Top 15 eLearning authoring tools (2025)

Successful online training begins with the right eLearning authoring tools. These tools help course creators produce interactive, media-rich learning content for certification, compliance training, or employee development. 

Unfortunately, choosing authoring software can be challenging because different solutions approach content authoring differently. What features should you look for? Should you opt for a standalone product or a comprehensive option such as a learning content management system?

We’ll answer these questions and help you find your perfect match.

Top 15 eLearning authoring tools

We’ve shortlisted the best authoring tools in the market based on the following criteria:

• Features – they offer must-have features like multimedia integration and customization
• Ease of use – they are intuitive and easy to use for technical and non-technical users
• Collaboration – they facilitate real-time collaboration
• SCORM capability – they convert training content into the format used by LMS platforms
• Customer support – provide round-the-clock support
• Cost – affordable and provide value for money

Let’s begin.

[TL;DR] Comparison of the top 15 eLearning authing tools

Platform	Key Features	Pricing
GetResponse	AI course builder, marketing automation, assessments, webinars	Starts at $48/month
iSpring	AI content generator, screen recording, assessments, cloud storage	Starts at $770/year
Article Storyline	AI content generator, screen recording, assessments, cloud storage	Starts at $1449/year
Adobe Captivate	Templates, responsive design, interactions widget gallery, screen recording	Starts at $33.99/month
Elucidat	Templates, responsive design, auto-translation, AI content generator	Custom pricing
Articulate Rise	Drag-and-drop builder, responsive design, screen recording, AI content generator	Starts at $1449/year
Camtasia	Video recording & editing, text-to-speech, AI translation	Starts at $179.88/year
Gomo	Drag-and-drop editor, course duplicator, assessments, AI content generator	Custom pricing
DominKnow	Templates, responsive design, assessments, translation & localization	Starts at $1997/year
Evolve	Drag-and-drop editor, assessments	Starts at $588/year
Synthesia	AI video generator, screen recording, translation	Starts at $18/month
Easygenerator	AI course builder, assessments, translation, text-to-speech	Starts at $108/month
Lectora	AI course builder, assessments, responsive design, translation & localization	Custom pricing
Adapt	Drag-and-drop editor, responsive design, open-source plugin library	Free
Vynod	AI video generator, AI image generator, text-to-speech, translation	Starts at $25/month

1. GetResponse

GetResponse is a leading digital marketing platform with over 25 years of experience. Our AI-powered course builder helps users create interactive eLearning courses without coding or design skills. The AI features can help generate course outlines and create some of the content you need for your course.

The course builder allows you to create a course with up to seven different modules, including text, audio, video, and webinars. The webinar feature also functions as a screen recorder, enabling you to share your screen, use sticky notes and a highlighter in real-time, and upload additional media all while recording yourself as you teach.

In addition to authoring capabilities, GetResponse offers robust marketing and monetization features. You’ll have access to autoresponders, marketing automation, website and landing page builders, popups and forms, and a live webinar platform to promote your course and build an engaged audience. 

The best part is that you’ll have access to all these marketing tools as well as the course builder and premium newsletters with just one subscription. This is much more convenient (and cost-effective) compared to other authoring tools that force users to pay for third-party marketing tools. GetResponse gives you everything you need to create and sell your course in one place. 

Moreover, we offer 24/7 email support in seven languages and 24/7 live chat support in English. You can access the help center with hundreds of written and video resources. 

Key features

• AI course builder
• Multi-media support
• Mobile App
• Video recording
• Marketing automation
• WGAG compliant

Pricing

GetResponse offers one plan starting at $56.58/month. Pricing increases depending on the number of contacts and students. You get unlimited courses, a mobile app, premium newsletters, webinars, website/landing page builders, and 0% transaction fees. 

2. iSpring Suite

iSpring Suite is a desktop-based tool that uses PowerPoint slides to create eLearning content. It lets you create engaging modules using quizzes, videos, role-play simulations, branching scenarios, and voice-overs. 

Content created with iSpring Suite is compatible with various eLearning standards, including SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004, xAPI, AICC, and cmi5. Users can also distribute courses to iSpring Learn, the company’s LMS.

iSpring Suite has a gentle learning curve if you’re familiar with PowerPoint. You build e-learning courses the same way you create presentations. Moreover, you can turn existing PowerPoint slides into lessons, which saves you time and effort.

On the downside, real-time collaboration is limited because desktop-based tools run locally on computers. However, iSpring Cloud allows users to upload and share course links with team members to accelerate review and approval processes.

iSpring Suite offers 24/7 live support via phone, email, and chat. Expert training is available and includes a two-hour webinar, Q&A session, certificate of completion, and one-month post-training support. 

The knowledge hub has articles, video tutorials, and guides to help users get the most out of the eLearning authoring software.  

Key features

• Robust content library (templates, characters, icons)
• 14 Quiz types
• Customization
• Multimedia support
• Video recording
• AI voice-overs
• AI content creation
• Cloud storage
• WGAG and section 508 compliant

Pricing

iSpring Suite has three paid plans.

• iSpring Suite at $770 yearly
• iSpring Suite Max at $970 yearly
• iSpring Suite Premium at $1970 yearly

Discounts are available for freelancers and academic institutions. There is also a free plan and a 14-day free trial for paid plans.

3. Articulate Storyline 

Articulate Storyline is part of the Articulate 360 suite. Like iSpring, Storyline will be familiar to PowerPoint users. 

The software uses slides to create interactive, professional eLearning courses. You can create quizzes, branching scenarios, simulations, and complex interactions. 

The Story View tab provides a comprehensive view of your project and allows you to manage the relationships between slides. 

Storyline is compatible with various LMS formats, including SCORM, AICC, and xAPI. Users can also distribute courses to Reach, Articulate 360’s LMS.

There are two primary drawbacks to the software. 

First, it has a learning curve when using advanced features like triggers and conditions to create complex interactions. Fortunately, Articulate 360 offers customer support via email and live chat. Certified training partners provide virtual and in-person training. You can also get help from the community forum and tutorial library.

Second, like other desktop-based elearning software, Storyline runs locally, limiting real-time collaboration. You must upgrade to the Articulate 360 Teams plan to collaborate with others.

Key features

• Extensive content library (templates, characters, icons)
• 25 Quiz types
• Customization
• Multi-media support
• Video recording
• Localization
• AI content creation
• Cloud storage
• WGAG and section 508 compliant

Pricing

Storyline is available in two pricing models.

• Personal plan at $1449 per user per year
• Teams plan at $1749 per user per year

A 25% discount is available for academic institutions, and there is a 30-day free trial.

4. Adobe Captivate

Adobe Captivate allows instructors to create media-rich and interactive e-learning courses. The software is responsive by default, which means you author the course once, and the content adapts to different screen sizes. 

Captivate excels at advanced capabilities like simulations, transitions, and triggers, resulting in highly engaging content.

The new interface is intuitive, with simplified workflows and ready-made templates. The widget gallery makes course enrichment effortless. Simply customize interactions like flip cards, carousels, and click-to-reveal with images and text content.

Captivate supports HTML5, SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004, AICC, and xAPI formats for web and learning management systems. You can also publish courses on Adobe Learning Manager with a single click.

Individual users receive chat and community support. Enterprise accounts receive comprehensive support through email, phone, portal, chat, and remote access. There is also a knowledge base with in-depth tutorials and live sessions. 

One noteworthy disadvantage of Adobe Captivate is that it runs locally and doesn’t have real-time collaboration tools. Users create a review and comments workflow by sharing a link with collaborators.

Key features

• Pre-made templates
• Asset library
• Responsive design
• Interactions widget gallery
• 9 Quiz types
• Multi-media support
• Video recording
• AI voice studio
• WGAG and section 508 compliant

Pricing

Captivate has a three-level pricing structure.

• Individual subscription for $33.99 monthly
• Team subscription (contact for price)
• Enterprise licenses (contact for price)

Discounts are available for academic institutions. There is a 30-day free trial.

5. Elucidat

Elucidat is a cloud-based elearning authoring tool. Users access the platform from a web browser, meaning you don’t have to install anything on your computer. 

Elucidat has an intuitive interface. You can create courses using ready-made templates or leverage the PowerPoint import feature to turn existing training materials into engaging lessons. 

As a cloud-based elearning software, Elucidat facilitates real-time collaboration, which is a significant plus compared to the other two authoring software we’ve covered above. Internal and external collaborators can review and comment directly, and you can review all open and resolved comments.

Elucidat also supports a seamless connection with any SCORM-compliant LMS platform. It has a direct integration with the Docebo and CrossKnowledge Learning Suite platforms as well.

Customer support is available through the app. The help center contains video tutorials, user guides, FAQs, and release notes. The company’s podcasts, webinars, and blog posts encourage general learning.

Key features

• Image stock library
• Templates
• Responsive design
• Auto-translation
• Customization
• 3 quiz types
• AI content generator
• Text-to-speech
• WGAG and section 508 compliant

Pricing 

Elucidat offers three customizable pricing levels.

• Growth (max. of 5 users)
• Team (max. of 20 users)
• Enterprise (max. of 50 users)

You must contact the sales team for a quote and access to a 14-day free trial.

6. Articulate Rise 360

Rise 360 is the web-based course authoring tool from Articulate 360. We met its desktop sibling, Storyline 360, earlier. 

Rise is designed to be mobile-responsive and user-friendly. While customization options are more limited than Storyline, users can create professional courses using the drag-and-drop course builder, templates, interactive elements, and AI-enabled features. 

Another difference is real-time collaboration. Invited collaborators can edit different sections of lessons simultaneously. Project stakeholders can also review and comment directly on courses.

Like Storyline, Rise supports SCORM, xAPI, and AICC exports and integrates easily with most LMS platforms. You can also distribute courses on Articulate 360’s LMS. You also get the same level of support as Storyline users. 

Key features

• Extensive content library (templates, characters, icons)
• 25 Quiz types
• Multi-media support
• Responsive design
• Video recording
• AI content generator
• WGAG and section 508 compliant

Pricing

Rise is part of the Articulate 360 suite pricing models.

• Personal plan at $1449 per user per year
• Teams plan at $1749 per user per year

A 25% discount is available for academic institutions, and there is a 30-day free trial.

7. Camtasia

Camtasia is a video capture tool for creating training videos, tutorials, and software demos. Its customizable templates and lower thirds for different screen sizes can help you jumpstart course creation. 

The platform also enables engagement with on-screen annotation, dynamic backgrounds, sound effects, and accessibility with video narration and close captions.

There’s a learning curve for people who don’t have video production experience. However, the software becomes easy to use after watching video tutorials and webinars from the help center. 

Camtasia also offers email and chat support for subscription customers. Perpetual license holders get email, 24/5 chat, and phone support during business hours. 

Content produced on Camtasia is SCORM-compliant. Therefore, it can integrate with many LMS platforms. You can also publish courses directly on YouTube and social media. 

However, there’s no option for real-time collaboration since its a desktop-based solution. Users must rely on file sharing and email to review and edit content.

Key features

• Screen recording
• Video and audio editing
• Royalty-free asset library
• Text-to-speech
• Generative AI
• AI translation

Pricing

Camtasia offers three plans:

• Essentials at $179.88 yearly
• Create at $249 yearly
• Pro at $499 yearly

Businesses, academic institutions, and government organizations can purchase a perpetual license for $299 per user. There is a 7-day free trial.

8. Gomo Learning

Gomo Learning is a cloud-based authoring tool that designs mobile-responsive content. You don’t have to create separate desktop, mobile, or tablet layouts. The software automatically does this for you. 

Templates and the drag-and-drop editor make course creation quick and easy. Generative AI capabilities help you write course introductions, objectives, and conclusions. You can also duplicate lessons.

Gomo Learning supports real-time collaboration, too. Team members can build and edit content on the platform. Content created on Gomo is SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004, and xAPI compliant. You can also create and share a direct access link.

The platform offers email and phone support during business hours (enterprise customers only). The resource hub contains comprehensive learning resources, such as how-to guides, eBooks, on-demand videos, and thought leadership webinars. 

Gomo Academy provides microlearning video tutorials that answer common questions about using media assets, creating assessments, and more.

Key features

• Drag-and-drop editors
• Course duplicator
• Screen and theme template library
• Video and audio
• AI content generator
• Quizzes

Pricing

Gomo Learning offers flexible pricing depending on your company size, storage needs, and the number of users/authors. Contact the sales for pricing and access to a 21-day free trial. 

9. DominKnow

DominKnow ONE is three authoring tools in one. It combines Claro (traditional eLearning authoring tool), Flow (responsive authoring tool), and Capture (software simulation). 

Getting started is easy with design templates and PowerPoint import. You can also copy sample and baseline projects. 

The inline help feature offers contextual information as you interact with features. Users can also access the ONE Success support program, which offers instructor-led onboarding, Q&A, one-on-one, and overview sessions. The community forum provides additional resources and weekly user meetups.

The software’s differentiating factor is single-source authoring. You can create multiple learning experiences from a single source. The Show Me mode demonstrates task steps, the Try Me mode allows learners to practice task steps, and the Guide Me mode offers step-by-step instructions.

DominKnow is cloud-based and supports real-time, simultaneous collaboration. You can assign permission-based roles to internal and external collaborators, managing what feedback (edits or comments) team members can provide. You can also manage versions and track comments.

The platform supports SCORM, xAPI, AICC, and CMI5 formats.

Key features

• Multimedia support
• Media and widget library
• Response design
• Testing and assessment
• Translation and localization
• Customization
• WCAG and Section 508 compliant

Pricing

DominKnow offers three pricing models.

• Business at $1997 per user per year
• Business Plus at $2497 per user per year
• Enterprise has custom pricing

You can try the software before you buy on a 14-day free trial. Discounts are available for eligible academic and non-profit institutions.

10. Evolve

Evolve is a course authoring tool designed for responsive and interactive e-learning experiences. You can create HTML content quickly using pre-built templates and add videos, audio, and interactive features like flip cards, simulations, quizzes, and branching scenarios.  

Evolve syncs directly with the Intellum LMS platform to ensure learners have up-to-date content. Collaboration is also real-time. Multiple team members can edit and comment on the same project simultaneously.

Courses created with Evolve are compatible with most web and LMS platforms. The software supports SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004, xAPI, and HTML formats. You can also create a web link to share with learners.

Evolve offers email and in-app support. Users can submit tickets and access training courses, release notes, and the community page.

Key features

• Asset library
• Quizzes and assessments
• Customization
• Multimedia support
• Section 508 compliant

Pricing

Evolve offers three price plans.

• Personal at $588 yearly
• Team at $1560 yearly
• Enterprise at custom pricing

Individuals can start a personal plan for free. A 21-day free trial is available for businesses.

11. Synthesia

Synthesia is an AI-powered video course authoring tool. What’s unique about it is it turns text into videos. You don’t need cameras or actors. Instead, choose from over 200 customizable AI avatars. You can also create an avatar that looks and sounds like you.

The software is simple and easy to use. Enter or upload your script to generate video lectures. Next, select a template and edit your video’s script, design, and sound. You can even co-create with colleagues. 

That said, customer support is only available via chat and the knowledge hub only. 

Synthesia supports the SCORM format, which allows you to publish videos on your preferred LMS platform. You can generate a link to share with learners or embed it on your website.   

Key features

• Video editing
• Voice generator
• Royalty-free media library
• Expressive avatars
• Customization
• Screen recording
• Translation

Pricing 

Synthesia provides three subscription plans.

• Starter at $18 monthly
• Creator at $64 monthly
• Enterprise at custom pricing  

There is no free trial. However, you can test the product by creating a sample AI video.

12. Easygenerator

Easygenerator is a cloud-based content authoring tool. It uses templates and an AI course builder to create company-tailored courses quickly. You can also convert PowerPoint presentations into interactive eLearning modules. 

As a cloud-based authoring tool, Easygenerator facilitates real-time collaboration. Internal collaborators, like team members and co-authors, can review and edit course content, while external collaborators can send in-app comments.

The platform supports multiple learning styles and localization with text-to-audio and translation features. Easygenerator is also WCAG compliant, so it supports accessibility for learners with disabilities.  

Content created with Easygenerator is converted to HTML5 and SCORM formats for web, LMS, and LXP publication. The software is SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004, and xAPI compliant. 

Instructors can also publish courses to EdCast and Degreed or share private links or QR codes. 

Easygenerator offers phone, email, and chat support in over 100 languages. Personal and on-demand training is available for Team and Enterprise customers. The knowledge hub contains blog articles, webinars, guides, and eBooks to help users get the most out of the software.

Key features

• AI course builder
• Pre-made templates
• Translation
• Text-to-Speech
• Video recording
• Video narration
• Stock image library
• 11 Quizzes
• Customization

Pricing

Easygenerator has three price plans with various user limits.

• The Pro plan is $108 monthly, with limits of 1 user, 10 courses, and 100 learners.
• The Team plan is $541 monthly, with limits of 5 users and unlimited courses and learners.
• The Enterprise plan has unlimited users, courses, and learners. Contact the company for pricing.

Easygenerator offers discounts for educational institutions and non-profit organizations. There’s also a 14-day free trial.

13. Lectora

Lectora is an award-winning content authoring software from ELB Learning. It is available on desktop or online. 

Creating workplace training tools is easy with the AI Course Wizard (Lectora Online), which generates course outlines and content. You can also convert existing PowerPoint presentations by importing and adding interactions and assessments. 

It also supports VR, gamification, and interactives like branching scenarios and click-to-reveal interactions to enhance learner engagement. 

Lectora uses responsive design, allowing you to offer great user experiences for all devices. Real-time collaboration is also possible on Lectora Online. Team members can review, co-author, and comment on documents. You can also assign user roles and track version history.

The cloud and desktop versions support SCORM, xAPI, HTML5, AICC, and CMI5. You can publish directly to several learning platforms, including Docebo, Healthstream, and Rockstar Learning.

Support is available via chat and email. The fastest way to get help is to submit an online ticket request. You can also find answers to your questions on the knowledge base and community page.

Key features

• AI course builder
• Pre-made templates
• Extensive Asset library
• Multi-media support
• Quizzes and assessment
• Responsive design
• Translation and localization
• WCAG and Section 508 compliant

Pricing

Lectora customizes pricing based on course length, desired interactivity, content readiness, and timeline. You can experience the platform on a 30-day free trial before contacting the sales team for a personalized quote.

14. Adapt

Adapt is a free e-learning authoring tool that creates responsive, multi-device, HTML5 digital learning content on the Adapt Framework. 

Designed for developers, Adapt has a relatively steep learning curve for non-technical users. Installing and configuring the program is quite complicated, for example. 

Before running the authoring tool, you must download four prerequisite software packages (Git, Node.js, Grunt, and MongoDB). It’s also unfortunate that support is limited to the documentation on the website.

Creating courses is much simpler, though. You can import lessons or use the drag-and-drop editor to add content. However, you have to build your asset library, templates, etc. Fortunately, you can access community-made plugins free of charge. 

Adapt supports collaboration so you can share courses with technical team members. 

Content created on the Adapt is Web and SCORM compliant.

Key features

• Responsive design
• Multimedia support
• Quizzes and assessment
• Open-source plugin library

Pricing

Adapt is a free software that runs locally on your computer.

15. Vyond 

Like Synthesia, Vyond is an AI-powered video authoring software. You generate videos from prompts and edit them in the editor, choosing various avatars, layouts, languages, and tone of voice. You can also create animated avatars based on photos. 

Vyond is simple and easy to use. Enter or upload your script to generate a video. The quick edit function is intuitive and you can use a drag-and-drop feature to change screen text, character, language, and tone.   

On the downside, real-time collaboration isn’t possible. You must export and share drafts through email. 

The platform supports MP4 and WEBM formats. To publish Vynod-created videos on learning management systems, you must add them to SCORM-compliant course packages.

Vyond offers live chat and priority phone support, and customized training is available for accounts with over 10 users. Other resources include webinars, eBooks, and a knowledge hub.

Key features

• Extensive assets library
• Multimedia support
• Text-to-speech
• Voice over recording
• Translating
• AI image generator

Pricing

Vyond has a multi-tiered pricing structure.

• The Essential plan starts at $25 per month per user (single-user plan)
• The Premium plan starts at $54 per month per user (single-user plan)
• The Professional plan starts at $92 per month per user  
• The Enterprise plan starts at $125 per month per user
• The Agency plan is custom pricing

There is a 14-day free trial, and government agencies can inquire about special pricing.

In closing

As you can see, there’s a lot of overlap in the tools in this article. After all, the best elearning authoring tools will have all the advanced features and functions users need to create high-quality e-learning content. The differentiating factors come down to your specific needs.

If you need to produce high-quality content at scale and promote your content with advanced marketing tools, GetResponse is the right authoring tool. As a cloud-based software, it supports remote and hybrid work environments, allowing workers to log in from anywhere. 

Our AI builder makes authoring quick and effortless for novice and experienced instructional designers. Finally, we offer value for money with unlimited courses and access to our award-winning marketing services.

Drop us a line to find out how we can support your e-learning goals.