.png)
10 Best CPL Learning Alternatives & Competitors in 2025
CPL Learning (Access Group) is a hospitality-focused LMS known for mobile-first design, AI Copilot, and 80+ industry courses endorsed by the Institute of Hospitality. However, if you're seeking higher engagement rates, more extensive microlearning capabilities, transparent pricing, or broader content libraries beyond hospitality, this comprehensive guide explores the 10 best CPL Learning alternatives and competitors worth considering in 2025.
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Best For | Starting Price | Free Trial | User-Friendly | G2 Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5mins.ai | High engagement microlearning | Check our Pricing here | ✓ | Very High | 4.8/5 |
| TalentLMS | Easy-to-use general LMS | $109/month | ✓ | Very High | 4.6/5 |
| SC Training | Free mobile-first platform | Free (up to 10 users) | ✓ | High | 4.7/5 |
| Flow Learning | Hospitality-focused LMS | $7,500/year | ✗ | High | 4.4/5 |
| iSpring Learn | Easy course creation platform | $3.66/user/month | ✓ | Very High | 4.6/5 |
| LearnUpon | Enterprise training platform | $15,000/year | ✓ | High | 4.7/5 |
| 360Learning | Collaborative learning platform | $8/user/month | ✓ | High | 4.6/5 |
| Moodle | Customisable open-source LMS | Free (open-source) | ✓ | Medium | 4.4/5 |
| Tovuti | All-in-one AI-powered LMS | $775/month | ✓ | High | 4.7/5 |
Top 10 CPL Learning Alternatives and Competitors
5mins.ai
TikTok-Style Microlearning With 95%+ Completion Rates
While CPL Learning specializes in hospitality with 80+ industry courses, 5mins.ai achieves 95%+ completion rates through a TikTok-style interface with 12,000+ expert-created micro-lessons across all sectors. Instead of focusing solely on hospitality compliance, 5mins.ai provides comprehensive training that reduces training time by 60-80% while delivering superior engagement.
Key Features
- Zero Learning Curve: TikTok-style vertical scrolling interface that employees understand instantly
- 12,000+ Expert Micro-Lessons: Pre-built content from industry experts covering compliance, leadership, hospitality, and skills
- AI Bitesizing: Upload documents and AI automatically converts them to engaging micro-lessons
- Instant Reports: Real-time dashboards showing completion, engagement, and skill development
- Mobile-First Design: 3-7 minute lessons optimised for smartphones with offline mode
- Automated Personalization: AI recommends daily lessons for each employee with zero admin configuration
- Gamification: Points, leaderboards, and certifications that drive engagement
- Multilingual Support: Extensive language options for global workforces
Pricing: Check our Pricing here
GET A FREE TRIALTalentLMS
Intuitive General-Purpose LMS
TalentLMS serves over 70,000 teams with an interface praised for being "fully customisable, easy to manage, and a joy to use." Unlike CPL Learning's hospitality specialization, it offers versatile training across all industries with transparent pricing starting at $109/month (annual billing) and faster implementation.
Key Features
- Intuitive Interface: Minimal learning curve with no technical team dependency required
- Unlimited Courses: Build training easily with drag-and-drop authoring
- TalentLibrary Access: Ready-made courses you can deploy immediately across industries
- Simple Automation: Auto-enrollment, notifications, and certifications without complex configuration
- Clear Reporting: Straightforward analytics without complexity
- Branch Management: Separate portals for departments or clients
- Free Plan: Up to 5 users completely free forever
- Transparent Pricing: Clear costs with no hidden fees or custom quotes
Pricing: Starting at $109/month (annual billing). Free plan for up to 5 users.
SC Training (formerly EdApp)
Free Mobile-First LMS With 1,000+ Courses
SC Training offers a completely free tier with unlimited users and 1,000+ editable courses across all industries. Unlike CPL Learning's hospitality focus, SC Training provides ready-made courses spanning retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and more with simple editing capabilities.
Key Features
- Completely Free Tier: Full LMS with unlimited users at no cost
- 1,000+ Editable Courses: Ready-made content you can customise across industries
- AI Course Creation: Convert documents faster with AI assistance
- Simple Authoring: Drag-and-drop builder with templates
- Mobile-Optimised: Works offline for frontline workers
- Gamification: Built-in leaderboards and rewards drive engagement
- Rapid Deployment: Get started in days, not weeks
- Multi-Industry Support: Content for hospitality, retail, healthcare, and more
Pricing: Free (up to 10 users). Premium from $5/learner/month.
Flow Learning
Hospitality-Focused LMS Platform
Flow Learning is a hospitality-focused LMS providing industry-specific training for hotels, restaurants, and food service operations. Like CPL Learning, it specializes in hospitality but offers different features, pricing structures, and implementation approaches tailored to the industry's unique needs.
Key Features
- Hospitality-Specific Content: Pre-built courses for hotels, restaurants, and food service
- Compliance Training: Industry-specific compliance and certification management
- Mobile Access: Training accessible on smartphones for frontline staff
- Multi-Property Support: Manage training across multiple locations
- Progress Tracking: Monitor completion and certification status
- Custom Branding: White-label options for enterprise clients
- Integration Capabilities: Connect with hospitality management systems
- Industry Expertise: Built specifically for hospitality operations
Pricing: Starting at $7,500/year. Contact Flow Learning for custom pricing.
Access LMS
AI-Powered Compliance-Focused LMS
Access LMS is part of the Access Group suite, offering AI-powered learning management with strong compliance focus. Like CPL Learning (also from Access Group), it provides comprehensive training solutions but serves broader industries beyond hospitality with different feature sets and pricing models.
Key Features
- AI-Powered Features: Intelligent course recommendations and content suggestions
- Compliance Management: Automated tracking and certification management
- Access Ecosystem Integration: Seamless connection with other Access Group products
- Multi-Industry Support: Training solutions beyond hospitality focus
- Reporting Dashboard: Comprehensive analytics and compliance reporting
- Mobile Learning: Access training content on mobile devices
- Content Library: Pre-built courses across compliance and skills training
- Scalable Platform: Supports growing organisations across sectors
Pricing: Contact Access LMS for custom pricing.
iSpring Learn
Easy Course Creation Platform
iSpring Learn combines an intuitive LMS with powerful built-in authoring capabilities at an affordable price point. Unlike CPL Learning's hospitality specialization and contact-for-pricing model, iSpring Learn provides simple course creation, automated training assignments, and transparent pricing for effective employee training across all industries.
Key Features
- Built-In Authoring Tool: Create courses directly within the platform without separate software
- Auto-Assign Training: Automatically assign courses based on roles, departments, or criteria
- Gamification: Points, badges, and leaderboards to motivate learners
- Statistical Reports: Comprehensive analytics on learner progress and course effectiveness
- Cloud-Based: Fully cloud-hosted with no infrastructure management required
- Quick Implementation: Fast deployment with minimal technical requirements
Pricing: Starting at $3.66/user/month.
LearnUpon
Enterprise Training Platform
LearnUpon provides enterprise-grade training management with sophisticated features for corporate learning. Unlike CPL Learning's hospitality-only focus, LearnUpon offers extensive interactive content creation, learning journey mapping, and built-in eCommerce for monetizing training programs across all industries.
Key Features
- Interactive Content: Create engaging, interactive learning experiences beyond static courses
- Learning Journeys: Design comprehensive learning paths aligned with career development
- Gamification: Built-in gamification features to increase engagement and motivation
- eCommerce Integration: Sell courses and training programs directly through the platform
- SCORM Support: Full SCORM compliance for importing existing training content
- Multi-Portal Support: Separate branded portals for different audiences or clients
Pricing: Starting at $15,000/year.
360Learning
Collaborative Learning Platform
360Learning revolutionizes corporate training through collaborative learning methodology. Unlike CPL Learning's traditional top-down approach, 360Learning enables employees to create and share knowledge while AI assists with course authoring, making it ideal for organisations seeking peer-driven training cultures.
Key Features
- AI-Powered Authoring: Create courses faster with intelligent AI assistance and templates
- Peer Feedback: Built-in peer review and feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement
- Social Learning: Discussion forums, comments, and collaborative knowledge sharing
- Cohorted Academies: Group-based learning experiences with scheduled cohorts
- SAP/Workday Integration: Seamless integration with enterprise HR and business systems
- Mobile Learning: Full mobile experience for learning on the go
Pricing: Starting at $8/user/month.
Moodle
Customisable Open-Source LMS
Moodle is the world's most popular open-source LMS, offering complete customisation freedom without licensing fees. Unlike CPL Learning's proprietary platform with contact-for-pricing, Moodle provides unlimited flexibility through extensive plugins, multi-language support, and a global community of developers, making it ideal for organisations with technical resources and unique requirements.
Key Features
- 15+ Question Types: Comprehensive assessment options including multiple choice, essays, matching, and more
- Extensive Plugins: Thousands of community-developed plugins for added functionality
- Multi-Language: Support for 100+ languages with easy translation capabilities
- SCORM Compatible: Full SCORM support for standard e-learning content
- Analytics/Reporting: Detailed learning analytics and customisable reports
- Complete Control: Full access to source code for unlimited customisation
Pricing: Free (open-source). Hosting and support costs vary.
Tovuti
All-in-One AI-Powered LMS
Tovuti delivers a complete learning ecosystem with AI-powered course creation through Dizi, their intelligent assistant. Unlike CPL Learning's focused hospitality feature set, Tovuti provides 40+ interactive content options, SOC2 compliance, and Zapier integration for connecting with thousands of apps, making it a true all-in-one platform for enterprise training across all industries.
Key Features
- AI Course Creation (Dizi): AI assistant automatically creates courses from existing content and materials
- Gamification: Comprehensive gamification with points, badges, levels, and leaderboards
- SOC2 Compliant: Enterprise-grade security with SOC2 Type II certification
- Zapier Integration: Connect with 5,000+ apps through Zapier for workflow automation
- 40+ Interactive Content Options: Extensive content types including videos, quizzes, simulations, and more
- White Labeling: Fully customisable branding for enterprise deployments
Pricing: Starting at $775/month.
How to Choose the Right CPL Learning Alternative
Selecting the right CPL Learning alternative for hospitality requires understanding whether CPL's Institute of Hospitality endorsement and 80+ specialised courses justify the platform choice, or whether alternatives deliver superior engagement and broader capability development.
Hospitality Platform Selection Criteria
Endorsement Value vs Engagement Results: CPL Learning's Institute of Hospitality endorsement provides credibility valuable for certain hospitality contexts. However, endorsements don't guarantee employee engagement—completion rates matter more than credentials. When comparing CPL Learning alternatives, prioritise verified engagement data over endorsements. Platforms achieving 90-95% completion without formal endorsements often deliver superior knowledge transfer and operational impact than endorsed platforms with 15-30% completion.
Hospitality-Only vs Multi-Sector Capability: CPL Learning's 80+ hospitality courses provide focused industry content. Determine whether hospitality-exclusive training or broader multi-industry libraries better serve organisational strategy. Comprehensive platforms offering 10,000-20,000+ courses enable hospitality operations to develop employees beyond industry-specific skills—leadership, communication, digital literacy—creating versatile talent rather than narrow specialists. Evaluate whether focused or versatile development better supports retention and progression.
AI Copilot Sophistication: CPL Learning includes AI Copilot features. Evaluate whether these AI capabilities match or trail alternatives' AI functionality. Advanced platforms employ AI for automatic document-to-training conversion, zero-configuration personalisation, and intelligent content recommendations. Basic AI features providing modest automation deliver different value than sophisticated AI eliminating manual content creation and administrative overhead entirely.
Contact Pricing vs Transparent Costs: CPL Learning requires contact for pricing with approximate £7-£60/user/year range. This broad range creates budget uncertainty—actual costs depend on negotiation, volume, and features selected. Transparent alternatives enable precise multi-year financial planning without sales processes. Evaluate whether negotiated pricing potentially yields better rates or whether transparent pricing delivers procurement efficiency and predictability.
Mobile-First Execution Quality: CPL Learning emphasises mobile-first for hospitality frontline workers. However, "mobile-first" implementation varies dramatically. Responsive websites differ substantially from purpose-built smartphone apps; 10-minute mobile-adapted courses differ from 3-minute mobile native micro-lessons. Test actual mobile experiences—navigating courses on smartphones during shift breaks—rather than accepting mobile-first claims at face value.
Implementation for Hospitality Operations: CPL Learning typically implements in 2-4 weeks. Hospitality organisations opening new properties, responding to compliance changes, or addressing seasonal hiring need faster deployment. Alternatives implementing in days enable immediate training response to urgent operational needs. Evaluate whether CPL's timeline matches hospitality urgency or whether faster alternatives better suit industry pace.
Compliance vs Capability Development: CPL Learning focuses on hospitality compliance and operational knowledge. Consider whether compliance-focused training or broader capability development better serves retention and employee satisfaction. Hospitality faces high turnover partly from limited development opportunities. Platforms enabling employees to develop transferable skills—leadership, technology, business—may improve retention beyond pure hospitality training.
Multi-Property Scalability: For hospitality groups operating multiple properties, evaluate whether platforms support centralized oversight with location-specific customisation. CPL Learning's multi-property capabilities require comparison against alternatives managing distributed operations efficiently. Some platforms excel at franchise/multi-location environments; others suit single-property operations better.
Frontline testing reveals hospitality reality. Deploy CPL Learning alongside alternatives with actual FOH/BOH staff across various roles and shifts, measure completion in real operational conditions, evaluate whether Institute of Hospitality endorsement or high engagement better serves business needs, and let frontline experience guide selection rather than hospitality-specific marketing claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 10 best CPL Learning alternatives for higher engagement?
How does 5mins.ai compare to CPL Learning?
Which CPL Learning alternative is most affordable?
Do CPL Learning competitors offer hospitality-specific content?
What should I consider when switching from CPL Learning?
Which platform offers the most pre-built content beyond hospitality?
Are there alternatives with similar mobile-first design to CPL Learning?
Which alternative is best for hospitality compliance training?
How long does implementation take for CPL Learning alternatives?
Can I get AI features similar to CPL Learning's AI Copilot?
Last updated: November 2025 | Our methodology: We evaluate platforms based on features, publicly available pricing, user reviews from G2/Capterra/Software Advice, and vendor-provided performance data.
