LifterLMS vs LearnDash: Best LMS for Your Online Course

If you are asking whether LearnDash or LifterLMS is the right choice for your online course, the quick answer is simple: LearnDash is best for structured, professional learning experiences that can scale, while LifterLMS is more suited for community-driven programs with built-in membership features.

The real choice depends on how you want to teach and how your students will learn.

In this post, we will break down the strengths of each platform, provide a direct lifterlms vs learndash comparison, and guide you to the right decision.

LearnDash

What is LearnDash?

LearnDash is one of the most trusted Learning Management System (LMS) plugins for WordPress. Used by universities, corporations, and professional educators, it is known for its strong structure and flexibility for scaling.

LearnDash allows course creators to design professional-grade courses with powerful tools for tracking progress and managing students.

Key Features of LearnDash

LearnDash is packed with features that make it stand out in the LMS space:

Course Builder: A drag-and-drop interface for creating lessons, topics, and quizzes with ease.
Quizzes and Assessments: Advanced quiz types, timers, and grading options.
Certificates and Badges: Recognition features that motivate students.
Drip-Feed Content: Deliver content gradually to maintain engagement.
Integrations: Works seamlessly with WooCommerce, CRMs, membership plugins, and BuddyBoss for social learning.
Scalability: Handles large course libraries and thousands of students.

Ease of Use

LearnDash is straightforward for beginners who want a structured system. The drag-and-drop builder makes course creation fast and easy, while built-in templates allow creators to get started without custom development. It feels like a traditional classroom in digital form, which appeals to professional educators.

Pricing

LearnDash follows a clear annual pricing model:

$199/year for one site license
$399/year for up to 10 sites
$799/year for unlimited sites

The learndash pricing includes all core features, but you may need to purchase add-ons for memberships or advanced integrations.

Who Should Choose LearnDash?

LearnDash is ideal for:

Universities and schools offering structured courses
Businesses delivering corporate training
Course creators who want to scale with multiple programs
Educators looking for professional, classroom-like features

LifterLMS

What is LifterLMS?

LifterLMS is another WordPress LMS plugin designed with flexibility and community-building in mind. Unlike LearnDash, it includes built-in membership features, which makes it especially appealing for creators who want to combine learning with memberships or coaching.

Key Features of LifterLMS

Here’s what makes LifterLMS powerful:

Memberships: Built-in membership tools without the need for extra plugins.
Flexible Course Builder: Create lessons and modules with freedom.
Group Learning: Allow learners to collaborate and study together.
Payment Options: Free Stripe and PayPal add-ons included.
Add-ons Ecosystem: Extend with advanced quizzes, assignments, or integrations as needed.
Community Focus: Strong tools for combining learning with memberships and coaching.

Ease of Use

LifterLMS is flexible but can feel a bit more complex than LearnDash. It shines for creators who want memberships and community features, but beginners may need time to get comfortable with all the options.

Pricing

LifterLMS offers a free core plugin but requires add-ons for advanced features. Pricing options include:

Free core plugin with basic course functionality
Individual add-ons starting at $99 each per year
Universe Bundle at $299/year for essential add-ons
Infinity Bundle at $999/year for everything, including advanced features and integrations

Who Should Choose LifterLMS?

LifterLMS is best for:

Coaches, trainers, and entrepreneurs focused on memberships
Creators building community-driven courses
Educators who want flexibility and multiple monetization options
Course businesses that want to start free and scale gradually

LearnDash vs LifterLMS

Both platforms are excellent, but the right choice depends on your goals. Let’s look at the details.

Features Comparison

Feature	LearnDash	LifterLMS
Course Builder	Drag-and-drop with structured lessons and quizzes	Flexible builder with modular design
Memberships	Requires third-party plugin (e.g., MemberPress)	Built-in membership tools
Payment Gateways	Stripe, PayPal, WooCommerce, 2Checkout	Stripe and PayPal free add-ons, plus paid extensions
Gamification	Certificates, badges, and points	Gamification available through add-ons
Community Features	Integrates with BuddyBoss and bbPress	Native membership and group learning
Scalability	Handles large course libraries and enterprise-level training	Suited for memberships and medium-sized businesses
Integrations	Extensive (WooCommerce, Zapier, CRMs, Mailchimp, etc.)	Strong, but add-ons may be required for advanced needs

Ease of Use Comparison

LearnDash: Easier for beginners who want a structured, classroom-like experience.
LifterLMS: More flexible but requires more setup time to fully configure.

Pricing Comparison

Plan/License	LearnDash Pricing	LifterLMS Pricing
Core Plugin	$199/year (1 site)	Free plugin with limited features
Pro Package	$399/year (10 sites)	Universe Bundle $299/year, Infinity Bundle $999/year
Membership Features	Requires MemberPress or other paid plugin	Built-in at no extra cost
Payment Processing	WooCommerce add-ons may require extra spend	Free Stripe and PayPal add-ons included

Verdict: LearnDash has a transparent pricing model but may need extra plugins for memberships. LifterLMS starts free but becomes more expensive if you need advanced features.

Strengths and Weaknesses

LearnDash Strengths

Professional-grade structured courses
Excellent for scaling and enterprise use
Rich integrations and add-ons

LearnDash Weaknesses

Memberships require extra plugins
Annual pricing only

LifterLMS Strengths

Built-in memberships and community tools
Flexible course creation
Free core plugin to get started

LifterLMS Weaknesses

Costs can add up with multiple add-ons
More complex setup for beginners

Final Recommendation for LifterLMS vs LearnDash

When it comes to lifterlms vs learndash, both are powerful platforms but serve different needs.

Choose LearnDash if your goal is to build structured, professional online courses that can grow over time with advanced integrations.
Choose LifterLMS if your focus is on community, memberships, and flexibility in teaching methods.

For most course creators who want a polished, scalable solution, LearnDash tends to be the platform that transforms an idea into a successful eLearning business.

If you’re ready to build your own course platform, you can explore our expert services at SOLBASE Technologies. We specialize in LMS and eLearning websites built on WordPress, including LearnDash and LifterLMS solutions.

For additional insight, check this detailed comparison of LearnDash and LifLMS.