# LMS vs school ERP: what's the difference?

> An LMS runs teaching and learning; a school ERP runs operations like fees, admissions and staff. Here's how they differ and when a school needs both.

Learn · Glossary

An LMS runs teaching and learning (lessons, homework, tests and grades). A school ERP runs the business of the school (admissions, fees, staff, transport and timetables). They overlap in attendance, timetables and results.

- Page: https://sparkmentis.ai/learn/lms-vs-school-erp

## Side by side

- **LMS.** Courses, plans, materials, homework, tests, marking, grades, progress.
- **School ERP.** Admissions, fees, payroll, HR, inventory, transport, compliance reports.
- **Both.** Attendance, timetables, results, parent communication.

## Which do you need?

If teachers spend their evenings on planning and marking, the LMS side matters most. If the office is buried in fees and admissions, it's the ERP side. Many schools need both, connected, so results and attendance don't live in two places.

## Questions

**Is SparK-12 an LMS or an ERP?**

An LMS first, with school administration, attendance, timetables, results and parent messaging built in.

**Can we keep our ERP?**

Yes. Many schools keep their ERP for fees and admissions.

## Related

- [What is an LMS?](https://sparkmentis.ai/learn/what-is-an-lms.md): Glossary
- [SparK-12: School administration](https://app.sparkmentis.ai/features/school-administration): Batches, semesters, departments, switches
- [SparkMentis vs PowerSchool](https://app.sparkmentis.ai/compare/sparkmentis-vs-powerschool): On app.sparkmentis.ai
- [SparkMentis vs Teachmint](https://app.sparkmentis.ai/compare/sparkmentis-vs-teachmint): On app.sparkmentis.ai

## Book a demo

Email info@sparkmentis.ai (subject "SparkMentis demo request") with your organization, your role and the products you're interested in.