In the L&D industry, SCORM and xAPI are the two technical eLearning standards that are essential for ensuring interoperability and content effectiveness. However, when it comes to choosing the right standard for your business, you should consider which is the best option for your eLearning content.

Whether you’re in need of a practical solution that enables seamless delivery of content or a deeper dive into the impact of learning experiences through performance data, it’s important to differentiate between xAPI and SCORM and what each standard can offer.

Our blog article breaks down the key differences between SCORM and xAPI to help you decide when to use each one. If you’re looking for an efficient way to create eLearning content compatible with both standards, keep reading to find the ideal solution for your business.

An Overview of the SCORM Standard

SCORM stands for (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) and it is one of the oldest and most widely used standards in the eLearning industry. Developed in 2000 by the U.S. Department of Defence, it has become a universal format for packaging learning content that can run on various LMS platforms.

Although there are some limitations when comparing SCORM with xAPI, there are some strengths to the SCORM standard that might be the perfect fit for your business.

Key Features of SCORM

• Practical Solution: Allows courses to run on any SCORM-compatible LMS, facilitating content sharing across platforms.
• Basic Tracking: SCORM can track essential information such as scores, time spent on lessons, and course completion.
• Universal Compatibility: As SCORM is a recognised standard for eLearning, it works in unison with many LMSs and authoring tools, making it a safe choice for traditional eLearning projects.

The xAPI Standard

xAPI (also known as known as Tin Can or Experience API) is an evolution of the SCORM standard. Launched in 2013, it offers far greater flexibility and tracking capabilities than SCORM. The main difference between xAPI and SCORM is that xAPI enables the tracking of a wide range of learning activities, both online and offline.

Whereas SCORM provides high-level data on scores and completion rates in the LMS, xAPI offers better granularity, allowing for improved data segmentation based on various characteristics. This includes elements such as performed actions and behaviours during learning, the type of resources accessed by learners and detailed time tracking on module activities or courses.

The wider scope of data tracking data you can leverage through xAPI helps you to gain greater learning insights. This provides L&D leaders the opportunity to personalise learning programs based on the interactions of users and their performance to elevate learning experiences and enhance outcomes.

Key Features of xAPI

• Advanced Tracking: xAPI can track virtually any type of learning activity, including mobile app usage, simulations, social learning, and offline interactions.
• Flexibility: It does not rely on an LMS to function. xAPI collects data from multiple sources and sends it to an LRS (Learning Record Store), which can be integrated with or separate from the LMS.
• Improved Analytics: It captures data from diverse learning experiences, providing deeper insights into user progress and behaviour.
• Interoperability: While not as widely supported as SCORM yet, xAPI is quickly gaining traction, and many modern LMS now accept it.
• Scalability: The xAPI framework can adapt to changing requirements as you scale, handling large quantities of data and centralising all your information. xAPI enables growth as your eLearning offering expands.

What Are the Key Differences Between SCORM and xAPI?

Tracking learning experiences effectively is arguably one of the biggest parameters for choosing which standard will is best tailored to your business needs. To help you understand the different features between SCORM and Tin Can API, we’ve compiled a list of features and capabilities for each standard.

Feature	SCORM	xAPI
LMS Tools	Compatible with most LMSs	Requires an LRS for tracking to store and retrieve xAPI statements
Data Tracking	Basic functionality that captures course completion	Advanced tracking data that provides insights for different learning experiences such as online, offline, interactive, blended and adaptive learning pathways
Flexibility	Limited to LMS	Flexible, tracks anywhere
Compatibility	Widely compatible	Growing compatibility
Implementation	Ideal for classic eLearning courses	Perfect for modern learning ecosystems
Social Learning	Limited support – some functionality to integrate with chats or forums	Fully supports in-depth capture of social learning interactions both online and offline
Assessment	Captures completion scores and answers provided	Recording of individual question responses, scores and time taken to answer
Time Tracking	Records time spent on modules or courses	Detailed tracking of granular time tracking spent on the individual activities

When to Choose SCORM?

SCORM remains a solid option for many eLearning projects, especially when:

• You need to create classic courses hosted on traditional LMS platforms.
• Advanced tracking of activities outside the LMS is not required.
• Simplicity and standardisation are more important than customisation.

When to Choose xAPI?

xAPI is ideal for situations requiring more flexibility and detailed learning tracking. Consider using xAPI when:

• You work with multiple learning environments (e.g., mobile apps, simulations, or real-world experiences).
• You want to capture a broader range of data, such as social interactions or offline learning.
• You need in-depth analysis of how users interact with materials and which activities contribute most to learning.

What If You Need Both?

In many cases, a combination of SCORM and xAPI can be the most effective solution. SCORM can still be useful for more traditional eLearning content, while xAPI can be integrated to track activities outside the LMS or on more modern platforms.

This combination allows businesses to leverage the best of both standards and adapt to different training methods.

Authoring Tools That Support SCORM and xAPI

When choosing an to create eLearning content, it’s essential that it supports both SCORM and xAPI to ensure project flexibility and compatibility with your LMS.

Author, our eLearning content creation tool, supports both standards, enabling you to create highly interactive courses compatible with a wide range of systems. Whether you’re looking to create a classic SCORM course or explore the potential of modern learning with xAPI, Author offers all the options you need to design a tailored e-learning experience for your business.

Can SCORM and xAPI be used in the same course?

Many authoring tools and LMS platforms like Netex Learning Cloud are compatible with SCORM and xAPI. This makes it easier to manage and analyse user performance, facilitating the transition between the two standards and enabling you to leverage the benefits of each.

Explore Our Compatible Learning Tools at Netex

Both SCORM and xAPI have their strengths, and the choice between them will depend on your specific needs. SCORM is a reliable and straightforward option for traditional e-learning projects, while xAPI is ideal for more complex and distributed learning environments.

If you’re looking for a solution that combines stability and flexibility, try Author and Netex Learning Cloud to create content that maximises your impact in eLearning. We also have Share – our social learning platform that allows you to create and share playlists containing helpful training resources.

Ready to improve your e-learning projects? Request a demo of Author or Learning Cloud and discover how you can implement SCORM and xAPI in your corporate training.