SCORM vs. xAPI: Which eLearning Standard is Right for Your LMS?

Twenty years ago, learning management systems (LMSs) had few features, and nowadays they are very complex. However, the standards that allow learning content to communicate with the LMS haven’t changed much. SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) is the standard developed in the early 2000s for packaging and tracking online courses.

For the last two decades, SCORM has been the reigning standard for eLearning. It enabled courses to be moved from one LMS platform to another and provided basic tracking of learner progress and performance.

However, modern learning has moved beyond traditional online courses. Today, organizations understand that learning occurs everywhere—not only in the classroom, but also on mobile devices, through social collaboration, during work activities, and through informal learning experiences. xAPI (Experience API), also known as the Tin Can API, emerged from changing learning requirements.

In 2026, companies will have to make a serious choice whether to stay with SCORM, shift to xAPI, or continue supporting both standards. This in-depth guide thoroughly examines SCORM and xAPI, comparing them. It helps organizations understand the pros and cons of the two standards and choose the one that best aligns with their learning goals and the company’s strategy.

Key Takeaways

1. SCORM and xAPI are the major eLearning standards that have their own strengths and use cases. SCORM is good for traditional online courses, while xAPI is best for learning content across multiple environments.
2. SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) is the eLearning standard that has been dominating the market for more than 20 years. It provides solid course packaging and tracking for traditional web-based learning environments.
3. xAPI (Experience API), also known as the Tin Can API, is the next generation of learning standards. It allows detailed recording of learning activities beyond courses across multiple platforms, devices, and contexts.
4. The decision to go with SCORM or xAPI should be based on a company’s learning goals, current infrastructure, technical skills, and the vision of the learning strategy.
5. Leading LMSs like Coggno support SCORM and xAPI, enabling companies to leverage the benefits of both standards while maintaining the option to advance in the future.

Quick Comparison: SCORM vs. xAPI

Understanding SCORM: The Established Standard

What is SCORM?

SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) is essentially a set of technical protocols that enable eLearning materials to be compatible with and thus interact with LMS platforms. In essence, SCORM describes three aspects of eLearning content: how it should be packaged, how it should interact with LMS systems, and which learner information should be gathered and reported. The Department of Defense’s Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) initiative introduced SCORM, and since then, it has been the flagship eLearning standard for over twenty years.

How SCORM Works

The SCORM course is a ZIP file containing the course content, metadata, and a manifest file that describes the course structure. When a learner accesses a SCORM course in an LMS, the SCORM course interacts with the LMS via JavaScript API calls, sending information about the learner’s progress, quiz results, and completion status to the LMS, which stores it in its database.

SCORM Versions

SCORM 1.2 is the very first edition, launched back in 2001. Even though it is an outdated standard, SCORM 1.2 is still extensively used due to its ease of use and compatibility with a wide range of devices.

In 2004, SCORM 2004 was launched, introducing new features such as sequencing and navigation functions, an enhanced data model, and improved error handling. Until now, SCORM 2004 has been the most widely used version.

Strengths of SCORM

1. Established Standard: SCORM is the most widely adopted eLearning standard, with extensive tool support and widespread industry knowledge.
2. Simplicity: SCORM is relatively straightforward to implement, requiring no complex infrastructure or specialized expertise.
3. Broad Compatibility: Nearly all LMS platforms support SCORM, enabling course portability across systems.
4. Proven Reliability: SCORM has been tested and refined over the past two decades, ensuring reliable course packaging and tracking.
5. Extensive Tool Support: Numerous authoring tools, course development platforms, and content repositories support SCORM.
6. Cost-Effective: SCORM implementation is generally less expensive than xAPI, requiring no specialized infrastructure or expertise.

Limitations of SCORM

1. Course-Centric: SCORM only monitors formal online courses. and thus, it does not identify informal, mobile, or social learning experiences.
2. Limited Data Capture: SCORM only captures basic data, such as completion, scores, and time. It misses detailed information about the learning experiences.
3. LMS, Bound: SCORM requires learners to subscribe to courses through an LMS, which therefore restricts use across devices and mobile access.
4. Poor Mobile Support: SCORM was designed for desktop browsers, so it is quite inconvenient to use on mobile devices.
5. Limited Offline Capability: SCORM courses require internet connectivity at all times; offline learning is limited.
6. Sequencing Limitations: SCORM’s sequencing capabilities are very limited, which constrains course design.
7. Legacy Standard: SCORM development has largely stalled, with few innovations or improvements.

Understanding xAPI: The Next-Generation Standard

What is xAPI?

xAPI (Experience API), also known as the Tin Can API, is a next-generation learning specification that enables the tracking of learning experiences across platforms and devices. Unlike SCORM, which is course-focused and LMS-centric, xAPI enables tracking of learning experiences across formal courses, informal learning, social collaboration, mobile learning, and real-world experiences.

How xAPI Works

Just like every learning experience can be described in this way, xAPI’s simple statement structure allows for the representation of any learning experience as an “actor” (entity), “activity” (process/behavior), and “result” (outcome) by combining all three components together. For example, “John has completed a safety training course and scored 85%.”Once created, these statements are sent to a Learning Record Store (LRS), which serves as the central repository for all learning experience data. An LRS can operate independently of an LMS, although it can exist as a component of an LMS as well.

xAPI Architecture

xAPI architecture consists of three primary components:

1. Learning Activities: Any learning event can produce xAPI statements, including courses, simulations, games, videos, real-world activities, and social collaborations. 
2. Learning Record Store (LRS): A single database where xAPI statements from various learning activities and systems are sent and stored.
3. Analytics and Reporting: Tools that retrieve the learning data stored in LRS for analysis, report generation, and insights on learning experiences.

Strengths of xAPI

1. xAPI (Experience API), also known as the Tin Can API, is primarily designed to track learning experiences of all types, including informal learning. This means that organizations can capture all facets of employee learning, rather than just the formal online course that their employee has just completed.
2. How does xAPI work? xAPI collects rich data about every learning experience and provides organizations with powerful analytics and insights into employees’ learning.
3. xAPI can track employees’ learning across different platforms, devices, and systems, supporting modern distributed learning.
4. xAPI is mobile-friendly, allowing organizations to use it for mobile learning and training remote employees.
5. xAPI can be used to generate statements even when not connected to the Internet and can be synchronized with your systems once they are back online.
6. Adaptive Building Design: Companies can construct learning programs differently, thanks to xAPI’s adaptable structure.
7. Continuously Progressing: xAPI is always evolving; it has active growth driven by real-world product usage and business collaborations, thereby making it future-proof.
8. Cross-Platform Communication: Share information across different system solutions via xAPI, enabling a fully integrated learning environment.

Limitations of xAPI

1. Implementation: xAPI is more complex to implement than SCORM because it requires specific learning system techniques/infrastructure.
2. Infrastructure Requirements: A learning record store (that stores all the information) is required to support xAPI.
3. Emerging Standard: xAPI is emerging as a new standard of learning systems (but is not widely used, and not as many tools are available).
4. Expertise Requirements: Implementing xAPI will require expertise in learning analytics/data management.
5. Data Privacy / Security Concerns: Learning records will be stored centrally in the learning record store, with implications for data privacy/security.
6. Learning Curve: Businesses new to xAPI may find it difficult to understand what xAPI is/implement it.

SCORM vs. xAPI: Detailed Comparison

Learning Tracking Philosophy

SCORM uses a course-based model, tracking fully developed online courses and whether learners completed them. It provides a definitive response to the question, “Has a learner done something towards completing a course?”

XAPI uses an experience-based model, tracking all a learner’s experiences, whether developed and delivered through traditional online courseware, as well as the results of those experiences. XAPI provides a definitive response to the question, “What kinds of experiences did a learner have, and what were the results of those experiences?”

Data Captured

SCORM records basic information:

• Course completion status
• Quiz scores
• Time spent in the course
• Learner interactions (limited)

xAPI records detailed information:

• Any type of learning activity (formal, informal, social)
• Learner interactions
• Contextual data about learning experiences
• Performance data in multiple dimensions
• Real-world task performance

Platform Scope

SCORM is LMS-dependent, meaning learners must access courses through an LMS. SCORM courses cannot track learning experiences outside the LMS.

xAPI is platform-independent, enabling the tracking of learning experiences across multiple systems, devices, and platforms. xAPI can track learning experiences across mobile applications, simulations, games, social media sites, and the real world.

Mobile and Offline Support

SCORM is not very mobile-friendly and requires a constant internet connection. SCORM courses are not very effective on mobile devices and cannot be accessed offline.

xAPI is mobile-friendly and supports offline learning. xAPI statements can be created offline and synchronized when the internet connection is restored. This is very useful for mobile or field teams.

Implementation Complexity

SCORM is quite easy to implement, and one only needs basic JavaScript knowledge. Most LMS systems support SCORM.

xAPI is more complex to implement, requiring Learning Record Store configuration, statement development, and integration with analytics systems. xAPI implementation requires advanced knowledge.

Cost

SCORM is relatively less costly to implement, as it does not require any specific infrastructure or expertise. Most LMS solutions support SCORM, and this is usually free.

xAPI is usually more costly to implement, as it requires Learning Record Store infrastructure, expertise, and analytics.

Future Viability

SCORM is a mature, stable specification with limited ongoing development. SCORM will probably be supported forever because it has been widely adopted, but there is little innovation happening here.

xAPI is a living specification that is under ongoing development. xAPI is constantly adding functionality and gaining adoption, making it the future of learning experience tracking.

Choosing Between SCORM and xAPI

When to Use SCORM

When your organization implements learning via SCORM, then the organization should always continue to implement SCORM as follows;

1. Standard Online Learning Delivery: Online learning is primarily delivered through standard online courses (including eLearning courses) via a Learning Management System (LMS).
2. Existing SCORM Infrastructure: The organisation has an established SCORM-based infrastructure and/or course library for SCORM-based learning.
3. Basic Needs for Tracking: The organisation is primarily interested in tracking only course completion and basic performance metrics.
4. Limited Financial Resources: The organisation has limited funds to invest in learning technology infrastructure.
5. Wide Compatibility with LMS: The organisation requires assurance that SCORM will operate successfully across a range of LMS environments.
6. Limitations of Legacy Systems: The organisation has legacy systems that only support SCORM.

When to Use xAPI

The xAPI should be implemented at the organizational level when the organization wishes to accomplish the following:

1. Tracking all learning experiences through an integrated approach, not just formal classroom-based courses
2. To accommodate large numbers of employees who are required to learn or access information on mobile devices, or who are working out in the field
3. To keep track of social collaborative learning and informal learning that occurs between employees
4. To have high-level analytical capabilities/insight into employee learning behaviours
5. To allow for the integration of all forms of employee learning into a single database.
6. To develop a strategy that accommodates changes in technology and the number of employees studying on various learning platforms
7. To have an offline capability while learning

Hybrid Approach: Supporting Both Standards

Many contemporary organizations follow a hybrid model, supporting both SCORM and xAPI:

1. Gradual Migration: Organizations continue to support SCORM for their existing courses while migrating to xAPI for their new learning offerings.
2. Complementary Use: Organizations use SCORM for their conventional online courses and xAPI for their informal learning, mobile learning, and advanced analytics.
3. Integration: Organizations develop Learning Record Stores that can accept data from both SCORM courses and xAPI-supported learning experiences.
4. Future Flexibility: Organizations retain the flexibility to modify their learning technology strategy as their needs change.

How Coggno Supports Both SCORM and xAPI

Coggno is a contemporary LMS solution that understands the value of both SCORM and xAPI and supports them, allowing the organization to capitalize on their benefits.

Coggno’s SCORM Support

Coggno allows organizations to seamlessly integrate SCORM courses. Companies can:

• Upload SCORM courses into their existing system from a variety of sources, including other eLearning systems, in order to track learners’ progress and completion.
• Monitor learners’ performance across all SCORM courses, including completion status, scores, and store course usage records to keep track of an organization’s training history.
• Ensure continued compatibility with previously established SCORM courses and existing libraries of SCORM-based content.
• Manage SCORM Courses and SCORM course and content metadata, including versioning and updates to SCORM courses and content.

Coggno’s xAPI Support

Coggno offers a comprehensive set of xAPI capabilities. Coggno offers organizations the functionality to:

• Receive xAPI Statements: Capture xAPI statements from various learning activities and associated systems.
• Integrate with Learning Record Store: Provide a single place for all learning experience data.
• Track Multi-Platform Learning: Track your learning experience from all platforms and devices. and systems.
• Advanced Analytics: Use xAPI data to obtain advanced reports and analytics about your training needs and performance
• Mobile Learning: Provide for mobile learning opportunities and offline access with automatic sync.

Coggno’s Hybrid Approach

The “Coggno Hybrid Model” allows companies to use a combination of traditional SCORM (e.g., older course content) and xAPI (the new standard) during their transition to the newer model.

1. Gradually migrate SCORM-based courses while continuing to be able to create new learning content using xAPI.
2. Use SCORM for traditional learning delivered through online courses, and xAPI to support new forms of learning, such as informal and mobile learning, as well as to enhance tracking and reporting through advanced analytics.
3. Use both SCROM and xAPI data together through an integration to provide comprehensive learning analytics.
4. Develop a strategy to enable the evolution of your learning technologies based on your organization’s needs.

Coggno’s Strategic Advantages

The fact that Coggno supports both SCORM and xAPI offers the following strategic benefits:

1. No Forced Migration: Organizations can use SCORM and simultaneously investigate xAPI without any forced migration.
2. Flexibility: Organizations can select the standard that best suits a given learning experience, thereby optimizing for that scenario.
3. Future-Ready: Coggno’s readiness to support both standards means organizations are future-ready and ready to adapt to the evolution of learning technology.
4. Comprehensive Learning Analytics: Coggno enables organizations to leverage both SCORM and xAPI for comprehensive learning analytics.
5. Lower Risk of Obsolescence: Coggno’s readiness to support both standards means organizations are less vulnerable to learning technology obsolescence.

FAQ

Is It Possible to Use SCORM and xAPI Together Within an LMS?

Yes, many modern learning management systems (LMS), including Coggno, support both SCORM and xAPI simultaneously. This allows organizations to use each standard where it fits best.

SCORM is typically used for structured, course-based training, while xAPI is better suited for tracking informal learning, mobile activities, and real-world performance. Using both together provides a more complete view of learner activity.

Is xAPI Replacing SCORM?

No, xAPI is not replacing SCORM—it complements it. SCORM remains widely used for traditional eLearning courses, while xAPI expands tracking capabilities beyond the LMS.

Most organizations adopt a hybrid approach, continuing to use SCORM for formal training while leveraging xAPI for more advanced, experience-based learning analytics.

What Is the Cost Difference Between SCORM and xAPI?

SCORM is generally less expensive to implement because it does not require additional infrastructure and is widely supported across LMS platforms.

xAPI, on the other hand, may involve higher costs due to the need for a Learning Record Store (LRS) and more specialized technical expertise. However, some platforms, such as Coggno, help reduce complexity and cost by offering built-in support for both standards.

How Long Will SCORM Continue to Be Supported?

SCORM is expected to remain supported for the foreseeable future due to its widespread adoption and the large volume of existing course content built on the standard.

However, active development of SCORM has slowed, while xAPI continues to evolve. As a result, xAPI is increasingly seen as the future of eLearning, especially for organizations seeking more flexible and detailed learning analytics.

Implementation Best Practices

For SCORM Implementation

1. SCORM Compliance Validation: Verify the courses’ SCORM compliance before importing them into your LMS.
2. Testing: Test the SCORM courses on your LMS before deploying them to your learners.
3. Tracking: Track SCORM performance to ensure data is recorded correctly.
4. Migration Strategy: Develop a migration plan to migrate SCORM courses to xAPI based on organizational needs.

For xAPI Implementation

1. Learning Objectives Definition: Learning experiences to be tracked via xAPI must be defined.
2. Designing xAPI Statements: Design xAPI statements that track important learning data.
3. Learning Record Store Implementation: Implement a Learning Record Store infrastructure to store xAPI data.
4. Development of Analytics: Develop analytics to leverage xAPI data for organizational insights.
5. Data Privacy Implementation: Implement data privacy and security to ensure learning data is secure.

Call to Action

Choosing between SCORM and xAPI isn’t a binary decision; instead, it involves considering your organization’s learning goals and objectives, the technology currently in use, and any future plans for learning technology integration. SCORM works very well delivering traditional online courses; however, xAPI is where future tracking of learning experiences will move into a more contemporary design across multiple contexts and platforms.

To future-proof their learning tech infrastructure, organizations should implement a hybrid SCORM and xAPI model to support their current workflows and progressively migrate to an xAPI platform as new learning opportunities arise. Coggno provides organizations with a single platform for both standards, enabling seamless integration while giving them the flexibility to adapt to changes and reducing potential risk.

For organizations looking to establish eLearning standards or modernize their current infrastructure, Coggno has the capabilities, support, and experience to help them make informed decisions on SCORM, xAPI, and their overall learning technology strategy.

Ready to future-proof your learning technology? Explore Coggno’s comprehensive support for both SCORM and xAPI at https://www.coggno.com.

References

1. Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL). “SCORM Standards and Specifications.” 
2. Rustici Software. “xAPI (Experience API) Documentation and Resources.” 
3. eLearning Industry. “SCORM vs. xAPI: Comparison and Future Trends.” 
4. Training Industry. “eLearning Standards Guide.” 
5. Coggno. “SCORM and xAPI Support in Coggno LMS.” 
6. Learning Technology Standards Committee. “eLearning Standards Overview.” 
7. Tin Can API Community. “xAPI Community Resources.” 

This in-depth resource has been developed to help learning and development professionals, instructional designers, and organizational leaders better understand the SCORM and xAPI standards, assess their organizational needs, and make informed decisions about learning technology infrastructure that meets today’s needs and tomorrow’s evolution.