Online or in person, that is the question. In 2025, many companies are still wondering which training model is best for their employees, and in fact, in some areas, face-to-face training is once again gaining ground. Is e-learning better than traditional training?
Making this decision is not only based on modernising and adapting to new technologies, but is also linked to team productivity, resource efficiency, ROI and talent retention.
Stay tuned and keep reading, because this article goes beyond the classic ‘e-learning vs. traditional training’ debate. We will evaluate both formats from a practical perspective, comparing which one offers the best return on investment, what they entail in terms of costs, sustainability and scalability, and how they influence employee motivation and performance so that you can assess which model brings the most value to your company.
Traditional training or e-learning in 2025? The current business dilemma
A few years ago, the pandemic accelerated digital transformation in all areas of business, and training was no exception. Many organisations switched from face-to-face training to e-learning almost out of necessity. Some ended up adopting this change post-pandemic, integrating it into their learning culture, while others have opted to return to the old face-to-face models.
Now, with the landscape more stable and remote models beginning to take root, many companies are once again faced with this dilemma: what type of training is really right for my company at this time?
Currently, e-learning statistics indicate that more than 90% of companies already use some form of online training, both in Europe and the US, representing 70% of the total training market.
This decision to digitise training directly affects the organisation’s costs, productivity and scalability. E-learning saves between 40% and 60% of the time compared to face-to-face training and has a significant impact on knowledge retention.
Furthermore, the return on investment is clear: for every dollar invested, the estimated return is up to 30 dollars (1), with a 218% increase in revenue per employee, 70% of whom believe they learn better online.
Despite these favourable figures, there are still companies that have doubts: is proximity lost when training is digitised? Is it sufficiently adaptable? Can its impact be measured? This is where e-learning platforms such as EvolMind come into play, not only facilitating the transition but also offering scalable, accessible and measurable training tailored to the real needs of each company.
(1) Data in dollars from the EmailVendorSelection study on e-learning statistics.
Comparison of online vs. face-to-face training for companies
Beyond the format, there are other variables to take into account before deciding on online or face-to-face training. Aspects such as the cost per student, the capacity for personalisation, the speed of implementation or the capacity for measurement can make you opt for one type of training or another.
In the following table we summarise the most relevant aspects for a company in 2025, making a comparison between e-learning and face-to-face so that you can assess which is more interesting for your company.
| E-learning | Traditional training | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per learner | ||
| Cost per learner | Low (resource-efficient) | High (facilities, travel) |
| Schedule flexibility | ||
| Schedule flexibility | Very high (on demand) | Low (fixed timetables) |
| Knowledge retention | ||
| Knowledge retention | High (microlearning, review) | Medium (single sessions, less adaptable) |
| Tracking and analytics | ||
| Tracking and analytics | Advanced (dashboards, reports) | Limited (hard to measure) |
| Social interaction | ||
| Social interaction | Medium (forums, tutorials) | High (in-person contact) |
| Implementation speed | ||
| Implementation speed | High (within days) | Slow (requires logistics) |
| Personalisation | ||
| Personalisation | High (learning paths, AI, adaptive) | Low (standardised model) |
| Scalability | ||
| Scalability | Very high (multi-site/global) | Low (limited groups) |
| Sustainability impact | ||
| Sustainability impact | Positive (fewer emissions) | Negative (more resources) |
| Accessibility | ||
| Accessibility | High (from anywhere, inclusive for different abilities) | Limited (requires physical attendance) |
| Learning curve | ||
| Learning curve | Medium (requires platform familiarisation) | Low (well-known format) |
| Content updates | ||
| Content updates | Fast (immediate changes) | Slow (requires re-editing) |
| Return on investment (ROI) | ||
| Return on investment (ROI) | Very high (up to x30 ROI) | Medium (hard to scale) |
What training format will most companies choose in 2025?
The efficiency of e-learning in businesses has led many companies to adopt it as their primary internal training format. More than 40% of Fortune 500 companies use online training as a fundamental part of their business strategy.
Seventy-two per cent of companies that use e-learning consider it to be one of their competitive advantages when it comes to attracting talent. This online format is often used to create well-structured onboarding processes, provide training on new regulations or compliance, develop soft skills such as conflict management, or for specific departmental training, such as tutorials on how to use new software.
These are just a few examples of how companies offer online training to their employees, something that is becoming increasingly widespread in business strategies. It is even estimated that corporate online training will grow by more than 250% by 2026.
Advantages of e-learning in companies, beyond savings
The advantages of e-learning in companies go beyond cost savings and flexibility. Some of its most notable benefits are:
- Personalised learning: allows you to create content tailored to each employee's role, skills, level and pace.
- Performance measurement: facilitates real-time monitoring with clear data on progress, results and engagement, creating dashboards and visual reports.
- Reduced absenteeism: flexible training is better suited to team schedules, increasing attendance by not having a set timetable.
- Improved employer branding: internal training projects an image of a company committed to professional development, which contributes to attracting new employees and retaining talent.
- Greater autonomy and motivation: employees value being able to manage their own training process without having to travel or reschedule their commitments to attend face-to-face training.
- Continuous updating: content can be modified instantly and en masse to reflect new updates or regulatory changes.
In which cases does face-to-face training continue to work best?
Although e-learning is widespread and already part of the current business training landscape, there are situations in which face-to-face training is still more effective.
For example, in roles with high physical interaction, such as machine operators, healthcare or laboratory staff who require a practical and technical component, face-to-face training is necessary in order to have real experiences and direct observation. However, it is true that online education in the metaverse is making it possible to replicate these situations to reinforce learning in realistic virtual environments.
This is also the case for experiential soft skills, such as negotiation, leadership or conflict management, where human contact can make all the difference. These soft skills are often developed through group dynamics such as role-playing, which is more complex to simulate digitally.
In teams that need to reinforce the company culture, especially after major corporate changes such as mergers, management changes or crises, physically bringing employees together can foster a sense of cohesion and belonging.
How to make the right decision for your company?
As you have seen throughout this article, there is no one-size-fits-all formula for all organisations. Rather, choosing the best training method for your company depends on multiple factors, such as your business objectives and the skills you want to develop.
Before transforming your classroom course into an online course and to help you make a more informed decision, we suggest a series of questions you should ask yourself to get a clear picture of what your company and your team really need:
- What is the objective of the training?
- Is your team digitally ready?
- Do you have support to create content or do you need to outsource?
- Do you need to reach multiple locations or sites?
- What level of customisation do you need?
- Do you need to measure results and improve progressively?
- How much time do you have to implement it?
| E-learning | In-person | |
|---|---|---|
| What is the purpose of the training? | ||
| What is the purpose of the training? | Theoretical knowledge, regulations, onboarding, software | Technical skills, soft skills, strengthening culture |
| Is your team digital-ready? | ||
| Is your team digital-ready? | Yes | No |
| Do you have support to create content or do you need to outsource? | ||
| Do you have support to create content or do you need to outsource? | Yes | No |
| Do you need to reach multiple locations or branches? | ||
| Do you need to reach multiple locations or branches? | Yes | No |
| What level of personalisation do you require? | ||
| What level of personalisation do you require? | High | Low |
| Does the training include a practical or physical component? | ||
| Does the training include a practical or physical component? | No | Yes |
| Do you need to measure results and improve progressively? | ||
| Do you need to measure results and improve progressively? | Yes | No |
| How much time do you have to implement it? | ||
| How much time do you have to implement it? | Short timeframe | Longer timeframe |
evolCampus: a platform that combines the best of both worlds
To successfully manage training in organisations, it is essential to choose the right e-learning platform. evolCampus is a flexible solution that enables blended learning, combining all the advantages of e-learning with the proximity and dynamism of face-to-face learning.
In this sense, evolCampus can help you create the ideal training for your company thanks to its ease of use and quick implementation, allowing you to launch internal training in record time, and its transparent and adaptable pricing model.
It is a highly customisable platform that can be tailored to each company’s identity. In addition, data security is guaranteed through automatic cloud backups and a specialised technical support team.
evolCampus is an all-in-one LMS, including everything from content creation and assessments to communication through forums and the delivery of certificates. It also provides metrics and performance analysis for employees and integrates easily with other systems and applications in your company.
See how evolCampus works
Creating an online course with evolCampusis very easy and requires no technical knowledge. It is simple to use: you can create a course from scratch or upload your content in SCORM format, organising it into lessons or modules and customising the interface.
You can segment by department or role, and each employee will have their own profile, allowing them to access the course at their convenience and track their progress. Additionally, you can schedule live sessions, activate forums, and add resources such as assessments or surveys.
The department responsible for training will have access to a control panel, where they can view dashboards and detailed reports on training.
Frequently asked questions about e-learning and traditional training
Is e-learning more expensive than classroom training?
No. E-learning is usually more economical in the medium and long term, as it reduces travel and material costs. However, the costs of e-learning compared to classroom training depend on the type of training, the number of students and the technology used.
How is the ROI of online business training measured?
The ROI of online business training is measured by comparing the investment made with the increase in productivity and team performance, talent retention and employee motivation, which has a direct impact on the company’s profits.
What if my team has no experience with digital tools?
If you choose the right tool, there’s no problem. E-learning has helped to bridge the digital divide in many cases, with intuitive, easy-to-use platforms, even for users with no technical experience. In addition, most include support for any technical issues.