Learning platform for companies: providers and LMS compared

Which learning platform fits your company?

Start with a specific learning goal. For onboarding you need your own content, clear learning paths, and assignment by role. For professional development, the right courses and their practical relevance matter. For recurring training, check deadlines, reminders, and exportable participation reports in a demo.

• Small companies: Look for easy setup, low minimum order quantities, and minimal administrative overhead. Check who will manage content and user accounts internally.
• Midsize companies: Compare roles and permissions, custom content options, HR system interfaces, and ongoing operational effort.
• Internationally distributed teams: Check the actual available course languages, single sign-on, regional support, and reporting across multiple locations.

For your shortlist: Test a typical training from first login to completion with a small group. Then request a quote with the same number of users, contract term, and scope of services. This way you compare total costs rather than individual entry-level prices.

Content provider or learning platform? The two types of providers

In corporate e-learning, there are two types of providers that marketing often mixes up. One delivers content – ready-made courses, videos, microlearnings. The other delivers software to distribute content, document mandatory training, and evaluate learning progress. If you need both, you either buy from a provider that offers both or connect the courses to your own system via SCORM, xAPI, or LTI.

The best e-learning providers for companies at a glance

Ten providers that regularly appear on shortlists in German-speaking countries – sorted by the breadth of their offering for companies, not by rating. The order is not a ranking: a provider specializing in data skills cannot be meaningfully compared with a soft skills library.

• Production quality like on TV
• Courses can be imported into your own LMS via SCORM or MP4
• Custom productions for your own company
• Good choice for leadership programs

• Comparatively small library
• No compliance or mandatory training offering

Provider	Short profile	Price	More info
Masterplan German market leader	Learning engagement platform from Bochum with over 3,500 video courses in 26 languages and more than 300 corporate clients, including VW, Otto Group, and DZ Bank. Since September 24, 2025, Masterplan has been part of the Amadeus Fire Group. Very strong German-language offering Custom content can be added via SCORM Integration with common HR systems ISO- and TISAX-certified No self-service tariff – always through sales Focus on soft skills and transformation, little depth in specialized topics	on requestLicense per employee per year, tiered by company size	View profileView provider
Haufe Akademie Content and platform from a single source	The largest continuing education provider in Germany: over 3,600 courses in 26 subject areas, approx. 690,000 learners per year, and more than 6,300 in-house training sessions in 2026 alone. The Digital Suite includes an LMS, an LXP, and a Content Kit with microlearnings. In-person, live online, and e-learning from a single source LMS and LXP without a second contract partner Content tailored to German law and practices Over 60 locations for in-person components Unclear product portfolio – consultation required Prices only available upon request	on requestOpen seminars also bookable individually; Digital Suite as annual license	View profileView provider
LinkedIn Learning Broadest business library	Over 21,000 courses in 25 languages, more than 2,500 of which in German – from Excel and SAP to project management and leadership. The Learning Hub supplements the library with an LXP that can incorporate third-party content and content from your own LMS. Largest selection of German-language business courses Certificates can be added to LinkedIn profile on request Excellent search and skill mapping App with offline mode Subscription only – access is lost after the contract ends Little depth on specialized and compliance topics Data resides with Microsoft, not in-house	on requestTeam and enterprise licenses through sales; individual subscription for comparison approx. 20 €/month on annual plan	Experience reportView provider
PINKTUM Soft skills, accessible	The provider from Munich and Hamburg (formerly Pink University) now offers more than 1,300 e-trainings on leadership, communication, and collaboration. The offering is structured as a learning journey: skill check, 60-minute trainings, microlearnings, and the AI coach PINKpro. Consistently produced to be accessible – partner of „BIK für Alle“ Elaborately produced videos instead of filmed slides Multilingual, SCORM import into your own LMS AI coach for practicing conversation scenarios Only soft skills – no technical or IT topics No open test access without a sales conversation	on requestLicense packages per user per year; individual trainings can be added via marketplaces	View ProfileVisit Provider
GoodHabitz Flat rate for the entire workforce	Dutch provider with content in over 20 languages and 25 learning formats – from videos to tests to workbooks. Billed as a flat rate for the entire offering, not per course. One price, unlimited access to all content ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 certified Connection to your own LMS via LTI or SCORM Strong with international workforces Library is manageable – breadth over depth Translated rather than original German content	Flat rateFixed annual price based on company size, without limitation on number of courses	View profileVisit provider
ZEIT Akademie High-quality production	The continuing education offering of the ZEIT publishing group: courses with scientists, journalists, and practitioners on leadership, digitalization, communication, and personality. For companies, the editorial team produces custom formats with in-house experts upon request.	on requestCorporate licenses and individual courses; private access for comparison 19.99 €/month in annual subscription	Experience reportGo to provider
Udemy Business Largest catalog	The curated corporate catalog of the world's largest course marketplace: over 30,000 courses in 16 languages, used by around 18,000 companies. Since May 11, 2026, Udemy belongs to Coursera; the platform continues with its own catalog and own login. Huge selection, especially in IT and software New topics are in the catalog faster than with any publisher Learning paths, user management, and analytics included German-language courses in significant numbers Quality varies from course to course Certificates are mere attendance confirmations Future of the catalog after the Coursera merger uncertain	from approx. $360 / user & yearTeam plan for small groups; Enterprise from 20 users individually (market data: $240–600 per seat)	Experience reportGo to provider
Coursera for Business University courses & professional certificates	Courses from universities and corporations, plus the Professional Certificates from Google, IBM, Meta, and Microsoft. After the merger with Udemy, the group counts over 290 million learners – the only provider in the field with real university degrees in its program. Recognized professional certificates instead of attendance confirmations Transparent list price for small teams Very strong in data, AI, and IT fundamentals Analytics on skills and progress Predominantly English, German mostly only as subtitles Team plan ends at 125 seats Billing in US dollars	$399 / user & yearTeam plan from 5 seats (min. $1,995/year), up to 125 users; beyond that Enterprise on request	Experience reportGo to provider
StackFuel Data and AI, with funding	Berlin-based specialist for data and AI skills with more than 8.500 graduates and a completion rate of 93 percent. The programs are AZAV-certified and thus eligible for funding through Bildungsgutschein (education voucher) and the Qualifizierungschancengesetz. Since January 2026, StackFuel belongs to the British provider Multiverse. 80 percent practical content in a real programming environment Personal mentoring instead of pure video courses Up to 100 percent funding possible References from BASF and BMW to Deutsche Bahn Only data, AI, and adjacent IT topics Comprehensive programs instead of short learning units	eligible for fundingUp to 100% via Bildungsgutschein (education voucher) or QCG; company quotas on request	View profileGo to provider
quofox Marketplace instead of own library	The Berlin-based quofox GmbH combines a course marketplace with offerings from third-party providers – Bitkom Akademie, Lecturio, TÜV Rheinland, ZEIT Akademie – with its own quofox Learning Suite as an LMS. Since July 2023, the company has belonged to the Dutch Archipel Academy, which continues to run the offering in the DACH region. One contract for many providers instead of ten individual contracts In-person, live, and online formats in the same catalog Modular LMS in your own corporate design No own content – quality depends on the respective provider Many courses only priced on request Small team after the acquisition, brand future uncertain	on requestCourses are billed individually, the LMS as an annual license	View profileGo to provider

As of August 2026. I have verified all figures on the manufacturers' websites. Prices are almost always negotiable in B2B business; the information here is list prices or market data for orientation.

If you are not looking for any of the ten providers but a specific course: In the course database for online continuing education you can filter by topic, degree, and funding eligibility. If you prefer to ask rather than click, the AI search can help you.

Masterplan

Haufe Akademie

LinkedIn Learning

PINKTUM

GoodHabitz

ZEIT Akademie

High-quality production

• PublisherZEIT publishing group
• TopicsLeadership, digitalization, communication, methods, personality
• StructureShort lessons with quiz questions and graphics
• TechnologyCourses via SCORM or MP4 into your own LMS
• ExtraCustom formats on request, e.g., interviews with management
• PriceOn request, private access for comparison 19.99 euros per month
• CatchSmall library, no offer for mandatory training

The ZEIT Akademie is the continuing education offering of the ZEIT publishing group. It relies on what a publisher does best: carefully produced content with recognized experts from academia and practice.

For companies, there are two ways. You use the ZEIT Akademie's learning platform or import the courses into your own system via SCORM. In addition, you can have custom formats produced. What the courses look like in terms of content is shown in the experience report on the ZEIT Akademie.

My impression: A good choice for leadership programs. As basic coverage for the entire workforce, the library is too small.

Udemy Business

Largest catalog

• OfferOver 30,000 curated courses in 16 languages
• SelectionFrom approx. 290,000 courses on the open marketplace
• CustomersApprox. 18,000 companies
• ExtrasLearning paths, user management, and analytics
• PriceFrom approx. 360 Dollar per user per year
• OwnerCoursera, since May 11, 2026
• CatchQuality varies, certificates only prove participation

Udemy Business is the curated selection of the large Udemy marketplace. From approx. 290,000 publicly sold courses, the provider selects those that meet its quality and relevance criteria.

The strength lies in speed. New tools, frameworks, and AI models are often available as a course just a few weeks after their release. Publishers are still producing then. The price for this is the fluctuating quality. Experiences with the platform can be found in the Udemy review.

My impression: Unbeatable for IT and software. How the catalog will develop after the Coursera merger remains open.

Coursera for Business

StackFuel

quofox

Learning Management Systems (LMS) in Comparison

As soon as training sessions need to be documented – occupational safety, data protection, compliance, and from 2025 also AI skills – a course library is no longer enough. What you need is a system that assigns training, reminds you of deadlines, and records participation in an audit-proof manner. That is exactly the job of a Learning Management System.

The following selection covers the range actually used in German-speaking countries – from open source to enterprise. It is not a ranking: which system fits depends on company size, existing IT resources, and whether content is produced in-house or purchased.

Not in the table, but often part of the selection process: the Digital Suite der Haufe Akademie and the quofox Learning Suite – both interesting if you want platform and content from a single source. If you already use SAP SuccessFactors, Personio or another HR system, first check the learning module included there: The worst solution is rarely the second-best system, but two systems without shared personnel data.

What does e-learning cost in a company?

In B2B business, there are hardly any price tags – billing is per head, per year, and with a discount from a certain quantity. Four models are common:

What is often overlooked in offers: Setup and data import, connection to the HR system, training of administrators, translations, and – the most expensive item of all – the working time spent learning. One hour of learning time per month per head costs a company with 200 employees more than any license. And another point for contract negotiation: With subscription models, nothing remains after the contract ends – anyone who needs to keep records of completed mandatory training should clarify the export of learning history beforehand, not at the time of cancellation.

Funding: Who pays for the continuing education?

Company-sponsored continuing education is eligible for funding in Germany – but only with AZAV-accredited providers. Classic subscription platforms like LinkedIn Learning or Udemy Business are therefore excluded; accredited courses from e.g. StackFuel or the large continuing education providers are not.

Both are applied for before the start of the measure – anyone who books first and asks later comes away empty-handed. The first point of contact is the Employer Service of the Federal Employment Agency. Funded courses can be found in the course database, an overview of providers at the continuing education providers.

AI in company-sponsored continuing education 2026

The biggest change in the last two years is not in the catalog, but in the way learning happens. In the trend study mmb Learning Delphi 2025/2026, for which 77 experts from the education industry were surveyed between December 2025 and February 2026, chatbots and AI learning assistants took first place at 95 percent among the learning formats that will become important in the next three years. The experts also expect that large AI providers will take over tasks that traditional e-learning providers have done so far.

In practice, this means: Almost every company platform now has an assistant that answers questions about the course material, quizzes, or generates exercises – at PINKTUM as a conversation coach, at Coursera as a learning companion, at Docebo as a search assistant. For HR development, this changes the task: No longer buying courses, but building AI competence and ensuring that the assistants are used for asking questions and not for cutting corners.

The second driver is legal. According to Article 4 of the EU AI Act, companies that use AI systems have, since February 2, 2025, been required to ensure that their employees have sufficient AI competence; national market surveillance for this has been running since August 2, 2026. No specific curriculum is prescribed, but the result – and the proof – is. That is exactly why basic AI training courses are currently appearing in every mandatory training catalog.

Obligations 2026: Accessibility, Data Protection, AI Competence

Three topics appear in 2026 in practically every provider selection – and can only be repaired expensively afterwards:

• Accessibility. The Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) has been in effect since June 28, 2025. It targets products and services for consumers, not the internal learning platform – but if you also deliver courses to customers, partners, or the public, you are within its scope. For existing services, there is a transition period until June 28, 2028, and fines range up to 100,000 euros. Regardless of the legal situation: subtitles, transcripts, and keyboard operability benefit everyone – and are difficult to retrofit later.
• Data protection. An LMS processes performance data of employees. Required are a data processing agreement, a clarified server location, and – in companies with a works council – a works agreement that defines which evaluations are allowed. Evaluations at the individual level are the most common point of contention during implementation.
• AI competence. See above: Article 4 of the AI Act requires trained employees, not just a policy. If you already document training, you should include AI basics in the catalog of mandatory evidence.

In seven steps to the right provider

Frequently asked questions about e-learning for companies

Further reading

For personal continuing education instead of for the team: the big comparison of e-learning platforms. What the term actually covers is explained in What is E-Learning?, and the abbreviations from this article – SCORM, xAPI, LXP, Blended Learning – are in the E-Learning Lexicon.

Individual tests of the platforms that are also interesting for private use: LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, Udemy, and the ZEIT Akademie. Specific courses with a certificate are in the course database. For training of the entire team, you'd best ask the provider directly.

I hope this overview helps with the selection. If a provider is missing or a detail has changed: Feel free to write to me – the page is regularly updated.

Article written by Tim Geier - about the author.

As of: August 2026. Sources: Provider information from the respective vendor pages (Masterplan, Haufe Akademie, LinkedIn Learning, PINKTUM, GoodHabitz, ZEIT Akademie, Udemy Business, Coursera, StackFuel, quofox), reviewed in August 2026; Haufe Akademie, "Fakten" (as of July 21, 2026); Amadeus Fire Group / Lünendonk on the acquisition of Masterplan (closing September 24, 2025, company value approx. 20 million €); Multiverse on the acquisition of StackFuel (January 2026); Archipel Academy on the acquisition of quofox (July 2023); Coursera on the merger with Udemy (May 11, 2026); Bitkom, press release "Continuing Education on Digital Topics" (representative survey of 604 companies with 20 or more employees, calendar weeks 2–6/2026); mmb Institut, mmb Learning Delphi 2025/2026 (77 experts, December 2025 to February 2026); Federal Employment Agency on qualification allowance and the Qualification Opportunities Act; Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 on artificial intelligence, Article 4; Barrier-Free Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG), in effect since June 28, 2025. Prices in B2B business are negotiable – information without guarantee.