Enterprises are increasingly demanding unified learning platforms that combine compliance, personalization, and modern user experiences, according to new research from Information Services Group (ISG). The global technology research and advisory firm’s 2025 Buyers Guides™ for Learning and Development reveal that organizations are moving away from fragmented systems and toward integrated solutions that serve both internal employees and external audiences like partners and customers. The study finds that learning management systems (LMS) and learning experience platforms (LXP) are converging into comprehensive learning and development suites. Companies want a single platform that enforces regulatory compliance, supports audit readiness, and delivers engaging, mobile-first learning experiences. These platforms must also integrate seamlessly with human capital management systems and other enterprise tools. Matthew Brown, director of research at ISG Software Research, noted that businesses are seeking “fewer systems to do more work.” Employees now expect consumer-grade interfaces tailored to their skill levels, while managers need actionable insights into team readiness, skill gaps, and risk areas. The goal is to accelerate time to proficiency, activate workforce potential, and reduce organizational risk. By 2027, ISG predicts that one-third of enterprises will adopt LMS and LXP platforms powered by skill and job ontologies—structured frameworks that map relationships between roles, skills, and learning paths. These ontologies enable smarter content recommendations, guide learning journeys, and help leaders make data-driven decisions about talent development. AI is playing a growing role in shaping these platforms. By 2028, ISG expects two-thirds of enterprises to use generative AI to identify skill gaps and recommend development paths. AI features now include personalized learning suggestions, content summarization, and automated goal setting. For its 2025 evaluation, ISG assessed 31 software providers across three categories: Learning Management Systems, Learning and Development Suites, and Learning Content Platforms. Providers were scored on seven criteria—five related to product experience (usability, manageability, reliability, capability, adaptability) and two related to customer assurance (validation, and total cost of ownership and return on investment). The Overall Leaders in each category were: Learning Management Systems: Oracle, Cornerstone, and Schoox. Oracle led with seven Leader rankings, followed by Cornerstone and Schoox with three each. All three were rated Exemplary, along with Dayforce, Docebo, HiBob, LearnUpon, SAP, Skillsoft, and Workday. Anthology, CYPHER, isolved, Learning Pool, and Moodle were rated Innovative. Learning and Development Suites: Oracle, Cornerstone, and Schoox. Oracle earned seven Leader rankings, Cornerstone three, and Schoox six. All three were rated Exemplary, along with Dayforce and SAP. Workday was rated Innovative. Learning Content Platforms: Cornerstone, Udemy, and Skillsoft. Cornerstone and Udemy each earned seven Leader rankings, while Skillsoft received four. All three were rated Exemplary. ELB Learning was rated Innovative. Mark Smith, partner and chief software analyst at ISG Software Research, emphasized that learning must be embedded in daily work. “It needs to constantly inform and guide employee potential for the needs of the organization and the individual,” he said. The ISG Buyers Guides™ are based on over a year of independent market and product research, with no influence from software vendors. The reports are designed to help enterprises make informed decisions about their learning technology investments. For more information and access to executive summaries and full reports, visit research.isg-one.com.