Quick comparison
| Format | Tracking | Best for | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCORM 1.2 | Completion, score, location, interactions | Maximum LMS compatibility | Corporate LMS, older platforms |
| SCORM 2004 | Richer status, sequencing, navigation | LMSs with SCORM 2004 support | Structured curricula, prerequisites |
| AICC | Legacy HACP tracking | Older AICC-only LMSs | Aviation and legacy enterprise |
| xAPI | Statements to an LRS | Tracking beyond a single LMS | Learning ecosystems, analytics |
| cmi5 | xAPI + LMS launch and assignment rules | Modern LMSs that support cmi5 | Standards-based modern deployments |
| Web | None by default | Standalone hosting | Websites, intranets, demos |
SCORM 1.2: the safe default
SCORM 1.2 is old, but it is still the most widely supported e-learning package format. Most LMSs can import it, and the tracking model covers completion, score, lesson location, and interactions. If you do not have a specific reason to choose something else, start here.
Its limitations are real: the specification is dated, sequencing is limited, and some modern reporting needs cannot be expressed cleanly. For a straightforward course with completion and a quiz score, it is usually enough.
SCORM 2004: more control, more configuration
SCORM 2004 adds a richer data model, sequencing and navigation rules, and more detailed status reporting. It is common in corporate LMSs that need prerequisites, structured curricula, or more control over how learners move through content.
The catch is compatibility. SCORM 2004 has editions (3rd and 4th are common), and LMS implementations vary. Test the exact package in the exact LMS before a rollout.
AICC: legacy, but still requested
AICC predates SCORM. It uses HTTP-based communication (HACP) and appears in older enterprise and aviation LMSs. If your LMS only accepts AICC, you need an AICC package, not a SCORM package with a different file extension.
SCORM Craft can export AICC from a supported course package, but the LMS configuration still matters. Confirm the launch URL and communication endpoint with the LMS administrator.
xAPI: tracking beyond the LMS
xAPI (Experience API, formerly Tin Can) sends statements such as “learner completed activity” to a Learning Record Store (LRS). It is a good fit when you need tracking across multiple systems, offline experiences, or analytics outside a traditional LMS.
xAPI is not a drop-in replacement for SCORM in every LMS. Some LMSs support xAPI packages; others only ingest statements through an LRS. Confirm the launch and reporting path before you promise xAPI reporting.
cmi5: xAPI with LMS launch rules
cmi5 combines xAPI statements with a defined LMS launch and assignment model. It is designed for modern LMSs that want the flexibility of xAPI without inventing their own launch contract.
Support is growing but not universal. If your LMS lists cmi5 support, it can be a clean modern choice. If it does not, SCORM 1.2 or SCORM 2004 is usually the safer path.
Web: no LMS, no tracking
A standalone web build is the simplest delivery: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and assets that run in a browser. It is ideal for a website, an intranet, a demo, or a course that does not need LMS reporting.
If you need completion, scores, or learner records, choose a tracked format instead. “Web” is a delivery format, not a tracking standard.
How to choose
- Ask the LMS which formats it officially supports.
- If SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004 are both supported, test SCORM 1.2 first.
- Choose SCORM 2004 if you need sequencing, prerequisites, or richer status reporting.
- Choose xAPI only if you have an LRS and a reporting plan.
- Choose cmi5 only if the LMS explicitly supports it.
- Choose Web only when tracking is not required.
SCORM Craft can produce all six outputs from a supported course package, so you can test the same content in more than one format if the LMS team is unsure.
Frequently asked questions
Which SCORM format is most compatible?
SCORM 1.2 is still the most widely supported package format. SCORM 2004 is common in corporate LMSs but implementations vary by edition and vendor.
Is xAPI better than SCORM?
It depends on the requirement. xAPI is more flexible for tracking across systems, but it needs an LRS and a reporting plan. SCORM is simpler when the LMS is the system of record.
Does SCORM Craft export all formats?
For supported course packages, SCORM Craft can export SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004, AICC, xAPI, cmi5, and Web.
Can I switch formats later?
Yes. Keep the source ZIP and rebuild it in the format your LMS needs. You do not have to recreate the course.