The Best eLearning Authoring Tools

How to Choose the Right eLearning Authoring Tool

Whether you're employing 3rd-party training content from websites equally diverse as Harvard.com to LinkedIn or using a business training and learning platform of your ain, it'southward like shooting fish in a barrel to railroad train employees in new job skills, employee policies, or even general interest topics for off-hour enjoyment. However, to evangelize custom training content, yous'll either demand to hire an expert to create such courseware or practise it yourself past using eLearning authoring tools specific to the chore.

That's not only because creating courseware is different from a blueprint perspective. It's too because today's business training platforms and academic learning management systems (LMS) use specific file formats and standards that aren't available in more generic content creation tools.

In this article, we'll examine x of the best eLearning authoring tools nosotros've seen, most of which evangelize training content that'south congenital to specific standards. Nosotros'll tell you what to await for when making a purchase and give you an overview of what makes each tool unique. To test these tools, we gained access to a test account after which we attempted to create an eLearning grade and quizzes by using traditional and investigative means. In other words, we tested the tools as they are intended to be used, but we also pushed them to see if they could perform out-of-the-box tasks.

Later testing and weighing the pros and cons of each tool, we determined that Articulate Storyline 2 (which begins at $ane,398) and Trivantis Lectora Inspire (which begins at $two,174) are our Editors' Choices for the eLearning authoring tools category this time around. We found them to exist the most feature-rich, the nigh fairly priced, and the easiest to apply. They're definitely worth a exam run. However, go along in mind that what's adept for PCMag might non necessarily be what's practiced for your business. Considering of this, be sure to read all of our eLearning authoring tool reviews and match up your specific needs with each offering's fundamental features.

Since nosotros did our start test in this category, we've added 5 new tools to our roundup. In addition to Trivantis Lectora Inspire, we reviewed Gomo Learning, iSpring Suite eight, Raptivity, and SmartBuilder. With the exception of Raptivity, nosotros highly recommend each of these tools for business content cosmos. For a more in-depth breakup, be sure to read each review. For an overview of what all 10 tools offer, check out our characteristic breakup in the table at the top of this article.

Articulate Storyline 2 - Template Menu
The Articulate Storyline 2 Template Menu

Pricing and Plans

Before purchasing your software, information technology's of import to determine how the solution volition exist delivered to your business; this bit of information will aid prepare you for cost analysis. For example, will your software be installed locally and run exclusively on a specific device? Or will the tool exist a cloud-based managed service, making information technology accessible via a spider web browser? Deject-based tools in this category tend to exist less expensive and more flexible in terms of who uses the tool and where they'll exist using it. If you've got an H5P log-in, for example, so yous can admission your account on whatever device, in whatever location. Cloud-based tools tin also be updated remotely, so any new features or pricing options can exist accessed without completely changing the tool on the user's stop.

The but problem: Cloud-based tools mean you'll need net access to log into your account. Locally run tools, such as Clear Storyline 2, Lectora Inspire, and TechSmith Camtasia Studio viii, are desktop applications (though there's a slightly less feature rich version of Lectora Inspire, called Lectora Online, available via the cloud). In club to run those programs, you'll need to download the apps onto your desktop. Y'all'll be able to use the tools whether y'all accept internet access or not, only y'all're express to the one device. So, whenever the adjacent version of the tool is released, unless the vendor has taken steps to update local customer installations automatically via the web, you'll have to manually upgrade by purchasing and downloading the new software.

At the lesser end of the pricing spectrum is the same H5P, a gratuitous, open-source tool which is ideal for 1-off content creation or for small businesses that don't have upkeep to utilise to training content. H5P is like shooting fish in a barrel to apply, takes but minutes to get up and running, and volition plug in nicely to your WordPress or Drupal content direction systems (CMSes). But, considering it's a free tool, it lacks some of the rich multimedia functionality available in other eLearning authoring tools. If price is your sole consideration, then H5P is the all-time option on the marketplace.

Shift eLearning also offers a customer-friendly pricing model in that it lets users scale as their needs grow or compress. Shift eLearning starts with a barebones free trial, which tin can exist used by one person to create ane course of up to 120 HTML5 screens. You can get to the first tier, which costs $1,200 per year for 1 user for up to iii courses of 120 screens each, or y'all tin become a "Ability User" and gain access to an unlimited number of courses of unlimited length, with 30 reviewers who can annotate on and make suggestions to your training content. Shift eLearning'due south Enterprise programme is the biggest and boldest program we review. With information technology, y'all get access to three users, thirty reviewers, an unlimited number of courses, and most endless scalability for a whopping $8,500 a year.

If you think $8,500 is expensive for the high-end version of a tool, and so know that Elucidat costs $7,500 at its basic and only price level. Articulate Storyline two, which too comes in only i model, costs $1,398 for one user license. Articulate Storyline 2, Elucidat, and Shift eLearning are the nigh expensive but as well the nigh capable eLearning authoring tools we reviewed. They're congenital for midsize business upward to large enterprises that conduct consequent, regular training sessions. Of these three, we think Clear Storyline 2's price is the most palatable when weighed against functionality and ease of use. However, if you need something that tin scale, and so you should choose Shift eLearning.

TechSmith Camtasia Studio 8'southward toll is hard to compare to that of other eLearning authoring tools. Information technology features a relatively low price tag of $299 for one license (with big discounts coming afterwards the fifth license purchased) simply it's primarily a video-based tool. Nosotros'll delve into this more than in the next section but it's off-white to say that, if your company is focused on creating video-only grooming sessions, and then TechSmith Camtasia Studio 8 is your all-time bet afterward factoring in functionality and cost.

TechSmith Camtasia - Video Editing and Adding Callouts
TechSmith Camtasia Studio eight Video Editing

Cadre Features and Functionality

All of the tools we review in this roundup provide basic features that you should consider must-haves for the eLearning authoring tool you ultimately choose. For case, the ability to include video in training content is a no-brainer. All of the tools we review offer different levels of video functionality. For example, Articulate Storyline two and TechSmith Camtasia Studio 8, among others, allow yous to record video directly from your webcam into a class. But they all offer at least the bare minimum, which is the ability to insert a video link into a course. If yous test other tools that don't give you at least that much functionality, then wait elsewhere.

Another ubiquitous feature should be the ability to drag and driblet elements from one place or course to another; this is a quick and easy mode to develop your courses, especially for organizations that run many similiar courses that have to encompass the same data from dissimilar perspectives. This feature lets y'all develop your courses without having to learn to code or use multiple keystrokes and browser loads to get from element to element.

The tools we review each allow you to save your courses equally online or local files. This ways you can transport your completed form as a link that people can access via their web browsers or you can transport them a file that they will download and open up from their desktop. This feature gives you the flexibility to load files into any eLearning authoring software or send files to anyone who does or doesn't take admission to the eLearning authoring software. It besides lets people accept courses whether or not they have internet access at all times.

Even H5P, the lowest-priced tool, offers a wide array of different course cosmos templates that you can apply to begin creating content. This is a must-take feature, especially for companies that require grooming content but don't accept an in-house designer. The amount of templates you have depends on how much y'all paid for your organization. H5P offers 20 templates while Elucidat offers roughly 25,000 page templates and subtemplates. So go along templates in heed when you brand your terminal purchasing decision.

H5P Create Content Screen - Getting Started
The H5P Create Content Screen

Differentiating Capabilities

The power to import Microsoft PowerPoint (8.25 Per User Per Calendar month with Almanac Delivery at Microsoft 365 Business) slide decks into your eLearning authoring tool is a prissy characteristic that you should expect for when making your final selection. Considering and so much of your company's existing visual and training-oriented content was likely created in Microsoft PowerPoint, the power to upload slides as ready-made courses or equally a nearly-complete course can relieve you loads of time and effort. Unfortunately, H5P and Shift eLearning, among others, don't allow yous to exercise this. This means y'all'll have to convert all of your former Microsoft PowerPoint training materials into brand-new documents within those authoring tools.

If your business doesn't have admission to a stock photo account, and so you'll appreciate the vast image libraries that Articulate Storyline two, Elucidat, and Trivantis Lectora Inspire offering. These libraries are troves of business-focused images that you can use to illustrate your preparation content with Lectora Inspre even offering stock videos you tin can use in the same way. H5P doesn't offer an image library but, considering information technology's a free tool, y'all shouldn't let this factor alone sway your decision.

Having the power to embed webpages isn't absolutely necessary for training materials. Only if you plan to accept users access online content during courses and you don't want them to go out the authoring system or the training console, and so you'll desire a tool that tin embed webpages into grooming content. This feature lets users click on a link and view an entire website from inside the confines of the eLearning authoring tool or the content direction system (CMS) in which they're viewing your content. Just Clear Storyline 2, Elucidat, and Trivantis Lectora Inspire offer this characteristic.

Companies that are design-focused will want a tool that lets creators work outside of the confines imposed by HTML5. Unfortunately, only Clear Storyline 2, Elucidat, SmartBuilder, and Trivantis Lectora Inspire let this happen. The other tools require you to work within strict templates and architectural parameters. Virtually basic users won't care almost this option (we'll be then happy to have the help), only someone who creates web-based content for a living volition wish to accept their handcuffs removed.

Screen recording is a hugely important characteristic to many preparation content developers when you consider things like software or hardware demo-mode learning; however, surprisingly, yous tin can't find information technology in every eLearning authoring tool. For software-based companies, the power to sentinel someone navigate a website is integral to operations. Think about it: If you work at Netflix and you lot demand to train people to use the website, so the easiest affair to do would be to record your screen as you navigate through different categories and menus. Unfortunately, Elucidat and H5P, amidst others, don't offer this option. This means you'll have to piece of work with a 3rd-political party tool to capture your cursor and webpage movements. This is a huge knock on Elucidat, which is otherwise a wonderful and like shooting fish in a barrel-to-use tool.

Elucidat themes
The Elucidat Start Card'southward themes

Some Unique Features

More than anything, Articulate Storyline ii is designed with Microsoft PowerPoint users in mind. Its course-creation layout is a near-replica to what you'll find when you open Microsoft's presentation tool. The homage to Microsoft PowerPoint makes Articulate Storyline 2 easy to choice up and use, as does the mind-extraordinary number of interactive elements that allow for out-of-the-box grade and quiz creation. The tool features easy-to-add buttons and markers that let you easily layer content with text, epitome, and video via pop-out boxes that hover above the original slide. Articulate Storyline 2's Number Variable tool lets you ask users to input multiple numbers that then go factored into a decision.

For example, if y'all wanted to determine how healthy the learner is based on how they reply a predefined gear up of questions (for example, how many hours of sleep do y'all get each night or how many hours practice you exercise per week), so yous could use predetermined score ranges for good for you, unhealthy, sickly, and then add together the responses up for an overall health score. The tool's screen recording functionality is the all-time nosotros reviewed; it enables users to retroactively change the duration of the cursor's movement during a presentation and even accommodate cursor movements so that you tin can make straight paths. When a video is put in "test mode," the software automatically generates hotspots for right answers based on the cursor'due south movements. The tool automatically removes the cursor from the video and so that you can test a learner'south comprehension. It'due south piece of cake to see why this tool was named one of our Editors' Choices.

The same goes for Trivantis Lectora Inspire. While Articulate Storyline 2 follows a strict Microsoft PowerPoint structure for content creation that can be bent and twisted as your heart desires, Trivantis Lectora Inspire offers an intuitive course creation structure that'due south supported by exhaustive templates and logical interface navigation. Trivantis Lectora Inspire offers comprehensive video editing, video recording, and screen recording functionality via its complimentary integration with Techsmith Camtasia Studio. Articulate Storyline 2 is significantly less expensive, which warrants your immediate attention. Still, because both tools offering a free trial, I recommend you give them both a whirl before making your final pick. Either way, you won't exist dissappointed.

Elucidat isn't too shabby, either. The tool features a gorgeous dwelling house screen with modern, upper-central navigation with pathways and buttons that are conspicuously marked. Pages are very easy to create one time you've selected from a predetermined template. You are substantially given a WYSIWYG format for creating content. You lot'll type in text and upload images within the allotted sections that are determined by your chosen templates. Elucidat does an excellent of chore guiding you through the creation and publication process. For example, as you finalize a projection, a cool instructional video pops out to give you feedback on your form release options. The near impressive Elucidat feature is its responsive slider tool, which lets you preview how specific pages will look and perform on any device or whatsoever resolution. You select a device, resolution, or form gene from a drib-downwards card, and the folio on which you're working appears on your desktop as it would on the selected device.

Whatever i of these tools—save for Raptivity, which is a express and frustrating tool—will provide y'all with enough functionality to create solid eLearning courses. They are each quite singled-out and their prices vary dramatically, so hopefully you'll exist able to utilise this roundup to pare downward your priorities. We volition continue to examination new tools and retest these tools as they are updated by their manufacturers. Happy hunting.

The Articulate Storyline 2 Hotspot Quiz