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Comparing the Best LMS Plugins – Tutor LMS vs Learndash vs LifterLMS

Written by Hunain Raza | Last modified on April 8, 2025

In this post, we dive deep and compare the features of the best WordPress LMS plugins on the market today. These premium plugins are feature-rich, come with excellent support, and receive regular updates to enhance their functionality. While you can’t go wrong with any of these options, it’s always better to understand exactly what each LMS plugin offers to make the right choice for your needs.

Pricing: Starts from $199/Year


Standout Features: Frontend Drag and Drop Course Builder, Unlimited Courses and Lessons, Course Content Protection, Course Rating and Review


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Pricing: Starts from $199/year


Standout Features: Drag & drop course builder, AI course outline and quiz builder, Easy assignment management, Team collaboration tools


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Pricing: Starts from $149.50/year


Standout Features: Course Creation, Membership Management, Engagement and Gamification, Payment Integration


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Introduction

Making the right decision when starting an LMS site will save you a lot of trouble later on. With so many options out there, each claiming to be the best, it’s hard to know which one is truly the Best WordPress LMS plugin that is most suitable for your needs.

Three of the top contenders are Tutor LMS, LearnDash, and LifterLMS. Each of these platforms has its own strengths, designed to meet different needs and goals. 

  • Tutor LMS is praised for its simplicity and user-friendly design, making it a great choice for beginners. 
  • LearnDash is known for its flexibility and advanced features, appealing to those who want more control over their course setup. 
  • LifterLMS stands out with its focus on community and membership features, making it ideal for creating interactive learning environments.

But which one is right for you? That’s what we’ll explore in this blog. We’ll break down the features, pros, and cons of Tutor LMS, LearnDash, and LifterLMS to help you make an informed decision. We took our time to evaluate each key feature of all these three popular LMS WordPress plugins. 

Comparison Table

Features

Tutor LMS

LearnDash

Lifter LMS

Pricing Starts At
$199/1 site/year
$199/1 site/year
$149.50/1 site/year
Course Creation & Management
Unlimited course creation
Bundle course creation

Drag & drop course builder

Course Import

Course Export

Course Start/End Dates
Course Completion Page
Course Cohorts
Course Tracks
Multi Instructor
Private Coaching Upsells
Pre-sell courses
Demo Course
Content Delivery & Dripping
Content drip
Dynamic content delivery
Video progression
Multimedia Lessons
Use any media
Lesson Downloads
Flexible prerequisites
Content Restrictions
Members-Only Content
Quizzes & Assessments
Advanced Lessons 
Advanced Quizzing
Quiz Timer
AI Quiz Builder
Question Banks
Assignment management
Custom grading scale
Automated student results
Certifications & Gamification
Completion Certificates
Achievement Badges
Gamification
Memberships & Access Control
Sitewide Membership
Traditional Memberships
Automatic Enrollment
Customizable Enrollment
Members-Only Pricing
Private Group Discussion
Members-Only Forums
Bulk Course Enrollment
Ecommerce & Payments
Stripe integration
PayPal
Payment gateways
Subscriptions
Recurring Payments
One-time purchases
Payment Plans
Unlimited Pricing Models
Coupons
Bulk Sales
Affiliate Ready
Native Sales Pages
Offline Sales
Ecommerce Dashboard
Credit Card Management
Payment Switching
Order Management
User Management & Roles
Advanced user roles
Student Management
Access Management
LMS Roles
Profile dashboard
Student Dashboard
Multimedia & Integrations
Multimedia content support
Social login functionality
REST API support
Integrations
Zapier App
CRM
Form Integrations
Email Marketing
Reporting & Analytics
Export analytics data
Sales report
Detailed Reporting
Gradebook
Earning graph
System Analyzer
Security & Compliance
Two-factor authentication
Fraud protection
Password Management
Require Terms
Security
Miscellaneous
Multilingual Support
Choose any theme
Compatibility
Self-Hosted
Scalable
Layout
Testing Tools
Page Builder
Technical Support
Free Training Courses
Setup Wizard

Tutor LMS VS LearnDash

Let’s get real – both Tutor LMS and LearnDash are heavyweight contenders in the LMS arena. If you’re scratching your head trying to choose between these two, I’ve got you covered!

Tutor LMS offers a seriously user-friendly approach that won’t leave you pulling your hair out. Their drag-and-drop course builder is a game-changer for folks who break into a cold sweat at the thought of coding. Plus, their free version is surprisingly robust if you’re testing the waters before diving in.

Meanwhile, LearnDash offers more advanced features that seasoned course creators drool over. Their learning management system has been battle-tested by universities and major corporations – not just solo entrepreneurs. The LearnDash plugin integrates beautifully with virtually any WordPress theme, making it incredibly versatile.

When it comes to course creation and management, Tutor LMS gives you simplicity while LearnDash delivers power. Think of Tutor LMS as your friendly neighborhood coffee shop – welcoming and easy to navigate. LearnDash is more like a professional espresso machine – there’s a learning curve, but the results are worth it.

Bottom line: If you want straightforward and intuitive, Tutor LMS might be your jam. If you need sophisticated features and don’t mind investing time to master the platform, LearnDash could be your perfect match.

LearnDash vs LifterLMS

The LearnDash vs LifterLMS debate isn’t just academic – it’s about finding which platform will help you build your online empire without wanting to throw your laptop out the window!

LifterLMS offers an approach that feels more like building a community than just selling courses. Their core plugin gives you solid foundations for creating engaging learning experiences. The LifterLMS plugin shines particularly bright when it comes to membership features and student engagement tools.

LearnDash, on the other hand, brings industrial-strength course delivery to your WordPress website. Their certificate builder is next-level awesome, allowing you to create professional credentials your students will proudly display. LearnDash offers more quiz types and assessment options that’ll make even the pickiest educator smile.

Price-wise, LifterLMS starts slightly cheaper at $149.50/year compared to LearnDash’s $199/year. But don’t let that be the deciding factor – it’s really about which feature set aligns with your vision.

The ease of use definitely tilts in LifterLMS’s favor for beginners. Their free core plugin lets you test drive many features before upgrading to the premium plugin. When deciding between LifterLMS or LearnDash, consider your technical comfort level and how much customization you’ll need.

Who Should Use Tutor LMS

You should absolutely grab Tutor LMS if you break into hives at the thought of complicated tech setups but still want a powerful LMS platform. This is perfect for:

  • First-time course creators who value simplicity but don’t want to sacrifice features
  • WordPress enthusiasts who appreciate a clean, intuitive interface
  • Teachers and trainers who need to focus on content rather than wrestling with technology
  • Small businesses launching their first online training program
  • Anyone who appreciates excellent support when they occasionally get stuck

Tutor LMS offers the perfect balance of power and accessibility. The free version gives you a generous taste of what’s possible, while the premium version unlocks features that compete with platforms costing twice as much.

If phrases like “user-friendly interface” and “works right out of the box” make your heart sing, Tutor LMS should be at the top of your list. It’s the Toyota Camry of LMS platforms – reliable, efficient, and won’t break the bank!

Who Should Use LearnDash

LearnDash is the perfect match for you if you’re serious about creating professional-grade courses and need advanced functionality. You should use LearnDash if:

  • You’re an established educator or training company needing enterprise-level features
  • Your courses require complex assessment types and detailed progress tracking
  • You value having complete control over every aspect of the learning experience
  • You’re comfortable with a slightly steeper learning curve for greater capability
  • You need advanced certification options that look legitimately professional

The LearnDash plugin isn’t just another pretty face – it’s a comprehensive learning management system used by major universities and Fortune 500 companies. Their AI course outline and quiz builder saves serious time when developing curriculum.

LearnDash offers the robustness that serious educators demand. If you’re planning to scale your online education business, their platform grows with you without breaking a sweat. It’s the Swiss Army knife of LMS solutions – there’s a tool for literally every teaching scenario you might encounter!

Who Should Use LifterLMS

LifterLMS is calling your name if you’re all about building community alongside courses. You should use LifterLMS if:

  • Creating membership sites with courses is part of your business model
  • You love gamification features that keep students motivated
  • You need flexible payment options including subscriptions and payment plans
  • You’re keen on student engagement tools like achievements and badges
  • You want solid e-commerce functionality without needing separate plugins

LifterLMS offers a unique approach that blends learning with community building. Their WordPress-native solution means everything integrates smoothly with your existing site.

The LifterLMS plugin excels at creating engaging learning environments where students feel connected to each other and to you. If building relationships is as important as delivering content, this platform delivers in spades.

Their free core plugin gives you a genuine feel for the platform before committing to the premium features. For coaches, consultants, and educators who see their courses as just one part of a larger community experience, LifterLMS provides the perfect foundation to build upon.

Conclusion

After comparing Tutor LMS, LearnDash, and LifterLMS, it’s clear that each platform offers something unique. 

Tutor LMS is perfect for those who want a straightforward, easy-to-use system. LearnDash is ideal for users who need advanced customisation and control. LifterLMS excels at building communities and interactive learning experiences.

When deciding, think about your specific needs. If you want something easy to use, Tutor LMS is a great option. If you need advanced features and customisation, LearnDash might be the better choice. And if you’re looking to build a community around your courses, LifterLMS could be the perfect fit.

The best LMS is the one that helps you achieve your goals. Take your time, consider your options, and do not forget to ask pre-sales questions from the support teams of these WordPress LMS plugins.

Author

Hunain Raza
I'm Hunain Raza, a Content Writer and WordPress Community Manager at WPdots.io.
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Comparing the Best LMS Plugins – Tutor LMS vs Learndash vs LifterLMS

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