As more organizations look to create digital training content, tools that help presenters create engaging eLearning courses are always in demand. Authoring tools with intuitive interfaces and robust features can be expensive, but luckily some alternatives don’t require a hefty price tag.
These authoring tools offer the core features needed to produce effective eLearning courses with a minimal learning curve. They also offer time-saving features like drag-and-drop functionality and pre-built templates in different design styles.
Uses of Authoring Tool:
Most eLearning authoring tools provide very niche content templates that can improve training content. By utilizing these training templates, experts use proven training practices to create learning content that is both compelling and psychologically sound.
The use of authoring tools in online learning processes provides several benefits:
Provide a bridge between experienced and amateur trainers
Streamline training delivery with rapid content authoring features
Allow you to create rich, interactive training for your team and customer
Facilitate the conversion of legacy content into online training
Picking the Best Authoring Tool for Your Needs
Choosing the right authoring tool for your needs can be deceptively simple if you follow these steps:
First, decide on the budget. In order to decide how much to spend on an authoring tool, you should know how much you can afford.
Evaluate your team's expertise. Authoring tools these days strive to be as intuitive as possible. But few provide some ease of use in return for greater technical capacity.
Determine your needs and how important they are
Below is a list of the best authoring tools you can use for your next eLearning project:
1. Articulate Storyline 360
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Articulate Storyline 360 is a human-friendly authoring tool that helps content creators to create interactive and rich e-learning or courseware. It has an inbuilt video player, quiz maker, and presentation builder that makes it easy for the learners to interact with the content. To learn more about Articulate Storyline
Pros:
Flexible and customizable design
Allows you to import PPTs
Advanced feature set
Cons:
Steep learning curve
Requires complex, custom logic
Not truly mobile responsive
Not available on Mac
Desktop-based, therefore collaboration is challenging
Suitable for:
Experienced eLearning authors
Complex learning or custom interactions
Tutorial:
Step-by-Step Guide to Convert PowerPoint Presentations into eLearning Course using Articulate Storyline 360
2. Adobe Captivate
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Adobe Captivate is a web-based authoring tool from Adobe Systems, Inc. It allows users to create interactive multimedia e-learning content without coding and programming skills. To learn more about Adobe Captivate
Pros:
Professionals can create interactive learning materials
Convert PPT to eLearning
Develop VR content
There are a large number of templates available from third parties
Cons:
Steep learning curve
Requires complex custom logic
Mobile responsive learning is limited to specific templates
Desktop-based, therefore collaboration is challenging
Suitable for:
Professionals seeking to create highly interactive content and simulations
Users looking for quality over speed
3. iSpring Suite
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of conversion to create online courses via developing content, product training, and assessment. To learn more about iSpring Suite
Pros:
Extensive template and asset library
Video and screencast recorder and editor
Cons:
Only works on Windows
Need PowerPoint installation
Suitable for:
Experienced PowerPoint users looking to develop eLearning
Creating learning from existing presentations
4. Gomo Learning
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Gomo has been created for today’s mobile learner who learns differently than the generations before them. Gomo is easy to use with just a few clicks, easy to create with no coding required, and easy to collaborate with built-in tools that allow teachers to share lessons, quizzes, rubrics, and more seamlessly. To learn more about Gomo Learning
Pros:
Interactive templates
Easy to learn
Truly mobile-responsive
Cons:
No WYSIWYG interface
Limited customization options
Suitable for:
Organizations looking to build mobile-first content
5. Lectora Inspire
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It is a cloud-based solution that postulates with the design publish, to deliver courses via multiple platforms. It provides by converting heavy content into interesting courses. To learn more about Lectora Inspire
Pros:
Cloud-based
Access to eLearning Brothers AssetLibrary
Fully customizable
Cons:
Steep learning curve
Not truly mobile responsive
Complex user interface
Suitable for:
Experienced learning designers
Customized, highly interactive content and simulations
6. Elucidat
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Elucidat makes it easy for everyone in the organization to create, author, manage and deliver courses. It improves efficiency by cutting down on time spent designing each course from start to finish. To learn more about Elucidat
Pros:
Great collaboration features
Intuitive user interface
Truly mobile responsive
Cons:
Expensive unless you are developing large-scale programs
No custom interactions
Suitable for:
Organizations that develop learning at scale
Dispersed teams
7. Easygenerator
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Easygenerator is the fastest and easiest way to create interactive e-learning courses without programming skills, complex code knowledge, or any previous experience in L&D authoring tools. The courses created with Easygenerator can include anything from slideshows, videos, text, quizzes, and surveys to build custom learning material for different audiences individually. To learn more about Easygenerator
Pros:
Easy to learn
Ability to import PowerPoint
Cons:
No inbuilt asset library
Limited interaction types
Suitable for:
Authors with little experience
creating a small number of courses
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