How to avoid hidden costs when choosing an elearning software

With inflation rising, budgets squeezed, and talk of a potential recession, training professionals from across the public and private sector are scrutinising costs to identify potential savings. 

For years, we've seen other providers charge a very low basic fee - only to add loads of sneaky extra charges for things like roaming data, postage costs or admin fees. It's a total false economy.  

We're proud to be different - offering an all-in-one subscription including everything you need to deliver all types of vocational training. Our price includes access to a built-in eportfolio, course builder, learning hub, reporting suite and mobile app, as well as all support, standards, training and features.  

There are no hidden costs or cheeky add-ons - just one fair price on a per-seat basis.   

That said, it's a free country - so, if you do decide to shop around, here are hidden costs to look out for:  

Support 

Technical support is an area ripe for hidden charges. 

Most users need help at some time - so all good software companies should provide support - either online, face-to-face or on the phone.  

There are two priorities - cost and quality. Some providers offer free online support, but will then charge extortionate prices for visits, or keep you on hold while charging high call rates.  

OneFile is one of a rare breed offering quality and value.  

Standards  

Standards and criteria lie at the heart of most elearning. But some providers charge you to build standards - and it's even pricier for custom courses. Look for a provider that offers free standards, and bespoke builds.     

Training  

We're all learning - and that includes people using EdTech systems! As with all training, you'll find your people have different levels of knowledge and experience - and some may need further help.   

Some providers cynically view this as a premium service and charge sky-high prices for face-to-face training sessions. Others even charge for online training, webinars and customer events.  

Save stress by choosing a provider which offers free setup, online training and best practice-sharing events.   

Additional features 

It's one thing having access to a basic system. But that's not enough for most users, who will want access to some additional functionality.  

Steer away from systems which combined MIS and elearning - because these can result in overall quality being compromised. It's much better to choose an elearning software that integrates with your MIS system, so you get the best functionality from both systems.   

Not only that but some providers charge extra for features like reporting, video recording or integrations. Look for an elearning software which includes all of these features as standard. 

Exit charges 

We don't often start a new relationship by thinking about the break-up - but it's worth it with EdTech software! Some providers charge thousands of pounds to remove your data from their system if you decide to leave. Keep a close eye on the small print for details of any exit charges.     

Learners  

All learners have different training needs, with different courses, standards and programme lengths. It's really important you can be flexible to accommodate everyone's requirements.    

But many software providers charge more for additional subscriptions. Make sure you choose a firm which offers a pro-rata pay scheme, and a per-seat model. That way, you can manage learners hopping on and hop off throughout the year at no extra cost.    

To find out more about OneFile's all-in-one subscription - including what other customers think, how much you might save, and what features are included, download our free guide.