With the immense popularity of eLearning, many vendors have recently entered the eLearning Development Tools market. As a result, it has become very difficult to choose the best Authoring Tools and Software in this scenario.
We are going to discuss 10 of the top online tools on this topic in 2021.
Elucidat
Elucidat is a cloud-based authoring tool that focuses on making it easy to produce awesome eLearning, super fast. But, that doesn’t mean that it’s light on features. It’s a user-friendly option that is made for big employers. Authors can start from pre-built blueprints – or build out courses from scratch using the intuitive “what you see is what you get interface”. Flexible user permissions let L&D collaborate better with SMEs, while maintaining central control.
Content is responsive to all screen sizes, so it’s ideal for mobile learning. And tools to manage variations and updates makes keeping pace with change a piece of cake.
Elucidat has an in-depth review of tools on their site. Check out their best eLearning authoring tools blog post.
iSpring
iSpring’s big draw is that it takes PowerPoint content and converts it to eLearning courses. So, it’s super simple for those new to SCORM to understand and execute the process. As well as slides, you can incorporate video capture, interactions, and assessments to build engaging content.
The data generated is then fed into the reporting suite of your LMS. One thing to note for Mac users is there’s no dedicated version for your machine unless you install Windows on your Mac.
Camtasia
First and foremost a video capture tool, Camtasia content can be exported as SCORM packages. It’s an excellent option if you want to jazz up PowerPoint presentations as you can effortlessly record narration and even your face simultaneously.
It may be a lighter option than the others listed, but it benefits you by being highly accessible and affordable. Just be sure to test the reporting output on offer so you know it meets the requirements of your organization.
Whatfix
Whatfix is an interactive digital adoption platform that helps you drive user adoption of any application you’re using. Whatfix provides in-app training and guidance that takes the employees through the live application with interactive walkthroughs.
While it’s not a full-fledged LMS, it functions as a mini-LMS and helps in making eLearning interactive. If you’re already using an LMS, Whatfix’s intuitive SCORM compliant platform works hand-in-hand with your LMS and guides users in real-time until successful completion of the tasks.
Whatfix’s Task List widget is an extremely useful feature that will help you streamline training. It is launched as soon as your employee signs in to the application and displays all the relevant tasks that need to be done in the form of guided interactive walkthroughs.
It also offers a grouping of your training content into a logical structure like categorizing according to a particular section or as per their content type, and more.
Together, you can create learning modules and organize your content according to the employee’s role. You’ll essentially be providing your employees with content that is both relevant to them and to the task, they’re doing and can effectively monitor their progress.
Pricing: Upon request
Raptivity
Source: eLearning Coach
Raptivity is one of the best authoring tools that have more than 190 customizable interactions. This eLearning authoring tool provides interaction models like brainteasers, interactive diagrams, interactive questions, software simulations, surveys, and more.
Within each of these models, there are “Flavors” which are mainly built-in templates like a jigsaw interaction, flashcards, wild cards, etc making it easier for you to assemble your eLearning courses to be more dynamic and interactive.
Raptivity integrates with most training tools like Adobe Captivate, Storyline, Lectora, and others.
A highlight of this eLearning tool is that you can browse by various instructional design models like Bloom’s Taxonomy, Experimental Learning and create your training courses to fit these models.
Pricing: Raptivity has a 14-day free trial. The Essential version is priced at $300 while the Suite is at $600.
Best Blended Learning Authoring Tools
Blended Learning brings together traditional methods of training with modern online training and elearning. It helps your employees find a self-motivated actionable way of learning which works best in a corporate setting because training isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Here are a few top eLearning Authoring softwares to help you incorporate a blended learning approach.
Panopto
Source: Panopto
When it comes to elearning tools for blended learning, videos are an essential element. Panopto is a video platform build for employee training and onboarding. It is a searchable portal using which you can share and manage all the videos you would use for training and knowledge sharing purposes.
Using Panopto, you can easily organize, store, and deliver videos across your organization. Businesses are generating interactive videos for training and internal communications at an exponential rate. Instead of having it spread across multiple internal portals, Google Drive, YouTube, Vimeo, etc, you can centralize all your video lectures in Panopto’s secure searchable video content management system.
Beyond this, Panopto offers multiple features like webcasting and recording, live streaming, and social learning. It also integrates with your LMS, enterprise softwares like SharePoint and Salesforce, and more.
Pricing: On Request.
aNewSpring
Source: GetApp
aNewSpring is a blended learning platform that helps you create and deliver diverse learning courses. Using the online editor, you can create assignments, tests, assessments, and even surveys. The learning content you create can be managed online and can easily be updated without the threat of duplication.
This elearning authoring tool can help you create multiple course types like demos to give employees a quick preview, social learning, and more. It integrates with other eLearning tools like Adobe Captivate, Storyline, Slideshare, Panopto, and more.
One of the highlights of this elearning tool is its adaptive learning algorithm which matches courses by addressing the subjects that require training and assessing the employee’s goals.
Pricing: The pricing model is based on the number of learners.
Composica
Another authoring tool with a strong focus on smooth collaboration, Composica enables you to work with your colleagues straightforwardly.
You can add different users, assign tasks, and always have the most up-to-date version of your content at hand. It also has competitive pricing so it’s a relatively affordable option for your business.
knowbly
If you’re looking for a simple, yet powerful authoring tool, knowbly is one to check out. It’s got all the features an eLearning newbie needs like drag and drop content creation, quick customizability, mobile-responsive, and more.
The platform also enables you to easily organize all of your content within one system so you’ll never lose track of any of your assets.
Lectora Online
Both a cloud and a Windows-based solution, Lectora is an eLearning authoring tool that works well for SCORM content. A neat feature is that it integrates with Camtasia and Snagit. This means that making screen recordings, image editing, voiceovers, and more is that little bit simpler.
gomo
Self-described as “mobile-first”, gomo is another simple to use authoring tool. It’s a recommended solution for beginners wanting to optimize their content to be mobile-responsive, as it has a drag and drop interface. Another bonus for beginners is that it has media assets on offer that are visually attractive and can help you make your content more engaging.
Easygenerator
Described as “all-in-one eLearning software”, Easygenerator has lots of impressive features to help you make engaging content.
It’s another top option for newbies as no coding is needed. And, it’s super user-friendly, so you can handily create your content. It’s also an LMS authoring tool that’s compatible with most solutions, meaning you shouldn’t have any issues using this with your preferred platform.
DominKnow ONE
DominKnow ONE is a diverse authoring tool that can help you make lots of different types of content. As you’d expect, it works well at making mobile responsive content and is very convenient for teams to use while working together.
Content is also simple to publish and distribute, and with everything in one place, it’s effortless to keep track of all of your course content.
The priorities for LMS authoring tools
During your authoring tool comparison, it’s a smart move to dig deeper into your research and not just focus on the superficial aspects. Before making your final decision, we suggest you get all the details on:
Cost
Find out the pricing structure and different pricing models available to you, as well as what features are attached to each.
Customer Support
Never underestimate the value of great support. Do your research into how the tool supports you and, during your free trial, test the support to see how responsive each tool really is. You don’t want to be left alone with a problem!
Documentation/Guides/Knowledge Base
If you need information, you must know where to go and that it’s easily accessible. Ask your potential authoring tool vendor about the resources available to ensure you can get the answers you need.
Features
It’s always a good move to make a list of “must-have” and “nice to have” features and ask your potential vendor about each one of them so you can quickly rule in or rule out options.
Ease of use
Remember, an authoring tool should help you make content quickly and easily, not slow you down. Ensure your solution is simple to use so you can efficiently build the content you want.
Conclusion
The wide variety of elearning tools available is frustrating because it often seems like there is no consistency across tools, or even between the creators of these tools. Tools are constantly arising, and many may fall into obscurity shortly after that. This has made choosing the best elearning authoring tools an extremely difficult choice.