Storyline, Captivate, Lectora – An Evaluation Checklist of 3 Rapid Authoring Tools

Choosing a rapid e-learning authoring tool that suits your training needs completely can be quite a challenging task. You need to consider various aspects such as cost, built-in features, flexibility of the tool, and the output it gives. Analyzing all these features can cost you a lot of time and effort. This blog intends to make it easy for you and help pick the right tool quickly.

The eLearning Guild has come out with a report that lists the most desired features in rapid e-learning authoring software. We will now evaluate the 3 widely used rapid authoring tools – Articulate Storyline 2, Adobe Captivate 9, and Lectora Inspire 16, based on the features listed by the report.

Features	Articulate Storyline 2	Adobe Captivate 9	Lectora Inspire 16
Cost of one license (as of 22-Sep-2016)	USD 1398	USD1099	USD 2174
Audio Capabilities
Can embed audio files
Can embed audio in interactions
Can record audio
Can perform basic audio editing
Can store audio files in a library
Can export recorded audio to MP3
Can add links to external audio files
Can perform advanced audio editing
Assessment Features
Can choose from a wide variety of question types (including multiple choice, fill-in, and hotspot)
Can show a review of the questions after scoring
Can format question pages as desired
Can track assessments
Can create randomized questions
Can shuffle answers
Can add media to questions
Can randomize questions from banks/pools		(Needs to be customized)
Branching and Navigation Features
Can add simple branching
Can add custom navigation
Can add complex branching
Graphics and Animations Creation
Can make objects on the screen interactive
Can animate onscreen elements
Can edit images, basic
Can insert HTML5animations
Can choose from multiple transitions
Can insert Flash animations
Can add text animations
Can use built-in characters
Can edit images, advanced
Support for Videos
Can embed video files
Can embed videos in interactions
Can link to external or web video files
Can record screens
Can export recorded videos
Can pan and zoom
Can store videos in a library
Can perform basic video editing
Format Templates, Themes, Skins, and Text Features
Can use numerous text formatting options (styles, bullets, justification, etc.)
Can customize how interactions look and feel
Can create custom themes
Can create custom templates
Can customize built-in Player skins		(Only a few features)
Can choose from built-in Player skins
Can choose from built-in themes
Games, Scenarios, and Simulations
Can add interactive scenarios
Can create simple software simulations
Can create complex software simulations
Can add simple game elements
Support and User-community
Has easy user support
Free intro training modules are available
Has an active user community
Progress-Tracking Features
Track in SCORM 1.2
Track in SCORM 2004
Track in xAPI
Track in AICC
Scripts and Variables Features
Can create user variables
Can use system variables, such as current date and time
Can use simple Java scripts
Can use complex Java scripts
User Accessibility Features
Can provide closed captioning for audio
Can provide closed captioning for videos
Can provide accessibility (Section 508, WCAG, etc.) features
Can use text-to-speech (with included voices)
Can work with JAWS and other screen readers
Integration with Social Media
Integration with Twitter	(Needs to be programmed)
Integration with Facebook	(Needs to be programmed)
Integration with other social media	(Needs to be programmed)
Publishing Options
Can publish to mobile web (ex: HTML5)
Can provide responsive output
Can publish to Flash
Can publish to video	(Screen casts can be saved as videos)
Can publish to PDF
Can publish to Microsoft Word
Can publish to a single execute file (.exe) for offline purposes

Hope you find this post informative. Go through the table for a quick comparison of the features when you need to zero-in on a tool for your online courses. Please share your thoughts through your comments.

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