Herein, we provide an introduction to the special issue “Latent variable mixture models in research on learning and individual differences”. Latent variable mixture models are argued to be a powerful tool for capturing non-linear and qualitative individual differences in learners' knowledge, characteristics, and development. The current special issue provides an overview of the use of these analytical tools in investigations of learning and individual differences by presenting a wide-range of empirical studies utilizing the methods. A practical non-technical introduction and discussion are also included in the special issue.