Building training content is rarely the hard part.

Building training that learners actually complete, understand, and apply on the job is the real challenge.

So if you’re heading into 2026 thinking, “There has to be a better way than rebuilding the same course every time something changes,” you’re not alone.

In this guide, we’ll break down 10 authoring tools that teams use to build, publish and maintain eLearning at speed, whether you’re starting from PowerPoint, collaborating with SMEs, localizing content, or shipping scenario-based training with real decision points.

Disclaimer: Tool features and pricing can change quickly. This roundup reflects publicly available information and hands-on exploration available as of February 2026. Always confirm details using the official links included in each section.

💡Quick Read

• Best for AI-assisted authoring + easier post-launch updates: Mindsmith

• Best for deep interactivity and branching: Articulate Storyline 360, Lectora

• Best for PowerPoint-first course creators: iSpring Suite

• Best for enterprise localization + collaboration workflows: Elucidat, dominKnow | ONE

• Best for interactive content inside an LMS (quizzes, interactive video): H5P </aside>

  
  

What is an eLearning Authoring Tool?

An eLearning authoring tool is software that helps you create digital training content, like slide-based courses, quizzes, interactive scenarios, microlearning modules, and full courses that can be delivered through an LMS.

Most tools let you combine text, images and video, then export packages like SCORM or xAPI (depending on the tool) so your LMS can track completion and results.

How We Picked These Tools

This list isn’t about “most features.” It’s about tools that support real production work in 2026.

We prioritized compatibility (SCORM/xAPI/cmi5 and LMS readiness), speed (how fast you can go from idea to publish), and update sanity (how manageable changes are once a course is live).

We also weighed the practical deal-breakers: AI that supports the workflow (with reviewable output), accessibility, localization/version control, and collaboration that keeps SMEs and L&D moving without the “final_final_v7.pptx” spiral.

Best eLearning authoring tools comparison chart

Here’s a quick side-by-side of what each tool is best at (and what to watch out for.

The Top 10 Authoring Tools for 2026

1) Mindsmith

Mindsmith is an AI-powered authoring tool designed for modern, collaborative course creation, built to help teams move faster and stay organized as content changes.

Key features

• AI-assisted drafting, rewriting, and structuring inside the authoring workflow

• Collaboration-friendly editing and review

• A Dynamic SCORM approach designed to make post-launch updates less painful

• Multilingual course/version workflows for global delivery

Benefits in practice

• Faster first drafts (with your team still in control of quality)

• Fewer bottlenecks when multiple people need to review or update content

• A smoother path for “publish, improve, repeat” training programs

Best for Learning teams who want to produce high-quality training faster—and keep content current without turning every update into a republish project.

Common use cases

• Onboarding programs that need frequent updates

• Product or process training that changes quarterly (or monthly)

• Training libraries maintained by multiple contributors

Pricing Per-author subscription (monthly or annual billing):

• Free: $0/month — includes 450 AI credits at signup, SCORM support, and sharing for up to 2 lessons.

• Professional: $39/month — includes 2,000 AI credits/month, unlimited content creation, custom branding, scenarios, text-to-speech narration, and engagement/performance metrics.

• Business: $75/month — includes unlimited AI generation, team seats + live collaboration, version history/staging, PDF export for engagement metrics, ElevenLabs integration, and priority support.

• Enterprise: Custom pricing — includes SAML/SSO, multiple workspaces/permissions, multi-language module support, and priority support.

2) iSpring Suite

iSpring Suite is a go-to choice for teams that already build training in PowerPoint and want a familiar path to trackable eLearning.

Key features

• PowerPoint-first authoring workflow

• Quizzes, interactions, and narration tools to convert decks into courses

• Rapid publishing to common LMS formats

Benefits in practice

• Minimal ramp-up for SMEs and teams with lots of slide-based content

• Fast conversion of existing training materials into trackable learning

Best for Organizations with large libraries of PowerPoint training who want to modernize quickly without a steep learning curve.

Limitation

• PowerPoint-first workflows can feel limiting if you need highly custom interactions (advanced variables, complex branching, or simulation-style builds

Common use cases

• Compliance and policy modules that start as slide decks

• Sales enablement refreshers

• Internal SOP training maintained by business teams

Pricing

The official iSpring pricing page is largely quote/discount driven, so teams often use review sites as a quick ballpark reference.

Commonly listed examples (per author, billed annually) include:

• iSpring Suite: ~ $970/year

• iSpring Suite Max / iSpring Suite AI: ~ $1,290/year

(Exact totals can vary with discounts, promotions, and seat volume.)

3) Articulate Storyline 360 (Articulate 360)

Storyline remains the classic “power tool” for custom interactions, especially when you need branching, triggers, and scenario logic.

Key features

• Advanced interactivity (triggers, layers, variables)

• Branching scenarios and software-style simulations

• Mature ecosystem (templates, community assets, and team workflows)

Benefits in practice

• Strong control over learner experience when templates aren’t enough

• Excellent for scenario-based learning that needs precise outcomes

Best for Teams building complex, custom learning experiences where design control matters.

Common use cases

• Role-play style scenarios (customer service, leadership, safety)

• System simulations and guided practice

• High-stakes training where interactivity drives behavior change

Pricing

Annual per-user subscription (Standard vs AI plans):

• Teams – Standard: $1,499/user/year

• Teams – AI: $1,749/user/year

• Personal – Standard: $1,199/user/year

• Personal – AI: $1,449/user/year

(Articulate often runs regional pricing, multi-seat discounts, and enterprise agreements so totals may vary.)

4) Adobe Captivate

Adobe Captivate is a long-standing authoring option known for interactive learning design and responsive output, especially for teams already working in Adobe ecosystems.

Key features

• Interactive authoring workflows

• Responsive design capabilities

• Useful fit for teams combining learning content with other Adobe-created assets

Benefits in practice

• A solid option for interactive content with responsive expectations

• Fits teams that prefer Adobe’s broader creative tooling ecosystem

Best for Teams looking for a modern authoring workflow with Adobe tooling—particularly when building interactive training.

Common use cases

• Software training and guided practice

• Mobile-friendly compliance and enablement content

• Interactive modules that need responsive behavior

Pricing

Adobe Captivate is sold via subscription:

• Individuals: $39.99/month (US pricing; includes Adobe Captivate + Captivate Classic, 100GB storage, and monthly generative credits)

• Teams/Enterprise/Education: priced via Adobe’s volume licensing programs (quote-based)

Regional pricing can vary depending on your Adobe storefront.

5) Elucidat

Elucidat is built for scale, making it a strong option for large organizations producing lots of content across regions, teams, and stakeholders.

Key features

• Enterprise collaboration and governance features

• Localization-friendly production approach

• Consistency controls for distributed teams

Benefits in practice

• Easier to keep brand, tone, and layout consistent at scale

• Strong workflows for review, approval, and global rollouts

Best for Large learning teams that need collaboration, consistency, and scalable production.

Common use cases

• Large internal academies and enablement programs

• Multi-region rollouts (especially with translation cycles)

• Teams producing high volumes of learning content each month

Pricing

Elucidat positions pricing around author seats (annual):

• Growth: from $1,650 per user/year (minimum seat count applies)

• Team / Enterprise: priced on request (typically adds governance, scale, and support options)

Exact packages can vary depending on seat count and rollout needs, so larger deployments are usually quote-based.

6) Gomo Learning

Gomo is a cloud-based tool often chosen for responsive, mobile-friendly learning content and streamlined collaboration.

Screenshot from a public Gomo Learning demo video (accessed Feb 2026).

Key features

• Cloud-first authoring

• Responsive course output

• Useful for distributed teams and faster publishing workflows

Benefits in practice

• Strong for mobile-first learning and deskless audiences

• Makes it easier to collaborate without passing files around

Best for Teams prioritizing responsive learning design and cloud-based production.

Common use cases

• Frontline/deskless training and quick refreshers

• Microlearning-style modules delivered across devices

• Teams authoring collaboratively across time zones

Pricing Gomo’s official pricing is quote-based, typically tied to number of authors and storage needs.

If you need a ballpark from publicly listed snapshots, third-party listings often show:

• Small: ~$178/month (or ~$1,780/year)

• Medium: ~$498/month (or ~$4,980/year)

• Enterprise: contact vendor

Treat these as indicative only, final pricing depends on your package and deployment.

7) Easygenerator

Easygenerator is designed for speed and simplicity—especially when SMEs are actively contributing to content creation.

Key features

• SME-friendly authoring workflow

• Built-in collaboration and review cycles

• Practical AI assistance for drafting and editing

Benefits in practice

• Faster knowledge capture from the people closest to the work

• Reduced reliance on L&D for every minor update

Best for Teams that want SMEs to create and maintain content with minimal ramp-up.

Common use cases

• Internal process training owned by business teams

• Product knowledge modules and updates

• “Living” knowledge libraries that change frequently

Pricing

Easygenerator pricing is published by plan (USD, billed annually):

• Pro: $116/month ($1,399/year) — 1 author, 10 courses, 100 learners; includes templates, interactive elements, SCORM export, and shareable links.

• Team: $582/month ($6,995/year) — starts at 5 authors; unlimited courses + learners; adds co-authoring, unlimited reviewers, learner analytics, and onboarding.

• Enterprise: contact sales — unlimited authors; adds deeper customization, LMS integrations, custom branding, and a dedicated success manager.

A free trial is available, and accounts typically revert to a Free plan after the trial period.

8) Lectora

Lectora is a strong option for teams that want structured control and logic-heavy behavior especially when compliance and accessibility are priorities.

Screenshot from a public Lectora Online self-guided product tour by ELB Learning (accessed Feb 2026).

Key features

• Logic and variable-based interactions

• Control-heavy authoring capabilities

• Often used in compliance-driven environments

Benefits in practice

• Predictable control for complex, rules-based learning

• Useful when you need precise interaction outcomes

Best for Teams building complex, rules-based learning experiences and needing granular control.

Common use cases

• Compliance modules with scenario logic and detailed tracking needs

• Safety training with decision points

• Structured simulations and knowledge checks

Pricing Lectora is commonly packaged via ELB Learning bundles:

• Studio Gold Suite: starts around $129/month (billed annually) and can include Lectora Online plus companion apps (bundle contents vary).

• Additional bundles (with extra apps like RISE UP, BranchTrack, etc.) are typically priced higher and may be quote-based.

Because bundles change, the most accurate number is whatever your ELB quote includes.

9) dominKnow | ONE

dominKnow | ONE blends authoring with LCMS-style workflows, helpful for reuse, versioning, and large-scale collaboration.

Screenshot from a public dominKnow | ONE product demo video (accessed Feb 2026).

Key features

• Authoring plus content management-style workflows

• Reuse and governance features

• Strong fit for translation and scale

Benefits in practice

• Easier to reuse learning objects across multiple courses

• More control over versions when content changes frequently

Best for Teams that need both authoring and content governance—especially across multiple languages and regions.

Common use cases

• Global training libraries with shared building blocks

• Training teams with strict approval workflows

• Organizations maintaining many courses across departments

Pricing

dominKnow | ONE is priced per author, per year, with tiered packages:

• Publicly listed examples often cite tiers like Solo (~$997/author/year), Team (~$1,497/author/year), and higher business packages.

• Many teams reference Business/Business+ tiers in the ~$1,997–$2,497 per author/year range (with some packages requiring minimum seat counts), plus Enterprise custom pricing.

Because dominKnow frequently tailors packages, confirm the final tier/seat minimums directly with their sales team.

10) H5P

H5P is widely used for creating interactive learning elements, like quizzes, interactive videos, and activities, especially when embedded into an LMS ecosystem.

Screenshot from a public H5P Interactive Video tutorial (accessed Feb 2026).

Key features

• Modular interactive content types

• Strong ecosystem fit for LMS-based delivery

• Great for “add interactivity” use cases

Benefits in practice

• Quickly upgrades existing content with better practice and feedback

• Helpful when you want interaction without rebuilding an entire course

Best for Teams who want interactive activities without rebuilding full courses from scratch.

Common use cases

• Interactive videos, quick quizzes, and checks for understanding

• Engagement layers inside an LMS lesson or page

• Supplementing a course built elsewhere

Pricing

• H5P.org (open source): free to use (hosting and maintenance depend on your setup).

• H5P.com (hosted SaaS): includes tiered plans. The public pricing page lists Pro (3–10 authors) and Premium (3–10 authors, with AI features like Smart Import, prompt-based generation, and multilingual content generation), plus Enterprise for larger deployments.

  
  

Quick Picks by Scenario

• Fast AI-assisted authoring + easier post-launch updates: Mindsmith

• Deep interactivity + branching scenarios: Articulate Storyline 360, Lectora

• PowerPoint-to-course speed: iSpring Suite, Adobe Captivate

• Enterprise teams shipping lots of localized content: Elucidat, dominKnow | ONE

• Lightweight interactive elements (quizzes, interactive video) inside an LMS: H5P

If you’re short on time, start here—then use the checklist below to compare tools based on your team’s workflow, constraints, and delivery needs.

How to Choose the Right Authoring Tool

When you’re comparing tools, these five questions usually reveal the best fit:

1. Where does your content start? (PowerPoint, docs, SMEs, existing courses)

2. How often will you update after launch? (rare vs. frequent)

3. How complex do interactions need to be? (templates vs. branching logic)

4. How important are accessibility and localization? (nice-to-have vs. must-have)

5. Who’s building content? (L&D pros, SMEs, or mixed teams)

If you’re still deciding, a quick shortcut is to narrow to two paths:

• Template-first speed (PPT, simple authoring, quick publishing): iSpring, Easygenerator

• Control-heavy interactivity (branching, variables, simulations): Storyline, Lectora

Then layer in your requirements for collaboration, localization, and updates.

Final Thoughts

There’s no perfect authoring tool for every team, but there is a best fit for your workflow.

If you’re prioritizing speed, collaboration, and an easier way to keep courses up to date, Mindsmith is a strong option going into 2026.

Want to see how Mindsmith supports faster, AI-assisted course creation? Explore a demo or start a free trial and see what an AI-native workflow feels like.