About Niche Academy

Niche Academy is a comprehensive learning, training, and development platform designed to assist mission-driven organizations in achieving their training goals. It serves a variety of sectors, including public libraries, academic libraries, municipalities, and direct care providers. With Niche Academy, organizations can access a turnkey learning solution that includes ready-to-use tutorials and a powerful platform for delivering training and tracking progress. The platform offers a range of features, including a tutorials marketplace, custom tutorials creation, reports, and integrations. For public libraries, Niche Academy provides essential skills training for both staff and patrons, leading to increased usage of electronic resources, improved customer service, and higher participation in library programs. Academic libraries benefit from high-impact tools designed to enhance teaching information literacy and research skills. The platform enables measurable impact on student success, more opportunities for info-lit instruction, and stronger faculty relationships.
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Niche Academy pricing

Niche Academy does not have a free version but does offer a free trial.

Starting Price:
Not provided by vendor
Free Version:
No
Free trial:
Yes

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Niche Academy Reviews

Overall rating

4.5
Write a Review!

Feature rating

Value for Money
4.5
Functionality
4.5
Ease of Use
4.5
Customer Support
4.7
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All Niche Academy Reviews

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78 reviews
Jessica
Jessica
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 51–200 Employees
  • Used Daily for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5.0
Reviewed on 13/01/2023

One of the best LMS platforms I've ever used in L&D!

I really love Niche Academy and the ability to create categories and learning pathways. I am one trainer in an organization of 200 employees so I could not provide the same amount or level of training and development without Niche.

Pros

I love that there is an option to build our own modules, access free ones from the marketplace, and the customer support is amazing! It easily tracks who has begun and completed trainings and provides great reporting.

Cons

It is hard to tell where information comes from, some of our users prefer cited sources.

Kristi
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 201–500 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
0
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
0

5.0
Reviewed on 14/04/2023

Great learning platform

Pros

It is easy to found courses. great selection

Cons

There needs to be a feature that allows you to bookmark courses that you want to see at a later time. Have a watch later playlist.

Myrna
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
1
Features
3
Ease of Use
3
Customer Support
0

3.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

Niche Academy

I have been trained twice but I do not how to use it properly. I am not getting any traffic. I am about to consider discontinuing it.

Pros

I have nothing I like about the product at this point.

Cons

I have nothing I like or dislike about the product.

Janelle
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 51–200 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
2
Ease of Use
2
Customer Support
5

4.0
Reviewed on 18/01/2023

Useful for Libraries but Interface Needs Updating

Their customer service was excellent. The trainings are beneficial, covering many important aspects of librarianship. However, the interface has an outdated feel, and some functions could be designed better.

Pros

It was geared towards training LIBRARY staff, it was relatively easy to use, and it allowed access to [SENSITIVE CONTENT] Homeless Library trainings.

Cons

The interface feels a bit clunky and outdated. It feels like it needs a facelift, and it seems like it could have greater functionality. It is also very easy for staff using shared computers to be automatically logged in under a previous user, which created a lot of problems during initial setup/training.

Heather
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Weekly for 1-5 months
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
5
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
5

4.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

Staff and Patron Training Database

So far we have had a very positive experience with Niche Academy and look forward to utilizing it better and promoting it more widely to our patrons in the coming year. We have had low usage rates but this is mostly due to the fact that we have only purchased it in the past several months and have not yet had time to launch a true promotion of it as a service. Staff are still becoming comfortable with their roles in using Niche and they are gradually becoming more familiar with creating content and embedding it.

Pros

I appreciate Niche Academy's 'marketplace' library of pre-created lessons and content, which allow for us to curate our academies based on the programs, services, and databases we provide. We can edit lessons to customize them to our library and our patrons' needs, and create our own courses and tutorials to show patrons how to use our Library of Things items or to demonstrate our take and make crafts. The videos can be directly embedded in our website next to the descriptions of the items or databases, allowing patrons to easily find information on what an item is or how to use our e-book databases.

Cons

The admin side of the programs takes some time as a learning curve. There are different tiers of administration that allow a user to do different things, and only certain users can create the embeddable content that goes on the website. The creation of new tutorials is also restricted to only certain users. Most of this needs to be done by all of our staff, so they have all been given very high level roles simply to allow them to do the work that we intended.

Donna
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Daily for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

Niche Academy Makes Learning Easy!

We love Niche Academy and we would recommend them highly for libraries everywhere!

Pros

We employ Niche Academy as a learning platform for both our patrons and our staff. We have embedded Niche Academy training videos into our website to aid patrons in using our provided database platforms, eBook and audiobook libraries and apps, general web usage (email and social media), and more. We have also set up an internal staff academy to train new and existing staff on the platforms, services, and devices we offer our patrons. Learning is self-paced and the videos explain topics and technologies that can sometimes be confusing or intimidating to those unfamiliar with more modern devices (smartphones, book tablets, etc.). Niche Academy also offers fantastic longer-format training videos and webinars to instruct on a wide variety of library management aspects, from marketing and book displays to best communication practices, staff engagement, and more.

Cons

I did need help from Niche Academy staff to get the website integration formatted.

Verified Reviewer
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 51–200 Employees
  • Used Weekly for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

Indispensible

Overall, I have really enjoyed this product, and I know there are more ways to use it beyond what we do. Our staff find if very easy to use, and we are doing a lot more CE because of it.

Pros

Very easy to use, well-designed training portal. Very easy to assign and keep track of progress. I love the Niche Academy created content, which seems to be produced more frequently lately. Customer service is always quick and helpful.

Cons

There have been times where someone's coursework wasn't marked as 100% complete.

Theresa
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 201–500 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
4

4.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

Many Reasons to use Niche Acadmey

When the pandemic started in 2020 Niche Academy was used as an option to work at home. I had work development at the click of my computer. I logged in may programs that related to my job and career at a public library. Because of these classes I have become a more valuable employer and I have shared my knowledge with co- workers and encouraged them to log in to Niche Academy. Since 2020 I have viewed many more relevant classes.

Pros

I work at a public library and my employer has paid all the fees to have Niche Academy for staff. The programs are easy to log into and navigate. The topics are relevant to my working environment such as security at the work place, how to have fun at work, create programs for adults and children and many more too numerous to mention.

Cons

One feature that could be improved upon is when I scroll through the subtitles it thinks that I have completed the class, but I only skimmed through it but it gives me a certificate of completion.

Chelsea
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Weekly for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
4
Ease of Use
3
Customer Support
5

4.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

Love it! Use it all the time.

Staff training is what we primarily use this for, although we've also used it to launch a life skills program for a local jail. Niche Academy staff gave me a lot of time when thinking this through initially. I appreciated the attention.

Pros

It's mostly very easy to use, and we use it ALL the time. Customer Service has always been 5 star.

Cons

Pages are so often the same from page to page that I get lost. Trying to see which courses have been completed by which employees for example, is not intuitive.

Verified Reviewer
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 51–200 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
0
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

4.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

Good value/customization

Easy to use; easy to train others to use; varied functionality

Pros

The ability to add open-source/market trainings from other institutions is nice

Cons

Uploaded trainings can become open to others and no longer under the authority of the author

Austin
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 51–200 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
4
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
4

4.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

Niche Academy Review from Public Library

My overall experience has been very positive. There are a lot of great resources, opportunities to implement staff training and patron assistance, and ongoing professional development options. However, greater customization with regard to the training options and administrative access would be helpful.

Pros

What I like most about this software is the ability to help patrons navigate our online resources and the ability to offer staff training through an online system.

Cons

The staff training system is limited in terms of the options available for recording videos and setting up administrators. For instance, there is an option to appoint administrators and trainees, but there is not a mid-level tier for certain administrative access (such as appointing a manager to be able to review employee progress in the training, but not have access to create courses or modules).

Frances
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 201–500 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
0
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
0

5.0
Reviewed on 19/01/2023

Useful topics for librarians

Pros

I like the webinars and webinar recordings that are offered. I regularly encourage my staff to view the Niche Academy content for tips on handling difficult work situations. I have found the Homeless Training Institute content particularly useful. I often print pages from the handouts and share them at staff meetings. I get regular invitations to new webinars. I admit that have been a few times I've signed up and then not been able to attend but the content is available later through Niche Academy which really works for me and my constantly changing schedule.

Cons

I have found the software easy to use but I'm not doing anything complicated.

Priscilla
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Weekly for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

How using Niche Academy is better and safer than watching Cousin [SENSITIVE CONTENT] blow up...

I thoroughly enjoyed the book repair. I had another person also check out that segment, and then we discussed which of the parts we enjoyed and which techniques we could effectively use here in our library. We both found it very informative.

Pros

There are many different learning modules on this program. Every time I log in, there is something that I want to study in more depth, or simply rewatch to get it all down in my head. I have to write them down, so I can check them out. It's been fun to tell people about your product, and how it has something to offer everyone who wants to learn without the hold my beer factor. I enjoy the smaller segments, and how I can come back to where I had left off. I get sidetracked a lot of the times because there is always something that needs attention. Thank you for such a great product.

Cons

I do not feel there was a problem with the program.

Megan
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
5

5.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

Good material included in the training programs

Pros

We use this primarily for training materials for us employees; we went through courses such as the Front Line Customer Service, Accessibility, De-Escalation, and Code of Ethics. All of the courses contained very relevant and engaging information and provided solid techniques for improving our workplace. The division of the courses into modules made it easy to track progress and to complete the training even if one session was interrupted, as the progress through the module was saved.

Cons

The only problem we ran into was when a few of the courses glitched and did not save the progress being made. However, after we reached out to the Niche team they were very prompt in updating the courses and we were able to continue our training.

Barbara
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Weekly for 6-12 months
  • Review Source
Value for Money
0
Features
4
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
5

4.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

Library user

A preset academy for library staff made our staff training much easier last year. We are still learning how to get the most out of it and add new content to our academies.

Pros

We had some trouble getting started with Niche Academy and adding it to our website. The support team worked with us and it is working a lot better now. We like the accessibility of support and the customization options for the content in the courses and academies.

Cons

We have not been able to get any reporting or analytics information and support has not been able to help us. We really need to be able to see how people are using our content.

Julie
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
0
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5.0
Reviewed on 13/01/2023

Niche Academy

Pros

This program allows me to take classes and attend trainings that I would not normally get to attend in person. It's easy to use and clearly laid out. When I have to stop in the middle, I can go right back to where I stopped with ease.

Cons

I don't really have any cons. The program seems to work well.

Quang
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 201–500 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 6-12 months
  • Review Source
Value for Money
3
Features
4
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
3

4.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

Great software for trainings. Companies can use this service to help improve their staff with...

I enjoyed using Niche Academy due to its great setup and easy to use.

Pros

Easily to login to the main screen where you can see the host immediately.

Cons

I wish there was a function where we can share images or videos on the chat function.

teresa
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 51–200 Employees
  • Used Daily for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

Differnt Approaches

Overall very Informative.

Pros

The Ease of this product is awesome. All of our employees use Niche.

Cons

Sometimes the Speakers go into very lengthy discussions and don't really explain them selves too much.

Grovetta
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 5,001–10,000 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
0
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
0

5.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

Basic Viewer Comments

Find it to be very helpful and informative. Definitely able to apply information shared with variousscenarios.

Pros

Ease of use. [SENSITIVE CONTENT] was clear and concise.

Cons

Lessons are very repetitive. Can sometimes become lengthy and hum drum! Yawn! Long!

Joseph
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 51–200 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
0
Features
4
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
0

4.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

librarian user

Pros

the ease of use and the variety of courses offered

Cons

range of courses could use more efficient categorization

Kristen
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
0
Features
3
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
0

4.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

Satisfied

Pros

Niche Academy has been a great way to continue learning in the workplace, and I plan on continuing to use it.

Cons

I have no major complaints about Niche Academy.

Kyle
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 501–1,000 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
0
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
0

5.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

Niche Academy really found its niche

In addition to the annual competency trainings mentioned earlier, Niche Academy offers a variety of useful webinars on topics like reading body language, dealing with fake news, compassionately dealing with homeless patrons, etc. It's great!

Pros

We use Niche for our annual competencies, which are assigned by a department within our organization. Niche offers a number of trainings, but I like how the required ones are highlighted and you can see at a glance which ones you've already completed and which ones you still have to do. Additionally, you can easily see how much time you have to complete the trainings you haven't yet done.

Cons

I wish there were more trainings offered, as the existing ones are quite good and very helpful.

Hilary
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

I like Niche Academy

I use Niche Academy to work on my people skills and computer skills mostly. They all have been improving.

Pros

I find Niche Academy easy to use for the learner, which I am. It is easy to find a decent program and then learn from it.

Cons

I don't have any problems with Niche Academy.

Lorraine
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 201–500 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

Niche Academy Review from Lorraine Patrick

It works well for videos.

Pros

User-friendly interface. I like that I can upload videos for students to watch.

Cons

None. I haven't had any problems with it.

Laura
  • Industry: Libraries
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
0
Features
4
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
0

3.0
Reviewed on 12/01/2023

Simple

Pros

The tool is simple and easy to use. It's easy to find your learning history.

Cons

I don't often find trainings that are interesting or exciting, or very current, for my role/demographic.

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