Moodle vs aNewSpring: Choosing between two learning platforms
A lot of our customers ask us this question: What is the difference between Moodle and aNewSpring? The first part of the answer to that question is that Moodle and aNewSpring have a lot of similarities. However, there are differences as well.
Many of our customers have worked with Moodle before they decided to switch learning platforms and use aNewSpring. So, if you are considering both Moodle and a learning journey platform like aNewSpring, what should you be looking at? Let’s find out.
A quick comparison of Moodle vs aNewSpring
Moodle and aNewSpring are both popular learning management systems (LMS) used by educators, trainers, and organisations for online learning. While they share similar core functions, such as course creation, learner management and assessment features, the way these platforms operate differs significantly.
aNewSpring offers a blended learning platform tool for training professionals and training organisations, providing intuitive functionality with regular updates. Moodle, on the other hand, is an open-source platform that provides flexibility at the cost of requiring more technical setup and external support.
In this article, we’ll compare the features, pros and cons of both platforms to help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.
aNewSpring: What is it and who uses it?
aNewSpring is a blended learning platform designed to help training providers and organisations create and deliver effective learning journeys. It’s built with the learner’s experience in mind, making it easy to manage and scale your training programmes while keeping them engaging.
Main features of aNewSpring
aNewSpring is built specifically to help training providers craft and deliver meaningful learning experiences with a ready-to-use platform that facilitates course creation and learner engagement.
✅ Focus on learning journeys: aNewSpring helps you design clear, structured learning paths that guide learners from start to finish, making course creation efficient.
✅ Blended and adaptive learning: It supports both blended learning and adaptive learning paths, so content can adjust to each learner’s pace and needs.
✅ MemoTrainer: With the MemoTrainer, aNewSpring uses spaced repetition to help learners retain knowledge over time, making sure they remember what they've learned.
✅ User-friendly interface: The platform is easy to use and navigate, allowing you to quickly create and edit content without a steep learning curve.
✅ Strong customer support: aNewSpring offers helpful, fast support, guidance from Customer Success Managers and extra help from Training Improvement Engineers, ensuring you’re never left in the dark.
✅ Complex assessment options: You can create detailed assessments like quizzes and exams with flexible options to measure learner progress.
✅ Open API and LPI: The platform features an open API and LPI, allowing you to easily integrate aNewSpring with the tools you already use.
Cons of aNewSpring
Every platform has its trade-offs, and it's worth considering if these potential limitations align with your training goals.
Learning curve for learning journeys: While creating learning journeys is powerful, it can take a little time to get used to the process, especially for beginners.
Not a fit for one-off learning: The per-user-per-year pricing model may not suit those looking for a low-cost, one-off course option.
Moodle: What is it and who uses it?
Moodle is an open-source LMS that offers a wide range of features and customisation options, but it requires significant technical expertise and can be complex to use.
Main features of Moodle
Moodle has a set of features that can work well for organisations with the right resources.
Open source and customisable: Moodle’s open-source nature allows for deep customisation with plugins and themes, which can be useful for businesses with specific requirements.
Comprehensive LMS: Moodle offers various products, including Moodle LMS and Moodle Workplace, each with its own features, like multi-tenancy for larger organisations.
Wide range of features: Moodle provides a variety of features, such as SCORM compliance, quizzes, assignments, and forums, to help create courses and track learner progress.
Extensive integrations: Moodle integrates with a wide array of tools such as Zoom, Salesforce, and Turnitin, allowing you to connect it to other systems you may already be using.
Large global community and support network: Moodle’s large community and network of certified partners can provide support, although response times and quality may vary.
Cons of Moodle
While Moodle has a lot of features, there are also some drawbacks to consider, especially if you're looking for something easier to implement and maintain.
Complexity and learning curve: Moodle can be overwhelming for new users. The platform’s extensive options and settings can make it difficult to know where to start.
Potential need for technical expertise: To take full advantage of Moodle’s customisation, you’ll need internal technical support or developers, making it less suitable for teams without those resources.
Interface and user experience: The default Moodle interface is often described as outdated, and completing tasks can be time-consuming and complicated.
Reliance on plugins for full functionality: Many features in Moodle require third-party plugins, which means you might need additional tools or software to meet all your requirements.
Moodle vs aNewSpring: Which learning platform should you choose?
Both Moodle and aNewSpring are strong learning platforms, but they’re built with different priorities in mind.
Moodle is open-source, flexible, and used by a wide range of institutions (from schools to corporate organisations) thanks to its customisability and active community. But that flexibility comes at the cost of complexity and often requires technical expertise to set up and manage.
aNewSpring, in contrast, is purpose-built for training providers. It focuses on blended and adaptive learning, making it easier to create engaging, effective training experiences without needing a developer on hand.
Here’s the complete recap of how Moodle and aNewSpring compare:
Primary focus
aNewSpring is specifically built for training providers and organisations, while Moodle is designed for all education sectors, including corporate learning.
Blended learning
aNewSpring has built-in tools for blended learning, while Moodle requires plugins and set-up.
Adaptive learning
aNewSpring has built-in adaptive paths and tools like the MemoTrainer. Adaptive learning is only possible in Moodle through plugins and is more complex to configure.
Ease of us
aNewSpring has a user-friendly interface for both admins and learners. Moodle has a bit of a steeper learning curve, which can feel overwhelming.
Customisation
aNewSpring has built-in branding customisation; Moodle is highly customisable with open-source flexibility.
Support
With aNewSpring, you get direct support from Support Heroes, Customer Success Managers and optionally, other learning experts. Moodle is community based with optional paid partners.
Technical skills needed
Minimal technical skills are needed with aNewSpring. It's ready to use with little set-up. For Moodle, moderate to high technical skills are often necessary. However, this depends on deployment and use case.
Deployment
aNewSpring is cloud-based; Moodle is self-hosted, cloud-hosted (MoodleCloud) or hosted via partners.
Best suited for
aNewSpring is best suited for training providers who need a straightforward, effective platform. Moodle is the ideal pick for organisations with internal IT teams and more complex custom needs.
If you're a corporate training provider or training organisation looking for a platform that's ready to go, built around blended learning and offers real human support when you need it, aNewSpring is the better choice.
It’s designed with your learners and your business in mind – so you can spend more time creating impactful learning journeys and less time configuring the tech behind them.
Ready to see how easy it is? Book a personalised demo today.