This blog compares Storyline 1 and Storyline 2 and explains the differences between them in detail. This helps training managers make better decisions on which version to use, based on their training requirements.
A number of new features have been introduced in Articulate Storyline 2 compared to Storyline 1. There were not many formatting options for course text in Storyline 1, a lot of customization options are now available in Storyline 2. Motion paths were introduced in Storyline 2 along with an increased the number of animations and transitions. Publishing HD quality videos was not possible in Storyline 1 but added in Storyline 2. Negative scoring, import of questions from a spreadsheet and text file were also introduced in Storyline 2. You cannot import a course developed in Storyline 2 to Storyline 1 to work. However, you can import a course developed in Storyline 1 to Storyline 2. L There are a number of differences like these when you compare Storyline 1 and Storyline 2. Let’s explore them in detail.
1. Authoring Content in Storyline 1 vs. 2
Storyline 1 doesn’t have Auto Recovery, Adjustable interface language, undockable/redockable panels, and streamlined interface with form/slide view toggle features. When Storyline 1 was introduced for authoring content, it had only two basic options – custom sizes for course slides and section 508/ accessibility support. These features were continued in Storyline 2 and the new features mentioned earlier were added.
The table below clearly shows the features that are not available in Storyline 1 and the features added in Storyline 2
| Authoring Content |
Storyline 1 |
Storyline 2 |
| Streamlined interface with form/slide view toggle |
Yes |
|
| Undockable/redockable panels |
Yes |
|
| Adjustable interface language |
Yes |
|
| Auto Recovery |
Yes |
|
| Custom slide sizes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Section 508 support |
Yes |
Yes |
2. Text Editor in Storyline 1 vs. 2
Storyline 1 doesn’t support right-to-left text, crisp text publishing, OpenType fonts, em & en dashes, ellipses & smart quotes, custom bullets & numbering, and custom spacing. All these gaps were filled in Storyline 2. In a sense, more customization and formatting options are possible with Storyline 2 than Storyline 1.
| Text Editor |
Storyline 1 |
Storyline 2 |
| Supports all languages |
Yes |
Yes |
| Superior handling of right-to-left text |
Yes |
|
| New WYSIWYG text editor |
Yes |
|
| Publishes crisper text |
Yes |
|
| Supports ligatures in OpenType fonts |
– |
Yes |
| Supports em dashes, en dashes, ellipses, and smart quotes |
– |
Yes |
| Supports custom bullets and numbering |
– |
Yes |
| Supports custom spacing for characters, lines, and paragraphs |
– |
Yes |
3. Animations and Transitions in Storyline 1 vs. 2
The number of animations has been increased from 5 to 15 in Storyline 2. Motion Paths and Animation Painter were introduced in Storyline 2. Slide transitions have also gone up to 43 in Storyline 2 from 20 in Storyline 1.
| Animations and Transitions |
Storyline 1 |
Storyline 2 |
| Entrance animations |
5 |
15 |
| Exit animations |
5 |
15 |
| Motion Paths |
Yes |
|
| Animation Painter |
Yes |
|
| Slide transitions |
20 |
43 |
4. Interactive Objects in Storyline 1 vs. 2
Timeline-based triggers and Sliders are introduced in Storyline 2. All other features are the same in both versions.
| Interactive Objects |
Storyline 1 |
Storyline 2 |
| Slide Layers |
Yes |
Yes |
| Object states |
Yes |
Yes |
| Triggers |
Yes |
Yes |
| Timeline-based triggers |
– |
Yes |
| Variables |
Yes |
Yes |
| Buttons |
Yes |
Yes |
| Sliders |
– |
Yes |
| Hotspots |
Yes |
Yes |
| Markers |
Yes |
Yes |
| Data-entry fields |
Yes |
Yes |
| Scrolling panels |
Yes |
Yes |
| Mouse cursors |
Yes |
Yes |
5. Media in Storyline 1 vs. 2
Storyline 1 cannot support uncompressed videos in the published output. This was rectified in Storyline 2 so that course developers can upload large videos too.
| Media |
Storyline 1 |
Storyline 2 |
| Record, import, and edit audio |
Yes |
Yes |
| Record, import, and edit videos |
Yes |
Yes |
| Supports uncompressed videos in published output |
– |
Yes |
| Native screen recording |
Yes |
Yes |
| Software simulations |
Yes |
Yes |
| Articulate’s illustrated and photographic character libraries |
Yes |
Yes |
| Interactive Flash files |
Yes |
Yes |
| Web content |
Yes |
Yes |
6. Quizzes and Interactions in Storyline 1 vs. 2
You can’t import questions from a spreadsheet or text file with Storyline 1 but this can be done with Storyline 2. Negative scoring for incorrect answers was also not available in Storyline 1 and is now possible in Storyline 2.
| Quizzes and Interactions |
Storyline 1 |
Storyline 2 |
| Create custom interactions |
Yes |
Yes |
| 25 question types |
Yes |
Yes |
| Drag-and-drop questions |
Yes |
Yes |
| Import questions from a spreadsheet or text file |
– |
Yes |
| Support negative scoring for wrong answers |
– |
Yes |
| Calculate total score from multiple quizzes in the same course |
Yes |
Yes |
7. Import Options in Storyline 1 vs. 2
You can’t import content prepared in Studio ’13 and Storyline 2 to Storyline 1. That means, if you prepare online courses in Storyline 2, you can’t open them in Storyline 1. However, Storyline 1 courses can be opened with Storyline 2.
| Compatibility |
Storyline 1 |
Storyline 2 |
| Import Microsoft PowerPoint presentations |
Yes |
Yes |
| Import Articulate Studio ’09 content |
Yes |
Yes |
| Import Articulate Studio ’13 content |
– |
Yes |
| Import Articulate Storyline 1 content |
Yes |
Yes |
| Import Articulate Storyline 2 content |
– |
Yes |
8. The Player in Storyline 1 vs. 2
Disabling or hiding navigation buttons isn’t possible with Storyline 1. Reversing the Previous/Next buttons for right-to-left languages was also not possible with Storyline 1. Both these features have been added in Storyline 2.
| Player |
Storyline 1 |
Storyline 2 |
| Customizable player |
Yes |
Yes |
| Option to make the seek bar read-only (non-interactive) |
– |
Yes |
| Temporarily disable or hide navigation buttons with states and triggers |
– |
Yes |
| Reverse Previous/Next buttons for right-to-left languages |
– |
Yes |
9. Publishing Options in Storyline 1 vs. 2
Online courses developed with Storyline 1 couldn’t be published to Android devices. Android support for publishing was introduced in Storyline 2. Responsive output is not possible with both Storyline 1 and 2.
| Publishing |
Storyline 1 |
Storyline 2 |
| Flash output |
Yes |
Yes |
| HTML5 output |
Yes |
Yes |
| Articulate Mobile Player output |
Yes |
Yes |
| iOS support |
Yes |
Yes |
| Android support |
– |
Yes |
| AICC |
Yes |
Yes |
| SCORM 1.2 |
Yes |
Yes |
| SCORM 2004 |
Yes |
Yes |
| Tin Can API |
Version 0.9 |
Version 1.0 |
| Pricing and Support |
Storyline 1 |
Storyline 2 |
| Discounted pricing when upgrading from Articulate Storyline 1 |
– |
Yes |
| Access to the community and support |
Yes |
Yes |
Hope you know have a comprehensive idea of how Storyline 2 scores over Storyline 1.
