Instructional design Elearning

17 minute read

The 12 Best Elearning Authoring Tools Compared

Joseph Mapue

Joseph Mapue

Learning outcomes depend on the quality and impact of training materials. The higher the quality of your courses, the more likely learners will find your content appealing and engage with it more deeply. However, it takes considerable time and skill to develop a cost-effective elearning course—unless you are using content creation tools that accelerate the process and amplify the impact of its output. That is why—in a world of distractions and competing priorities—your choice of course-authoring tools absolutely matters.  

Here's a comparison of the 12 best elearning authoring software to help you find the right resources to speed up and simplify the course creation process while improving results.


Table of Contents     
Top-rated course authoring tools on the market  
What are elearning authoring tools, and how do they differ from an LMS?  
How exactly do you create an elearning course?
What to look for in a course authoring tool
Bonus Takeaway: A free LMS with a built-in course builder

Top-rated course authoring tools on the market

Given the sheer number of elearning software classified as authoring tools (around 370 on Capterra), selecting the right solution for your class or business can be challenging. Obviously, not all digital course authoring tools can equally meet your unique requirements. That is why we developed this elearning authoring tools comparison guide to help you make the right choice from among the top-rated brands. 


Bonus: Creating your own training courses? Learn the principles of the ADDIE Model


Here are 12 of the best course authoring tools that can help instructors and businesses achieve their elearning objectives:

  1. GoSkills Course Builder

  2. Adobe Captivate

  3. Articulate 360

  4. dominKnow | ONE

  5. Easygenerator

  6. Elucidat

  7. Gomo Learning

  8. isEazy Author

  9. iSpring Suite

  10. LearnWorlds

  11. Lectora

  12. Tovuti LMS

1. GoSkills Course Builder

course-authoring-tool-UI-goskillsThe GoSkills course builder is an award-winning, AI-powered elearning software tool for creating, managing, and tracking elearning content. It is fully integrated with the GoSkills LMS, an easy-to-use training platform that provides end-to-end capabilities for delivering the experiences learners love, and the results instructors and businesses aim for.


Key features

 

 

  • Fully integrated into a powerful LMS
  • AI-powered content assistant (Genie) 
  • Simple content blocks framework
  • Course versioning
  • Custom certificates
  • Learner-generated content
  • Exams and other assessment methods
  • Course reviews for learner feedback 
  • Ready-to-go course templates covering many areas, such as compliance, cybersecurity, onboarding, workplace safety, and customer service
  • Mobile-friendly 
  • Support for elearning standards, including SCORM, AICC, xAPI, and CMI5
       

Pros

 

 

  1. Easy to use with an intuitive point-and-click interface.
  2. AI content assistant (Genie) and template gallery reduce the time it takes to create polished content. Genie can be used without leaving the platform.   
  3. Mobile-friendly. Allows administrators and instructors to manage their training anywhere, from any device.
  4. Gamification has been shown to improve learning outcomes
  5. Award-winning function (course builder) and platform (LMS)
  6. Course builder is free. Add-ons such as certificates and reports come with a paid plan.
       

Cons

 

 

Additional features and capabilities are still under development. 

 

 

 

 

Pricing

 

 

Course builder comes built-in with a free business account. Users can create an unlimited number of courses and deploy to an unlimited number of learners.

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2. Adobe Captivate

course-authoring-tool-UI-captivateAdobe Captivate is a content development tool with a strong brand behind it and features that reinforce a legacy of design excellence. Many organizations use this solution to build interactive training content.


Key features

   
  • Content creation features for crafting immersive instructor-led and self-led courses 
  • Pre-created courseware library
  • Capability to cross-convert different media formats such as HTML5, Small Web Formats (.swf), MP4, and Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt)
  • Mobile support that enables employees to access lessons on any device at any time
  • Import and transform PowerPoint content into interactive courses
       

Pros

 

 

  1. Wide range of ready-to-go slides.
  2. Huge asset library of royalty-free images, themes, audio, video, buttons, etc.,
       

Cons

 

 

  1. Multiple users on TrustRadius expressed disappointment over the product's poor customer support.
  2. Some users on Capterra mentioned a steep learning curve.   

 

 

 

 

Pricing

 

 

Subscription rate at $33.99 per month. Perpetual license costs a one-time $1,299. Student & teacher edition costs $399.00.


3.   Articulate 360

course-authoring-tool-UI-articulateArticulate 360 is a full-featured elearning platform for creating course content. Implementing a simple drag-and-drop interface, this solution supports the use of compelling graphics to drive learner engagement in both web- and mobile-based environments.


Key features

   
  • Storyline 360: an authoring app designed for extreme customization and a wide variety of user interactions
  • Rise 360: an authoring app designed for easier and faster development of courses that fit any connected device
  • Content Library 360: a large gallery of course assets such as stock photos, templates, and videos
  • Review 360: a web app for gathering and sharing course reviews and feedback
  • Articulate 360 Training: videos and webinars from e-learning experts aimed at elevating your course authoring skills
  • Data import/export
  • Compliance with SCORM
  • Exams and other assessment types
  • Progress tracking
  • Gamification features
  • Assignment management
       

Pros

 

 

  1. Ease of use
  2. Good customer support 
       

Cons

 

 

Users on Capterra cite the product's steep pricing model

       

Pricing

 

 

Tiered pricing for individuals and teams, starting at $1,099 and $1,399 per year, respectively. A free 30-day trial is available.


4. dominKnow | ONE

course-authoring-tool-UI-dominKnowdominKnow | One is a content authoring and course management platform designed for the L&D programs of enterprise-scale organizations.


Key features

   
  • Multimedia creation tools for interactive courses
  • Storyboarding
  • Data import/export
  • Content library
  • Support for gamification
  • Template management
  • Assignment management
  • Progress tracking
  • SCORM compliance
  • Tests and other assessment methods
  • Customizable branding
       

Pros

 

 

  1. Easy customization of course content using built-in templates, own designs, or corporate branding assets.
  2. Strong support for mobile devices (except for tests/assessments) 
  3. Robust collaboration tools. 
       

Cons

 

 
  1. Significant delays and increased workload caused by software updates.
  2. Limited assessment options for the mobile environment.
  3. Complex user interface.
       

Pricing

 

 

No upfront pricing. Cost information is available only upon request. A free trial is available.


5. Easygenerator

course-authoring-tool-UI-easygenerator

Easygenerator is an intuitive cloud-based platform that simplifies and accelerates the development of learning content such as courses and quizzes. 

Key features

   
  • Multimedia content creation
  • Storyboarding
  • Content library
  • Template management
  • Data import/export
  • Tests/Assessments
  • Support for gamification
  • Assignment management
  • Progress tracking
  • Customizable branding
  • SCORM compliance
       

Pros

 

 

Reviewers on Capterra and G2 commend the product's ease of use and intuitiveness.  

       

Cons

 

 

Users on both G2 and Capterra cite the lack of a built-in asset library for images, fonts, and other resources. 

       

Pricing

 

 

Subscription prices are $108 per month for individuals and $541 per month for a team of five authors. A 14-day free trial is available. Pricing for large companies can be acquired by contacting the vendor. 


6. Elucidat

course-authoring-tool-UI-elucidat

Elucidat is a versatile content development software for creating high-impact learning experiences in both academic and corporate environments. It provides collaboration tools and features for customization and branding.

Key features

   
  • Multimedia content creation
  • Storyboarding
  • Content Library
  • Template Management
  • Data Import/Export
  • Tests/Assessments
  • Support for Gamification
  • Assignment Management
  • Progress Tracking
  • Customizable branding
  • SCORM Compliance
       

Pros

 

 

  1. TrustRadius' Community Insights indicate that users find the service intuitive and easy to use. There's also a rich template library that helps make the content creation process almost effortless.
  2. Reviewers on Capterra commend this solution's customer service.   
       

Cons

 

 

  1. Users complain about the tedious and slow process involved when adding and editing pages.
  2. More suited for large enterprises and less for small businesses. 
       

Pricing

 

 

Four-tiered pricing for Pro (individual), Growth (team of five), Team (up to 20 users), and Enterprise (up to 50 users). A custom quote is available only upon request.


7. Gomo Learning

course-authoring-tool-UI-gomo-learning

Gomo Learning is a cloud-based, collaborative content development tool and hosting service that supports more than a hundred languages and virtually any internet-capable device. 

Key features

   
  • Multimedia content creation
  • Course publishing and management
  • Content library
  • Data import/export
  • Tests/Assessments
  • Customizable templates
  • Activity dashboard
  • Activity tracking
  • Collaboration tools
       

Pros

 

 

Users on Capterra and eLearning Industry cite ease of use, intuitiveness, and collaborative features.  

       

Cons

 

 

Reviewers on Capterra reported issues like process latencies and steep pricing for small teams. 

       

Pricing

 

 

Prices for small, medium, and large organizations are available only upon request. 


8. isEazy Author

course-authoring-tool-UI-iseazyisEazy is a suite of elearning solutions for building and managing courses, training programs, and other learning systems. isEazy Author focuses on the creation, editing, and sharing of multimedia courses.


Key features

   
  • Multimedia content creation
  • Storyboarding
  • Content library
  • Template management
  • Data import/export
  • Tests/assessments
  • Support for gamification
  • Assignment management
  • Progress tracking
  • Customizable branding
  • SCORM compliance
       

Pros

 

 

Reviewers on Capterra praise the tool's intuitiveness, ease of use, and a rich library of interactive content-authoring assets.

       

Cons

 

 

Users cite the limited features in the free and lower-priced versions of the platform as well as the lack of ability to edit courses from a tablet or phone.  

       

Pricing

 

 

isEazy implements a four-tiered pricing scheme that includes Freemium, Professional (72€ per month), Business (187€ per month), and Enterprise (contact vendor for a quote). 


9. iSpring Suite

course-authoring-tool-UI-ispringiSpring Suite is a PowerPoint-based authoring platform for creating slide-based instructional content, courses, training videos, online lectures, quizzes, surveys, and other interactive learning materials for the web environment.


Key features

   
  • Multimedia content creation
  • AI content assistant
  • Storyboarding
  • Content library
  • Template management
  • Data import/export
  • Tests/Assessments
  • Support for gamification
  • Assignment management
  • Progress tracking
  • Robust customization capabilities
  • Teamwork and collaboration features 
  • LMS compatibility/Compliance with SCORM and other elearning standards
       

Pros

 

 

  1. Award-winning customer service
  2. Robust capabilities for collaboration 
  3. Offline mobile access
  4. Unlimited cloud storage for courses and other learning materials
       

Cons

 

 

  1. Requires intermediate proficiency in PowerPoint to build compelling, professional-grade courseware.  
  2. Verified users on Capterra cited synchronization issues with cloud storage, while a reviewer on G2 mentioned a lack of a group selection option in the asset library.
       

Pricing

 

 

The business subscription starts at $770 per author per year, the freelancers subscription starts at $490 for a single user per year, and the academic subscription starts at $470 per author per year. There is a 14-day free trial period.


10. LearnWorlds

course-authoring-tool-UI-learnworldsLearnWorlds is a comprehensive platform for creating, managing, and selling online training and digital courses. In addition to authoring functions, this solution also has marketing, sales, and e-commerce components.


Key features

   
  • Multimedia content creation
  • AI content assistant
  • Content library
  • Learning paths (curriculum)
  • Template management
  • Data import/export
  • Test and assessments engine
  • Custom certifications
  • Scheduling LIVE events
  • Support for gamification
  • Assignment management
  • Survey engine
  • Robust customization capabilities
  • Teamwork and collaboration features 
  • Progress tracking and analytics
  • Website builder
  • e-commerce system for marketing and selling courses 
  • Mobile learning (online and offline)
       

Pros

 

 

  1. Excellent customer support.
  2. Ease of use.
  3. Course variety.
       

Cons

 

 

  1. Limited features and functionalities.
  2. Various course-related issues, such as inflexible notifications and inadequate course analytics.  
       

Pricing

 

 

There are four pricing tiers: Starter ($29/month), Pro Trainer (99/month), Learning Center ($299/month), and High Volume and Corporate (custom price available upon request). There's a 30-day free trial.


11. Lectora

course-authoring-tool-UI-lectoraLectora is a user-friendly content development tool for elearning that can be used as a desktop or cloud-based application. Widely used by businesses to import presentation decks and webcam recordings, this solution provides a quick and simple way to create and publish multimedia content, interactive quizzes, and other elearning materials for training and skills development.


Key features

   
  • Multimedia content creation
  • AI course wizard
  • Drag & drop UI
  • Activity dashboard
  • Brand integration
  • Data import/export
  • Media and template libraries
  • Gamification features
  • Support for interactivity
  • 508 compliance
  • Collaboration tools
  • Multi-language support
  • API/Third-party integrations
       

Pros

 

 

  1. Users praise Lectora's versatility in creating a wide variety of elearning content, from simple to advanced courses.
  2. Reviewers also find the solution easy to use, even for beginners, especially those familiar with Microsoft productivity apps' ribbon interface. 
  3. Many users commend Lectora's robust customization capabilities that provide content creators more control and flexibility over their work. 
       

Cons

 

 

  1. Some users find Lectora to require a steep learning curve, even when others find the solution user-friendly. 
  2. Reviewers feel that the tool has limited interactivity compared to other products. 
  3. Many Lectora users complain about poor customer support
       

Pricing

 

 

Lectora has two pricing editions: the Studio Gold Suite (which starts at $117 per month) and the Learning Creation Studio (which starts at $799 per month). There is a 30-day free trial. 


12. Tovuti LMS

course-authoring-tool-UI-tovutiTovuti is a comprehensive, flexible, and people-centric learning management solution for organizations of all sizes.


Key features

   
  • Multimedia content creation
  • AI-assisted Course Builder
  • Assessments & Quizzes
  • Drag & Drop UI
  • Mobile app
  • Activity dashboard
  • Brand integration
  • Data Import/Export
  • Media and template libraries
  • Gamification features
  • Support for interactivity
  • 508 Compliance
  • SCORM Compliance
  • Collaboration tools
  • Multi-language support
  • Alerts and notifications
  • Commenting and notes
  • API/Third-party integrations
       

Pros

 

 

  1. Reviewers on G2 praise the platform's ease of use and robust training management features
  2. Software Advice users commend Tovuti's functionality, platform structure, and valuable features such as automation.
       

Cons

 

 

  1. One user on Capterra describes Tovuti's backend as "complex and not user-friendly." 
  2. Another cites limited reporting functionality. Other users have cited a significant learning curve in understanding some features and using them properly. 
  3. On Software Advice, G2, and TrustRadius, users have cited limited customization features
       

Pricing

 

 

Custom pricing is based on the specific features and support required. Quotes are available upon request. There is a free trial period but no free version.


What are elearning authoring tools, and how are they different from an LMS?

Elearning authoring tools are applications, services, and other resources that enable instructors, course designers, and L&D practitioners to create educational or training-focused multimedia content. This digital content includes a wide variety of elements (such as text, images, audio, video, PDFs, presentations, games, quizzes, challenges, and assessment exams) that are packaged into an interactive course, lesson, or training program. Like the products they help create, elearning authoring tools also come in various forms, such as common productivity apps, digital cameras/video editing software, graphics editors, and AI-driven content assistants. 

Learning Management Systems (LMS) are platforms that accept, curate, and distribute elearning content (mainly courses) to an audience and use reporting and data analytics to track learners' engagement with such content. Some sophisticated LMSs, like GoSkills, have advanced built-in course authoring capabilities, but you will still need external tools specifically designed to create compelling presentations, animations, and videos. 

Want to boost your team's success?

Learn why training and development matters (and how to do it right)!

How exactly do you create an elearning course?

DIY videos on YouTube are raw examples of digital learning materials. Virtually anyone with a specific skill and a video camera can make them. That's well and good, but the elearning required by leading academic institutions and results-oriented businesses goes further. 

You just don't leave learners hanging. You ensure that they get qualified instructors and the best mix of diverse training content so they can learn faster, retain new knowledge, and apply what they've learned to benefit themselves and their organizations. Similar to brick-and-mortar classes, you also need to periodically assess learners' skill progression through quizzes and exams to make sure they are on track and learning efficiently.

Guided by the principles of adult learning, the right set of elearning tools will help you achieve all of that and more. But remember, not all learning content can ensure engagement, course completion rates, and knowledge retention. Training programs and courseware need to be guided by the appropriate learning framework and developed using efficient instructional design authoring tools. The authoring tools examples we have included here could help you get a good headstart. 

In addition to conventional lesson formats, be sure to provide bite-sized rich-media lessons that can be consumed in less than five minutes or so. This practice, called microlearning, has been shown to improve focus, enable learning on the go with any device, and deliver higher ROI for businesses.


Check out our comprehensive guide on how to create effective online courses.


What to look for in course authoring tools

When scouting for elearning authoring tools, remember to ask the following key questions:

  1. Is it easy to use?
  2. Can it streamline content development and do the heavy lifting for course designers?
  3. Can it enhance the appeal and impact of your course offerings?
  4. Is it affordable and scalable?
  5. Would it deliver the optimum team training ROI for your business?

Whether you are a veteran or a novice developer of digital courses, consider the following features and functions as the baseline requirements for a good course-authoring tool:

  • Content generation capabilities. A built-in AI assistant can help you create multi-lesson courses in minutes, not days or weeks. 
  • Excellent user experience. Look for products that have intuitive user interfaces, effortless navigation, and drag-and-drop simplicity. 
  • Rich asset libraries and templates. A native repository of common resources (such as lesson templates, quiz samples, images, GIFs, and videos) helps speed up the content development process and enhance output. 
  • Ability to upload multimedia content. This functionality helps drive engagement by improving the quality and appeal of your courses with the addition of rich multimedia elements such as graphics, PDFs, and animation to your learning content. 
  • Ability to import external content. Any decent elearning authoring tool should be able to accept and process external content that complies with elearning standards such as SCORM and xAPI 
  • Variety of assessment formats. Assessments such as quizzes, challenges, and exams help evaluate learners' progress and improve knowledge retention. 
  • Custom certificates. Certificates of course completion help establish learners' competency in a particular subject and showcase their achievements.   
  • Support for gamification. Consider solutions that help create gamified learning environments, which have been shown to drive learner motivation, team collaboration, and knowledge retention. 
  • Robust reporting and analytics. You should be able to assess the effectiveness of your courses through learner engagement data and other metrics. This allows for the continuous improvement of your learning content. 
  • LMS integration. Integrating your authoring software into your LMS makes it easier, faster, and more cost-effective to create, deliver, and manage your learning content.
  • Feedback from learners. Course and lesson reviews help gather valuable feedback that can help improve many areas of learning, including the course content, instructional approach, and learning environment.    
  • High ratings and positive customer feedback. Shortlist solutions that receive high ratings and positive feedback from their customers on independent review sites such as G2 and Capterra.
  • Best-value pricing. Choose reasonably priced solutions that scale well for growing companies. Take advantage also of free trials and freemium accounts.

Bonus takeaway: A free LMS with a built-in course builder

Elearning authoring tools constitute just one of many factors that contribute to the effectiveness and impact of courseware and training programs. The success of your efforts will also depend on other critical factors: the audience's skill level and preferences, learning environment, type of content, and instructional approach. 

If you want to get started right away, check out the GoSkills LMS for a free and flexible all-in-one training solution. This LMS includes the GoSkills course builder, an award-winning innovation engineered to accelerate the course creation process and enhance the quality of course content, whether deployed in an academic environment or leveraged to upskill the workplace.

Customize your training

Create your own training resources with an easy-to-use course builder.

Try it now
Joseph Mapue

Joseph Mapue

Joseph creates content on business, innovation, and elearning. He clocks in more than a decade of professional editing and technical writing experience, having worked with companies such as GoSkills, SNL Financial, Accenture, and DXC Technology. When not watching silly videos, he does scale modeling, plays the guitar, and serves as daddy to two cats and a pair of hoomans. Find him on LinkedIn here.