What’s the difference between LMS, LCMS, and CMS?
This question often elicits confusion among those shopping for the right software tools for their organization.
In e-Learning, the following platforms are used to deliver course:
· LMS: Learning Management System
· CMS: Content Management System
· LCMS: Learning Content Management System
LMS
A learning management system (LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of electronic educational technology (also called e-learning) courses or training programs.

An LMS provides a platform for housing all types of eLearning courses, as well as tracking who has completed them, when, and what kind of score they
received on assessments. Furthermore, an LMS allows administrators or trainers to prepare reports, make assignments, and send reminders all at one central location.
CMS

It creates the framework for how content is stored and displayed.
CMS functions allow the content owner to decide which content should be displayed privately or publicly. Content can be easily tagged using metadata, which is best for searching and using content quickly and efficiently.
Example: Drupal and WordPress are popular content management systems used to create all kinds of websites. As opposed to a CMS, a learning CMS is specialized for the creation and management of learning content.
LCMS


Example: Xyleme and Kenexa

Comparison between LMS and LCMS
LMS
|
LCMS
|
|
Primary target users
|
Training managers, Instructors, and Administrators
|
Content developers, Instructional Designers and Training Managers
|
Primary management
|
Learners
|
Learning content
|
Mainly used for management of classroom and instructor-led trainings
|
Yes, (but not always, in few cases)
|
No
|
Reports generation of trainings
|
Primary focus
|
Secondary focus
|
Learner collaboration
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Keeping learner profile data
|
Yes
|
No
|
Sharing learner data with an ERP system
|
Yes
|
No
|
Event scheduling
|
Yes
|
No
|
Competency mapping – skill gap analysis
|
Yes
|
Yes, (In a few cases)
|
Content-creation capabilities
|
No
|
Yes
|
Organizing reusable content
|
No
|
Yes
|
Creation of test questions and test administration
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Dynamic pre-testing and adaptive learning
|
No
|
Yes
|
Workflow tools to manage the content development process
|
No
|
Yes
|
Delivery of content with navigational controls and learner interface
|
No
|
Yes
|