Navigating the ever-evolving landscape of learning and development (L&D) can feel like a constant quest for the right tools. As 2025 progresses, the demand for tangible skill development within organizations isn't just growing – it's an essential need.
Investing in the right online learning platform simply isn't optional - it's the decisive action that builds a workforce that’s ready for whatever tomorrow brings.
For L&D professionals, the sheer volume of available platforms can be overwhelming. Recent data underscores the significance of this decision. In the UK, a 2024 report by the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) highlighted that 78% of organizations are increasing their investment in online learning technologies to address skills gaps and drive employee development.
Similarly, the 2025 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report indicated that 49% of learning and talent development professionals see a skills crisis, with online learning platforms playing a crucial role in achieving these objectives.
Choosing the platform that best aligns with your organization's unique needs and learning objectives is paramount. To help you cut through the noise and make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive list of the best learning platforms for skill development in 2025.
In this guide, we rank the best learning platforms for skill development based on capabilities, user experience, scalability, reporting capabilities, integration options, and G2 scores to help you make an informed choice for your organization. To dive deeper into the process of selecting a solution, you might also find our guide on how to create an effective learning platform RFP helpful.
Let's explore the leading solutions to help you make an informed choice for your organization and drive growth in the year ahead.
Best learning platforms for 2025
Learning Pool
G2 Score: 4.5/5
Learning Pool doesn't just offer a learning platform; it's an intelligent engine driving future-fit workforces. Forget static skills matrices – here, individuals sculpt their own dynamic skills profile. Imagine instant, intuitive visuals revealing precisely how your team's capabilities align (or don't) with strategic ambitions, paving the way for truly personalized and impactful learning journeys.
But what truly sets Learning Pool apart is its AI-powered foresight. The platform provides comprehensive reports on learner progress, skill gaps, and training effectiveness, empowering data-driven decisions that directly impact business outcomes. It's not just about managing skills - it's about predicting and preparing for the skills of tomorrow.
Cornerstone OnDemand
G2 Score: 4.3/5
Cornerstone OnDemand is a widely used and robust LMS and talent management solution. Strengths include creating learning that improves performance and aligning development with measurable results, especially through performance reviews and goal-setting. This makes it an ideal choice for organizations with established talent frameworks.
However, for organizations prioritizing agile, future-focused skill development, alternative platforms with a cohesive and innovative product suite may offer advantages. While Cornerstone links learning to current performance, other platforms provide deeper insights into emerging skills through market analysis, proactively addressing future needs.
Furthermore, Cornerstone's platform frequently draws criticism for its complex, clunky user experience, which often burdens admins and frustrates learners. Its fragmented structure, born from multiple acquisitions, can lead to poor integration and a higher total cost of ownership due to reliance on paid add-ons and hidden fees.
Beyond this, L&D teams often highlight limited in-house content creation, less intuitive reporting and analytics, and minimal support for learning data interoperability (xAPI/LRS). Their innovation pace can also be slower, and for mid-market businesses, the platform often feels less flexible, with many buyers perceiving a 'vendor' rather than a true 'partner' mindset.
Other solutions put greater emphasis on ease of use and user-friendliness. These platforms typically put individuals in charge of their skill growth and clearly show where an organization's skills are lacking, leading to more proactive and targeted learning.
Ultimately, while Cornerstone offers a strong foundation for performance-linked talent development, the best choice for upskilling depends on your organization's specific priorities, including the need for agility, future-ready skills, and a unified learning ecosystem.
Docebo
G2 Score: 4.3/5
Docebo is a versatile learning platform that empowers organizations to build tailored learning environments aligned with individual employee needs and career goals. It fosters a collaborative learning culture through features like user-generated content and discussion forums, and boasts strong integration capabilities with business operations.
Docebo offers a user-friendly and flexible experience with an app-based system for easy customization and strong branding options, making it well-suited for both internal and extended enterprise scenarios. Users also benefit from customizable reports and dashboards, and a wide range of learning methods with global language support.
However, other platforms take a more dynamic approach to talent development. Instead of just providing a place to take courses, some learning platforms focus on helping employees grow and move forward in their careers in a more comprehensive way.
Another consideration is content creation. Docebo relies on external sources for learning content, while others offer content developed by specialists in-house. This can lead to better insights from learning content, the ability to easily create your own materials, and dedicated teams to build training that fits your exact needs.
Absorb LMS
G2 Score: 4.6/5
Absorb is a learning platform praised for its user-friendly design and quick setup for both admins and learners. It supports various content formats and offers a skills management tool to align employee skills with business goals. Absorb is also recognized for its comprehensive suite of learning and content tools, with wide integration capabilities.
However, when evaluating learning platforms, consider those that excel in leveraging real-time data for proactive learning interventions. Some providers offer in-house custom content, a more extensive and editable microlearning library, and advanced, AI-powered skills management solutions.
Plus, platforms built on an LXP framework prioritize a personalized and engaging learner journey, providing a different approach compared to only offering traditional LMS solutions..
TalentLMS
G2 Score: 4.6/5
TalentLMS is a user-friendly and adaptable learning platform, making this a good choice for small and medium-sized businesses wanting to quickly begin upskilling their teams. Its straightforward design and high level of customization mean businesses can easily deliver training tailored to their specific upskilling needs and business goals.
Plus, it connects smoothly with many popular tools like Salesforce and Zoom. Users on G2 frequently praise TalentLMS for being particularly easy to set up and manage.
Conclusion
Each of these learning platforms brings unique strengths to the table depending on your company’s specific needs. With strong G2 scores and a proven ability to drive skill development, all of these platforms are worth exploring for your 2025 upskilling and reskilling needs.
Ready to make the smart choice for your next learning platform?
Check out our comprehensive guide on how to make the right choice for your organization or book a demo to discover how we can help you unlock the full potential of your people.
