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