Business environment and technology evolve faster than anyone can predict. While this is a good thing in terms of progress, it also means that keeping up with the changes can get more challenging. The concept of upskilling is not new, but more and more companies now realize the value of providing their employees with proper training to help them improve and adapt to new developments, especially in the technology department.

At this day and age, a learning management system or LMS is the popular choice for conducting training or online classes. LMS is particularly valued due to its flexibility—no fixed schedules, etc. A good example of LMS is Google Classroom, which is one of the LMS tools many use today, especially by teachers who conduct online lessons. 

What Is Google Classroom?

Google Classroom is a free online LMS that allows you to join or create a class where you can communicate, collaborate, and more. Its seamless integration with the rest of Google products extends its core functionalities. For example, it provides one of the best document management capabilities through Google Drive. That means students can do their assignments without ever leaving the platform. 

This LMS is mainly used by academic institutions. Every classroom set up is equipped with a variety of tools, such as document sharing and storage and email, which is also used in sending classroom summaries to the registered guardians of students.

While Google Classroom can be considered as the top learning management software available, it doesn’t have enough tools and features that cater to the professional environment. In this article, we give you 10 Google Classroom alternatives that offer learning and training assistance to professionals and business establishments.

1. Codecademy

Codecademy is a web-based LMS dedicated to coding classes for beginners and experienced programmers. This online programmer bootcamp offers interactive lessons from programming basics to the advanced skills and knowledge of code foundations, computer and data science, and web development. 

For beginners, Codecademy offers 180 hours’ worth of interactive lessons and practice. This also includes limited hours of mobile practice. Codecademy’s pro version gives access to content exclusive to Codecademy members. Pro users also have unlimited practice hours on mobile and real-world projects. Step-by-step guidance and peer support are also provided for Codecademy pro users. 

For the businesses that would like to provide further training for their programmers and IT staff, Codecademy can get everyone on the team onboard. For this, Codecademy will provide team performance reports and unlimited license switching. 

Codecademy has a free version with limited features. As for the paid plans, the price starts at $15/month.

Codecademy’a learning interface.

2. Coursera

Coursera is one of the leading LMS that offers courses accredited by top universities and organizations around the world. For individuals looking for academic certification, a bachelor’s, and even a master’s degree, you can browse by area of study or course to find the list of universities that offer your preferred major. You can also go directly to the university’s page and see what programs they offer.

When it comes to professional certificates, Coursera offers affordable programs that start from $39/month. These programs include SAS programming, data engineering, AI engineering, and more. Classes are flexible, which means you can choose the time that’s most convenient for you. You also get real-world projects. Thus, you can practice and improve your skills as you learn them.

Coursera partners with educational institutions, such as Arizona State University, Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia University,  Princeton University, and many more. Aside from academic organizations, Coursera also teams up with online platforms, including AWS by Amazon, Atlassian, Hubspot Academy, and others.

3. Docebo

Docebo is an AI-powered LMS used by companies to onboard new hires and to provide further training to their employees. Docebo recognizes the challenges of creating elearning resources, and this is what this LMS solution offers to business enterprises.

A rich repository of learning content, Docebo offers a platform for companies to help their employees improve and learn new skills, as well as understand the legal and social aspects of the corporate environment. Docebo Content catalog delivers courses that range from management, office ergonomics, quality customer service, compliance, and many more. 

Learners are also assisted with a Virtual Coach, an AI-powered responder that helps provide instant answers to learners’ queries. Virtual Coach can also suggest additional learning materials to the learners depending on the focus of their study. 

Docebo integrates with top HRIS software, CRM tools, ecommerce and payment platforms, content and content authoring, learning impact solutions, and web conferencing systems. Docebo is also accessible on mobile devices.

Docebo’s summary dashboard.

4. edX

edX is one of the Google Classroom alternatives that deliver online courses in various languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, French, Korean, Arabic, Hindi, etc.) The courses offered range from architecture, business to computer science, and even law and medicine.

When it comes to the corporate setting, edX has a dedicated business elearning solution that companies can use to provide quality content for upskilling, reskilling, and retraining employees. Courses included here are computer science, business and management, data and analytics, and professional skills. 

The pricing for the courses is customized or quote-based.

5. Hackr.io

Hackr.io is an online elearning platform that connects its users to programming, data science, DevOps, and design courses. Courses are accessible directly from the website or through its mobile application. 

Among the programming courses offered are Python, JavaScript, Android development, iOS Swift, Bootstrap, Blockchain, Virtual Reality, and others. Its data science program gives access to artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, and more. DevOps courses include Linux System Administration, Google Cloud Platform, Windows Server Administration, and others. As for design, available courses include Photoshop, User Interface Design, Game Design, etc.

Courses and tutorials can either be free or paid. To find the format you are looking for, just click on the course you would like to take. You can then use the filter for the type of course (paid or free), medium (video or book), level (beginner or advanced), version (if applicable), and language.

Hackr.io also provides community-approved tutorials and roadmaps for those who would like to study programming but do not know where to begin.

6. Lynda.com

Lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning) is a web-based LMS that offers online learning from industry experts and professionals. Learning solutions offered range from business courses, higher education to learning courses for government agencies.

The acquisition by LinkedIn further enhanced Lynda.com’s user reach as it now uses insights from LinkedIn to provide customized course recommendations to the enrolled learners. Courses offered include software development, sales and marketing, business operations, customer service, design, and more. This LMS solution also provides certification preparation programs and CEU courses for Adobe courses, AWS, HR certification, and others. 

All paid plans provide unlimited access, and the pricing starts at $29.99/month.

7. SoloLearn

SoloLearn is one of the Google Classroom alternatives that offer free programming courses. Unlike other LMS on the list, SoloLearn applies a different approach to social, interactive, and competitive learning. Not only are its courses completely free, but it also engages its users into an online game-like environment where they can only unlock the next level of difficulty by earning enough skill points and achievements.

Keep in mind, however, that SoloLearn does not provide dedicated professionals, nor does it follow a specific curriculum. This platform is only for users who are determined to learn by practicing on their own and with other users.

The courses and tutorials you can find in SoloLearn include CSS and HTML fundamentals, Python 3 and Ruby tutorials, and more. All courses are accessible on mobile devices.

8. PluralSight

PluralSight is an LMS platform for technology-related courses authored by industry experts. The courses offered by PluralSight cover a broad range of programs, such as software development, IT Ops, cloud computing, machine learning, AI, information and cybersecurity, and more.

PluralSight also provides assessments to determine the skill and role IQ, the knowledge gaps that need to be filled, and the skills that need improvement. These assessments also uncover hidden skills, which can help a company place their employees in roles they are most equipped in.

Certifications are also provided, depending on the subscription plan. Paid plans start at $29/month.

9. TalentLMS

TalentLMS is a full-featured, cloud-based LMS that offers hundreds of ready-made and customized courses for onboarding, employee training, compliance, sales and marketing, and more. What TalentLMS does is provide a simplified but effective training course based on the type of training you need and the audience or learners.

Creating your own course is also offered on the platform. TalentLMS provides tools that not only focus on quality content but also on creative execution. You can transform the learning experience into a competitive game with gaming elements, such as badges, points, rewards, etc. All training courses are also fully customizable and accessible to mobile devices.

TalentLMS integrates with videoconferencing tools, payment, Slack, Zendesk, Mailchimp, Trello, and other applications through Zapier.

The free version of TalentLMS can add a maximum of five users and take up to 10 courses. The paid plans start at $59/month.

10. Treehouse

Treehouse is a Google Classroom alternative designed for busy people. This LMS solution offers learning and training courses to learn and develop technical skills in programming, as well as help its users build their portfolio.

All courses offered are accessible anywhere with an Internet connection, and there are no hard deadlines to make sure your online training doesn’t get in the way of your busy life. Treehouse also provides its users with a clear roadmap for its Techdegree programs, along with estimated completion time. Learning paths for beginners are also guided step-by-step, and practical application of the learning curve via code challenges.

Courses offered include front end web development, full-stack JavaScript, Python, PHP, and others.

The pricing starts at $199/month.