Quick Overview
- 1#1: Articulate 360 - Cloud-based suite including Storyline and Rise for creating professional, interactive, and responsive e-learning courses.
- 2#2: Adobe Captivate - Advanced authoring tool for building responsive simulations, VR experiences, quizzes, and multimedia-rich e-learning content.
- 3#3: iSpring Suite - PowerPoint-integrated toolkit for rapidly converting presentations into SCORM-compliant courses with interactions and assessments.
- 4#4: Lectora Inspire - Flexible authoring software for designing standards-compliant, mobile-ready e-learning courses with branching and gamification.
- 5#5: ActivePresenter - All-in-one screen recorder and editor for creating interactive tutorials, software simulations, and HTML5 e-learning content.
- 6#6: Camtasia - Powerful screen recording and video editing software optimized for producing engaging training videos and screencasts.
- 7#7: Elucidat - Cloud authoring platform for teams to collaboratively build scalable, data-driven responsive learning experiences.
- 8#8: DominKnow | ONE - Responsive e-learning authoring tool with AI assistance for creating accessible, interactive courses from a single source.
- 9#9: Easygenerator - Cloud-based authoring system empowering subject matter experts to create and update courses without developer skills.
- 10#10: Thinkific - No-code platform for building, hosting, and selling customizable online courses with multimedia and quizzes.
Tools were selected based on a balanced evaluation of features (e.g., interactivity, compliance), usability, output quality, and value, ensuring a comprehensive lineup that meets diverse needs, from solo creators to enterprise teams.
Comparison Table
This comparison table examines popular e-learning course creation software, featuring tools like Articulate 360, Adobe Captivate, iSpring Suite, Lectora Inspire, ActivePresenter, and more, to guide users in selecting the right fit. It outlines key features, usability aspects, and ideal use cases, helping both beginners and experienced creators make informed decisions.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Articulate 360 Cloud-based suite including Storyline and Rise for creating professional, interactive, and responsive e-learning courses. | creative_suite | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 2 | Adobe Captivate Advanced authoring tool for building responsive simulations, VR experiences, quizzes, and multimedia-rich e-learning content. | creative_suite | 9.1/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | iSpring Suite PowerPoint-integrated toolkit for rapidly converting presentations into SCORM-compliant courses with interactions and assessments. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Lectora Inspire Flexible authoring software for designing standards-compliant, mobile-ready e-learning courses with branching and gamification. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.0/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 5 | ActivePresenter All-in-one screen recorder and editor for creating interactive tutorials, software simulations, and HTML5 e-learning content. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 6 | Camtasia Powerful screen recording and video editing software optimized for producing engaging training videos and screencasts. | creative_suite | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | Elucidat Cloud authoring platform for teams to collaboratively build scalable, data-driven responsive learning experiences. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | DominKnow | ONE Responsive e-learning authoring tool with AI assistance for creating accessible, interactive courses from a single source. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | Easygenerator Cloud-based authoring system empowering subject matter experts to create and update courses without developer skills. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 10 | Thinkific No-code platform for building, hosting, and selling customizable online courses with multimedia and quizzes. | other | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
Cloud-based suite including Storyline and Rise for creating professional, interactive, and responsive e-learning courses.
Advanced authoring tool for building responsive simulations, VR experiences, quizzes, and multimedia-rich e-learning content.
PowerPoint-integrated toolkit for rapidly converting presentations into SCORM-compliant courses with interactions and assessments.
Flexible authoring software for designing standards-compliant, mobile-ready e-learning courses with branching and gamification.
All-in-one screen recorder and editor for creating interactive tutorials, software simulations, and HTML5 e-learning content.
Powerful screen recording and video editing software optimized for producing engaging training videos and screencasts.
Cloud authoring platform for teams to collaboratively build scalable, data-driven responsive learning experiences.
Responsive e-learning authoring tool with AI assistance for creating accessible, interactive courses from a single source.
Cloud-based authoring system empowering subject matter experts to create and update courses without developer skills.
No-code platform for building, hosting, and selling customizable online courses with multimedia and quizzes.
Articulate 360
creative_suiteCloud-based suite including Storyline and Rise for creating professional, interactive, and responsive e-learning courses.
Rise 360's intuitive block-based builder for creating fully responsive courses in minutes without coding
Articulate 360 is a leading cloud-based e-learning authoring suite featuring tools like Storyline 360 for pixel-perfect interactive courses, Rise 360 for rapid responsive content, and Review 360 for seamless collaboration. It provides access to a massive Content Library 360 with millions of photos, videos, icons, and templates, enabling quick creation of mobile-ready, SCORM-compliant courses. The platform supports branching scenarios, quizzes, and simulations, making it ideal for professional-grade e-learning development.
Pros
- Comprehensive suite with specialized apps for different needs (Rise for quick builds, Storyline for advanced interactions)
- Vast Content Library 360 and thousands of pre-built templates/assets
- Robust collaboration via Review 360 and automatic mobile-responsive outputs
Cons
- High subscription cost may deter small teams or individuals
- Steep learning curve for Storyline 360's advanced features
- No perpetual license; subscription-only model
Best For
Professional instructional designers and corporate training teams needing high-quality, interactive e-learning courses at scale.
Pricing
Annual subscription starting at $1,299 per user; team/enterprise plans with volume discounts available; 60-day free trial.
Adobe Captivate
creative_suiteAdvanced authoring tool for building responsive simulations, VR experiences, quizzes, and multimedia-rich e-learning content.
Fluid Boxes responsive technology for automatic, device-agnostic layouts without manual adjustments
Adobe Captivate is a robust e-learning authoring tool designed for creating interactive, responsive courses, software simulations, virtual reality experiences, and responsive HTML5 content. It supports advanced features like branching scenarios, quizzes, variables, and AI-driven enhancements such as auto-captioning and content translation. With seamless integration into the Adobe Creative Cloud and exports to SCORM, xAPI, and other LMS standards, it enables professional-grade e-learning development for diverse devices and platforms.
Pros
- Extensive library of interactions, templates, and assets for rapid course development
- True responsive design with Fluid Boxes that adapts seamlessly across devices
- Powerful simulation recording and VR/360-degree media support for immersive learning
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners due to advanced feature depth
- Subscription pricing can be costly for individuals or small teams
- Resource-intensive performance with very large or complex projects
Best For
Professional instructional designers and e-learning developers in enterprises needing sophisticated, interactive training content.
Pricing
Starts at $33.99/user/month (billed annually) for Captivate single app; included in Creative Cloud All Apps plan at $59.99/month.
iSpring Suite
specializedPowerPoint-integrated toolkit for rapidly converting presentations into SCORM-compliant courses with interactions and assessments.
One-click conversion of PowerPoint slides into interactive, SCORM-ready e-learning modules
iSpring Suite is a powerful e-learning authoring tool built as a PowerPoint add-in, enabling users to convert presentations into fully interactive SCORM-compliant courses with quizzes, simulations, and screencasts. It includes a video editor, screen recorder, and mobile-optimized publishing for seamless LMS integration like Moodle or Blackboard. Designed for rapid development, it streamlines course creation for trainers without needing advanced coding skills.
Pros
- Seamless integration with PowerPoint for quick authoring
- Comprehensive tools including quizzes, branching simulations, and video editing
- Excellent LMS compatibility and mobile-responsive output
Cons
- Requires Microsoft PowerPoint installation
- Subscription pricing can be steep for solo users
- Less flexibility for highly custom interactions compared to code-based tools
Best For
Corporate trainers and instructional designers familiar with PowerPoint who need to produce professional e-learning courses rapidly.
Pricing
Starts at $770/year per author for iSpring Suite; team licenses from $470/user/year with volume discounts and free trial available.
Lectora Inspire
specializedFlexible authoring software for designing standards-compliant, mobile-ready e-learning courses with branching and gamification.
Advanced object-based action builder and variable system for creating intricate, logic-driven interactions without coding
Lectora Inspire is a robust, veteran e-learning authoring tool designed for creating highly interactive and responsive courses with support for SCORM, xAPI, AICC, and cmi5 standards. It features an object-based interface for building complex interactions, branching scenarios, and simulations using variables, actions, and a drag-and-drop timeline. The software includes a vast library of templates, assets, and Snap! plugins for extended functionality, making it suitable for professional-grade e-learning content.
Pros
- Extremely powerful for complex interactions and branching
- Excellent standards compliance and multi-format publishing
- Large ecosystem of pre-built assets and third-party Snap! extensions
Cons
- Dated interface with a steep learning curve
- Less intuitive for beginners compared to modern tools
- Relatively high pricing for individual users
Best For
Experienced instructional designers and developers creating sophisticated, compliance-heavy e-learning courses with advanced customization needs.
Pricing
Annual subscription starting at approximately $1,999 per author for the Professional edition, with enterprise options available.
ActivePresenter
specializedAll-in-one screen recorder and editor for creating interactive tutorials, software simulations, and HTML5 e-learning content.
Integrated screen recording that automatically converts recordings into fully interactive software simulations with clicks, keystrokes, and annotations.
ActivePresenter is an all-in-one e-learning authoring tool that excels in screen recording, video editing, and creating interactive courses with quizzes, simulations, and branching scenarios. It supports importing PowerPoint slides, adding HTML5 interactive objects, and exporting to SCORM, xAPI, and LMS-compatible formats for seamless deployment. Designed for trainers and educators, it combines screencast production with robust e-learning features to produce professional training content.
Pros
- Exceptional screen recording with automatic interactivity simulation
- Comprehensive interactive objects including quizzes and drag-and-drop
- One-time purchase model offering excellent long-term value
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for advanced editing and simulations
- Limited built-in collaboration or cloud sharing features
- Fewer pre-built templates than top competitors like Articulate
Best For
Individual trainers, educators, and small teams creating interactive software tutorials and compliance training on a budget.
Pricing
Free edition available; paid versions start at $169 one-time for Basic, $399 for Pro, and custom Enterprise licensing.
Camtasia
creative_suitePowerful screen recording and video editing software optimized for producing engaging training videos and screencasts.
Seamless workflow from screen recording directly into editing with interactive quiz integration for engaging, trackable e-learning videos
Camtasia is a powerful screen recording and video editing software from TechSmith, tailored for creating professional e-learning videos, tutorials, and interactive training content. It excels in capturing screen activity with precise cursor effects and annotations, then seamlessly transitions into editing with transitions, behaviors, and a vast asset library. Users can enhance courses with built-in quizzes, markers, and interactivity, exporting polished SCORM-compliant videos for LMS integration.
Pros
- Exceptional screen recording with advanced annotations and cursor effects
- Integrated quiz builder for interactive e-learning elements
- Extensive library of royalty-free assets and templates
Cons
- High upfront or subscription cost compared to free alternatives
- Primarily desktop-focused with limited mobile authoring
- Steeper learning curve for advanced editing features
Best For
Instructional designers and trainers focused on producing high-quality video-based screencasts and interactive tutorials for corporate or educational e-learning.
Pricing
Perpetual license at $299.88 (includes 1 year maintenance) or annual subscription at $179.88; volume discounts available.
Elucidat
enterpriseCloud authoring platform for teams to collaboratively build scalable, data-driven responsive learning experiences.
Automatic responsive authoring that ensures pixel-perfect courses across all devices without manual adjustments
Elucidat is a cloud-based e-learning authoring platform designed for creating interactive, responsive online courses without coding. It provides a drag-and-drop interface with customizable templates, rich media interactions, and built-in compliance with standards like SCORM and xAPI. The tool emphasizes collaboration, analytics, and seamless publishing to LMS platforms, making it suitable for professional training content.
Pros
- Superior responsive design that automatically adapts courses to any device
- Advanced analytics and reporting for tracking learner engagement
- Strong collaboration tools for team-based course development
Cons
- High pricing suitable mainly for enterprises, not solopreneurs
- Steeper learning curve for complex customizations
- Limited offline capabilities and asset library compared to competitors
Best For
Mid-sized to large organizations and training teams creating scalable, interactive corporate e-learning content.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting around $3,000-$5,000 annually per author, with tiers for additional features, users, and storage.
DominKnow | ONE
specializedResponsive e-learning authoring tool with AI assistance for creating accessible, interactive courses from a single source.
Automatic responsive scaling that ensures courses look perfect on desktops, tablets, and mobiles without manual adjustments
DominKnow | ONE is a cloud-based e-learning authoring platform designed for creating responsive, interactive courses that work seamlessly across devices without coding. It features a drag-and-drop interface, a vast library of templates, assets, and interactions, plus support for SCORM, xAPI, and cmi5 standards for easy LMS integration. The tool also includes collaboration features, project management, and publishing options for web, mobile, or desktop.
Pros
- Fully responsive design adapts to any device automatically
- Extensive asset library and pre-built interactions speed up development
- Strong collaboration and version control for teams
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for solo users or small teams
- Advanced customization requires workarounds
- Limited offline authoring capabilities
Best For
Instructional design teams creating mobile-first, interactive e-learning courses for corporate training.
Pricing
Essential plan at $20/user/month (billed annually); Advanced at $35/user/month; Enterprise custom; 14-day free trial.
Easygenerator
specializedCloud-based authoring system empowering subject matter experts to create and update courses without developer skills.
Empowerment of non-expert SMEs to independently author and publish professional courses via its no-code, collaborative platform
Easygenerator is a cloud-based e-learning authoring platform designed for subject matter experts to create professional, responsive online courses without coding or design skills. It offers a drag-and-drop editor, pre-built templates, multimedia integration, assessments, branching scenarios, and AI-assisted content generation. The tool supports collaboration, multi-language publishing, and seamless export to LMS formats like SCORM, xAPI, and AICC, making it ideal for rapid course development.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface accessible to non-technical users
- Built-in responsive design and mobile optimization
- Strong collaboration and translation features for teams
Cons
- Limited advanced interactions and custom animations compared to desktop tools
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams or advanced features
- Some multimedia handling requires external tools for complex edits
Best For
Subject matter experts and L&D teams in organizations needing quick, collaborative course creation without instructional design expertise.
Pricing
Starts at €108/user/month (billed annually) for Pro plan; Enterprise custom pricing; 14-day free trial available.
Thinkific
otherNo-code platform for building, hosting, and selling customizable online courses with multimedia and quizzes.
Zero transaction fees on course sales
Thinkific is a comprehensive platform for creating, hosting, marketing, and selling online courses, empowering creators to build professional learning experiences without coding. It features a drag-and-drop course builder, quizzes, assignments, certificates, and drip scheduling to structure content effectively. The platform also supports memberships, bundles, communities, and integrations for payments and email marketing, making it suitable for scaling e-learning businesses.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder for quick course creation
- No transaction fees on sales processed through Thinkific
- Strong community and membership tools for learner engagement
Cons
- Advanced analytics and custom domains limited to higher plans
- Less flexibility in design customization without code
- Email marketing tools require third-party integrations on basic plans
Best For
Independent creators, coaches, and small businesses seeking an easy-to-use platform to launch and monetize online courses.
Pricing
Free plan for basics; paid plans from $49/mo (Basic) to $499/mo (Expand), billed annually with discounts.
Conclusion
After examining the landscape of e-learning course creation software, Articulate 360 emerges as the top choice, boasting a cloud-based suite with Storyline and Rise that delivers professional, interactive, and responsive content.紧随其后, Adobe Captivate shines with advanced capabilities for simulations, VR, and multimedia, while iSpring Suite excels at quickly converting PowerPoint presentations into SCORM-compliant courses with ease. Every tool serves unique needs, but Articulate 360 stands out as the most comprehensive option for building modern, engaging e-learning experiences.
Ready to create exceptional e-learning content? Start with Articulate 360—its intuitive tools and seamless features make it the ideal foundation to transform ideas into interactive, impactful courses.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison