Learning management systems (LMS) help organizations upskill employees, streamline training processes, and support long-term growth. The best LMS for your organization is one that matches your training needs, scales with your team, and supports future learning priorities.

This guide breaks down the capabilities and distinctions of two leading LMS: Skillsoft and Pluralsight, to help you make an informed decision. Both cater to professional development goals. They also offer advanced features such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and personalized learning paths tailored to user needs. Let's explore how they differ and determine which platform aligns best with your organization’s learning strategy.

Skillsoft Vs Pluralsight: At A Glance

Feature

Skillsoft

Pluralsight

 Learning Paths

‘Journeys’ allows content grouping and progress tracking

 ‘Paths’ bundle courses, labs, and checks into clear roadmaps

 AI Assistance

 AI Assistance, Generative AI Engine, CAISY™ AI simulator

AI skills and resources, Iris AI

 Skill Assessment Hub

 ‘Skill Benchmarks’, skill and role IQ assessments

 Skill IQ and role IQ timed assessments

 Reporting And Analytics

 Dashboards and CSV reports show activity, completions, and top content

 Real-time dashboards, CSV exports, and alerts track progress and engagement

 Integration Capabilities

 Connects via API, SSO, and LTI to LMS/HR systems like Moodle and SuccessFactors

Integrates with Workday, Microsoft Teams, etc.

Pricing

Starts at $20 per user/month

Starts at $15 per user/ month

What Is Skillsoft?

Skillsoft, also known as Skillsoft Percipio, is a cloud-based (LMS) program designed to facilitate corporate learning and workforce development. This online learning platform is ideal for organizations seeking to provide scalable and accessible training solutions across various industries. It empowers its users through a range of user-friendly features such as AI, personalized learning paths, and analytics dashboards. Management and delivery of online training programs become more efficient through centralized content management and an intuitive user interface that Skillsoft is equipped with.

Unique Features Of Skillsoft

  • Generative AI Learning Engine: It uses the CAISY™ AI simulator so learners can practice real-world conversations and receive instant personalized feedback directly
  • Coaching Modules: Skillsoft delivers scalable executive coaching through personalized one-on-one and group sessions, accessible via live video and in-app messaging
  • Skill And Role IQ Assessments: Built-in skill IQ and role IQ tools that let users measure proficiency, pinpoint skill gaps, and guide their learning paths

Pros And Cons Of Skillsoft

Pros

  • Provides an engaging learning experience with high-quality and diverse content
  • The interface is easy to use and navigate, even for first-time users
  • Management and communication tools are simple and efficient for both learners and admins, leading to increased workflows

Cons

  • The search feature isn’t very intuitive, which makes the process of finding specific content slower
  • There are some issues with video playback, and no option to adjust the playback speed

What Is Pluralsight?

Pluralsight, also called Pluralsight Flow, is a cloud-based LMS that focuses on technology and developer skills. It offers a wide range of assistive features, including expert-led video courses, skill assessments, and certification prep. The platform is tailored for individuals and teams in IT, software development, cybersecurity, and related fields, helping users build in-demand skills efficiently. Pluralsight LMS supports personalized learning and progress tracking, making it a practical solution for upskilling tech professionals at all levels.

Unique Features Of Pluralsight

  • AI Skills And Resources: Offers curated courses and learning paths to help individuals and teams build practical skills in AI and machine learning
  • Hands-on Labs: It is equipped with interactive labs where learners can practice new skills in live environments without any setup hassle
  • Certification Prep Center: A centralized hub that allows users to explore certification program maps, track popular exams with Peer Tracker, and manage their entire certification prep in one place

Pros And Cons Of Pluralsight

Pros

  • Offers the ability to communicate with the trainer through a chat box, enhancing customer support and interaction
  • The platform has a wide variety of in-built courses which cater to different skill levels and interests
  • Highly effective search feature, with detailed descriptions that help users quickly find the right course

Cons

  • Application navigation can be a bit confusing, as some users face difficulty logging in
  • The lack of an FAQ section in each course more often leads to learners being unable to clear their common queries

Skillsoft And Pluralsight: A Side-By-Side Feature Comparison

Learning Paths

Skillsoft offers structured learning paths known as ‘Journeys’, which organize all related courses, videos, books, and practice activities into topic-based tracks. Learners see clearly labeled steps, progress indicators, and optional supporting materials. Journeys guide users from beginner topics through more advanced content, which helps them build skills in a uniform order. Administrators can also assign Journeys to teams and adjust content as learners grow.

Conversely, ‘Pluralsight Paths’ bundles expert-led courses, hands-on labs, and skill checks into focused roadmaps. Each path demonstrates the sequence of lessons, gives progress markers, and enables practice with video instruction. Paths are grouped by technology area or certification goal, making it easy for individuals and teams to follow a clear learning route.

Winner: Skillsoft edges ahead due to stronger administrative controls for assigning and tracking learning sequences.

AI Assistance

Skillsoft’s AI Assistant works like your YouTube algorithm; it learns from each user’s viewing history and stated interests to suggest courses, articles, and videos. It pops up in Percipio when you search or browse, offering targeted recommendations that save time. Over time, it fine-tunes its suggestions based on what you complete, helping you discover new content that matches your learning needs. It also features a Generative AI Learning Engine powered by CAISY™, which allows users to receive personalized feedback, making online training more immersive.

Similarly, Pluralsight’s Iris AI chats with you to understand your goals and skill level. It asks a few quick questions, then recommends courses, labs, or paths that fit your focus area. As the content is completed, Iris updates its suggestions, so you always have fresh material lined up to help you meet your learning objectives. Moreover, Pluralsight also facilitates AI Skills and Resources, which is a curated suite of learning paths designed to help both individuals and teams build more practical learning skills.

Winner: Tie! Both platforms personalize content by analyzing user behavior and aligning it with individual learning objectives.

Skill Assessment Hub

Skillsoft comprises skill benchmarks that let the learners take brief quizzes on specific topics to see where they stand. Built-in Skill IQ and Role IQ tools help measure proficiency, pinpoint skill gaps, and guide the learning path. After each benchmark, the learners get a score that allows them to track their areas of improvement. This hub keeps all assessment results in one place, so one can track their growth over time and plan their learning journeys.

On the other hand, Pluralsight’s Skill IQ and Role IQ tools offer timed assessments to measure knowledge and skillset in a particular technology or job role. The learners get a score that shows their proficiency level. It also allows the learners to compare their results to others and receive a custom list of courses and labs to close any gaps. Just like Skillsoft, the skill assessment hub in Pluralsight LMS also tracks progress while the learning continues.

Winner: It's a tie! Both platforms offer timed quizzes, gap analysis, and tailored learning suggestions.

Analytics And Reporting

Skillsoft’s reporting features include visual dashboards and exportable reports that display learner activity, completion rates, and top-performing content. Administrators can filter by team, date range, or specific Journey to see how learners are doing. Reports can be scheduled or shared directly, helping managers make data-driven decisions about training needs.

Pluralsight’s analytics dashboard, on the other hand, lets you monitor individual and group progress with charts showing course completions, skill improvements, and engagement. You can export CSV files for custom analysis and set email alerts for key metrics. These reports help teams spot skill gaps, celebrate achievements, and adjust learning plans on the fly.

Winner: Pluralsight is the winner! Its real-time dashboards, CSV exports, and email alerts provide richer insights and quicker action comparatively.

Integration Capabilities

Skillsoft integrates with major LMS platforms, HR systems, and single sign-on providers through APIs and LTI connectors. These integrations allow the users to launch content directly from their existing portals, keep user accounts in sync, and automate enrollment. The platform connects with renowned systems such as Moodle, Microsoft 365 Software, and SAP SuccessFactors. Integrations reduce setup work and keep the training aligned with the company’s systems.

Similarly, Pluralsight has open xAPI, and it allows integration with tools like Workday and Microsoft Teams. Users can start courses from within these apps, see learning progress in their dashboard, and manage access through corporate identity systems. These integrations smooth out workflows so learning happens naturally within the tools people already use.

Winner: Skillsoft edges ahead! Its broad API, LTI, and SSO connectors cover more LMS and HR systems as compared to Pluralsight.

Skillsoft Vs Pluralsight: Pricing Breakdown

Skillsoft LMS offers flexible pricing based on the size and training needs of the organization. Here’s a breakdown of its packages: 

  • Individual Starting Plan: Starts at $20/user/month, ideal for small teams which are looking to upskill quickly. It provides up to 45 days of free trial
  • Team Plan: Starts at $55/user/month, ideal for mid-sized organizations and businesses with up to 50 employees. It allows a 30-day free trial as well
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing based on the number of users and learning requirements. Includes advanced features such as analytics, compliance training, and integration capabilities

Conversely, Pluralsight also offers individual and business-focused plans. Both plans come with a 10-day free trial. Here is the breakdown:


  • Core Tech Plan: Priced at $15/month. It’s ideal for individuals building foundational skills in software development, IT, and data
  • Complete Plan: Costs $28/month and is designed for users who want comprehensive access across all Pluralsight’s content

However, there are four additional specialty plans for users looking to focus on specific technologies and roles. These include AI+, Cloud+, Data+, and Security+. All of these are priced at $18/month and come equipped with the full features of the Core Tech Plan.

Final Verdict: Which LMS Is Best Between Skillsoft And Pluralsight?

Skillsoft LMS is ideal for large, regulated enterprises such as banking, insurance, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. It is assistive where compliance training, leadership development, and broad professional skills are critical. The platform brings forth AI-driven content suggestions, skill benchmarks, and executive coaching modules to support everything from mandatory compliance courses to management development. This unified learning ecosystem scales globally and ensures every employee has a clear, personalized path to upskill and maintain certifications.

Pluralsight LMS is suitable for technology-focused teams and individual practitioners in software development, IT operations, data science, and cybersecurity. Expert-curated Paths, interactive hands-on labs, and timed Skill IQ and Role IQ assessments help technical professionals improve employee expertise. The platform can also be leveraged to support upskilling programs in sectors such as banking and finance.

However, the final decision depends on what kind of training solution is required for your organization. If you are still unable to make a choice, contact us today and get an expert’s guidance to help you through the process of selection.