LearnDash LMS Platform - the drag & drop loved by Fortune 500 companies.
What is LearnDash?
LearnDash is a Learning Management System (LMS) in the form of a WordPress plugin. It enables creating, running, and selling online courses without the need to use external platforms. The tool is particularly valued for its flexibility and the ability to customize the appearance and features to your own brand. It is one of the solutions that universities and large companies have been choosing for years – including Fortune 500 enterprises – which has earned LearnDash a reputation as a reliable and scalable platform.
Key Features and Functionalities
Intuitive Course Builder (drag & drop)
At the heart of LearnDash is the course builder, which allows you to build the structure of lessons and modules using the drag-and-drop method. Creators can organize content, videos, quizzes, and assignments into a logical sequence, which speeds up course preparation and makes later updates easier. Thanks to native WordPress support, there is no need for coding or complicated interfaces – everything is done from the admin dashboard.
Advanced Quiz System
LearnDash offers a robust quiz engine with multiple question types, randomization options, and time limit and attempt limit settings. Compared to other platforms, such as Teachable, LearnDash allows you to create more complex exams and surveys. Users have access to eight question types, quiz import/export, and random question order generation. These features help better assess student progress and engagement.
Collaboration and Course Management Tools
Creators can assign instructor roles, create groups of participants, and share reports. Features like "Focus Mode," the student dashboard, and the notification system increase user engagement. LearnDash integrates with WooCommerce, MemberPress, and other add-ons, allowing you to sell courses as one-time purchases, subscriptions, or bundles. The plugin also includes a certificate generator and the ability to award badges for achievements.
Pricing Plans and Licensing
LearnDash Plugin – Basic, Plus, Pro
The LearnDash plugin is sold in three annual license tiers. The Basic plan costs $199 per year and allows installation on one site. It offers unlimited courses, advanced quizzes, drip content (scheduled content release), and certificate and badge generation. The Plus plan costs $399 per year and allows using LearnDash on up to ten sites, and the Pro plan at $799 covers an unlimited number of sites. All licenses include official integrations (WooCommerce, Stripe, Zapier), updates, and email support.
LearnDash Cloud (StellarSites Learning)
For those who don't want to manage WordPress hosting themselves, LearnDash offers a cloud version. The Starter package costs $25 per month (billed annually) and includes up to 1,000 participants and 30 GB of storage. The Growth plan at $49 per month increases the limit to 5,000 users and 60 GB, and the Pro plan at $99 per month supports 25,000 participants and 120 GB of space. The Cloud version provides hosting, an SSL certificate, automatic updates, and a security tools package, including Solid Security Pro.
Why Do Fortune 500 Companies Choose LearnDash?
Fortune 500 companies, academic institutions, and training organizations choose LearnDash primarily because of its scalability and flexibility. The platform allows full control over data and course appearance, which is crucial for large companies with their own branding standards. LearnDash supports subscription sales and courses in a marketplace model, enabling revenue sharing through Stripe Connect integration. Additionally, the tool is compliant with WordPress security practices and has thousands of ready-made add-ons and integrations. As an example of recognition, Justin Ferriman, co-founder of LearnDash, highlighted in an article that the plugin is used by Fortune 500 companies and universities around the world.
Drawbacks and Limitations
LearnDash does not offer a free version or a lifetime license. To maintain access to updates and support, you must renew your subscription every year. Some advanced features, such as additional analytics plugins (ProPanel) or marketing integrations, may require purchasing extra extensions. Additionally, payment processing is primarily through Stripe and PayPal, which may limit users who rely on alternative payment gateways. The Cloud version has user limits, and upgrading the plan comes with a higher price.
Alternatives and Who Is LearnDash For?
LearnDash works best for people who have or are planning a WordPress site and value configuration freedom and no transaction fees. It is a good solution for online course creators, marketing agencies, training companies, and educational institutions that want to maintain control over their data. For those who prefer a platform that works "out of the box" without the need to configure WordPress, alternatives may include LearnDash Cloud or competing platforms like Teachable or Kajabi. However, it is worth noting that unlike LearnDash, Teachable charges a percentage of sales on lower plans, and unlimited courses are only available on the Enterprise plan, which costs nearly $6,000 per year.
How to Issue an Invoice for a LearnDash Transaction in Poland?
LearnDash uses Stripe Connect as its primary payment gateway, both in the plugin and cloud versions. This means that all course payments are processed through Stripe. To meet Polish tax requirements and automatically issue invoices, you can use striptu.com, which integrates Stripe with Polish invoicing systems (e.g., fakturownia.pl). After connecting your Stripe account with striptu.com, transactions from LearnDash will be automatically forwarded to the invoicing system, and invoices will be created in accordance with Polish law. This way, you avoid manual document handling and gain confidence that your accounting is correct.