10 Best authoring software in 2024

There have been many changes to authoring software over the years – mainly around making digital learning more effective for the learner. But this creates many options that can be overwhelming to choose from. 

How can you possibly pick? 

So, we’re here to help you out. In this article, you can explore some of the best authoring software options that you can use to create impactful learning effortlessly.

What is an authoring software?

Authoring software is a specialized tool that helps you create digital learning and development content. These platforms, either stand-alone or built into programs, allow you to write, design, organize, and edit various training materials.

It also lets you build content in different formats. Depending on the platform you choose, this tool can help you develop digital courses, knowledge bases, multimedia lessons, or learner assessments. These different structures allow you to upskill learners in a clear and ordered manner.

Authoring software #1 - SC Training

SC Training is a powerful but easy-to-use authoring software that’s designed to help you produce learning efficiently. This platform offers a fast creator tool with simple drag-and-drop builders and interactive templates, allowing you to be confident in the courses you make – even if you don’t have previous authoring experience.

One of their core features, Create with AI, is designed with the understanding that you don’t always have a lot of time to brainstorm and research for courses. You may need lessons immediately, so you can get an entire custom course built with just a prompt. 

This platform is one the best elearning software to create a highly engaging learner experience, allowing you to make bite-sized courses and in-lesson games. These features make your content interactive and quickly consumable. It lets learners complete lessons faster while digesting and retaining more information. 

Lastly, their elearning creator tool lets you set courses for repeat completion. By using the platform’s built-in course management features like course versioning and notifications, you can seamlessly update learners with the latest content on knowledge, procedures, and practices. And you can track who’s up to date with their courses – and who’s not.

Cost: Free (up to 10 users)

Key features: 

• Course creation tool
• Create with AI
• Course management
• Template library
• Powerpoint converter
• Gamification
• File attachments 
• Reporting and analytics
• Custom integrations

Create amazing learning content by using the best authoring software. Sign up for SC Training!

Authoring software #2 - Easygenerator

Next on our list is Easygenerator, an elearning authoring tool that generates excellent learning content in minutes. Through its AI tool, this authoring platform can quickly build training outlines, summaries, and quizzes for you.

It also offers elearning development tools for editing video and audio content. Plus, this creation platform also delivers templates and interactive elements for you to author outstanding online learning.

Cost: Starts at 8 USD/month

Key features: 

• Auto translation
• Learning and analytics
• Text-to-speech converter

Authoring software #3 - 360Learning

360Learning offers built-in elearning development tools that allow you to create excellent content quickly. For starters, the program features a simple course builder that streamlines your process. Their lesson templates and AI assistant are also on hand, helping you breeze through development.

Plus, this authoring platform lets you create courses with other creators, like subject-matter experts and approvers in the process. This can speed up your edits and complete materials sooner.

Cost: Starts at 8 USD/month

Key features: 

• Tool integrations
• Central file storage
• AI made assessments

Authoring software #4 - Evolve

Evolve helps you deliver personalized and tailored learning without making the process difficult. This built-in elearning creator houses easy and customizable design tools that let you deliver a unique experience based on your training style.

The content development platform also features simulations and interactions in its simple builder, boosting your digital learning engagement. Plus, it keeps its customizability by making sure all your work adapts to different screens.

Cost: Starts at 576 USD/year

Key features: 

• Singular creation and publication platform
• Resource hub
• Review and feedback

Authoring software #5 - Coassemble

Coassemble is an elearning creation software that keeps authoring clear and direct. They host an intuitive content builder that makes designing and editing easy to understand. It also offers document converters and course generators that streamline authoring.

After you finish your content, Coassemble delivers your courses through a link. This removes the need to download additional applications, so your learners can head straight to training. In other words – a straightforward experience for both you and your learners.

Cost: Free and with paid plans starting at 7.50 USD/user/month

Key features: 

• Custom layout 
• Quiz creator 
• File export 

Authoring software #6 - Adapt

Next on our list is Adapt – a free, open-source authoring tool that makes your digital content versatile for any device. With its adaptive course builder and design framework, this platform optimizes your elearning layouts for your learner’s gadget preferences.

Besides that, Adapt allows you to create digital training and development for stand-alone platforms or exportation to a learning management system. The program uses a cross-publication feature that doesn’t need technical expertise, making sure your content reaches your audience.

Cost: Free

Key features: 

• Active user support 
• Screen responsive builder
• Plugin integrations

Authoring software #7 - Thinkific

Seventh on the offerings is Thinkific. Thinkific is a flexible platform to create elearning, capable of supporting different formats for digital training and development. The program delivers this through an adaptable content builder with multimedia blends, helping you tailor personalized learning.

Other than that, the authoring tool offers course templates to make your creation process fast and boost your lesson’s effectiveness. In addition, its course builder allows you to attach videos, images, and audio files, so your learners don’t have to visit other platforms and complete courses faster.

Cost: Starts at 36 USD/month

Key features: 

• Scalability
• Mobile converter
• Format options

Authoring software #8 - Visme

Visme is a content design tool that allows you to create visually engaging materials without needing much skill or experience. The authoring platform simplifies your process with a drag-and-drop tool, template library, and graphics hub that makes digital learning easy on the eyes.

The platform believes that well-designed materials can teach concepts and key information better. That's why it offers brand customizability and layout optimizations, making your elearning look amazing.

Cost: Starts at 12.25 USD/month

Key features: 

• Multi-format creator 
• Customizable interface 
• Photo and icon library

Authoring software #9 - dominKnow

dominKnow is an elearning creator tool for those delivering digital training and development through multiple channels. This learning content builder is an all-in-one place that allows you to design, organize, and publish materials for different platforms.

Whether it's for a formal course, learning guide, or knowledge base, dominKnow can let you reversion and repurpose your content through their converter. The program also houses responsive and intuitive editing tools that make sure your materials fit your different formats.

Cost: Starts at 1997 USD/author/year

Key features:

• Screen adaptor 
• Microlearning
• Interactive templates

Authoring software #10 - isEazy

Closing out our list is the software isEazy. As you can see by its name, this elearning authoring software makes building your team’s learning and development content a breeze. It has interactive tools and template generators that make content development fast and easy to use. 

isEazy also delivers AI-powered assistance, like automatic translations, speech-to-text, and learner guides. So you can skip some steps in the creation process. Plus, their AI tool can produce in-lesson games and training exercises for your teams. 

Cost: Free with paid plans starting at 72 EUR/month

Key features: 

• Course formats 
• Branding 
• Personalized experiences