Absorb LMS vs Cornerstone Learning
Absorb LMS
absorbai.comCornerstone Learning
cornerstoneondemand.comSide by side
| Figure | Absorb LMS | Cornerstone Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Learning Management - Enterprise Software | 8.6 (#2) | 8.3 (#4) |
| Spec score · Healthcare LMS | 8.6 (#2) | 8.2 (#5) |
| Spec score · Hospitality LMS | 8.5 (#2) | 8.2 (#4) |
| Spec score · Learning Management Systems | 8.5 (#15) | 8.4 (#22) |
| Spec score · Corporate Learning Management Systems | 8.6 (#3) | 8.2 (#6) |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Assessments | Yes | Yes |
| Certificates | Yes | Yes |
| Compliance | The maker says Absorb LMS is WCAG 2.1 compliant and completed a SOC 2 Type 2 examination; it also describes PCI compliance for course payments. | It automates training assignments, certifications, renewals, and evidence to help organizations demonstrate compliance across roles and regions. |
| Founded | 2003 | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Santa Monica, California, United States |
| Integrations | Listed integrations include ADP, Workday, Salesforce, BambooHR, Zoom, and content providers, with RESTful APIs and webhooks for custom connections. | Named integrations include Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, Workday, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, OpenSesame, Skillsoft, and Udacity. |
| Mobile | The free Absorb Learning app is available for compatible iOS and Android devices and supports offline training with progress syncing after reconnection. | The Cornerstone app is available for iOS and Android and lets learners access courses, track progress, and complete training offline. |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Purpose | Absorb LMS is a learning management system for administering and delivering organizational training. | Cornerstone Learning is an enterprise learning solution for managing training, compliance, certifications, reporting, and role-based learning paths. |
| SSO support | Yes | Yes |
| Use cases | The product is presented for onboarding, employee development, compliance training, customer education, partner enablement, and selling courses. | Use cases include employee onboarding, compliance training, certification and recertification, skill development, collaborative learning, and customer, partner, and member training. |
Plans
In their own words
Absorb LMS
Absorb LMS is a learning management system for administering and delivering organizational training. Its stated uses include onboarding, employee development, compliance training, customer education, partner enablement, and selling courses. Learning can be assigned according to role, department, location, goals, and skill gaps; the homepage lists 12,000+ job skills and 20,000+ pre-built courses. Absorb Create uses built-in AI tools to generate courses and add quizzes, videos, translations, and voice-overs. Custom reports cover learner engagement, course completion, productivity, and sales. Integrations listed include ADP, Workday, Salesforce, BambooHR, Zoom, and content providers, with RESTful APIs and webhooks for custom connections. The free Absorb Learning app for compatible iOS and Android devices supports offline training and syncs progress after reconnection, but course creation and management are not supported in the app. The product also lists assessments, certificates, SSO, and API access. Pricing is provided on request, and a free trial signup form is available with no duration stated. Absorb LMS was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Cornerstone Learning
Cornerstone Learning combines learning management and learning experience capabilities for organizations, including global and regulated workforces. It covers learning and content management, certifications, assessments, social and personalized learning, gamification, learning paths, reporting, and analytics. AI capabilities include learning prioritization, conversational learning, content summaries, compliance monitoring, and content curation and assignment. The platform can automate training assignments, certification renewals, and evidence collection to support compliance across roles and regions. Organizations can use internal content in SCORM, AICC, and XAPI formats, alongside subscriptions from more than 200 providers. Use cases include onboarding, compliance training, certification, skill development, collaborative learning, and customer, partner, or member training. Its iOS and Android app supports course access, progress tracking, training completion, and offline content access. Cornerstone says the product is available in 50 languages and lists API access and single sign-on support. Security and compliance listings include ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and other standards and controls. Pricing is by request, and prospective customers can book a demo or product tour.