How We Work
Our LMS Evaluation Framework
We don't read feature pages. We build real programs. Every platform gets the same hands-on test, so you can trust that our scores reflect what it's actually like to use them.
How We Evaluate Each Platform
Why you can trust our process: we don't skim docs or compare spec sheets. For every platform we review, we spend 8–12 hours doing this, the same way a coach would:
Create Account
Sign up on a free trial or free plan. We measure signup friction and onboarding clarity (≈15 min)
Build Program
Build a real 4-week program: upload videos, set drip schedule, add lessons. We time how long it takes and note blockers (2–4 hours)
Configure Payments
Set up Stripe or native payments, membership tiers, and one-time purchases. We check for hidden fees and checkout flow (≈1 hour)
Test Experience
Go through the full student journey on desktop and mobile: video playback, progress saving, navigation (≈1 hour)
Evaluate Features
Test community/forums, engagement tools, and analytics: can a coach see who is active and who is stuck? (about 1 hour)
Our 6 Scoring Criteria
Each platform is scored out of 10 using a weighted framework designed for fitness coaching. We rate what we actually used. Here's what each criterion means in practice:
Time to publish a first course, drag-and-drop builder, template quality. Example: "Could we go from zero to a live 4-week program in under 2 hours?"
Recurring billing, community forums, engagement tools, drip content. Example: "Can we run a paid membership with weekly unlocks and a members-only space?"
Stripe/PayPal support, coupons, bundles, upsells, transaction fees. Example: "Can we offer a one-time program and a monthly membership from the same site?"
Mobile access, video quality, progress tracking, design polish. Example: "Does the app work offline? Do clients see clear progress and next steps?"
Growth from 10 to 1,000+ clients, multiple product types, API access. Example: "If we add 5 programs and 200 members, do limits or performance get in the way?"
Free plan viability, feature-to-price ratio, hidden fees. Example: "For $50/month, do we get enough to run a real coaching business, or hit paywalls fast?"
The final score is the weighted average across all 6 criteria, rounded to the nearest 0.5. Same math for every platform, no special treatment.
How We Pick a "Top Pick"
Our Top Pick is the platform that scores highest across all criteria for the typical fitness coach starting out. It's not always the cheapest or the most feature-rich. It's the one that gives the best results for the least friction. We'd use it ourselves.
We re-evaluate our Top Pick whenever a platform makes a major update, changes pricing, or a new competitor enters the market. So you're always seeing a verdict based on current reality, not last year's.
How We Keep Reviews Current
Pricing and features change all the time. So we:
- Verify pricing on the official website before every update
- Show a "Last updated" date on every article so you know how fresh it is
- Re-test each platform at least every 6 months (full hands-on run again)
- Note the verification date in each verdict box so there's no guesswork
If you spot something outdated, tell us and we'll fix it within 48 hours.
Affiliate Transparency
Yes, we earn commissions when you sign up through our links. Our scores and Top Pick don't change because of it. We've ranked platforms with higher commissions lower when they deserved it. Full details in our Affiliate Disclosure.
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