Choosing the right Learning Management System (LMS) for Continuing Education isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about finding a platform that balances compliance, learner engagement, and administrative efficiency.
With so many providers promising seamless integrations, automated certificates, and powerful analytics, it can be overwhelming to determine which solution truly delivers. That’s why a side-by-side comparison of leading CE LMS platforms is essential.
In this showdown, we’ll explore how top systems stack up on features that matter most—like accreditation compliance, reporting, credit tracking, and learner experience.
Whether you’re an association, professional training company, or enterprise education provider, understanding the strengths and limitations of each platform will help you make an informed decision.
The right CE LMS should not only simplify compliance but also create engaging, branded learning experiences that scale with your organization’s needs. Let’s dive into the details and see which platform comes out on top.
Core Features To Look For
If you’re in the market for a Learning Management System for Continuing Education, it helps to start with the basics.
Think about the primary focus of the platform—does it align with your goals? Consider your target audience too, since professionals, associations, or corporations may each need different functionality.
Strong LMS tools should make course delivery simple, while CE management ensures compliance, tracking, and certificates are handled smoothly. Don’t forget about virtual events, since live interaction adds value, and mobile responsiveness, because learners expect access anytime, anywhere.
The right mix of these features makes learning seamless, professional, and impactful.
Feature |
BeaconLive |
EthosCE |
ON24 |
BlueSky eLearn |
Primary Focus |
CE/event delivery & certificate platform |
Healthcare CE for professionals |
Webinars & virtual engagement |
Association eLearning/events |
Target Audience |
Pros needing CE, orgs, associations |
Medical professionals, educators |
Marketers, orgs seeking engagement |
Associations, professionals |
LMS Functionality |
Full LMS; advanced CE support |
Full LMS w/ curriculum, API, reporting |
Basic LMS, stronger on webinars |
Comprehensive LMS, course builder |
CE Management |
Highly configurable, all jurisdictions |
Automated, ACCME/PARS reports |
Simple tracking; not core focus |
Credit, certificates, flexible credits |
Virtual Events |
Interactive web/event tools, in-house support |
Integrated live and enduring content |
Immersive webinars/events |
Virtual courses and events |
Mobile Responsive |
Mobile-friendly event/LMS design |
Responsive for mobile users |
Optimized for devices |
Fully responsive interface |
Content Management Tools
Think about how your learners want to engage, do they need flexible on-demand content they can access anytime, or engaging live webinars that keep them connected in real time? Maybe you’d benefit from simulive events, blending the best of both worlds.
A good platform should also make course authoring simple, while giving you a video library to organize and reuse valuable content.
And don’t forget content hubs—centralized spaces that keep everything easy to find, boosting engagement and learner satisfaction.
Feature |
BeaconLive |
EthosCE |
ON24 |
BlueSky eLearn |
On-Demand Content |
24/7 access, robust analytics, eLearning catalog |
Personalized, self-paced course access |
AI-powered, multi-format content reuse |
Store & sell videos/content anytime |
Live Webinars |
Fully managed, interactive, CE credits |
Zoom/GoTo integrated, CME reporting |
Real-time engagement, branding, analytics |
Full-service, moderated, high support |
Simulive Events |
Seamless hybrid: switch live/simulive/on-demand |
Web-based events, recording access |
Pre-recorded, interactive Q&A, flexible timing |
Pre-recorded, “mock live” sessions |
Course Authoring |
Custom courses, multimedia, analytics |
SCORM/built-in tools, quizzes, reporting |
Event-centric, edit and reuse webinars |
Custom course setup, quizzes, eCommerce |
Video Library |
Curated eLearning/video library for CE |
Archive of enduring, conference media |
Aggregate and repurpose all video assets |
Rich media storage, searchable content |
Content Hubs |
Organize resources, events, and courses |
Centralize agenda and event assets |
Auto-publish/curate all content in one portal |
Display course, media, and docs together |
User Engagement Features To Consider
The best systems go beyond static content by offering interactive tools that make sessions lively and memorable. Live chat and Q&A sessions let learners connect directly with presenters, while polls and surveys keep everyone involved in real time.
Breakout rooms encourage small-group collaboration, and gamification adds fun through points and badges.
Social learning creates a sense of community, and timely notifications help learners stay on track. Engagement isn’t just a feature, it’s what keeps learners coming back.
Feature |
BeaconLive |
EthosCE |
ON24 |
BlueSky eLearn |
Live Chat |
Built-in chat for audience interaction |
Chat for learners |
Attendee chat with messaging & emojis |
Social interaction integrated in live events |
Q&A Sessions |
Moderated live Q&A |
Q&A via survey engine in courses |
Real-time Q&A for webinar attendees |
Built-in Q&A in virtual learning sessions |
Polls & Surveys |
Live polls, instant surveys |
Built-in surveys and quizzes for assessments |
Interactive polls to gather live feedback |
AI-powered assessments & surveys support |
Breakout Rooms |
Breakout sessions for small group networking |
Not included |
Host breakout groups during webinars |
Not included |
Gamification |
Badges, quizzes |
Badge, points, leaderboard gamification tools |
Not included |
Not included |
Social Learning |
Roundtable networking for peer connections |
Social format discussions in learning modules |
1:1 networking & chat for social engagement |
Interaction & social features for community learning |
Notifications |
Course reminders and alerts via emails |
Course reminders and email notifications built-in |
Not included |
Emails and notifications for learner updates |
Admin & Reporting Features
When evaluating Learning Management Systems for Continuing Education, it’s important to look beyond surface-level tools and consider how the platform supports your long-term goals.
Strong analytics give you the insights to measure impact, while branding ensures your courses reflect your organization’s identity. Automated workflows save time and reduce manual errors, and efficient user management helps scale programs as your audience grows.
Accreditation and reporting features are essential for compliance, especially in regulated professions.
Ultimately, the right platform should streamline administration, strengthen your credibility, and make it easy to deliver a seamless, professional experience that keeps learners engaged and progressing.
Feature |
BeaconLive |
EthosCE |
ON24 |
BlueSky eLearn |
Analytics |
Real-time dashboard & compliance tracking |
Self-service custom reports |
AI-powered performance analytics |
Reporting engine with trend spotting |
Custom Branding |
Custom branded pages, themes, white-label |
Fully brandable site templates |
Branded consoles, landing & registration pages |
Themeable interface and branding |
Certificate Automation |
Automated cert delivery, tracking |
Certificate templates + ACCME PARS automation |
N/A |
Custom certificates and PARS automations |
User Management |
Detailed tracking & profile fields |
Bulk import, enrollment, transcript tools |
N/A |
Manage learners, enrollments |
Accreditation Rpt. |
Criteria-based reporting |
One-click ACCME PARS report publishing |
N/A |
ACCME PARS streamlined |
Automation |
Certificate & credit automation |
Self-service reporting, workflows |
AI automation of content creation & campaigns |
Automation of certificate and credit issuance |
What Are Some Integration Features?
When choosing a Learning Management System for Continuing Education, think about how well it fits into your existing ecosystem. A strong platform should integrate seamlessly with your CRM, allowing you to track learners like customers and nurture long-term relationships.
If you’re planning to monetize, look for flexible eCommerce options that make purchasing courses simple. Built-in webinar tools or smooth integrations help reduce tech headaches and create a better learner experience.
And don’t underestimate the importance of API access, because it ensures the platform can grow with you, connecting to other systems and supporting the workflows that make your organization more efficient.
Feature |
BeaconLive |
EthosCE |
ON24 |
BlueSky eLearn |
eCommerce |
Built-in cart for CE & webinars |
Shopping cart, bundles & coupons |
No native cart; focus on marketing |
Path LMS offers built-in cart |
CRM Integrations |
Works with CRMs via API integration |
Flexible via AMS/CRM plugin support |
Seamless CRM/MAP sync via built-ins |
Wide AMS/CRM support via integrations |
Webinar Tools Int. |
Supports webinar delivery & hosting |
Embed Zoom & webinar course objects |
Full webinar platform & toolset |
Integrates webinar tools via Path LMS |
API Access |
Developer API for events & registration |
Course object API for enrollment |
REST API for data warehousing |
Open API for custom integrations |
Certificate Management Capabilities
When evaluating Learning Management Systems for Continuing Education, it’s important to think about how the platform simplifies compliance and elevates your brand.
Look for tools that reduce administrative burdens, like automated processes for tracking credits or generating certificates, so your team can focus on delivering value instead of paperwork.
Compliance with accreditation bodies is also non-negotiable, especially if you’re in a regulated field.
At the same time, custom branding options ensure your certificates and learner experience reflect your organization’s professionalism.
Finally, strong reporting and analytics give you the insights needed to prove impact, optimize courses, and confidently scale your education programs.
Feature |
BeaconLive |
EthosCE |
ON24 |
BlueSky eLearn |
Automated Certificate Delivery |
Auto-send certs by accrediting rules |
N/A |
N/A |
Supports branded certs |
Accreditation Body Compliance |
Automates across accreditor needs |
Deep CME/ACCME integration |
N/A |
Association-focused compliance |
Custom Branded Certificates |
Certificates customized with branding |
N/A |
N/A |
Offers branded certificates |
Credit Tracking |
Track credits, expirations, CE rules |
Transcript and ACCME tracking |
N/A |
CE tracking and credits |
Detailed Reporting and Analytics |
Detailed reporting via dashboards |
Advanced reporting tools |
Strong data-driven analytics |
Robust reporting for associations |
Choosing the right CE LMS comes down to more than a checklist of features—it’s about aligning the platform with your organization’s goals, learners’ needs, and compliance requirements. Each system we compared brings unique strengths, from advanced reporting and accreditation management to engagement tools and branding flexibility.
The key is understanding which features will have the biggest impact on your learners and your team’s efficiency. A platform that automates certificates, streamlines user management, and delivers actionable analytics can transform continuing education into a smoother, more scalable process.
As you evaluate options, focus on finding the balance between compliance, customization, and learner engagement.
Investing in the right LMS isn’t just a technology decision; it’s a commitment to providing meaningful, accredited education that helps your audience grow professionally while saving your team valuable time.
Contact us today to discover how BeaconLive simplifies CE delivery with automation, compliance, and engagement tools built for professionals. Explore our platform today and see why organizations trust us to power their continuing education programs.