# Best Course Authoring Software - Page 13 *By [Grace Savides](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/grace-savides)* Course authoring software products allow organizations to create engaging and interactive multimedia content for educational purposes. Course authoring software is used to develop training courses and content that can be consumed in either a corporate or more traditional educational setting. Learning content management systems (LCMS), which are course authoring tools built specifically as a tool for educational institutions, are currently included in the scope of course authoring. Organizations use course authoring tools to prepare educational material that can be administered with [learning management system (LMS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/learning-management-system-lms) or [corporate LMS](https://www.g2.com/categories/corporate-lms) software to create unique educational programs for employees or students. Course authoring solutions are commonly implemented in HR departments and at educational institutions, enabling administrators to create educational content with no programming knowledge. Course authoring solutions can be either cloud-based or installed on-premise, and many follow the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) as a set of standards and specifications for integrating content with LMS software. Additionally, many course authoring products are built on top of [presentation software](https://www.g2.com/categories/presentation) to provide users with a familiar format for creating course content. To qualify as a course authoring solution, a product must: - Allow organizations to create multimedia content for educational purposes - Provide a system through which users can create interactive multimedia content - Allow users to publish course material to third-party or built-in learning management systems --- ## What Are the Most Common Questions About Course Authoring Software? *AI-generated · Last updated: May 26, 2026* ### Which course authoring tool offers the best template library? Based on G2 reviews, Articulate 360 stands out in this category because verified users repeatedly describe its large template and asset library as a major advantage for faster course creation. According to verified users, the platform helps teams create professional-looking courses quickly, reuse slides and shared assets, and maintain consistency across projects. G2 reviewers mention that built-in templates reduce manual work, speed up drafts, and support responsive learning design. Reviewers also note that the wider suite helps with collaboration and review workflows, although some mention limitations around customization in certain parts of the product. For buyers prioritizing ready-made assets and fast production, this pattern appears most often in recent feedback. ### Best platforms for integrating course authoring with LMS? Based on G2 reviews, buyers looking for strong LMS integration often mention tools that make publishing and transferring content straightforward. According to verified users, Articulate 360 is frequently praised for SCORM packaging, LMS compatibility, and smooth transfers between systems. G2 reviewers mention iSpring Suite for its PowerPoint-based workflow and reliable LMS publishing, while Synthesia is noted for SCORM support and sharing learning videos into broader training workflows. Across recent reviews, the most common buyer priorities are easy publishing, fewer compatibility issues, and simpler updates after course changes. The best fit depends on whether your team is focused on interactive modules, PowerPoint-based authoring, or video-first learning content. **Here are some of the top-rated products on G2:** - [Articulate 360](https://www.g2.com/products/articulate-360/reviews) – often used for SCORM-ready eLearning that works across LMS environments and review workflows - [iSpring Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/ispring-suite/reviews) – well suited for PowerPoint-based course creation with straightforward LMS publishing - [Synthesia](https://www.g2.com/products/synthesia/reviews) – useful for video-based training content with SCORM export and LMS sharing options ### Which is the best course authoring tool for eLearning developers? Based on G2 reviews, Articulate 360 appears most often as the strongest fit for eLearning developers because users describe it as combining rapid authoring with deeper control over interactions. According to verified users, it supports interactive course design, branching, triggers, variables, templates, and responsive outputs in one ecosystem. G2 reviewers mention that developers use it to build engaging modules quickly while still having enough flexibility for more advanced learning experiences. Reviewers also note that it can take time to master the larger toolset, especially for more complex builds, but they consistently highlight the balance of usability and power. That combination makes it the most commonly supported choice in recent review data. ### Best tools for collaborative course development? Based on G2 reviews, collaboration is a recurring strength in several course authoring products, especially where review cycles and shared workflows matter. According to verified users, Articulate 360 is often mentioned for shared libraries, templates, and review tools that help designers and subject matter experts stay aligned. G2 reviewers also describe 360Learning as useful for team-based content creation, with feedback and comments built into the learning workflow. Reviewers of Synthesia mention supportive staff, team collaboration on video content, and helpful training resources. Across recent feedback, buyers appear to value faster review cycles, shared editing processes, and easier feedback collection more than highly technical co-authoring features alone. **Here are some of the top-rated products on G2:** - [Articulate 360](https://www.g2.com/products/articulate-360/reviews) – commonly used for shared templates, content libraries, and structured review workflows - [360Learning](https://www.g2.com/products/360learning/reviews) – designed for collaborative content creation with peer feedback and team contributions - [Synthesia](https://www.g2.com/products/synthesia/reviews) – supports collaborative video creation with team editing and helpful enablement resources ### Top tools for creating interactive online courses? Based on G2 reviews, interactive course creation is one of the most common themes in this category. According to verified users, Articulate 360 is frequently used for branching, triggers, layers, and scenario-based learning. G2 reviewers mention iSpring Suite for quizzes, role plays, dialogue simulations, and assessments that help make content more engaging. Reviewers also highlight Synthesia for interactive video-based learning experiences, especially when teams want more dynamic visual content rather than text-heavy materials. Across recent reviews, buyers looking for interactivity often prioritize fast creation, learner engagement, and a mix of media, assessments, and scenario-based elements. The right option depends on whether your courses are more module-driven, assessment-heavy, or video-led. **Here are some of the top-rated products on G2:** - [Articulate 360](https://www.g2.com/products/articulate-360/reviews) – often chosen for branching scenarios, triggers, layers, and interactive course elements - [iSpring Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/ispring-suite/reviews) – strong for quizzes, role plays, dialogue simulations, and assessment-driven learning - [Synthesia](https://www.g2.com/products/synthesia/reviews) – useful for engaging video-led learning with avatars, narration, and interactive content updates ### Which course authoring software supports SCORM and xAPI? Based on G2 reviews, SCORM support is clearly mentioned across several course authoring products, while xAPI support is not directly stated in the recent review set. According to verified users, Articulate 360, iSpring Suite, and Synthesia are all repeatedly described as supporting SCORM publishing or SCORM file workflows for LMS delivery. G2 reviewers mention straightforward LMS transfers, SCORM exports, and reliable publishing as meaningful strengths. Because the source reviews do not explicitly mention xAPI, it would be safer for buyers to validate that requirement directly during evaluation. Recent feedback strongly supports SCORM readiness, but the available review evidence does not fully confirm xAPI across shortlisted products. ### Top-rated course authoring platforms for corporate training? Based on G2 reviews, corporate training teams often favor tools that shorten development time, support compliance and onboarding, and work well for repeatable learning programs. According to verified users, Articulate 360 is widely used for professional eLearning, onboarding, internal training, and accessible course delivery. G2 reviewers mention iSpring Suite for corporate training built from PowerPoint, especially when teams need quizzes, SCORM publishing, and easier adoption for non-technical contributors. Reviewers also describe Synthesia as effective for training videos, multilingual content, and fast updates without needing to reshoot material. Across recent reviews, strong buyer signals center on speed, usability, LMS compatibility, and support for scaling training across teams. **Here are some of the top-rated products on G2:** - [Articulate 360](https://www.g2.com/products/articulate-360/reviews) – often used for onboarding, internal training, and scalable interactive eLearning - [iSpring Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/ispring-suite/reviews) – a strong fit for corporate teams building training from familiar PowerPoint workflows - [Synthesia](https://www.g2.com/products/synthesia/reviews) – well suited for corporate video training, walkthroughs, and multilingual employee learning ### Which platform offers AI-powered content creation for courses? Based on G2 reviews, Articulate 360 is the most consistently referenced product for AI-powered course creation in the recent dataset. According to verified users, reviewers call out AI-assisted storyboard creation, text-to-voice, translation, captions, draft generation, and faster production workflows. G2 reviewers mention that these AI features help reduce manual effort, speed up module creation, and support accessibility-focused content work. Some users also note that generated output still benefits from refinement, especially for specialized content, but recent feedback still positions it as the most commonly cited option for AI-enabled authoring. Other tools in the category also mention AI, yet Articulate 360 appears most frequently and with the broadest range of course-creation use cases. ### Best software for creating multi-language courses? Based on G2 reviews, multi-language course creation is a clear strength for buyers who need fast localization and updates across regions. According to verified users, Synthesia is often praised for translating content into multiple languages, updating training without reshoots, and supporting global teams with localized videos. G2 reviewers also mention Articulate 360 for multilingual course scaling and translation support, though some users describe localization workflows as less seamless in more complex projects. Reviewers of iSpring Suite highlight translation support and narration across languages in PowerPoint-based workflows. Across recent reviews, the key buyer patterns are ease of updates, multilingual reach, and reduced dependence on manual rework when adapting training for different audiences. **Here are some of the top-rated products on G2:** - [Synthesia](https://www.g2.com/products/synthesia/reviews) – widely used for multilingual video creation and fast localization updates - [Articulate 360](https://www.g2.com/products/articulate-360/reviews) – useful for multilingual training at scale with translation-related authoring workflows - [iSpring Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/ispring-suite/reviews) – a fit for translated courses and multilingual narration within familiar authoring processes ### Top platforms for rapid course authoring? Based on G2 reviews, rapid authoring is one of the most repeated themes across the category. According to verified users, Articulate 360 is frequently mentioned for speeding up development through templates, blocks, AI assistance, and browser-based responsive tools. G2 reviewers mention iSpring Suite for fast PowerPoint-based production that lowers the learning curve and helps teams move quickly from deck to LMS-ready course. Reviewers also describe Synthesia as a rapid option for video-based training because scripts can be updated without re-recording and videos can be produced quickly. Recent feedback suggests buyers prioritize quick setup, reusable assets, easier publishing, and less technical overhead when evaluating rapid course authoring software. **Here are some of the top-rated products on G2:** - [Articulate 360](https://www.g2.com/products/articulate-360/reviews) – popular for fast authoring with templates, responsive blocks, and AI-assisted workflows - [iSpring Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/ispring-suite/reviews) – ideal for rapid course creation from PowerPoint with quick LMS publishing - [Synthesia](https://www.g2.com/products/synthesia/reviews) – effective for quickly producing and updating training videos without full reshoots ## How Many Course Authoring Software Products Does G2 Track? **Total Products under this Category:** 274 ### Category Stats (Jun 2026) - **Average Rating**: 4.54/5 The average rating of products in this category, based on all submitted ratings - **New Reviews This Quarter**: 299 - **Buyer Segments**: Enterprise 40% │ Mid-Market 34% │ Small-Business 26% Represents the distribution of reviewers across all products in this category. - **Top Trending Product**: Second Nature AI (+0.016) - Among all products in this category, Second Nature AI recorded the largest rating increase compared to last month *Last updated: June 01, 2026* ## How Does G2 Rank Course Authoring Software Products? **Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:** - 30 Analysts and Data Experts - 24,800+ Authentic Reviews - 274+ 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. ## Which Course Authoring Software Is Best for Your Use Case? - **Leader:** [Articulate 360](https://www.g2.com/products/articulate-360/reviews) - **Highest Performer:** [7taps Microlearning](https://www.g2.com/products/7taps-microlearning/reviews) - **Easiest to Use:** [iSpring Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/ispring-suite/reviews) - **Top Trending:** [Synthesia](https://www.g2.com/products/synthesia/reviews) - **Best Free Software:** [Synthesia](https://www.g2.com/products/synthesia/reviews) --- **Sponsored** ### GetResponse GetResponse is a lifecycle automation platform for businesses that want to drive more consistent, repeatable revenue across the entire customer journey. 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[Training eLearning Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/training-elearning) ## What Software Categories Are Similar to Course Authoring Software? - [Corporate Learning Management Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/corporate-learning-management-systems) - [eLearning Content Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/elearning-content) - [Sales Training and Onboarding Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/sales-training-and-onboarding) --- ## How Do You Choose the Right Course Authoring Software? ### What You Should Know About Course Authoring Software ### What is Course Authoring Software? For organizations that need to deliver training to their employees, there are numerous providers of premade online courses on common topics that managers could purchase and assign to their teams. But if a company has more specialized training needs, the ability to create a customized course from scratch is a better solution. Course authoring software enables eLearning professionals to build engaging courses incorporating a variety of interactive elements, then publish and distribute them to any number of learners. These products are used by companies for their training needs as well as in academia for professors who are delivering instruction remotely. Custom courses created using course authoring software ultimately helps organizations achieve their learning goals. Key Benefits of Course Authoring Software - Enables companies to efficiently create engaging courses - Reduces the time it takes to create a complete course - Self-paced training allows more flexibility - Allows instructors to customize learning content ### Why Use Course Authoring Software? **Create engaging courses —** Part of making learning “sticky"—meaning the knowledge endures long after someone learns it—is making the process engaging. Course authoring tools offer numerous ways to make eLearning courses more interesting and interactive. Rather than creating courses that rely on slides with plain text and pictures, course developers incorporate video clips, animations, and audio files into a course. Quizzes are incorporated throughout a course to build in accountability for the material. Some platforms offer functionality for learners to navigate through branching scenarios, meaning the content differs depending on choices made by the user. **Reduce course development time —** Course authoring platforms have built-in tools designed to maximize efficiency as developers make new courses. Content libraries in course authoring software contain a variety of premade elements that developers choose from, including slide templates, images, icons, buttons, and quiz questions. These libraries reduce the time instructors spend searching for elements to use in their courses, helping the course get completed more quickly. Some eLearning platforms also enable users to pre-existing presentation files and use those as a starting point for creating a course so that the developer doesn’t have to start from a blank template. Ultimately, these features make course creation less time-consuming. **Increase training flexibility —** Digital courses created using course authoring software provide solutions to some of the inconveniences inherent in the in-person training. Courses are distributed using a learning management system (LMS), so learners in different locations can take the same course. The courses are also typically self-paced, so learners are able to complete them on their own schedule. Administrators review results for individual learners as they come in. **Customize learning content —** One of the biggest benefits of course authoring tools is the ability to create exactly the course needed for a specific purpose. Rather than use an off-the-shelf eLearning course that may not target an organization’s needs, using course authoring software to build a course from the ground up ensures that it targets the exact objectives the instructor wants to cover. Courses are even customized for specific teams or roles, so that the employees get the exact training that they need. For universities, courses enable professors to teach the material in the way that they think works best. Collaboration tools built into course authoring software also allow multiple stakeholders to give feedback on a course before it is finalized to ensure it is customized to meet the needs of all parties involved. ### Who Uses Course Authoring Software? Course authoring software is used by employees in government, education, and a range of businesses. **Corporate trainers —** In-house trainers at companies use course authoring tools to create training courses for the business’s employees. Courses might cover HR issues related to compliance or they could be focused on information more specific to the company’s business, like sales enablement. **Instructional designers and eLearning developers —** Companies that lack the HR personnel needed to develop their own custom courses in-house may turn to third-party instructional designers or eLearning developers, who use course authoring software to make courses for their clients. Typically, instructional designers communicate with their clients about the kind of course the company needs, then they build the course, get feedback on their work, and deliver a final product that is completed by employees. Universities also employ instructional designers to help professors develop materials for their courses, especially online courses. ### Kinds of Course Authoring Software While most course authoring products have similar core functionality, some are sold as standalone products while others are integrated with an LMS. Using a course authoring tool that is integrated with an LMS means there is a built-in way to distribute the course to learners once it is finished, although those tools may have fewer course authoring features than standalone products that are solely dedicated to creating courses. Standalone products typically enable users to export content to a third-party LMS. ### Course Authoring Software Features **Course templates —** Course authoring tools often come with included templates so course developers don’t have to start from a completely blank course. Templates include course modules with different layouts that allow developers to change text placeholders and add images, videos, or other elements to meet their needs. **PowerPoint conversion —** Organizations that have pre-existing PowerPoint files that they have used in the past for training import those files into course authoring software and build an eLearning course using the old presentation as a template, helping save the time it would take to recreate the PowerPoint in the authoring tool. **Asset library —** In addition to slide templates, course authoring tools often include an online library of elements that users can add to their presentations. These libraries sometimes contain thousands of different elements, including photos, videos, icons, and buttons. **Quizzes —** Course authors are able to build in periodic quizzes at different points in a course to check the learner’s understanding of key concepts. If a learner answers incorrectly, courses are set up to have them go back and relearn the material, then have them try again to get the right answer before they are allowed to proceed. **Feedback tools —** These features enable multiple stakeholders to leave comments on a course as it is being developed. Having feedback integrated directly into the authoring tool helps keep the comments organized so they are addressed before the course is published. **Sharable content object reference model (SCORM) compatibility —** The industry standard for eLearning content is SCORM, a set of technical standards that ensure compatibility between a course and an LMS. Ensuring a course authoring platform is SCORM-compatible means its courses work with a variety of LMS vendors. #### Additional Course Authoring Software Features **Character images —** Some products have extensive “character" image collections. These might include a variety of different models of different ages, genders, ethnicities, and professions, each with dozens of photos showing a variety of facial expressions, emotions, and body poses. These character images are used to tell a story within the course or as a visual aid to illustrate a scenario. **Branching scenarios —** One feature some platforms have for making courses interactive is by the ability to include branching scenarios, in which the course is different depending on choices the learner makes. For example, in a course on workplace harassment, a user might be asked to choose from three options for responding to a coworker who made an inappropriate remark in a meeting. Depending on the option the learner picks, the course could show a different outcome of the situation. These role-play simulations helps learners apply skills and knowledge from earlier in the course to a real-world scenario. **Video recording —** Built-in video recording functionality enables users to record themselves or their computer screen to add a visual element to their course. These platforms typically also allow users to import videos from other sources. **Mobile compatibility —** Course materials are automatically reformatted to be compatible with mobile phones and tablets, ensuring that learners complete course modules from any device. **Analytics —** Course authors track how learners are using the course or their performance on in-course assessments once the courses have been deployed. ### Trends Related to Course Authoring Software **Remote work —** Companies were already looking for digital alternatives to in-person training before the coronavirus pandemic. The worldwide shift to remote work has only underscored the need for organizations to have robust eLearning programs that are completed anywhere and at any time. Course authoring software developers have increased their emphasis on the mobile device experience to ensure the courses reach people on the devices they use the most. **Cloud platforms —** While some course authoring products still offer on-premises installations, many vendors have moved their offerings to the cloud. This approach enables vendors to push out frequent updates to their products, adding new features, and fixing security vulnerabilities. Some also offer online content libraries, so course developers have an ever-expanding range of elements to choose from. Courses that are distributed to learners via the cloud are also quickly updated and re-released so that employees have access to the latest material. ### Potential Issues with Course Authoring Software **Resource investment —** Creating customized courses have benefits for an organization’s training program, but it also takes a substantial investment of resources. Depending on how lengthy or in depth the course needs to be, it may take weeks or months for a course to go from idea to finished product. That includes multiple course drafts and rounds of feedback from different stakeholders. Companies also need to decide whether they have the right people in-house to use course authoring software effectively or if it makes more sense to outsource the work to an eLearning development firm. Another option is using premade online courses, although organizations will have to decide whether those more generic courses will meet their training needs. **Employee engagement —** The best digital courses are interesting and informative. They hold learners’ attention with animations, videos, and interactive elements. But using those elements well takes practice and the right tools. An authoring tool that lacks strong functionality for creating interactive courses could result in courses that don’t engage learners and fall short of their desired impact. Buyers should ensure an authoring solution has the ability to create engaging courses and that their course developers know how to use the tools to achieve those aims. **Compliance —** A key part of many training programs is courses to ensure employers maintain compliance with laws and regulations on topics like safety, security, and privacy. Company leaders deploy off-the-shelf solutions, but some might want to develop their own compliance courses using course authoring software. For companies that are developing their own compliance courses, leaders must ensure the courses cover all the required information for a given topic. They should also confirm that the software they use to deploy the courses has adequate tracking and reporting capabilities so that, if necessary, they prove that employees went through the training. ### Software and Services Related to Course Authoring Software [**Learning management systems**](https://www.g2.com/categories/learning-management-system-lms) **—** Integrations with an LMS is a crucial feature for course authoring products, as completed courses are typically delivered to users through an LMS. Course authoring tools integrate with both [corporate LMS products](https://www.g2.com/categories/corporate-lms) as well as education-focused LMS products. [**Screen and video capture software**](https://www.g2.com/categories/screen-and-video-capture) **—** For course authoring tools that lack built-in video capture functionality, a screen and video capture product allows a course developer to integrate screencasts of their computer desktop for demonstrations and tutorials. [**Training management systems**](https://www.g2.com/categories/training-management-systems) **—** Organizations use training management systems to distribute courses to employees and track training completion.