# Best Help Authoring Tools (HAT) for Small Business

*By [Adam Crivello](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/adam-crivello)*


Products classified in the overall Help Authoring Tool (HAT) category are similar in many regards and help companies of all sizes solve their business problems. However, small business features, pricing, setup, and installation differ from businesses of other sizes, which is why we match buyers to the right Small Business Help Authoring Tool (HAT) to fit their needs. Compare product ratings based on reviews from enterprise users or connect with one of G2's buying advisors to find the right solutions within the Small Business Help Authoring Tool (HAT) category.

In addition to qualifying for inclusion in the Help Authoring Tools (HAT) category, to qualify for inclusion in the Small Business Help Authoring Tools (HAT) category, a product must have at least 10 reviews left by a reviewer from a small business.






## How Many Help Authoring Tools (HAT) Products Does G2 Track?
**Total Products under this Category:** 55

### Category Stats (Jun 2026)
- **Average Rating**: 4.02/5 The average rating of products in this category, based on all submitted ratings
- **Top Trending Product**: Author-It (+1.64%) - Among all products in this category, Author-It recorded the largest rating increase compared to last month
*Last updated: June 25, 2026*


## How Does G2 Rank Help Authoring Tools (HAT) Products?

**Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:**

- 30 Analysts and Data Experts
- 1,700+ Authentic Reviews
- 55+ Products
- Unbiased Rankings

G2's software rankings are built on verified user reviews, rigorous moderation, and a consistent research methodology maintained by a team of analysts and data experts. Each product is measured using the same transparent criteria, with no paid placement or vendor influence. While reviews reflect real user experiences, which can be subjective, they offer valuable insight into how software performs in the hands of professionals. Together, these inputs power the G2 Score, a standardized way to compare tools within every category.



---

**Sponsored**

### Stravito

Stravito is the Insights Intelligence Platform global leaders like Nestlé and Comcast trust to turn existing knowledge into confident, growth-driving decisions. Built for insights, marketing, and research teams, Stravito unifies knowledge in one secure space and pairs best-in-class AI with human expertise. Whether you’re deciding where to expand next, which innovation to pursue, or what message will resonate most with your customers, teams simply ask strategic questions, and Stravito AI Assistant delivers relevant, source-cited insights in seconds. AI Personas, powered by your brand’s segmentation studies, simulate real consumer perspectives so you can stress-test ideas in real-time. The outcome: faster, evidence-backed, commercially-impactful decisions.



[Visit website](https://www.g2.com/external_clickthroughs/record?secure%5Bad_program%5D=ppc&secure%5Bad_slot%5D=category_product_list&secure%5Bcategory_id%5D=317&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_id%5D=2038&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bmedium%5D=sponsored&secure%5Bplacement_reason%5D=neighbor_category&secure%5Bplacement_resource_ids%5D%5B%5D=2038&secure%5Bprioritized%5D=false&secure%5Bproduct_id%5D=133525&secure%5Bresource_id%5D=317&secure%5Bresource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bsource_type%5D=category_page&secure%5Bsource_url%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fcategories%2Fhelp-authoring-tool-hat%2Fsmall-business&secure%5Btoken%5D=2b67f0b2b18d91a7ee1678c31d3c4e5e33403f91c2cd6855f803784c36e8d9c7&secure%5Burl%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stravito.com%2Fai-personas%3Futm_source%3DG2%26utm_medium%3Dadvertising%26utm_campaign%3DG2_2026_02&secure%5Burl_type%5D=custom_url)

---

## What Are the Top-Rated Help Authoring Tools (HAT) Products in 2026?
### 1. [Document360](https://www.g2.com/products/document360/reviews)
Document360 is an AI-powered knowledge base platform for enterprises needing secure, scalable documentation. It centralizes organizational knowledge into one workspace, including public help centers, internal wikis, SOPs, user manuals, API docs, or product playbooks. Who It's For By Role: Support teams (deflect tickets), technical writers (publish faster), product managers (align teams), engineers (document APIs and workflows). By Industry: SaaS, IT & consulting, finance, healthcare, education, manufacturing. Key Capabilities: 1. Editors: Markdown and WYSIWYG with real-time previews and drag-and-drop media. 2. Step-by-Step Guides: Capture on-screen actions to create editable interactive guides. 3. Category Manager: Drag-and-drop content organization. 4. Interactive Demos: Clickable walkthroughs embedded in articles. 5. Custom Workflows: Automate reviews, roles, and approvals. 6. Pro Analytics: Track performance, engagement, search trends, and ticket deflection. 7. Brand Customization: Tailor design, layout, and themes. 8. Security: SOC 2 and GDPR-aligned; SSO, JWT, SAML, IP restriction. 9. Localization: 50+ languages. Powered by Eddy AI: 1. AI Search: ChatGPT-style answers from your docs for instant self-service. 2. AI Writing Agent: Generate structured docs from video, audio, text, or prompts. 3. AI Chatbot: 24/7 documentation-driven support that cuts costs. 4. AI Glossary Generator: Auto-creates glossaries for complex terms. 5. Article Summarizer: Condenses long docs into bite-sized summaries. 6. MCP Server: Connects your knowledge base to LLMs. 7. Duplicate Content Detection: Flags redundancy with precision. 8. SEO Automation: Auto-generates titles, tags, and glossaries for discoverability. Whether scaling support, streamlining internal knowledge, or building world-class product docs, Document360 brings it all together in one platform.


**Average Rating:** 4.7/5.0
**Total Reviews:** 511
**How Do G2 Users Rate Document360?**

- **Ease of Use:** 9.3/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Ease of Admin:** 9.1/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.5/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Document360?**

- **Seller:** [Kovai Limited](https://www.g2.com/sellers/kovai-limited)
- **Company Website:** https://www.kovai.co/
- **Year Founded:** 2009
- **HQ Location:** London
- **Twitter:** @BizTalk360 (1,920 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/kovaico/ (333 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
- **Who Uses This:** Technical Writer, Senior Technical Writer
- **Top Industries:** Computer Software, Information Technology and Services
- **Company Size:** 46% Mid-Market, 39% Small-Business


#### What Are Document360's Pros and Cons?

**Pros:**

- Ease of Use (46 reviews)
- Features (31 reviews)
- Customer Support (29 reviews)
- Helpful (27 reviews)
- User Interface (27 reviews)

**Cons:**

- Missing Features (11 reviews)
- Editing Difficulties (10 reviews)
- Editing Limitations (9 reviews)
- Expensive (9 reviews)
- Limited Customization (9 reviews)


### What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Document360?
*AI-generated summary from verified user reviews*

**Pros:**

- Users commend the **ease of use** of Document360, highlighting its intuitive interface and efficient support for quick setup.
- Users appreciate the **versatile customization** and intuitive features of Document360, enhancing their documentation experience significantly.
- Users praise the **efficient customer support** of Document360, highlighting fast resolutions and knowledgeable assistance during onboarding.
- Users value the **versatile customization** of Document360, enhancing integration and streamlining content management seamlessly.
- Users love the **versatile and customizable user interface** of Document360, enhancing their platform's branding and layout seamlessly.

**Cons:**

- Users note the need for improved **missing features** , like better copying options and enhanced visual editing tools.
- Users find **editing difficulties** with Document360, especially with lag in long documents and disorganized formatting.
- Users find **editing limitations** in Document360, such as lag with long documents and complex image uploads, frustrating.
- Users find Document360 **expensive** , with essential features requiring higher payment and limitations in sharing capabilities.
- Users express concern over **limited customization** options in Document360, finding it challenging for non-developers to navigate.

#### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Document360?

**"[Simplifying Documentation Management with Document360](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/document360-review-12229699)"**

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars
*— Vignesh S.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/document360-review-12229699)

---

**"[Our users having great experience through the Document 360 knowledge base.](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/document360-review-11366095)"**

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars
*— Atul B.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/document360-review-11366095)

---


#### What Are G2 Users Discussing About Document360?

- [What is Document360 used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-document360-used-for) - 1 comment

### 2. [ReadMe](https://www.g2.com/products/readme/reviews)
ReadMe is a documentation platform built around the full customer journey, not just content creation. Teams can sync their OpenAPI spec to auto-generate interactive API docs, publish guides and changelogs in a fully branded hub, and collaborate with branching workflows and bi-directional sync. Built-in AI features like Ask AI and an AI writing assistant help developers get answers faster and improve content quality, while real-time usage insights show how APIs are actually being used. Enterprise-ready controls including SSO, granular permissions, and audit logs ensure security and compliance at scale. Leading brands like NVIDIA, Amazon, and PagerDuty trust ReadMe to power their developer experience.


**Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0
**Total Reviews:** 45
**How Do G2 Users Rate ReadMe?**

- **Ease of Use:** 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Ease of Admin:** 9.5/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind ReadMe?**

- **Seller:** [ReadMe](https://www.g2.com/sellers/readme-d9598c4e-09d2-410d-973f-e2de04d99f12)
- **Company Website:** https://www.readme.com
- **Year Founded:** 2015
- **HQ Location:** San Francisco, US
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/readme (82 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
- **Top Industries:** Computer Software, Financial Services
- **Company Size:** 57% Small-Business, 39% Mid-Market


#### What Are ReadMe's Pros and Cons?

**Pros:**

- Ease of Use (4 reviews)
- Easy Setup (2 reviews)
- Features (2 reviews)
- Customization (1 reviews)
- Helpful (1 reviews)

**Cons:**

- Billing Issues (1 reviews)
- Learning Curve (1 reviews)
- Limited Customization (1 reviews)
- Limited Reporting (1 reviews)
- Missing Features (1 reviews)


### What Do G2 Reviewers Say About ReadMe?
*AI-generated summary from verified user reviews*

**Pros:**

- Users find ReadMe incredibly **easy to use** , making documentation publishing and collaboration seamless for everyone.
- Users find the **easy setup** of ReadMe appealing, appreciating its clear design and straightforward navigation.
- Users love the **ease of use and powerful API insights** of ReadMe, praising its quick and modern documentation features.
- Users love the **theme customizations** that enhance their experience and allow for personalization in ReadMe.
- Users find ReadMe to be **extremely helpful** for publishing clear docs and improving user experience through analytics.

**Cons:**

- Users experience **billing issues** due to the finance team lacking role access to manage payment methods, leading to constant contact.
- Users find the **learning curve challenging** , as deeper customization and settings could be more intuitive despite strong defaults.
- Users find the **limited customization** of ReadMe restricts flexibility, though recent updates have improved its feature set.
- Users are frustrated with **limited reporting** capabilities, impacting search accuracy and functionality of the editor.
- Users find ReadMe's **missing features** limit flexibility, though recent updates show progress in enhancing functionality.

#### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of ReadMe?

**"[Easy to Navigate and Quick to Learn, with Handy Metadata Controls](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/readme-review-12680634)"**

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars
*— Rebecca H.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/readme-review-12680634)

---

**"[ReadMe makes knowledge management simple](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/readme-review-12699201)"**

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars
*— Ján G.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/readme-review-12699201)

---



### 3. [MadCap Flare](https://www.g2.com/products/madcap-flare/reviews)
Empowering teams to create, manage, and deliver exceptional content at scale MadCap Flare is the go-to solution for technical content teams that need to streamline workflows and deliver consistent, high-quality content across every channel. Trusted by documentation, training, and knowledge management professionals worldwide, Flare combines the precision of XML-based authoring with the flexibility of multi-channel publishing—all from a single, centralized platform. Why leading teams rely on Flare: Scalable, topic-based authoring: XML-based structure ensures precision and scalability for complex documentation projects. Single-source publishing: Manage all outputs from one project to eliminate redundancy and simplify updates. Multi-channel delivery: Publish effortlessly to self-service portals, online Help, documentation hubs, and training guides. Advanced content reuse: Reuse variables, snippets, and conditions to save time and maintain accuracy. Real-time collaboration with Flare Online: Co-author, review, and manage content simultaneously in the cloud—no check-in delays or version conflicts. Integrated translation management: Accelerate localization and expand your global reach. Flexible publishing formats: Deliver content in HTML5, PDF, Word, SCORM, and more to meet diverse audience needs. Proven ROI: Cut production costs, speed release cycles, and boost customer satisfaction. What sets Flare apart: Unlike traditional content management tools, Flare is purpose-built for technical content teams—offering unmatched flexibility, control, and scalability. With Flare Online, teams gain cloud-based collaboration and instant publishing capabilities for faster, more connected workflows. Together, they form a unified platform for creating, managing, and delivering knowledge at scale—ensuring efficiency, brand consistency, and an exceptional user experience. That’s why thousands of organizations trust Flare to power their global content strategy.gy."


**Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0
**Total Reviews:** 483
**How Do G2 Users Rate MadCap Flare?**

- **Ease of Use:** 7.4/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Ease of Admin:** 8.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind MadCap Flare?**

- **Seller:** [MadCap Software](https://www.g2.com/sellers/madcap-software)
- **Company Website:** https://www.madcapsoftware.com
- **Year Founded:** 2005
- **HQ Location:** Denver, CO
- **Twitter:** @MadCapSoftware (1,678 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/69797/ (120 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
- **Who Uses This:** Technical Writer, Senior Technical Writer
- **Top Industries:** Computer Software, Information Technology and Services
- **Company Size:** 52% Mid-Market, 29% Enterprise


#### What Are MadCap Flare's Pros and Cons?

**Pros:**

- Customer Support (4 reviews)
- Ease of Use (4 reviews)
- Content Management (2 reviews)
- Customization (2 reviews)
- Efficiency (2 reviews)

**Cons:**

- Learning Curve (3 reviews)
- Difficulty (1 reviews)
- Expensive (1 reviews)
- Learning Difficulty (1 reviews)
- Performance Issues (1 reviews)


### What Do G2 Reviewers Say About MadCap Flare?
*AI-generated summary from verified user reviews*

**Pros:**

- Users commend the **excellent customer support** of MadCap Flare, which aids in quickly resolving issues and enhancing usability.
- Users find MadCap Flare **exceptionally user-friendly** , simplifying authoring, technical documentation, and workflow management significantly.
- Users praise the **user-friendly content management** features of MadCap Flare, facilitating smooth authoring and documentation processes.
- Users value the **extensive customization options** in MadCap Flare, allowing tailored solutions for various documentation needs.
- Users find MadCap Flare exceptionally **efficient** , simplifying authoring, technical documentation, and review processes seamlessly.

**Cons:**

- Users note a **steep learning curve** with MadCap Flare, requiring consistent use to retain processes and skills.
- Users find the **complexity of MadCap Flare** challenging, especially when not using it regularly, but can adapt quickly.
- Users find the **cost of MadCap Flare expensive** , especially with travel and entry fees for training conferences.
- Users find **learning difficulty** with MadCap Flare challenging, especially after breaks from using the software.
- Users report **performance issues** with MadCap Flare, noting slowdowns on large projects during builds and editing.

#### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of MadCap Flare?

**"[Single-Sourcing with MadCap Flare for Content Creation & Maintenance = Flexibility & Time Savings](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/madcap-flare-review-7029866)"**

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars
*— Mary M.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/madcap-flare-review-7029866)

---

**"[Powerful Tool Once Mastered, Excellent Collaboration Features](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/madcap-flare-review-12862315)"**

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars
*— Warren K.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/madcap-flare-review-12862315)

---


#### What Are G2 Users Discussing About MadCap Flare?

- [What is MadCap Flare used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/madcap-flare-what-is-madcap-flare-used-for)
- [How do I publish on MadCap Flare?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-i-publish-on-madcap-flare)
- [Is MadCap Flare cloud-based?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-madcap-flare-cloud-based) - 2 comments
- [How much does MadCap Flare cost?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-much-does-madcap-flare-cost) - 1 comment
- [How much is MadCap Central?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-much-is-madcap-central) - 2 comments

### 4. [Docsie](https://www.g2.com/products/docsie/reviews)
Docsie is an innovative documentation management tool designed for ease of use and efficiency. It stands out with its AI-powered features, enabling automated content creation and updates. Ideal for technical writers, product managers, and developers, Docsie supports multi-language documentation and integrates seamlessly into various workflows. It is particularly popular in the manufacturing sector for its ability to handle extensive product manuals and technical documents. With Docsie, businesses can significantly streamline their documentation processes, improving overall productivity and user experience. You can access Docsie through a SaaS web application to create and edit documentation from any location. Then, you can publish content to a dynamic knowledge portal that end-users and employees can access whenever they need information! Docsie offers a range of powerful business-grade features to help you write and manage product documentation with ease. Onboarding Service: • Free onboarding with Docsie Pilot to import your content and help you get the most value from the platform. • Get help with custom portal design, and an optional training session so your employees can maximize their productivity in Docsie. Knowledge Base and Documentation Portal: • Internal knowledge portals to share self-service knowledge with employees. • External customer knowledge bases to share self-service help documentation and reduce customer support workloads. • Built-in knowledge base statistics and documentation feedback surveys with Docsie Vocally. • Use the default Docsie portal design or deploy a custom knowledge base design based on your brand style and image. • A free custom domain on the free plan for everyone, with additional domains available on paid plans. • Deploy knowledge portals using Docsie hosting, custom deployments, or on-premise instances (Organization plan) Documents and Content Editor: • Support for Markdown syntax and import or export Markdown content. • Docsie Editor allows you to create content in a WYSIWYG editor that supports rich text formatting, emoji symbols, section headers, tables and lists, image and video, iFrame embedded content, tooltip callouts, code snippets, URL hyperlinks • Grammar or spell checking with a configurable rule-based content linter. • Create API documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and technical documents from scratch or with built-in templates. • Create your own snippet and fragment templates to reuse content across your documents with one click. Help Centers and In-App Help Interfaces: • Deploy help centers and in-app support interfaces to share contextual point-in-time help documentation with end-users using a HTML footer script. • Create product and software guided tours to walk end-users through step-by-step workflows. • Add in-app help interfaces to your web application so users can access documentation on the same page. Languages, Versions, and Translations: • Version management allows end-users to view historical documentation in your knowledge base via canonical URLs rather than duplicate pages. • Language management and extended localization helps you automate the deployment of multilingual content without the need for professional translators. • Ghost AI language translation converts source documents automatically to the target language. Docsie AI translation supports these languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, Danish, Swedish, Arabic, Chinese, and Japanese. Collaboration and Project Management: • Create workspaces for each team, business department, or product and service in your portfolio and organize your content. • Add comments, notes, and tasks to documents and tag team members to assign tasks. • Project management tools based on Agile working methodologies, with Kanban style status indicators for Draft-Review-Approval, per task user assignment, due dates and timelines, and target document or topic selection. • Webhook support enables you to share updates when content is created, edited, deleted, and published in Slack, Mattermost and other business IM tools. Security, Compliance, User Roles, and Data Protection: • Role-based access controls (RBAC) and granular permissions for each workspace. • JWT token authentication with strict and lax options. • Temporary passwords to enable access for contractors and freelancers. • Single sign on via corporate SSO, Google, LinkedIn, or Microsoft logins.


**Average Rating:** 4.8/5.0
**Total Reviews:** 115
**How Do G2 Users Rate Docsie?**

- **Ease of Use:** 9.5/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Ease of Admin:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.7/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Docsie?**

- **Seller:** [Docsie](https://www.g2.com/sellers/docsie)
- **Company Website:** https://www.docsie.io/
- **Year Founded:** 2022
- **HQ Location:** Ontario, Canada
- **Twitter:** @likalo_llc (18,887 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/likalo/ (17 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
- **Who Uses This:** Technical Writer, Project Manager
- **Top Industries:** Information Technology and Services, Management Consulting
- **Company Size:** 78% Small-Business, 19% Enterprise


#### What Are Docsie's Pros and Cons?

**Pros:**

- Centralization (1 reviews)
- Collaboration (1 reviews)
- Content Management (1 reviews)
- Document Management (1 reviews)
- Ease of Use (1 reviews)

**Cons:**

- Integration Issues (1 reviews)
- Lack of Integrations (1 reviews)
- Learning Curve (1 reviews)
- Learning Difficulty (1 reviews)
- Limitations (1 reviews)


### What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Docsie?
*AI-generated summary from verified user reviews*

**Pros:**

- Users appreciate the **centralization of documentation** in Docsie, benefiting from a seamless and collaborative experience.
- Users appreciate the **collaboration features** of Docsie, enabling simultaneous teamwork with version control and translation management.
- Users appreciate the **centralized documentation management** of Docsie, enhancing collaboration and ease of use for all teams.
- Users appreciate the **centralized documentation management** of Docsie, facilitating collaboration and intuitive usage for all teams.
- Users praise the **ease of use** of Docsie, highlighting its intuitive interface and collaborative features for all teams.

**Cons:**

- Users find **integration issues** with Docsie, noting a lack of support for popular tools like Jira and Slack.
- Users find the **lack of integrations** with popular tools like Jira and Slack limits the overall usability of Docsie.
- Users face a noticeable **learning curve** with Docsie, particularly regarding advanced features and UI intuitiveness.
- Users face a **learning difficulty** with Docsie due to its steep curve, especially with advanced features and UI elements.
- Users find a **learning curve** with Docsie, particularly for advanced features and less intuitive UI elements.

#### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Docsie?

**"[Docsie - A Powerful but Young Tool](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/docsie-review-9170830)"**

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars
*— Dillon C.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/docsie-review-9170830)

---

**"[Docsie revolutionized our communication, documentation, and onboarding.](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/docsie-review-7745349)"**

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars
*— Nora D.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/docsie-review-7745349)

---


#### What Are G2 Users Discussing About Docsie?

- [What is Docsie used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-docsie-used-for) - 1 comment

### 5. [ClickHelp](https://www.g2.com/products/clickhelp/reviews)
ClickHelp is an AI-powered online documentation tool. Create, translate, and publish your technical documentation in a single portal! Here is how ClickHelp makes your tech writing more effective: \* Easy to use WYSIWYG topic editor, as well as HTML source mode. \* Simple customization with a block-based Home page editor. \* Single-sourcing and content reuse. \* AI features (AnswerGenius, WriteAssist, AskYourDocs) \* In-depth analytics and reporting. \* Readability scores and metrics. \* Easy importing and exporting. ClickHelp can import content from Microsoft Word, HTML, Markdown, RTF, CHM, ODT, etc., and export to CHM, HTML5 Web Help, PDF, DOCX, etc. \* Translation ecosystem to create multi-language documentation. \* Machine translation support. \* API features. \* Swagger/OpenAPI Definition import. \* RTL language support. \* Audit trail and IP Allowlist for enhanced security. \* Optional block-based editor \* Automatic domain management \* TwoFactor Authentication Integrations: Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Zendesk, Zapier, AddThis, Google Translate, DeepL, YouTube, and much more.


**Average Rating:** 4.8/5.0
**Total Reviews:** 64
**How Do G2 Users Rate ClickHelp?**

- **Ease of Use:** 9.3/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Ease of Admin:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.5/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind ClickHelp?**

- **Seller:** [ClickHelp](https://www.g2.com/sellers/clickhelp)
- **Year Founded:** 2010
- **HQ Location:** Yerevan, Armenia
- **Twitter:** @ClickHelpNews (853 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/2957735/ (18 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
- **Top Industries:** Computer Software, Information Technology and Services
- **Company Size:** 60% Small-Business, 32% Mid-Market


#### What Are ClickHelp's Pros and Cons?

**Pros:**

- Features (2 reviews)
- Accessibility (1 reviews)
- AI Features (1 reviews)
- AI Technology (1 reviews)
- Customer Support (1 reviews)



### What Do G2 Reviewers Say About ClickHelp?
*AI-generated summary from verified user reviews*

**Pros:**

- Users value the **AI features** of ClickHelp, notably Answer Genius and Write Assist, enhancing workflow and document quality.
- Users value the **accessibility** of ClickHelp, enabling usage from anywhere with just a browser and internet connection.
- Users love ClickHelp's **AI features** , such as Answer Genius and Write Assist, significantly enhancing productivity and document quality.
- Users appreciate the **AI features** of ClickHelp, greatly enhancing workflow and improving content quality for technical writing.
- Users appreciate the **helpful tech support** of ClickHelp, always available to assist with inquiries, even on weekends.


#### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of ClickHelp?

**"[All-in-One Documentation Portal with Exceptional Support](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/clickhelp-review-12537502)"**

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars
*— Verified User in Information Technology and Services*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/clickhelp-review-12537502)

---

**"[Easy-to-Use Formatting for Clear, Readable Support Documentation](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/clickhelp-review-12712615)"**

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars
*— Verified User in Computer Software*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/clickhelp-review-12712615)

---


#### What Are G2 Users Discussing About ClickHelp?

- [What is ClickHelp used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-clickhelp-used-for) - 1 comment

### 6. [Help & Manual](https://www.g2.com/products/help-manual/reviews)
Help+Manual is the most popular authoring tool for writing and publishing help and technical documentation in multiple formats. While it is as easy to use like Word, Help+Manual gives you the full power of a true WYSIWYG XML editor. You can focus your energy on writing and immediately get productive! This is combined with powerful features for editing documentation files, including full support for multimedia and complex modular projects. Some of the power features are: ► Multi-channel publishing - this includes all standard Windows help formats, from Microsoft HTML Help to Webhelp to Visual Studio Help, Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word documents and ePUB e-books - the standard format supported by the Apple iPad - as well as Amazon Kindle. ► Responsive Webhelp - Webhelp is a context-sensitive format and allows seamless integration of the documentation into your website. This output format can be highly customized and displays equally well on desktop and mobile devices. ► True single source - all publishing formats supported by Help+Manual are generated from the same project. This means you only have to edit your help and documentation once. Forget about the nightmare of "converting" your documentation every time you change anything. ► Multi-user editing and team authoring - multiple authors can work on the same project at the same time. No databases or additional server components are required. ► Version control, remote editing - Help+Manual has active support for Subversion, Microsoft Team Foundation Server and Microsoft Visual SourceSafe compatibles. ► Translation - projects are 100% XML and can be translated directly by tools like SDL Trados (configuration files are included).


**Average Rating:** 4.8/5.0
**Total Reviews:** 20
**How Do G2 Users Rate Help & Manual?**

- **Ease of Use:** 8.7/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Ease of Admin:** 9.5/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.8/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Help & Manual?**

- **Seller:** [EC Software](https://www.g2.com/sellers/ec-software)
- **Year Founded:** 2000
- **HQ Location:** Stockholm, Sweden
- **Twitter:** @helpandmanual (109 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/110102/ (77 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
- **Top Industries:** Computer Software
- **Company Size:** 86% Small-Business, 9% Enterprise



#### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Help & Manual?

**"[Tool with potential grains](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/help-manual-review-6749453)"**

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars
*— Cristian S.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/help-manual-review-6749453)

---

**"[Quick Document Merge](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/help-manual-review-8232174)"**

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars
*— Jennifer M.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/help-manual-review-8232174)

---



### 7. [Archbee](https://www.g2.com/products/archbee/reviews)
Archbee: Your All-in-One Documentation Platform Archbee is a complete documentation platform designed to help teams and customers quickly find the information they need. Whether it's developer guides, API references, or onboarding documentation, Archbee centralizes knowledge and provides instant, AI-powered answers to user queries. By unifying product, engineering, support, marketing, and sales documentation, Archbee streamlines workflows and enhances collaboration for teams of all sizes. With an intuitive interface and robust integrations, Archbee makes it easy to create, manage, and share documentation that drives productivity and customer success. What is Archbee? Archbee is the first complete documentation platform built for teams to consolidate all their knowledge in one place. It helps teams write and publish trusted documentation that serves as the single source of truth—whether it’s for internal use, customer support, or onboarding. Archbee also stands out by offering AI-driven instant answers, making it easier for users to find exactly what they need, right when they need it. Stop piecing together multiple tools—Archbee does it all. Who is Archbee For? • Product Teams creating user guides and product FAQs. • Developers writing API documentation and technical references. • Customer Support Teams providing in-app, contextual support with widgets. • HR & Operations Teams onboarding and training new hires. • Sales & Marketing Teams building knowledge portals for customer-facing needs. Why Choose Archbee? • Centralizes all documentation in one place, eliminating silos. • Enhances team collaboration with live editing and review systems. • Integrates with over 30 popular tools, including GitHub, Slack, Airtable, Figma, and Google Analytics. • Supports gated portals for private customer documentation. • Offers AI-powered search to deliver instant answers from your documentation. Use Cases: • Create stunning developer and API docs. • Build complete documentation sites. • Add real-time, in-app support with contextual widgets. • Standardize internal processes. • Simplify onboarding and training with easy-to-navigate resources. 300+ Happy Customers and Counting We work closely with our customers to continuously refine and improve the platform. By listening to feedback and implementing changes rapidly, we ensure Archbee is always optimized to meet your needs.


**Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0
**Total Reviews:** 112
**How Do G2 Users Rate Archbee?**

- **Ease of Use:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Ease of Admin:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Archbee?**

- **Seller:** [Archbee](https://www.g2.com/sellers/archbee)
- **Year Founded:** 2019
- **HQ Location:** N/A
- **Twitter:** @AiurLabs (10 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/archbee/ (14 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
- **Who Uses This:** CEO, Founder
- **Top Industries:** Computer Software, Marketing and Advertising
- **Company Size:** 91% Small-Business, 8% Mid-Market


#### What Are Archbee's Pros and Cons?

**Pros:**

- Ease of Use (8 reviews)
- Helpful (5 reviews)
- Features (4 reviews)
- Customization (3 reviews)
- Easy Setup (3 reviews)

**Cons:**

- Formatting Issues (2 reviews)
- Software Bugs (2 reviews)
- Layout Issues (1 reviews)
- Limited Reporting (1 reviews)
- Missing Features (1 reviews)


### What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Archbee?
*AI-generated summary from verified user reviews*

**Pros:**

- Users praise Archbee's **ease of use** , valuing its intuitive interface and streamlined workflow for documentation tasks.
- Users highlight the **exceptional ease of use** and integration of Archbee for knowledge management solutions.
- Users value the **powerful features and simplicity** of Archbee, enhancing their documentation experience effortlessly.
- Users appreciate the **highly customizable** nature of Archbee, enhancing the visual style of their documentation effortlessly.
- Users commend the **easy setup** of Archbee, emphasizing its seamless integration and user-friendly experience.

**Cons:**

- Users report **formatting issues** and limitations with page handling, making multitasking and organization challenging.
- Users experience occasional **software bugs** that can disrupt tasks, especially with rapid block creation and API imports.
- Users express concerns about **layout issues** , particularly concerning the API documentation and organization of endpoint representation.
- Users note a **limited reporting** feature in Archbee, which may restrict in-depth analysis of project metrics.
- Users find the **missing features** like a basic API and limited Swagger documentation frustrating for optimal usage.

#### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Archbee?

**"[Easy to Use, Feature-Rich, and Outstanding Support](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/archbee-review-11876413)"**

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars
*— Alexey Z.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/archbee-review-11876413)

---

**"[Intuitive and Accessible, Perfect for Building Knowledge Bases](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/archbee-review-11883330)"**

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars
*— Verified User in Consumer Services*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/archbee-review-11883330)

---


#### What Are G2 Users Discussing About Archbee?

- [What are the benefits and drawbacks of using Archbee for documentation management?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-using-archbee-for-documentation-management)
- [What is Archbee used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-archbee-used-for)

### 8. [HelpNDoc](https://www.g2.com/products/helpndoc/reviews)
HelpNDoc is an easy to use yet powerful help authoring tool which can generate various documentation formats from a single source: HTML and CHM help files, PDF and Word manuals, ePub and Kindle eBooks, cross-platform Qt Help files, Markdown documents as well as mobile web-sites for iPhone and Android. Forget about bloated user interfaces and incomprehensible help authoring tools: HelpNDoc provides the most advanced functionalities in their simplest form. Creating HTML and CHM help files is usually a painful process but thanks to HelpNDoc you may surprise yourself enjoying it! Producing Word and PDF manuals, ePub and Kindle eBooks as well as Qt Help is as easy while the amazing template engine will let you generate iPhone or Android specific documentation websites in a snap. You know how to use the Windows explorer and your favorite word processor? Then you already know how to use HelpNDoc: it's that easy! Add to that many powerful features such as live spell checking in a fully WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) environment, a state-of-the-art template engine, an integrated media library, a project analyzer, and you'll begin to imagine how fast and easy it will be for you to create your next help file and how professional it will look like.


**Average Rating:** 4.1/5.0
**Total Reviews:** 18
**How Do G2 Users Rate HelpNDoc?**

- **Ease of Use:** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Ease of Admin:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind HelpNDoc?**

- **Seller:** [IBE Software](https://www.g2.com/sellers/ibe-software)
- **Year Founded:** 2003
- **HQ Location:** La Colle-sur-Loup, France
- **Twitter:** @IBE_Software (21 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/451143 (1 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
- **Company Size:** 67% Small-Business, 17% Mid-Market



#### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of HelpNDoc?

**"[Simply a product that works](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/helpndoc-review-11227693)"**

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars
*— Mark S.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/helpndoc-review-11227693)

---

**"[A powerful software that delivers on its promises](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/helpndoc-review-12432896)"**

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars
*— Guillaume B.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/helpndoc-review-12432896)

---


#### What Are G2 Users Discussing About HelpNDoc?

- [What is HelpNDoc used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-helpndoc-used-for) - 1 comment

### 9. [wpDocs](https://www.g2.com/products/wpdocs/reviews)
wpDocs helps you to create, manage and publish your knowledge base content online and mobile.


**Average Rating:** 3.9/5.0
**Total Reviews:** 44
**How Do G2 Users Rate wpDocs?**

- **Ease of Use:** 8.8/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Ease of Admin:** 9.5/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind wpDocs?**

- **Seller:** [Mayvik](https://www.g2.com/sellers/mayvik)
- **Year Founded:** 2014
- **HQ Location:** National Harbor, MD
- **Twitter:** @DocsWp (11 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/wpdocs/

**Who Uses This Product?**
- **Top Industries:** Health, Wellness and Fitness, Information Technology and Services
- **Company Size:** 68% Small-Business, 25% Mid-Market



#### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of wpDocs?

**"[Great Documentation Tool for WordPress sites](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/wpdocs-review-7119793)"**

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars
*— Jose Andres G.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/wpdocs-review-7119793)

---

**"[Perfect WordPress Plugin for KB management](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/wpdocs-review-8454866)"**

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars
*— Jithin A.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/wpdocs-review-8454866)

---



### 10. [Dr. Explain](https://www.g2.com/products/dr-explain/reviews)
Overview - Dr.Explain is developed by a dedicated team with over 20 years of expertise in help authoring tools. - It is designed for technical writers, developers, and product managers who need to create user manuals and online help. - The company is headquartered in Serbia and serves a global customer base across various industries. Key Features - Automatically captures application interfaces or web pages and analyzes all UI elements. - Generates a draft help system with screenshots and ready‑to‑use callouts placed directly on images. - Eliminates manual screenshot taking and annotation through intelligent UI analysis. - Exports to WEB, CHM, PDF, and DOCX formats while preserving structure and formatting. Primary Value - Reduces documentation time from days or weeks to hours by automating the most labor‑intensive part—screenshots and callouts. - Keeps documentation in sync with the actual product interface; easily update projects when the application changes. - Lowers the learning curve for new team members—no manual layout of hundreds of images and callouts required.


**Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0
**Total Reviews:** 30
**How Do G2 Users Rate Dr. Explain?**

- **Ease of Use:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Ease of Admin:** 9.3/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.1/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Dr. Explain?**

- **Seller:** [Indigo Byte Systems](https://www.g2.com/sellers/indigo-byte-systems)
- **Year Founded:** 2004
- **HQ Location:** N/A
- **Twitter:** @DrExplain (68 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/dr-explain-software/about (3 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
- **Top Industries:** Computer Software
- **Company Size:** 73% Small-Business, 27% Mid-Market



#### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Dr. Explain?

**"[Dr. Explain- Excellent Helpfile Creator](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/dr-explain-review-8442591)"**

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars
*— John K.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/dr-explain-review-8442591)

---

**"[A Truly Impressive Solution That Delivers as Promised](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/dr-explain-review-12108491)"**

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars
*— Fawaz A.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/dr-explain-review-12108491)

---


#### What Are G2 Users Discussing About Dr. Explain?

- [What is the best program to use to create a manual?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-best-program-to-use-to-create-a-manual)
- [How do you create a help document?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-you-create-a-help-document)
- [Is Dr explain free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-dr-explain-free)
- [What is Dr explain advanced?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-dr-explain-advanced)

### 11. [HelpSmith](https://www.g2.com/products/helpsmith/reviews)
HelpSmith is a help authoring tool that you can use to create HTML Help (CHM), Web Help, Printed Manuals, Adobe PDF, MS Word, ePub eBooks, and Markdown documentation from a single source. HelpSmith includes a rich feature set combined with an easy-to-use user interface with a slight learning curve. Among the advanced features available in HelpSmith is the built-in Image Tool that significantly simplifies the way of writing documentation for user interfaces. For example, you can easily capture screenshots, create various annotations for images (balloons, arrows, ellipses, text labels, etc.), add clickable hotspots, and also use control annotations for UI elements that can be exported into the help topic where you can provide a detailed description for each control.


**Average Rating:** 4.8/5.0
**Total Reviews:** 16
**How Do G2 Users Rate HelpSmith?**

- **Ease of Use:** 9.8/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Ease of Admin:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind HelpSmith?**

- **Seller:** [Divcom Software](https://www.g2.com/sellers/divcom-software)
- **HQ Location:** Vancouver, Canada
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/divcom-software/about/ (1 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
- **Top Industries:** Computer Software
- **Company Size:** 75% Small-Business, 25% Mid-Market



#### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of HelpSmith?

**"[Helpsmith has been a Great Asset for me](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/helpsmith-review-10182657)"**

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars
*— Brian W.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/helpsmith-review-10182657)

---

**"[Easy working software](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/helpsmith-review-10312196)"**

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars
*— Verified User in Computer Software*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/helpsmith-review-10312196)

---


#### What Are G2 Users Discussing About HelpSmith?

- [What is HelpSmith used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-helpsmith-used-for)

### 12. [Do-O-Matic](https://www.g2.com/products/do-o-matic/reviews)
Doc-O-Matic is a software source code documentation and Help authoring tool. It takes source code and comments, adds conceptual topics and external input and produces documentation from it.


**Average Rating:** 4.2/5.0
**Total Reviews:** 17
**How Do G2 Users Rate Do-O-Matic?**

- **Ease of Use:** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Ease of Admin:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Do-O-Matic?**

- **Seller:** [toolsfactory software](https://www.g2.com/sellers/toolsfactory-software)
- **Year Founded:** 2014
- **HQ Location:** Amersfoort, NL
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/toolsfactorynl/ (2 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
- **Company Size:** 65% Small-Business, 24% Mid-Market



#### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Do-O-Matic?

**"[My online assistant for technical writing](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/do-o-matic-review-7142085)"**

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars
*— Anju S.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/do-o-matic-review-7142085)

---

**"[Highly recommended](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/do-o-matic-review-7120012)"**

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars
*— Anderson C.*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/do-o-matic-review-7120012)

---



### 13. [FastHelp](https://www.g2.com/products/fasthelp/reviews)
FastHelp is a Windows Help File Generator that produces online and offline documentation. Compile to any of the following formats, all from a single source editor.


**Average Rating:** 4.1/5.0
**Total Reviews:** 23
**How Do G2 Users Rate FastHelp?**

- **Ease of Use:** 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Ease of Admin:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind FastHelp?**

- **Seller:** [Auric Visions](https://www.g2.com/sellers/auric-visions)
- **HQ Location:** N/A
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/No-Linkedin-Presence-Added-Intentionally-By-DataOps (1 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
- **Company Size:** 70% Small-Business, 17% Mid-Market



#### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of FastHelp?

**"[It's Good For Your Safety and Security](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/fasthelp-review-7136675)"**

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars
*— Verified User in Food & Beverages*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/fasthelp-review-7136675)

---

**"[best for getting help quickly](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/fasthelp-review-8951556)"**

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars
*— Verified User in Financial Services*

[Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/fasthelp-review-8951556)

---




## What Is Help Authoring Tools (HAT)?

[Development Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/development)

## What Software Categories Are Similar to Help Authoring Tools (HAT)?

- [Knowledge Base Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/knowledge-base-software)


---

## How Do You Choose the Right Help Authoring Tools (HAT)?

### What You Should Know About Help Authoring Tools (HAT)?

### What are Help Authoring Tools (HAT)?

Help authoring tools (HAT) are programs designed to assist technical writers in designing, publishing, and maintaining software help documentation. The resulting text is used in explanation guides, FAQs, manuals, and help files. They are aimed at reducing the time and effort needed when creating assistance materials for both employees and end users. Many help authoring tools (HAT) also provide the functionalities of [knowledge base software](https://www.g2.com/categories/knowledge-base), which allows technical writers to maintain and update a central knowledge base containing all software help text that they created about their product. This knowledge base, which is often a user-accessible web page or document, can be updated as soon as technical writers add new text or images. Despite being used by specialized technical writers, HATs are often considered development tools since they allow development teams to create and maintain help documentation for their existing software products and any new features that might be added.

Technical writers use help authoring tools to create software help documents and online help resources from start to finish. With these programs, they can write, edit, and export documents to be shared with editors, administrators, and other coworkers. Depending on the documentation tool used, creators can even design images or simply use a screen capture feature to supplement their software help text and enrich the user experience. When the documentation is in a user-ready state, the help authoring tool allows writers to publish the documentation digitally. In some cases, HATs also allow teams to manage other aspects of their customers’ self-help experiences. For example, some tools allow product teams to create and embed widgets at various points in the user journey, guiding the user towards a software help knowledge base if needed.

Most HATs allow technical writers to centralize their software help documentation in a single database, which can then be exported in various formats such as HTML, CHM help files, XML, PDFs, and more. Help authoring software also allows technical writers to use and update their pre-existing software program documentation by supporting various file types for import. This also provides flexibility for writers who prefer to use a separate writing tool outside of the HAT, as they can simply import the source text when it’s complete and use the HAT to design, publish, and maintain the finished product.

Ultimately, HATs help companies produce, add to, and manage a single source of truth for their users’ software help needs. By streamlining the writing process and providing useful features like content collaboration and file importing, HATs help teams produce technical documentation, content for faqs, help manuals, and more.

**What Does HAT Stand For?**

HAT stands for Help Authoring Tool. However, HATs can extend beyond documentation authoring to allow teams to manage various aspects of their customers’ software program self-help experiences. ** **

### What are the Common Features of Help Authoring Tools (HAT)?

The following are some core features within help authoring tools (HAT) that can help users create and maintain software help documentation:

**Text editing:** At their most basic, HATs provide text-editing functionality to create software help documentation. These editors will often include several features to make the help authoring process more efficient, such as templates, automated style and grammar suggestions, and more. In many cases, a HAT’s user interface will act as a full-fledged word processor.

**Code editing:** Many HATs include a code view that allows front-end web developers to manipulate help documentation webpages. This type of editing usually includes HTML, CSS, and JS code editing capabilities so that technical writers can create software documentation that lives in a web-based format as opposed to a text document. Some solutions also include features for HTML help and suggestions, allowing teams to build web pages more easily.

**WYSIWYG editing:** Many HATs provide WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editors, so technical writers without experience in front-end development can author and manage software documentation web pages via an intuitive visual user interface. These types of editors can also be helpful for quickly adding useful images to a product’s help documentation.

**File importing:** HATs allow technical writers to import source text or source code from various file formats, such as Microsoft Word documents, CHM files, HTML files, and more. The text and images from these source files can then be manipulated and managed within the HAT to produce the desired result for publication.

**Content management:** While HATs are used explicitly to author and manage software help documentation, they typically share similar features with [content management systems (CMS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/content-management). Like CMS tools, HATs allow users to manage, store, and track content projects from creation to publication. The key difference is that each content project is specifically related to software explanation guides, faqs, manuals, and help files.

**Templates and libraries:** Most HATs provide templates that provide base-level formatting and visual layouts for technical writers to work off of. These templates provide suggested layouts for various software help formats. Along with these templates, many HATs offer media libraries for authors to pull images, motion graphics, and more.

**Content collaboration:** Help authoring software allows multiple technical writers to work on the same guides and documents concurrently. This streamlines communication about projects and enables efficient productivity in a remote environment. HATs’ content collaboration capabilities include version control systems; meaning teams can keep track of historical changes and revert to older versions of their documentation when necessary.

### What are the Benefits of Help Authoring Tools (HAT)?

The common benefits of help authoring tools (HAT) include:

**Scalability:** Software providers must supplement their products with a lot of documentation to guide their users. From simple user guides to complex technical documentation for APIs, user knowledge management must be constantly considered and supported as a company adds to its product lines and features. HATs make this process scalable and manageable by both importing existing documentation and providing standardized tools for adding to that documentation. 

**Efficiency:** Most HATs centralize all of a company’s technical documentation, online help content, etc., to a single source. By storing all software help source files in a central database, HATs facilitate more efficient content reuse. Technical writers can manage, edit, and add to their existing documentation once, then use the HAT to choose where, when, and how that documentation is presented. In some cases, teams can even set conditional publishing standards so that different help documentation is shown to different users. This prevents teams from wasting time with repeated tasks, allowing them to focus on new documentation rather than manually managing existing content. 

**Better customer support:** HATs primarily boost a company’s ability to provide helpful documentation to its customers. By curating user-friendly documentation with clear elements like a table of contents, visual aids, and more, companies empower their users to self help rather than rely on customer support channels. Having thorough self-help systems in place saves companies time and mitigates costs related to supporting their customers.

### Who Uses Help Authoring Tools (HAT)?

**Technical writers:** Technical writers produce documentation to facilitate clear and thorough communication between two parties. They use HATs to create user manuals, tutorials, and other software help documentation for the benefit of their company’s employees and customers. 

**Developers:** Developers can use HATs to add helpful documentation to their consumer-facing software. A common use case for developers using HATs is API documentation, which guides other developers on how to properly interface with their API. Front-end developers building software help web pages can also utilize HATs and take advantage of their HTML help suggestions to tackle issues and solve problems with their design.

#### Software Related to Help Authoring Tools (HAT)

Related solutions that can be used together with help authoring tools (HAT) include:

[Knowledge base software:](https://www.g2.com/categories/knowledge-base) Knowledge base software stores and organizes information about businesses and their products, services, and processes in a central repository accessible by the rest of the organization. Businesses use knowledge bases to bring information from different sources, such as internal communications platforms or email software, into a self-serve digital library that acts as a single source of truth. HATs often interact with and add to a company’s help documentation stored in a central knowledge base.

[Enterprise content management (ECM) systems:](https://www.g2.com/categories/enterprise-content-management-ecm) Enterprise content management (ECM) systems help companies organize, manage, and distribute unstructured content such as documents, images, health or accounting records, surveys, product information, emails, and web pages. Companies use this software to store, track, edit, and collaborate on content creation and other information-related projects. In many ways, HATs are a more narrow version of a content management system.

### Challenges with Help Authoring Tools (HAT)

Software solutions can come with their own set of challenges. 

**File support:** Companies onboarding a new HAT must be mindful of the tool’s supported file types. If the tool can’t seamlessly import a company’s existing help documentation, then the company is faced with the frustrating task of repeating work. Given that technical help documentation is often formatted with specific layouts in mind, especially when dealing with web pages, the process of recreating that formatting can be particularly tedious. Buyers should be mindful of which file types a prospective HAT supports, such as CHM help files, HTML files, Markdown files, and more.

**Standardization:** One key element companies should strive to achieve when authoring help documentation is standardization. Employees and customers engaging with a company’s self-help systems should experience a consistent user journey to avoid confusion. A good HAT will help teams produce consistent technical writing via templates and customizable writing guidelines. 

**Learning curve:** Using a new HAT can come with a learning curve, especially for newer employees in technical writing. Choosing a HAT with a smooth learning curve is important so that the efficiency gained by using the tool isn’t canceled out by the effort involved in learning it. 

### How to Buy Help Authoring Tools (HAT)

#### Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for Help Authoring Tools (HAT)

G2.com can assist buyers in finding the best help authoring tool (HAT), whether a buyer is searching for HATs for the first time or looking to replace legacy software.

Generally, the most important considerations are price, feature set, and file support. One of the primary purposes of HATs is to make software documentation management more convenient, so ensuring that the tool of choice can seamlessly import the company’s existing documentation is often essential. Using G2 reviews as a reference, buyers can determine the features that will best help them manage their software help documentation, ensuring a pain-free learning curve and comprehensive solution. 

After narrowing down a potential pool of products, teams can then apply further considerations for budget, requirements, and more. Using this approach, buyers can move forward in the buying process with confidence, referencing their checklist in conjunction with G2 scores to find the right solution for their needs.

#### Compare Help Authoring Tools (HAT) Products

**Create a long list**

Buyers should consider the many HAT solutions on the market. Some HATs include WYSIWYG functionality to provide technical writers with a non-developer solution to publishing web pages, while others shine in the hands of users proficient in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Buyers should consider options like these to produce a long list of potentially viable products.

**Create a short list**

Once a long list is created, buyers should employ a more granular approach to trim it down. Along with a matrix of must-have functionality and pricing, buyers can use G2 reviews to explore any potential advantages and disadvantages among the products they’re considering. With these factors in mind, buyers should narrow down their search to a list of three to five products.

**Conduct demos**

All software products on a company’s short list need to be investigated firsthand via demos to ensure that real-time functionality matches on-paper expectations. During demos, buyers should make inquiries based on the requirements gathering they’ve done prior; for example, one might ask to be walked through a HAT’s collaborative content management features to ensure the company’s needs will be met. 

#### Selection of Help Authoring Tools (HAT)

**Choose a selection team**

Companies of any size should try to involve the most relevant personas when beginning the HAT selection process. Large companies might have the resources to include individual team members to fill roles such as project manager, decision maker, and technical writer. Smaller companies can overlap roles to compensate for their relatively fewer employees. 

**Negotiation**

Some vendors offer HATs that can do far more than what the buyer requires, such as full-featured web design. While some vendors may only offer an all-or-nothing package, buyers who want to optimize spending should try to negotiate a fairly priced package, including only the functionalities that matter to them. For example, a product’s pricing page could show that the buyer’s must-have features are only included with an expensive all-in-one package, whereas a sales conversation may prove otherwise. 

**Final decision**

To conclude the process, performing a trial run with a small pool of technical writers or developers is essential. This will aid buyers in ensuring that their chosen HAT is easy to use, integrates well with existing workflows, and meets team members’ needs. If the HAT is received well and utilized often, the buyer’s selection is probably the right one. If not, it may be time to try another product from the short list.