Excel or a shared spreadsheet may be enough when
A small team with one clear owner, a modest number of requirements and a simple review routine.
Buying guide
How to choose the best training compliance software in the UK
This guide compares four common ways to manage staff training compliance. It is published by SkillProof, so the selection criteria, product fit and limitations are stated plainly.
Quick answer
Choose an LMS when course delivery is the main job. A well-controlled spreadsheet can still suit a small, simple process. Choose dedicated training compliance software when requirements, external completions, evidence, renewals, reminders and reports need to stay connected.
14-day free trial. No card required. View pricing
Define the job before comparing products
Define the job first
- Decide whether you need to deliver courses, maintain the compliance record, or do both through connected systems.
- List the staff groups, roles, sites and departments that change which requirements apply.
- Check whether certificates and other evidence stay linked to the person, requirement, review status and renewal date.
- Confirm permissions, reporting, export, retention and supplier-assurance needs before looking at feature volume.
Where SkillProof fits
- Use SkillProof when the main problem is keeping training requirements, records, evidence and renewals current across the training routes your organisation uses.
- Core training records, the Training Matrix, evidence, reports, exports and standard automated training reminders start on Starter. Policies, advanced reminder controls, professional registrations and Audit Packs start on Growth.
- Use a specialist content-heavy LMS alongside SkillProof when a broad catalogue or learning ecosystem outside SkillProof's scope is essential. SkillProof still provides governed internal Learning and the wider compliance record.
Four approaches compared
The comparison uses four criteria that matter once a simple completion list is no longer enough.
| Approach | Useful for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Excel or a shared spreadsheetManual record | A small team with one clear owner, a modest number of requirements and a simple review routine. | Evidence links, reminder rules, access control and an audit history usually need extra manual design and upkeep. |
| Learning management system (LMS)Course delivery | Delivering e-learning, managing learner progress and recording completion against course criteria. | External training, certificates, policies, professional registrations and wider evidence may still sit elsewhere. |
| HR or workforce suiteBroader workforce | Organisations that want training records inside a wider HR, payroll or workforce-management platform. | Check the depth of evidence review, role-based requirements, renewal workflow and compliance reporting rather than assuming the suite covers them. |
 SkillProofRecords and evidence | Connecting training requirements, internal and external completions, evidence, renewals, policies and reports around the staff record. | SkillProof includes a governed LMS for creating, assigning, completing and reviewing internal learning alongside workforce compliance records. Your team must still define requirements, maintain dates and review the evidence. It is not an accredited training provider, an included course marketplace or a universal content-led LMS. |
- Excel or a shared spreadsheetManual record
- Useful for
- A small team with one clear owner, a modest number of requirements and a simple review routine.
- Watch out for
- Evidence links, reminder rules, access control and an audit history usually need extra manual design and upkeep.
- Learning management system (LMS)Course delivery
- Useful for
- Delivering e-learning, managing learner progress and recording completion against course criteria.
- Watch out for
- External training, certificates, policies, professional registrations and wider evidence may still sit elsewhere.
- HR or workforce suiteBroader workforce
- Useful for
- Organisations that want training records inside a wider HR, payroll or workforce-management platform.
- Watch out for
- Check the depth of evidence review, role-based requirements, renewal workflow and compliance reporting rather than assuming the suite covers them.
- SkillProofRecords and evidence
- Useful for
- Connecting training requirements, internal and external completions, evidence, renewals, policies and reports around the staff record.
- Watch out for
- SkillProof includes a governed LMS for creating, assigning, completing and reviewing internal learning alongside workforce compliance records. Your team must still define requirements, maintain dates and review the evidence. It is not an accredited training provider, an included course marketplace or a universal content-led LMS.
How this guide compares the options. SkillProof publishes this guide and appears in the comparison. The aim is to show where each approach fits, including when SkillProof is not the right choice.
Choose the approach that fits the work.
SkillProof becomes useful when
Connecting training requirements, internal and external completions, evidence, renewals, policies and reports around the staff record.
Check before buying
Confirm who owns the record, how evidence is reviewed, what managers can see and which reports can be exported.
Questions people ask
Straight answers about the record, the evidence and where SkillProof fits.
Still tracking training in a spreadsheet?
Send us your training matrix and we will show what reminders could be automated.
Book a demoWhat should training compliance software include?
The right scope depends on your organisation. Common requirements include Training by role, completion history, evidence, renewal dates, reminders, manager views, permissions, reporting and audit-ready exports.
What should mandatory training tracking software show?
It should show which requirements apply to each staff group, what is complete, what evidence supports the record, what is due soon or overdue and who needs to follow up. The organisation must still define which training is mandatory.
When is a spreadsheet enough for training compliance?
A spreadsheet can be enough for a small team with simple requirements, one clear owner and a dependable review process. Reassess when evidence, renewals, several editors, manager access or repeated reporting make the workbook difficult to control.
Should we choose an LMS or training compliance records software?
Choose an LMS when you need to deliver and track learning content. Choose records software when you need to connect internal and external completions, evidence, renewals, policies or professional records. Some organisations need both.
Where does SkillProof fit?
SkillProof is a UK staff training and compliance platform for organisations moving beyond spreadsheets that need requirements, evidence, renewals, follow-up and reports in one place. It does not provide an accredited content library.
Helpful next pages
Compare plans, see the workflow or read the next guide.
Try SkillProof with your workflow in mind.
Start a free trial with fake or test data first, or book a demo if you want help mapping your training, evidence and reporting process.
14-day free trial. No card required.