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 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Integration with Facebook | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Integration with other social media | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Publishing Options | |||
Can publish to mobile web (ex: HTML5) | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Can provide responsive output | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Can publish to Flash | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Can publish to video | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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.
