LMSs are focused on online learning delivery but support a range of uses, acting as a platform for fully online courses, as well as several hybrid forms, such as blended learning and flipped classrooms.

The limitation to CD-ROMs was tracking completion of coursework, so learning management systems emerged as a way to facilitate progress tracking.

The history of the application of computers to education is filled with broadly descriptive terms such as computer-managed instruction (CMI), and integrated learning systems (ILS), computer-based instruction (CBI), computer-assisted instruction (CAI), and computer-assisted learning (CAL).

Accordingly, virtual education refers to a form of distance learning in which course content is delivered by various methods such as course management applications, multimedia resources, and videoconferencing.

In 2000, the University of Zurich revolutionized the concept of digitized learning by introducing the first open-source LMS called OLAT.

It is a web application – a so-called Learning Management System that supports any kind of online learning, teaching, and tutoring with few educational restrictions.

In the U.S. higher education market as of fall 2016, the top three LMSs by number of installations were Blackboard (33%), Moodle (19%) and Canvas (17%).

Moodle is a free and open-source learning management system (LMS) written in PHP and distributed under the GNU General Public License.

A year later, the LMS development industry welcomed Microsoft and its first SCORM-certified learning suite SharePoint. There are a variety of integration strategies for embedding content into LMSs, including AICC, SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) and LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability). There are several standards for creating and integrating complex content into an LMS, including AICC, SCORM, xAPI and Learning Tools Interoperability.

It defines communications between client side content and a host system (called "the run-time environment"), which is commonly supported by a learning management system.

There are a variety of integration strategies for embedding content into LMSs, including AICC, SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) and LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability). There are several standards for creating and integrating complex content into an LMS, including AICC, SCORM, xAPI and Learning Tools Interoperability.

Its primary purpose is to connect learning systems such as a learning management system (LMS) with external service tools in a standard way across learning systems.

In the U.S. higher education market as of fall 2016, the top three LMSs by number of installations were Blackboard (33%), Moodle (19%) and Canvas (17%).

It is the developer of the Canvas learning management system, which is a comprehensive cloud-native software package that competes with such systems as Blackboard Learning System, Moodle, D2L and Sakai Project.

LMSs are focused on online learning delivery but support a range of uses, acting as a platform for fully online courses, as well as several hybrid forms, such as blended learning and flipped classrooms.

Learning Management Systems such as Moodle or ILIAS provide ways to manage the testing process.

Vendors focused on mid-sized companies (200+ employees) include Absorb Software, Litmos, Halogen Software, LatitudeLearning, ADP, Docebo, and Workday.

Based in Saline, Michigan, Latitude Learning developed, hosts and provides access to a learning management system (LMS), which delivers and manages Web-based e-learning courses and tracks student progress.

LMSs can be complemented by other learning technologies such as a training management system to manage instructor-led training or a Learning Record Store to store and track learning data.

They can be complemented by other learning technologies such as a learning management system, and are part of the educational technology ecosystem.

In 2017, MarketResearch released a report, “Global Learning Management Market Trends, Applications, Analysis, Growth, and Forecast: 2017 to 2026,” which identified "key players" in the global learning management market, including Blackboard Inc., Cornerstone OnDemand, D2L Corporation, IBM, McGraw-Hill Education, Netdimensions Ltd., Pearson plc, SABA Software, Inc., SAP SE, and Xerox.

It is known for Blackboard Learn, a learning management system.

Vendors focused on mid-sized companies (200+ employees) include Absorb Software, Litmos, Halogen Software, LatitudeLearning, ADP, Docebo, and Workday.

Litmos is a SAAS/Cloud platform for e-learning, also known as a learning management system or LMS, based in Silicon Valley, CA, USA.

Many LMSs are also offered as SaaS (software as a service), with hosting provided by the vendors.

SaaS has become a common delivery model for many business applications, including office software, messaging software, payroll processing software, DBMS software, management software, CAD software, development software, gamification, virtualization, accounting, collaboration, customer relationship management (CRM), Management Information Systems (MIS), enterprise resource planning (ERP), invoicing, human resource management (HRM), talent acquisition, learning management systems, content management (CM), and service desk management.

The following is a list of learning management systems (LMS).

Competency (or competence) management systems (CMS or CompMS – because CMS is a more common homonym) are usually associated with, and may include, a learning management system (LMS).

Vendors focused on mid-sized companies (200+ employees) include Absorb Software, Litmos, Halogen Software, LatitudeLearning, ADP, Docebo, and Workday.

Docebo is a software as a service platform for e-learning, also known as a learning management system.

There are several standards for creating and integrating complex content into an LMS, including AICC, SCORM, xAPI and Learning Tools Interoperability.

LRSs can exist within traditional learning management systems (LMSs) or on their own.

There are several standards for creating and integrating complex content into an LMS, including AICC, SCORM, xAPI and Learning Tools Interoperability.

In 1993, the AICC produced what is widely regarded as the first runtime interoperability specification for Learning Management Systems (LMS) a.k.a. CMI Systems.

In the corporate market in 2015, the six largest LMS providers constitute approximately 50% of the market, with SuccessFactors Learning, Saba Software, Voniz Inc and SumTotal Systems being the four largest providers.

LMSs can be complemented by other learning technologies such as a training management system to manage instructor-led training or a Learning Record Store to store and track learning data.

An LRS can exist inside a traditional learning management system (LMS), or on its own.

CBM helps talent acquisition, performance management and learning management systems to be more effective by assessing employees' skills and competencies.

Some systems support competency-based learning.

Computerized learning systems have been referred to as electronic educational technology, e-learning, learning platform or learning management system.

Before any institution invests a great deal of time and energy into building high-quality e-learning content (which can cost over $10,000 per classroom hour), it needs to consider how this content can be easily loaded into a Learning Management System.

In 2017, MarketResearch released a report, “Global Learning Management Market Trends, Applications, Analysis, Growth, and Forecast: 2017 to 2026,” which identified "key players" in the global learning management market, including Blackboard Inc., Cornerstone OnDemand, D2L Corporation, IBM, McGraw-Hill Education, Netdimensions Ltd., Pearson plc, SABA Software, Inc., SAP SE, and Xerox.