Pros and Cons of Scorm, Xapi, and LTI
Learning Management Systems (LMS) can deliver almost infinite variety of functions to support all aspects of L&D. However, at the most basic level, you need to make sure that the platform you are considering can provide learning content to learners. This means that the selected LMS can handle the preferred format of the content. This usually revolves around one or more of these three factors.
Interactiveness
You want to create and share engaging and interactive learning content. insight
We want to be able to track how learners are involved in learning content. Mutual availability
Organizations should use multiple systems and use future content creation or have extensive catalogs of courses in a particular format, so they need to work with learning content on a variety of platforms.
SCORM, XAPI, and LTI: Which learning standards are right for you?
Against this background, let’s look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of some of the most widely used learning standards.
SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model)
Once the ubiquitous selection of LMSS learning standards is ubiquitous, SCORM is still the most widely used. SCORM (Shareable Content Object Reference Model) was developed to create standard learning content formats that can be used on different learning platforms. In this respect it is very successful. SCORM is a technical standard framework that allows learning content to be packaged and imported into SCORM-compliant LMS or applications. This opens a set of options, as SCORM LMS compatibility is more or less universal.
Benefits of SCORM
Simplicity
Creating SCORM content using any of the available SCORM authoring tools is very easy. Low cost
It’s very easy and many authoring options are available, so creating content for SCORM is very cost-effective. Combine multiple content sources
Given its universality, SCORM allows you to curate learning content from various creators within a single learning platform. Future’s learning content
SCORM is so widely used it is easy to migrate existing SCORM content to a new learning platform. Uniform standards
SCORM standards maintain uniformity across all packages and ensure interoperability. tracking
SCORM allows you to track the completion of courses and the time learners spend on each course.
Cons of SCORM
Limited tracking
Compared to other learning criteria, SCORM’s tracking capabilities are rather limited.
SCORM Tips for LMS Buyers
Choose an LMS that supports both SCORM 1.2 and 2004 so that all existing SCORM content continues to function.
xapi (you can experience api/tin api)
Xapi (also known as the shorthand for Experience API and Tin Can API) is one of the latest forms of learning standards. It is designed to store training data and share it between different systems. When learners interact with learning content, XAPI records data about all of the engagement. This information is stored in the Learning Record Store (LRS).
The Benefits of Xapi
Versatility
XAPI data is not limited to LMS, and where learners are involved, track engagement with learning content. Track across multiple devices
XAPI Tracking works in phones, games, medical devices, simulators and other forms. Supports a variety of learning activities
Xapi works with most learning content types. Protect your personal data storage
Personal data is stored securely in a way that allows individual learners to transfer data between different organizations.
Cons of XAPI
There is no content creation
Unlike Scorm, Xapi does not provide content creation, so you need a Scorm or Scorm alternative. A complex setup
Compared to Scorm’s simplicity, Xapi is difficult to configure and even more complicated to get it right.
XAPI LMS Buyer Tips
Choose an LMS that allows you to easily integrate LRS to get the most out of your XAPI data.
LTI (Learning Tool Interoperability)
The Interoperability (LTI) learning tool is a learning integration standard that enables external learning content and other media to be used within an LMS or LXP. External resources are contained seamlessly within the LMS using IFRAME. This means that learning content such as videos, simulations, and evaluation engines can be effectively drawn in from anywhere and delivered natively within the learning platform.
Benefits of LTI
Seamless integration
LMS integration can be achieved very easily and quickly using LTI. Simple authentication
Create a secure authentication process for your LMS with single sign-on (SSO) LTI compatibility makes it easy. Cost-effective platform expansion
Easily LTI compatibility allows third-party tools and other media to be integrated with LMS, making it an affordable way to expand and diversify your learning platform.
Cons of LTI
Not universally supported
Unlike SCORM, not all learning platforms support LTI. Low-quality user experience
By providing learning content and other tools via IFRAME, you can limit the learning experiences you can create. Limited data
LTI integration does not provide advanced tracking and does not track learner engagement other than LMS.
LTI Tips for LMS Buyers
Select the platform that supports LTI 1.3 advantage. This will be the default version of LTI.
Does the major LMSS support SCORM, LTI, or XAPI standards?
Yes, most major LMSSs support SCORM, LTI, XAPI, and various other learning standards. However, it is worth noting that not all major platforms support all of these standards. It’s worth checking out the details of the LMS you are considering purchasing. Similarly, different platforms support learning standards in a variety of ways. Some are more clunky than others. Again, make sure that the LMS you are thinking supports the standard used in a convenient way for your requirements.
Xapi Vs. SCORM
Xapi is usually considered to be an alternative or alternative to SCORM, and immediately sparks the “Xapi vs. Scorm” debate. In fact, as mentioned in relation to the benefits of both standards, they perform slightly different roles. SCORM creates and delivers content that includes some tracking, while Xapi focuses on tracking and communicating learning data.
SCORM, XAPI, and LTI: Conclusion
SCORM, XAPI, and LTI are all playing roles in online learning in 2025. The appropriate learning criteria for an organization will depend on L&D priorities. If your goal is to keep as much valuable catalogs of existing courses as possible, SCORM remains an obvious choice. If you want high-quality, real-time analysis from your learning content, XAPI is the perfect place to deliver this. Additionally, LTI is essential when it is possible to allow courses and resources to be pooled from a variety of sources and content providers.
To cover all options, we recommend choosing an LMS that supports SCORM, XAPI, and LTI. This will prevent LMS in the future while enjoying the benefits of existing learningable learning content.
Synergy Learning LMS
Award-winning LMS platform. Totara Platinum and Moodle Premium Partners create great learning platforms for your organization to reduce training costs, increase employee retention, and promote critical training and compliance.
