4.6 on Trustpilot
Custom learning management systems
Custom learning management systems
A custom LMS that’s yours to own and control
You get the source code, unlimited users, and hosting wherever you want. We build it around your business, run it for as long as you need, and hand it over whenever you’re ready.
TEAMS WE BUILD FOR
● A WORD FROM OUR FOUNDER
In 12 years building learning management systems, I've talked to thousands of people running learning businesses. I can usually tell what's holding one back within a few minutes, and it's almost always one of three things.
Control
You're on someone else's foundation. When it limits what you can do, it limits what your business can do. You can't respond to competitors, nor build what your users keep asking for. And if your software provider changes direction or raise their prices, you're stuck.
Experience
Good content isn't enough if the user experience is a mess. And it gets worse if the journey is scattered across different tools, each with its own login and branding. That friction costs you engagement, sales and retention.
Scale
An LMS should grow without getting in your way. Most do the opposite. Pricing that climbs with every user, manual work you can't automate, features you'd need for a new market that just aren't there. Tech that's fine at low numbers and creaks at scale.
They all come back to the same thing. You've outgrown the model you're on. The good news is it's fixable - by owning your LMS outright, built around how your business actually works. Book a call and talk it through with me.
Kaine Shutler
Founder, Plume
Click to continue reading
WHAT WE BUILD
Everything a modern LMS needs, built around how you work
We accelerate delivery with pre-built foundations, then custom-build what makes you unique—so you launch quickly and scale confidently
Launch in 12 weeks
We've already built 1000s of reusable features, so you're 75% complete from day one.
Custom features
The features unique to your business, built exactly how you work
Multi-tenant portals
Give B2B customers the power of autonomy in their own branded areas
Multi-tenant portals
Give B2B customers the power of autonomy in their own branded areas
Scale to millions
Our approach to scalability clears the technical barriers, so you grow to millions of users without a rebuild
Scalable automations
The manual workflows that held you back, turned into ones that run themselves
Scalable automations
The manual workflows that held you back, turned into ones that run themselves
Mobile apps
Keep learners active with 24/7 access and smart notifications
Mobile apps
Keep learners active with 24/7 access and smart notifications
Learning people come back to
Gamification, personalised paths, and AI, keeping learners engaged to the end
Learning people come back to
Gamification, personalised paths, and AI, keeping learners engaged to the end
Connected ecosystem
We build more than the LMS. Ecommerce, marketing, community, so sales, learning and operations work as one
Quizzes & exam-prep
Boost learning and retention with interactive quizzes and realistic exam simulations
Quizzes & exam-prep
Boost learning and retention with interactive quizzes and realistic exam simulations
HOW IT WORKS
From scope to a platform you own, in just 12 weeks
01
Strategy Blueprint
Before any code, we turn your scope into a plan you can trust: strategy, design, and the technical build, costed and agreed. Yours to keep - build it with us or take it elsewhere.
01
02
Designed for how people learn
Our founder-led design team turns the plan into a real experience, shown as a prototype you can click through before anything gets built.
02
03
Rapid build
We build on proven components and custom-engineer the rest, in short sprints you can steer - so you watch it take shape instead of waiting for a reveal.
03
04
Zero-disruption migration
We handle the migration and move your data across, so learners pick up where they left off.
04
05
Easy launch
Full launch or phased, at a pace that doesn't disrupt the business. Backed by the team behind 200+ launches.
05
06
You own it, we keep it growing
You launch on a platform you own outright, and we host, maintain, and keep evolving it for as long as you want.
06
HOW IT WORKS
From scope to a platform you own, in just 12 weeks
01
Strategy Blueprint
Before any code, we turn your scope into a plan you can trust: strategy, design, and the technical build, costed and agreed. Yours to keep - build it with us or take it elsewhere.
01
02
Designed for how people learn
Our founder-led design team turns the plan into a real experience, shown as a prototype you can click through before anything gets built.
02
03
Rapid build
We build on proven components and custom-engineer the rest, in short sprints you can steer - so you watch it take shape instead of waiting for a reveal.
03
04
Zero-disruption migration
We handle the migration and move your data across, so learners pick up where they left off.
04
05
Easy launch
Full launch or phased, at a pace that doesn't disrupt the business. Backed by the team behind 200+ launches.
05
06
You own it, we keep it growing
You launch on a platform you own outright, and we host, maintain, and keep evolving it for as long as you want.
06
HOW IT WORKS
From scope to a platform you own, in just 12 weeks
01
Strategy Blueprint
Before any code, we turn your scope into a plan you can trust: strategy, design, and the technical build, costed and agreed. Yours to keep - build it with us or take it elsewhere.
01
02
Designed for how people learn
Our founder-led design team turns the plan into a real experience, shown as a prototype you can click through before anything gets built.
02
03
Rapid build
We build on proven components and custom-engineer the rest, in short sprints you can steer - so you watch it take shape instead of waiting for a reveal.
03
04
Zero-disruption migration
We handle the migration and move your data across, so learners pick up where they left off.
04
05
Easy launch
Full launch or phased, at a pace that doesn't disrupt the business. Backed by the team behind 200+ launches.
05
06
You own it, we keep it growing
You launch on a platform you own outright, and we host, maintain, and keep evolving it for as long as you want.
06
Engineered for longevity; built to scale
An LMS you own is only worth owning if it holds up under pressure. So we build for scale and longevity, not just for launch day.
Proven foundations
We build on thousands of components we’ve already built and hardened across real projects: course flows, quizzes, dashboards, payments. You’re not paying to reinvent the wheel, and it’s stable from day one.
75%
built before we start
Proven foundations
We build on thousands of components we’ve already built and hardened across real projects: course flows, quizzes, dashboards, payments. You’re not paying to reinvent the wheel, and it’s stable from day one.
75%
built before we start
Tested to hold up
Specialist QA engineers who know how learning platforms fail, plus automated alerts, regression testing, and load testing across devices. We catch problems in a controlled environment, not in front of your users.
100k
users load-tested
Tested to hold up
Specialist QA engineers who know how learning platforms fail, plus automated alerts, regression testing, and load testing across devices. We catch problems in a controlled environment, not in front of your users.
100k
users load-tested
Built to scale, by senior engineers
Senior developers design and build your platform to scale from day one. We’ve built platforms designed for over a million learners, so yours is engineered for where you’re headed.
1M+
learners, in platforms we’ve built
Built to scale, by senior engineers
Senior developers design and build your platform to scale from day one. We’ve built platforms designed for over a million learners, so yours is engineered for where you’re headed.
1M+
learners, in platforms we’ve built
Designed so learners keep coming back
The learner experience is what your customers judge you on, and what makes them renew. We design for retention, because it only pays off when people stay.
3x
increase in completions
Designed so learners keep coming back
The learner experience is what your customers judge you on, and what makes them renew. We design for retention, because it only pays off when people stay.
3x
increase in completions
Unify every part of your training ecosystem
Users get confused when they have to bounce from platform to platform, like marketing, elearning and community. Our seamless ecosystem unites learning, sales, and operations into a seamless flow that actually scales.
Merge all your platforms into one cohesive experience
Increase LTV by eliminating user-experience barriers
One login and dashboard that brings it all together
Centralized admin & data for effortless management
Remove the cacti. One ecosystem, zero friction.
Patchwork systems slow growth and create costly bottlenecks. Our seamless ecosystem unites learning, sales, and operations into one flow that actually scales.
Merge all your platforms into one cohesive experience
Eliminate UX barriers and turn churn into loyalty
Increase LTV with conversion optimization
Centralized admin & data for effortless management
Portfolio
See what we've built for teams like yours
Portfolio
See what we've built for teams like yours
RECENT PROJECT
What if every sales rep had a 24/7 coach?
RECENT PROJECT
Giving teachers visibility. Giving students a way forward.
RECENT PROJECT
How gamification turned Absolute Dogs' membership into something members didn't want to leave
RECENT PROJECT
The LMS integration that turned Google Classroom into BioBuddy's biggest sales channel
Investment
Pricing has two parts
Explore flexible options for the licence, implementation, and ongoing support your learning platform needs.
Part 1: Our reusable component library
Hundreds of production-ready components used across 200+ platforms—so your build goes live faster and costs less than starting from scratch.
Annual
Licence our component library, billed yearly.
BILLING
Yearly
COMMITMENT
Cancel any time
OWNERSHIP
Licensed while active
Starting from
$25k / year
Annual
Licence our component library, billed yearly.
BILLING
Yearly
COMMITMENT
Cancel any time
OWNERSHIP
Licensed while active
Starting from
$25k / year
Lifetime
Own the licence outright, with the option to self-host later.
BILLING
Once, or over 3 years
COMMITMENT
Yours permanently
OWNERSHIP
Own it outright + self-host
Starting from
$75k one-time
Lifetime
Own the licence outright, with the option to self-host later.
BILLING
Once, or over 3 years
COMMITMENT
Yours permanently
OWNERSHIP
Own it outright + self-host
Starting from
$75k one-time
Part 2: The build
All design and development. These are rough reference points, not fixed plans.
The Next Startup
You’ve tested the waters—an MVP is up and getting traction, but the tech is holding you back.
A flexible, future-ready base
Just enough custom work to move fast
From
$50k–$75k
The Next Startup
You’ve tested the waters—an MVP is up and getting traction, but the tech is holding you back.
A flexible, future-ready base
Just enough custom work to move fast
From
$50k–$75k
The Next Masterclass
You’ve found product-market fit and you’re growing—or ready to.
Scalable infrastructure
Smooth UX and smart integrations
Custom features for serious growth
Where most B2B training clients sit
From
$75k–$200k
The Next Masterclass
You’ve found product-market fit and you’re growing—or ready to.
Scalable infrastructure
Smooth UX and smart integrations
Custom features for serious growth
Where most B2B training clients sit
From
$75k–$200k
The Next Duolingo
This isn’t really an LMS anymore—it’s something new.
A gamified app, VR, or a whole new way to learn
Where your vision blurs content and tech
From
Custom quote
The Next Duolingo
This isn’t really an LMS anymore—it’s something new.
A gamified app, VR, or a whole new way to learn
Where your vision blurs content and tech
From
Custom quote
What’s included
Every build
Feature and integration development
Unlimited users, nothing metered
Custom UI and UX, designed for how people learn
Multi-tenancy — a branded environment per client
Multi-stage QA and performance testing
With a Lifetime licence
The full source code, yours to keep
Self-host or bring it in-house anytime
Build in phases, without compromise.
Start with the essentials, then add capability as your platform grows. Optional managed hosting is available, or keep full control with self-hosting.
David Locklin, Feb 10, 2026
The process felt collaborative rather than transactional, and their professionalism and attention to detail gave us confidence at each stage. Overall, they deliver thoughtful, high-quality work and are a pleasure to partner with.
Steve Soldis, Nov 15, 2025
I’ve tried three different times to rebuild my legacy LMS (it’s been around since 1998), and the first two attempts were honestly, quite terrible. Working with PLUME has been the total opposite. They’re incredibly organized, super thorough, and respect everyone’s time
David Locklin, Feb 10, 2026
The process felt collaborative rather than transactional, and their professionalism and attention to detail gave us confidence at each stage. Overall, they deliver thoughtful, high-quality work and are a pleasure to partner with.
Steve Soldis, Nov 15, 2025
I’ve tried three different times to rebuild my legacy LMS (it’s been around since 1998), and the first two attempts were honestly, quite terrible. Working with PLUME has been the total opposite. They’re incredibly organized, super thorough, and respect everyone’s time
David Locklin, Feb 10, 2026
The process felt collaborative rather than transactional, and their professionalism and attention to detail gave us confidence at each stage. Overall, they deliver thoughtful, high-quality work and are a pleasure to partner with.
Steve Soldis, Nov 15, 2025
I’ve tried three different times to rebuild my legacy LMS (it’s been around since 1998), and the first two attempts were honestly, quite terrible. Working with PLUME has been the total opposite. They’re incredibly organized, super thorough, and respect everyone’s time
Frequently asked questions
Have more questions? Send us a message or schedule a call with our founder by clicking here
What is a custom learning management system, and how is it different from an off-the-shelf LMS?
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A custom learning management system (LMS) is designed around the way your organisation delivers training. It’s built for your structure, content, data, and growth plans. Off-the-shelf LMS platforms use fixed workflows and design templates that can limit flexibility. A custom LMS is engineered from the ground up to match your model. It connects with your existing tools, scales as your audience expands, and gives you full control over the experience, integrations, and reporting. For teams with complex requirements or long-term growth goals, it removes the compromises that come with generic software.
Who should invest in a custom LMS instead of configuring a SaaS platform?
A custom LMS makes sense once your business has outgrown the limits of configurable SaaS tools. That moment usually comes when your training model, user management, or data needs no longer fit neatly into predefined settings. If you rely on manual processes, multiple platforms, or workarounds to deliver a single learner experience, a custom LMS is the next step. Training providers, corporate learning teams, and education businesses managing several brands or revenue streams benefit from a system that evolves with them rather than forcing constant reinvention.
How scalable is a custom learning management system?
Scalability is one of the main reasons to invest in a custom LMS. A well-built platform can support thousands or even millions of learners under one infrastructure. It is not limited by per-user fees or performance issues that come with shared SaaS models. Architecture, caching, and hosting are designed around your projected scale. That means you can expand audiences, add new products, or launch international programs without moving platforms or inflating costs.
How do you minimize the risk and cost of a new project?
We've developed a proprietary suite of pre-built features, meaning about 75% of your project is already done before we even start. This allows us to launch your platform quicker and with less cost, all while maintaining the high quality you can trust.
How long does it take to build a custom LMS?
Timelines depend on scope, but most projects take around three months. That period includes planning, UX design, frontend and backend development, and testing. Building a custom LMS takes longer than setting up a SaaS platform because it is made to fit your specific workflows and goals. The extra time produces a long-term asset rather than a temporary solution. Many clients continue refining and extending their LMS years after launch because it serves as a strategic foundation for growth.
How much does a custom learning management system cost to build and maintain?
A custom LMS usually requires a larger upfront investment but delivers lower costs over time. With perpertual options, there are no per-user or per-course charges. Ongoing costs relate to hosting and support rather than licensing. Pricing depends on complexity and integrations, but for growing training businesses it is often the most sustainable way to scale. You gain a platform that you control completely and can adapt without waiting for vendor changes or paying rising subscription fees.
What level of control do we have over the design and learner experience?
You have complete control. Every part of the learner interface can be tailored to your audience and brand. You can design dashboards for different user types, create learning paths that reflect your training style, and adjust how progress is tracked and displayed. This level of control means your technology supports the way you teach instead of forcing you to adapt to someone else’s structure.
How do we ensure our custom LMS stays relevant as technology evolves?
Future-proofing starts with how the system is built. A modular and API-first architecture allows new features to be added or replaced without rebuilding the platform. Regular updates and scalable hosting keep your LMS compatible with new tools and devices. This approach gives you control over your roadmap so you can decide when and how to adopt new technologies instead of waiting for vendor releases or forced upgrades.
Frequently asked questions
Have more questions? Send us a message or schedule a call with our founder by clicking here
What is a custom learning management system, and how is it different from an off-the-shelf LMS?
A custom learning management system (LMS) is designed around the way your organisation delivers training. It’s built for your structure, content, data, and growth plans. Off-the-shelf LMS platforms use fixed workflows and design templates that can limit flexibility. A custom LMS is engineered from the ground up to match your model. It connects with your existing tools, scales as your audience expands, and gives you full control over the experience, integrations, and reporting. For teams with complex requirements or long-term growth goals, it removes the compromises that come with generic software.
Who should invest in a custom LMS instead of configuring a SaaS platform?
A custom LMS makes sense once your business has outgrown the limits of configurable SaaS tools. That moment usually comes when your training model, user management, or data needs no longer fit neatly into predefined settings. If you rely on manual processes, multiple platforms, or workarounds to deliver a single learner experience, a custom LMS is the next step. Training providers, corporate learning teams, and education businesses managing several brands or revenue streams benefit from a system that evolves with them rather than forcing constant reinvention.
How scalable is a custom learning management system?
Scalability is one of the main reasons to invest in a custom LMS. A well-built platform can support thousands or even millions of learners under one infrastructure. It is not limited by per-user fees or performance issues that come with shared SaaS models. Architecture, caching, and hosting are designed around your projected scale. That means you can expand audiences, add new products, or launch international programs without moving platforms or inflating costs.
How do you minimize the risk and cost of a new project?
We've developed a proprietary suite of pre-built features, meaning about 75% of your project is already done before we even start. This allows us to launch your platform quicker and with less cost, all while maintaining the high quality you can trust.
How long does it take to build a custom LMS?
Timelines depend on scope, but most projects take around three months. That period includes planning, UX design, frontend and backend development, and testing. Building a custom LMS takes longer than setting up a SaaS platform because it is made to fit your specific workflows and goals. The extra time produces a long-term asset rather than a temporary solution. Many clients continue refining and extending their LMS years after launch because it serves as a strategic foundation for growth.
How much does a custom learning management system cost to build and maintain?
A custom LMS usually requires a larger upfront investment but delivers lower costs over time. With perpertual options, there are no per-user or per-course charges. Ongoing costs relate to hosting and support rather than licensing. Pricing depends on complexity and integrations, but for growing training businesses it is often the most sustainable way to scale. You gain a platform that you control completely and can adapt without waiting for vendor changes or paying rising subscription fees.
What level of control do we have over the design and learner experience?
You have complete control. Every part of the learner interface can be tailored to your audience and brand. You can design dashboards for different user types, create learning paths that reflect your training style, and adjust how progress is tracked and displayed. This level of control means your technology supports the way you teach instead of forcing you to adapt to someone else’s structure.
How do we ensure our custom LMS stays relevant as technology evolves?
Future-proofing starts with how the system is built. A modular and API-first architecture allows new features to be added or replaced without rebuilding the platform. Regular updates and scalable hosting keep your LMS compatible with new tools and devices. This approach gives you control over your roadmap so you can decide when and how to adopt new technologies instead of waiting for vendor releases or forced upgrades.
Frequently asked questions
Have more questions? Send us a message or schedule a call with our founder by clicking here
What is a custom learning management system, and how is it different from an off-the-shelf LMS?
A custom learning management system (LMS) is designed around the way your organisation delivers training. It’s built for your structure, content, data, and growth plans. Off-the-shelf LMS platforms use fixed workflows and design templates that can limit flexibility. A custom LMS is engineered from the ground up to match your model. It connects with your existing tools, scales as your audience expands, and gives you full control over the experience, integrations, and reporting. For teams with complex requirements or long-term growth goals, it removes the compromises that come with generic software.
Who should invest in a custom LMS instead of configuring a SaaS platform?
A custom LMS makes sense once your business has outgrown the limits of configurable SaaS tools. That moment usually comes when your training model, user management, or data needs no longer fit neatly into predefined settings. If you rely on manual processes, multiple platforms, or workarounds to deliver a single learner experience, a custom LMS is the next step. Training providers, corporate learning teams, and education businesses managing several brands or revenue streams benefit from a system that evolves with them rather than forcing constant reinvention.
How scalable is a custom learning management system?
Scalability is one of the main reasons to invest in a custom LMS. A well-built platform can support thousands or even millions of learners under one infrastructure. It is not limited by per-user fees or performance issues that come with shared SaaS models. Architecture, caching, and hosting are designed around your projected scale. That means you can expand audiences, add new products, or launch international programs without moving platforms or inflating costs.
How do you minimize the risk and cost of a new project?
We've developed a proprietary suite of pre-built features, meaning about 75% of your project is already done before we even start. This allows us to launch your platform quicker and with less cost, all while maintaining the high quality you can trust.
How long does it take to build a custom LMS?
Timelines depend on scope, but most projects take around three months. That period includes planning, UX design, frontend and backend development, and testing. Building a custom LMS takes longer than setting up a SaaS platform because it is made to fit your specific workflows and goals. The extra time produces a long-term asset rather than a temporary solution. Many clients continue refining and extending their LMS years after launch because it serves as a strategic foundation for growth.
How much does a custom learning management system cost to build and maintain?
A custom LMS usually requires a larger upfront investment but delivers lower costs over time. With perpertual options, there are no per-user or per-course charges. Ongoing costs relate to hosting and support rather than licensing. Pricing depends on complexity and integrations, but for growing training businesses it is often the most sustainable way to scale. You gain a platform that you control completely and can adapt without waiting for vendor changes or paying rising subscription fees.
What level of control do we have over the design and learner experience?
You have complete control. Every part of the learner interface can be tailored to your audience and brand. You can design dashboards for different user types, create learning paths that reflect your training style, and adjust how progress is tracked and displayed. This level of control means your technology supports the way you teach instead of forcing you to adapt to someone else’s structure.
How do we ensure our custom LMS stays relevant as technology evolves?
Future-proofing starts with how the system is built. A modular and API-first architecture allows new features to be added or replaced without rebuilding the platform. Regular updates and scalable hosting keep your LMS compatible with new tools and devices. This approach gives you control over your roadmap so you can decide when and how to adopt new technologies instead of waiting for vendor releases or forced upgrades.
Contact PLume
Want to own your learning platform?
Get expert input on your next learning platform—and see if we’re the right fit to help.
From initial discussions, we have felt listened to and understood, challenged and guided as needed.
Rated 4.6 on Trustpilot
Contact PLume
Want to own your learning platform?
Get expert input on your next learning platform—and see if we’re the right fit to help.
From initial discussions, we have felt listened to and understood, challenged and guided as needed.
Rated 4.6 on Trustpilot
Contact PLume
Want to own your learning platform?
Get expert input on your next learning platform—and see if we’re the right fit to help.
Plan your next learning platform with our founder
About Plume
As the leading custom LMS provider serving training businesses in the US, UK and Europe, we help businesses design, build and grow pioneering learning tech that unlocks limitless growth potential.
Plan your next learning platform with our founder
About Plume
As the leading custom LMS provider serving training businesses in the US, UK and Europe, we help businesses design, build and grow pioneering learning tech that unlocks limitless growth potential.
Plan your next learning platform with our founder
About Plume
As the leading custom LMS provider serving training businesses in the US, UK and Europe, we help businesses design, build and grow pioneering learning tech that unlocks limitless growth potential.
