-one service for online course management. It includes everything from the Pro tier of the plugin plus exclusive extras such as Play Bar and Single Site. It is a subscription-based service that costs $29 per month (plus a one-time setup fee of $49).

Main differences

The main difference between the two is that the plugin is a WordPress plugin you install on your website, while the cloud is a service that LearnDash hosts. The plugin gives you more control over your site and the courses you create, while the cloud service takes care of everything for you.

Another difference is that the cloud service includes some exclusive features that are not available in the plugin, such as the Play Bar and Single Site. However, the plugin offers more customization options, as you can fully control your website and install other plugins to extend its functionality.

Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you want more control over your site and courses and have the technical know-how to manage a WordPress site, the plugin may be your better option. If you want an all-in-one solution that takes care of everything for you and doesn’t mind paying a monthly fee, then the cloud service may be the way to go.

LearnDash: Building a Course

In this section, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of building a course in LearnDash. See for yourself how easy and quick it is to work with this LMS WordPress plugin!

Set Up Course Settings

The first step in building a course in LearnDash is to set up your course settings. To do this, log in to your WordPress site and navigate to the LearnDash dashboard. From there, click “Courses” and “Add New.”

In the “Course Title” field, enter the name of your course. Then, in the “Type / to choose a block” field, write a brief description of your course. You can also add an image to represent your course, which will be displayed on the course page.
TIP: Search for some ideas and ready templates in “Design Library”. This can save you some time and help with the designing phase.

Be sure to create a nice-looking and useful course page. In my case, I decided to go with some templates from library and improved them afterward. 

Finally, scroll down to the “Access Settings” section and select the course access mode, such as open, closed, or free. Set a price and scroll downwards, filling all necessary setting options.

You can manage here:

 “Display and Content Options” – Controls the look and feel of the course and optional content settings

“Course Navigation Settings” – Controls how users interact with the content and their navigational experience

“Course Users” – Users enrolled via Groups using this Course are excluded from the listings below and should be manage via the Group admin screen.

“LearnDash Course Grid Settings” – Set all information you want to display in Course Grid.

Embedding Course Content

The next step is to start adding course content. This can include lessons, topics, quizzes, assignments, and other materials that will be used to teach your course.

To add content, click on the “Course Builder” tab. Click on the “Add New Lesson” button to create a new lesson. 

Give your lesson a name, and then click on “Add lesson”

To add topics to your lesson, click on the title and then click on the right arrow to extend the section. You can add text, images, and videos to your topic and any other course material you want to include.

Organize Course Content

Now that you have added content to your course, you need to organize it in a logical order. To do this, use LearnDash’s drag-and-drop course builder to rearrange your lessons and topics.

You can also create course prerequisites, which require learners to complete certain lessons or topics before moving on to others. To create prerequisites, click the “Settings” tab and select the “Prerequisites” option.

Creating Quizzes

Assignments and quizzes are an important part of any course, as they help learners test their knowledge and reinforce what they have learned.

To create a quiz, click on the “Quizzes” tab and then click on the “Add New” button. 

Give your quiz a name and then add questions, answers, and any other materials you want to include.

Add Course Features

LearnDash offers a range of features to enhance your course, such as discussion forums, certificates, and coupons.

Coupons

First, navigate to the Coupons section of Learndash

Then create a new coupon and set the discount amount and expiration date

Assign the coupon to specific courses or all of them 

Groups

Navigate to the Groups section of Learndash

Create a new group based on different criteria, such as course enrollment or membership level.

Assign group leaders to manage the group

Add members to the group

Certificates

Navigate to the Certificates section of Learndash

Create a new certificate template and customize the design with your own logos and branding.

Here I recommend using a dedicated certificate builder and”Design Library”. It will make course certificate creation much quicker.

Assign the certificate template to your courses. First, you need to edit the course where the certificate needs to be assigned. Then, select the certificate you created from the Associated Certificate dropdown menu. Finally, save the changes made in the course.

Reports

Groups and reports are useful for managing and monitoring your learners’ progress.

To view reports on your learners’ progress, click the “Reports” tab. You can view information such as course completions, quiz scores, and assignments from there.

Additionally, in this sanction, you can also check your transaction information.

Set Up Course Access

Once your course is ready, you need to determine how learners will access it. LearnDash offers a range of access.

Course Building and Features Summary

Overall, I believe that LearnDash’s course-building and features are second-to-none. While there is a bit of a learning curve when getting started with the platform, the customization options and advanced features make it well worth the effort. As a result, I would highly recommend LearnDash to anyone looking for a powerful and flexible e-learning platform for their business or organization.

Customer Support and Documentation

Customer Support

LearnDash offers solid customer support that’s always prompt and responsive. Their dedicated support team is available via email, and their response time is typically within 24 hours. Whenever I’ve had questions or issues, they’ve been quick to respond and always go above and beyond to help me resolve the problem.

I’d rate their customer support a 4 out of 5, as there’s always room for improvement. While they’re generally helpful and responsive, there are a few areas where they could improve. 

For example, they could offer more support channels like live chat or phone support to make it easier to get in touch with a representative quickly. However, overall, I’ve been satisfied with their customer support and feel confident in their ability to help me troubleshoot any issues I encounter.

Documentation

One area where LearnDash truly shines is in its documentation. Their extensive knowledge base covers everything from basic setup and installation to more advanced customization options. 

The articles are well-structured, easy to follow, and contain helpful screenshots and videos. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, their documentation is comprehensive and user-friendly.

I’d rate their documentation a 5 out of 5, as it’s truly exceptional. They’ve clearly put a lot of effort into creating high-quality documentation that’s accessible to users of all skill levels. Additionally, their documentation is frequently updated, ensuring it’s always up-to-date with the latest features and changes.

Improvements

While LearnDash’s customer support and documentation are impressive, there are still some areas where they could improve. One area where they could expand their documentation is by providing more in-depth tutorials or webinars on advanced features. Some more advanced options may require additional guidance, and offering more detailed documentation on those features could be helpful.

Conclusion and rating

Overall, LearnDash’s customer support and documentation are both top-notch. While there’s always room for improvement, their team is quick to respond to any issues or questions, and their documentation is comprehensive and user-friendly. As a result, I feel confident using LearnDash for my online courses and recommend it to anyone looking for a flexible, customizable platform for their e-learning needs.

LearnDash Pros and Cons

LearnDash is a powerful WordPress LMS plugin that has gained popularity for its wide range of features, making it a top choice for creating and managing online courses. However, like any plugin, it has its pros and cons.

Pros of LearnDash

1. Super Helpful Visual Course Builder – LearnDash comes with a visual course builder that makes it easy for users to create and customize courses. The builder allows users to open editors for all course content from one spot and make changes using drag-and-drop. This feature allows users to easily add new lessons, topics, quizzes, and more to their courses.
2. Convenient Drip-Fed Content and Prereqs – LearnDash allows for more control over course pacing through its drip-fed content and prerequisites. This feature enables users to release course content incrementally to learners, ensuring they don’t get overwhelmed with too much information at once.
3. Highly customizable – LearnDash is incredibly flexible and allows you to create and design your online courses exactly how you want them.
4. Unique Video Progression Feature – LearnDash has a unique video progression feature that enables learners to pick up where they left off in a video course. This feature saves learners the hassle of having to search for their last watched video, making it easier for them to continue learning where they left off.
5. Automation with Engagement Triggers – LearnDash helps keep learners engaged and on track with its automation and engagement triggers. Users can set up automated trigger notifications based on user actions, such as enrolling in a new course or completing a lesson, to keep learners engaged and motivated.
6. Lots of Official and Third-Party Add-ons for More Functionality – LearnDash offers plenty of customization options with its official and third-party add-ons. These add-ons provide users with additional functionality, such as the ability to create certificates, gamify courses, and more.
7. Native WordPress Approach – LearnDash integrates seamlessly with WordPress, making it easy for users to manage courses from their WordPress dashboard. This integration also allows users to use other WordPress plugins to extend the functionality of their courses.
8. Far Cheaper Than SaaS Alternatives – LearnDash provides cost-effective solutions for creating and managing courses. It is far cheaper than other software-as-a-service (SaaS) alternatives, making it an attractive option for small businesses, educational institutions, and solo course creators.

Cons of LearnDash

1. No Free Version Offered – LearnDash does not offer a free version, which requires an investment. This can be an obstacle for users just starting or on a tight budget.
2. No Official Mobile App – LearnDash does not have an official mobile app, which may limit accessibility for some learners. Users can still access courses on mobile devices through a web browser, but it may not provide the best user experience.
3. Overwhelming Settings – LearnDash can be difficult for beginners due to its overwhelming number of settings. Learning how to use the plugin effectively takes time, which may be a challenge for some users.
4. No built-in video hosting – LearnDash doesn’t offer built-in video hosting, which means you’ll need to host your videos on a third-party platform like YouTube or Vimeo. This can be a hassle for some users.
5. Limited customer support – LearnDash offers basic customer support, but it can be difficult to get in touch with a representative quickly if you have an urgent issue.

In conclusion, while offering an array of powerful features with great potential for boosting learning experiences, they may be overwhelming at first glance, but once mastered, they will prove invaluable assets in creating successful online courses with ease.

LearnDash Pricing

LearnDash Pricing depends on the technology and number of sites you must manage. It starts from $199 to $799, depending on the number of sites:

• LearnDash price for 1 site – $199 per year
• LearnDash price for 10 sites – $399 per year
• LearnDash price for unlimited sites – $799 per year

Unfortunately, LearnDash currently doesn’t offer a free trial. However, LearnDash offers a 15-day money-back guarantee.

When it comes to e-learning platforms, choosing the right one can be a daunting task. With LearnDash, you get a highly customizable, feature-rich learning management system (LMS) that can accommodate any online learning. Let’s take a closer look at the features and plan differences.

The first thing to consider is the number of sites you need to manage. The single-site plan for $199 per year will suffice if you only have one site. However, the 10-site plan for $399 per year may be more cost-effective if you have multiple sites. The unlimited site plan for $799 per year is the way to go for larger organizations.

Each plan offers the same core features, such as unlimited courses and users, gamification, and certificates. However, the higher-priced plans offer additional features that may be beneficial for your specific needs.

Summary

LearnDash is a Learning Management System (LMS) tailored toward educational institutions, small businesses, and solo course creators. It provides a wide range of features such as course building, content creation, drip feed content, quiz results, email notifications, and more. Its features make it an attractive option for creating efficient and engaging learning experiences for students. With the convenient drag-and-drop editors, LearnDash’s Course Builder allows users to easily customize courses with video progression and other drip feed content features.

One of its main advantages is the integrations with third-party plugins and the LearnDash Cloud subscription feature that smooths online course management. Having said that, LearnDash can be intimidating due to its advanced tools and several limitations when it comes to payments. Also, if you are looking for customized mobile apps or WooCommerce modules, you may have to look for other plugins or external tools.

But despite these drawbacks, LearnDash still remains one of the top choices for creating and managing online courses thanks to its competitive pricing, easy setup process and comprehensive learning capabilities. Thus, LearnDash is an effective and secure platform for businesses seeking to increase their online presence through e-learning.

LearnDash Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better learnpress or learndash?

Overall, it depends on the features you need for your own site or website. However, LearnDash is the clear winner when it comes to the wide array of features and support resources available.

If you have the budget, then LearnDash might be a better choice than LearnPress.

What are the benefits of learndash?

LearnDash offers numerous benefits, including a user-friendly user interface, extensive course creation options, unlimited access and secure payments. With LearnDash you can create courses easily and quickly and optimize them to increase user engagement and retention.

Best yet, LearnDash is reliable, cost-effective, and secure, giving you peace of mind when managing your online courses.

LearnDash Plugin or LearnDash Cloud: Which One Should You Use?

LearnDash Plugin is ideal for those who want full control over their WordPress site and its content. LearnDash Cloud is better suited for those who want a hands-off hosting, updates, and maintenance approach. 

Both options have advantages and disadvantages, depending on your specific needs and preferences.

Can Other Plugins Be Installed on LearnDash Cloud?

Yes, other plugins can be installed on LearnDash Cloud, but only those compatible with WordPress 5.0 and above. LearnDash Cloud includes a curated selection of WordPress plugins tested and approved for use with the platform.

Is LearnDash Free to Use?

No, LearnDash is not free to use. It requires a license that can be purchased on the LearnDash website. Three pricing plans are available, which offer varying levels of support and features.

Can LearnDash Be Used without a License?

No, a license is required to use LearnDash. Without a license, you will not have access to the LearnDash plugin or its features.

Is LearnDash Easy to Learn?

LearnDash is a relatively user-friendly plugin, but it does require some technical knowledge to set up and configure. The plugin comes with extensive documentation, tutorials, and support to help users get started and make the most of its features.

Can LearnDash Be Used without WordPress?

No, LearnDash is a WordPress plugin and requires a WordPress website to function. You cannot use LearnDash without a WordPress site.

Does LearnDash Work on WordPress.com?

No, LearnDash does not work on WordPress.com, which is a hosted platform that does not allow the installation of third-party plugins. LearnDash can only be used on self-hosted WordPress sites.

Where Is LearnDash Data Stored?

LearnDash data is stored in the WordPress database, which includes information on courses, lessons, quizzes, users, and more. It is important to regularly back up your database to ensure that your LearnDash data is not lost in the event of a website crash or other issue.

Is LearnDash Open-Source Software?

No, LearnDash is not open-source software. It is a commercial plugin that is owned and developed by LearnDash LLC.

Is LearnDash Cloud-Hosted?

Yes, LearnDash Cloud is a cloud-hosted version of the LearnDash plugin that is designed to make hosting, updates, and maintenance easier for users. 

With LearnDash Cloud, LearnDash handles the technical aspects of hosting and maintaining the site, while users focus on creating and delivering their courses.