eLearning software is an essential part of any successful learning and development initiative
Content authoring tools allow a business to more easily create courses for its training
Solutions are typically geared toward a specific delivery modality or content type
Creating great training content is one of the hardest and most essential parts of learning and development.
The right eLearning authoring tools can make the process faster, smarter, and far more effective. Whether you’re designing compliance courses, onboarding modules, or technical simulations, today’s platforms offer powerful features to help you build engaging learning experiences without starting from scratch.
To help you find the right tool, we’ve rounded up the 11 best eLearning authoring tools in 2025, including their top features, pricing, and ease of use, so you can choose the platform that fits your team’s goals and workflows.
Below, you’ll find a summary of the top authoring tools, organized by ease of use. We’ve also included pricing details and distinguishing features for each. Keep scrolling for more in-depth descriptions.
Quick Comparison
Tool
Distinguishing Features
Pricing (USD)
Ease of Use
Rise 360
Modular content authoringWeb-based responsive designCustom themes and layouts
Part of the Articulate 360 eLearning platform, Rise 360 is a web-based tool geared toward rapid, mobile-first course creation.
It’s incredibly straightforward, owing both to its drag-and-drop interface and its collection of pre-built templates. It’s generally best-suited for standardized content that doesn’t require deep personalization.
2. Easygenerator
AI-driven browser-based collaborative creation
Cloud-based drag-and-drop content authoring tool Easygenerator provides a winning combination of seamless collaboration and an intuitive interface.
Leveraging artificial intelligence, it empowers instructional designers to quickly turn existing content into interactive training, which they can immediately publish to their LMS or LXP. It also offers one-click, AI-driven translation with support for 75 languages.
Developed around Microsoft PowerPoint, iSpring Suite Max is perfect for any organization that relies on Microsoft 365.
Designers can easily transform slide decks into fully interactive courses complete with branching learning paths, rich media, quizzes, and more. The platform also offers a massive asset library supported by cloud-based collaboration.
4. Camtasia
User-friendly integrated video recording and editing
Camtasia can turn any video recording into a learning experience.
Alongside support for interactive quizzes and advanced video annotations, it can record an instructor’s screen, webcam feed, microphone, and system audio on separate tracks for ease of editing. Other features include AI scriptwriting, AI avatars, and AI voice generation.
5. H5P
Flexible, open-source embedded content ecosystem
As the name suggests, H5P is built with HTML5 content in mind. Entirely free to use, the open-source platform is supported by a strong community and extensive content ecosystem. The developer can also host courses for a business, with prices starting at $804 per year.
6. Gomo Learning
Instant, granular content translation
Featuring a cloud-based drag-and-drop interface and a centralized asset library, Gomo excels at creating mobile-friendly multi-language content.
It leverages the latest technology to help businesses both create and deliver training content. Key features include AI-enabled text generation, auto-translation, and content review.
Like H5P, Adapt Learning is an open-source platform built on the award-winning Adapt developer framework. The authoring tool is supported by a modular plugin ecosystem which features everything from quizzes and visuals to full scenarios.
Although it requires a bit of technical skill to use Adapt Learning to its fullest potential, the trade-off is deep customization and control without the need for hefty licensing fees.
8. Elucidat
Enterprise-scale collaborative authoring and production
Elucidat excels at scalable, rapid course creation and delivery. The cloud-based tool is built with an intuitive WYSIWYG interface and features an extensive library of content and visuals.
Instructional designers and teams also benefit from sophisticated user management, asset management, and gamification functionality.
9. Articulate Storyline 360
Deep conditional learning paths
As with Rise 360, Articulate Storyline 360 is part of the Articulate 360 Suite. Intended for the creation of complex, branching slide-based scenarios, the platform is incredibly robust.
However, its steep learning curve means that it’s best-suited for advanced instructional designers.
10. Lectora Online
Script-based instructional design
Part of ELB learning’s product portfolio, Lectora is a powerful authoring tool packaged with a vast library of interactive templates and frameworks. Its real claim to fame, however, is the ability to create custom scripts, which gives instructional designers unmatched control over their content.
The platform provides excellent support for multilingual gamified learning, onboarding, and compliance training.
11. Adobe Captivate
Interactive VR, AR, and video with extensive accessibility options
Adobe Captivate is built specifically for advanced interactive media. It allows instructional designers to create sophisticated hands-on courses spanning everything from traditional video to augmented and virtual reality, supported by extensive accessibility controls. Though the platform has a reputation for being somewhat difficult to learn, Adobe provides an extensive knowledgebase for onboarding.
How to Choose the Best eLearning Authoring Software for Your Business
Having trouble picking the right software from our list? We’ve got you covered. Here are a few questions you can ask to help narrow down your selections:
What are my organization’s training goals?
What do my learners need?
What kind of content am I creating?
Are there any must-have features?
What does my budget look like?
How technically skilled is my team?
What other systems and software do I need to integrate with this platform?
Which vendors have the strongest reputation amongst organizations in my industry?
The best eLearning authoring tools give you the building blocks to design and deliver effective digital training. But when your content needs to go beyond static lessons and into hands-on, immersive learning, you’ll need an environment where users can practice real-world skills.
Pairing your chosen authoring tool with CloudShare’s virtual IT labs lets you transform traditional eLearning into interactive, experience-based training, complete with live environments, instant provisioning, and deep analytics.
Give your learners more than just theory. Let them experiment, fail safely, and master real skills in the cloud. Book a demo with CloudShare to see how you can bring your training content to life.
FAQs
What is the difference between eLearning authoring software and a learning management system?
Though eLearning authoring platforms and LMS tools are both training development software, the former tends to be more focused on the creation, editing, and publication of training content. The latter, meanwhile, allows an organization to organize, deliver, track, and report on training. To put it another way, eLearning authoring software creates content, LMS platforms manage and deliver it.
Which eLearning authoring tools are best for creating interactive training content?
From our list above, the tools most focused on interactivity are:
How do eLearning authoring tools support corporate training and employee development?
Authoring tools streamline one of the most challenging stages of corporate learning and development: Content creation. They make it easier for designers and developers to create, customize, and update content. Many platforms also come with built-in support for multi-language design alongside analytics and assessment functionality.
Are cloud-based eLearning authoring tools more effective than desktop versions?
Cloud-based tools aren’t necessarily more effective than desktop-based tools, though they offer a few distinct advantages:
Easier collaboration for remote or distributed teams
Simpler update and version management
Hardware-agnostic installation
Scalability
How can virtual labs enhance the capabilities of eLearning authoring software?
Virtual labs such as CloudShare are an excellent companion for content authoring tools, as they allow the creation and delivery of hands-on simulations and environments in which trainees can learn and develop practical skills.
