With the increasing demand for online learning, there has been a rise in the use of eLearning authoring tools. If you are an instructional designer, L&D professional, or training academy, you will need to invest in a good eLearning authoring tool to create engaging digital courses.
But with so many tools out there, it can be hard to know which one is the best for your needs. In this blog, we’ll be taking a look at the seven best eLearning authoring tools and their pros and cons.
1. Adobe Captivate
2. Calibr
3. Articulate Storyline
4. Lectora
5. iSpring Suite
6. Elucidat
7. Easygenerator
What is an eLearning Authoring Tool?
An eLearning authoring tool is a software application that helps in creating, designing, and publishing online courses and educational content for eLearning purposes. Authoring tools offer a range of features such as multimedia integration, assessments, interactive quizzes, animations, and branching scenarios. These tools make it easier to create engaging and interactive online courses that cater to different learning styles. eLearning authoring tools also allow the user to create courses that are accessible across multiple devices, making it easier for learners to access them anytime and anywhere.
Authoring tools can either be ‘stand-alone’ or ‘built-in’ with Learning Management System (LMS) functionality. A stand-alone authoring tool must support the option to export the content in industry-standard file formats like SCORM, HTML5, xAPI, or TIN CAN so that the content can be imported into a 3rd party LMS system supporting these file formats. A built-in authoring tool comes bundled with a learning platform so that you don’t need to bother about compatibility with other LMS or learning platforms.
Why do you need an authoring tool?
Authoring tool makes the creation of learning content a much easier process. Here are the top reasons why you may need an authoring tool:
1. Content Creation: Authoring tools make it easier to create and design content for online learning courses. They provide a range of features, such as multimedia integration, interactive quizzes, branching scenarios, and assessments, which help in creating engaging and interactive courses that cater to different learning styles.
2. Customization: Authoring tools provide a high degree of customization, allowing you to create courses that align with your specific training needs and goals. You can tailor the content to meet the needs of your learners and create courses that are engaging and effective.
3. Accessibility: Authoring tools allow you to create courses accessible across multiple devices, making it easier for learners to access them anytime and anywhere. This provides flexibility and convenience to learners, which can lead to higher engagement and better learning outcomes.
4. Collaboration: Authoring tools provide a platform for collaboration between instructional designers, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders involved in the course creation process. This helps to ensure that the course is accurate, relevant, and effective.
5. Analytics: Authoring tools provide analytics that help track the learner's progress and identify areas that need improvement. This helps instructors to make data-driven decisions to improve the course content and design.
7 eLearning authoring tools, their pricing, and pros & cons:
#1 Adobe Captivate:
Adobe Captivate is a comprehensive eLearning authoring tool that offers a range of features. It supports a variety of file types, including HTML5, SWF, and MP4, making it easy to import content from other sources. It offers a responsive design, interactive quizzes, and video recording, among other features.
Subscription Pricing:
- $33.99/month (charged annually at $407.88)
- Full License: $1,299 (one-time fee)
Note: Pricing may vary with promotions and updates, so it’s best to check on Adobe’s website for the latest offers.
Pros:
- Provides a range of advanced features, including branching scenarios, interactive quizzes, and screen capture.
- Supports multiple file types, allowing users to import content from various sources.
- Allows for responsive design, making courses accessible across different devices.
- Allows to record PowerPoint content as a video
Cons:
- Has a steep learning curve, making it difficult for beginners to use.
- Can be expensive, especially for individuals or small businesses.
#2 Calibr:
Calibr offers a collaborative learning experience platform and an AI-powered eLearning (course) authoring tool. It leverages the power of generative AI to help users create courses in minutes. Calibr lets you build beautiful engaging courses which are responsive by design.
Calibr is suitable for small and medium organizations, NGOs, and educational institutions.
Calibr Pricing
Calibr Authoring Tool subscription starts at:
- $40/user/month ($400 billed annually)
- Note: Flexible pricing plans make it a suitable choice for small to medium-sized businesses, NGOs, and educational institutions.
Pros:
- Its drag-and-drop course builder makes it easy to add elements like videos, audio clips, flashcards, questions, quizzes, etc, and create beautiful-looking courses.
- Supports pre-made templates, rich-text editor, image library, and AI-enabled suggestions to build beautiful courses in minutes.
- Easy to collaborate and create courses with its intuitive user interface
- Flexible pricing plans make it an ideal choice for small and medium enterprises
- Export courses as a SCORM or a web package.
Cons:
- Not suitable for advanced users looking for features like AR/VR
#3 Articulate Storyline 360:
Articulate Storyline is another popular eLearning authoring tool that offers a wide range of features. It offers a simple user interface, making it easy for beginners to create engaging courses. It offers multimedia integration, slide templates, and interactive assessments, among other features.
Articulate Storyline Pricing
- Business Plan: $1,399/user/year
- Note: Pricing remains relatively constant for Storyline 360, but additional support or plugins may come with extra charges.
Pros:
- Provides a simple and intuitive user interface, making it easy for beginners to use.
- Offers a range of multimedia integration options, allowing users to create engaging and interactive courses.
- Offers customizable slide templates, making it easy to create courses quickly.
Cons:
- Can be expensive, especially for small businesses or individuals.
- Does not offer responsive design options.
#4 Lectora:
Lectora is a web-based content authoring tool that helps businesses design, publish, and deliver assignments, quizzes, and surveys across multiple learning management platforms. It enables content developers to collaborate on tasks, add reviews, and create interactive, video, and scenario-based assignments.
Pricing:
- Lectora® Online & Desktop: $117/user/month (billed annually)
- Lectora® Studio: $799/user/month (billed annually)
Note: Lectora provides an enterprise-focused version, so costs can be higher depending on the scale.
Pros:
- Supports AR/VR functionality at an additional price though
- Support multiple formats like SCORM, AICC, xAPI, cmi5, HTML5
- Supports multiple languages
- Built-in asset library
Cons:
- The learning curve is steeper compared to other popular authoring tools
- Can be expensive, especially for small businesses or individuals.
- The desktop version is for Windows OS only and doesn’t have a mobile app
- As per user reviews on GetApp, some new features are still clunky
#5 iSpring Suite:
iSpring Suite is another popular authoring toolkit that lets users create eLearning courses quickly and easily. It supports integration with PowerPoint and allows users to convert existing presentations into online courses easily.
Pricing:
- iSpring Suite: $770/author/year
- iSpring Suite Max: $970/author/year
- iSpring Suite Premium: $1,970/author/year
Note: Pricing remains the same as in previous years, but custom quotes may apply for larger teams or additional features.
Pros:
- Supports role-play simulations, interactive quizzes, videos
- Support multiple formats like SCORM, AICC, xAPI, cmi5, HTML5
- Easy to convert PowerPoint to SCORM
Cons:
- Although its price is lower than many other alternatives, it’s still expensive, especially for small businesses or individuals.
- Does not offer a responsive design option
#6 Elucidat:
Elucidat is a fully cloud-based and powerful authoring platform meant for large enterprises. Elucidat’s authoring platform produces high-quality, SCORM-compliant HTML5 elearning content. Elucidat has focused its functionality and support to enable large organizations to create high-quality e-learning, manage effectively, and distribute effortlessly, at scale.
Elucidat Pricing:
Elucidat offers Basic, Team, Enterprise, and Scale options for pricing, but they don’t reveal their price publicly. You need to contact their sales team for the pricing.
Pros:
- Offers a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for beginners to use.
- Provides collaboration tools, making it easy for teams to work together on course development.
- Provides localization workflows to reach a diversified learner base
- Support multiple formats like SCORM, xAPI, HTML5
Cons:
- May not be very suitable for small businesses or individuals as their focus is large enterprises
- Has a learning curve, making it difficult for beginners to use
#7 Easygenerator:
Easygenerator is a cloud-based course authoring and eLearning software that allows users to create, design, publish, and track courses for education and training. As the name suggests, it is easy for anyone to create simple courses with easygenerator.
Pricing:
- Pro Plan: $108/month or $1,299/year
- Team Plan: $541/month or $6,495/year
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing (contact Easygenerator for details)
Note: The higher-tier plans provide more advanced features, like certifications and team collaboration tools.
Pros:
- Users can embed a range of media in their courses, including their own audio and video files, YouTube videos, and documents stored in Google Drive or SlideShare
- Multiple domain experts can co-author courses
- Offers a high degree of customization, allowing users to create courses that align with their specific training needs and goals.
Cons:
- Priced on the higher side
- Have limited features in the pro plan; users need to upgrade to a higher tier to get features like certificates.
