10 Best SCORM & xAPI Content Authoring Tools for Creating Content in 2026

Earlier choosing authoring tool used to be simple as there were very few of them which were leading the market with advanced and modern features. There was massive technical gap between market leaders and other content authoring tools. But in 2026, the gap has been narrowed and its become harder to choose the right authoring tool as each one of them appears to be as powerful as the tool you are comparing it to.

We, at next software solutions, work with these authoring tools daily, we integrate them with other eLearning tools such as LMS and LRS. we see through them exactly what they are about, what they offer and which one of them is best for different objective.

In this article we will walk you through the top authoring tools with not just their ‘flashy features’ but how they are good on data reporting, interactivity, and value for money.

Before we talk about the tools, if you are beginner and don’t have a grasp understanding about what an eLearning content authoring tool is, what it is used for, how you can use it, then lets look at the brief Authoring Tool introduction. If you are already aware about this, you can skip the below section to jump straight to the authoring tools and about them.

What Are Content Authoring Software?

An eLearning authoring tool is used to create interactive lessons, quizzes, and multimedia-based content, often compliant with standards like SCORM or xAPI. These tools simplify the process of designing an engaging content which runs on browser but they enable you to do all this without the web dev skills.

These eLearning contents are slide based, just like a power point presentation, and they provide wide varity of interactive templates for the slide such as drag-and-drop, hotspots, flashcards, branching scenerios, simulations (dialogue, software), quizzes(true/false, multiple choice, fill in the blanks etc).

Top SCORM & xAPI Rapid Authoring Tools for eLearning in 2025

1. Adobe Captivate
2. Articulate Storyline 360
3. iSpring
4. Rise 360
5. Elucidat
6. DominKnow | ONE
7. Camtasia
8. Adapt Learning
9. Lectora Online
10. Easy Generator

These SCORM and xAPI authoring tools are ideal for instructional designers, L&D professionals, and organizations looking to create LMS-ready HTML5 eLearning content with ease. You can choose any of them to get started that matches your tech stack and requirements.

Quick Comparison Overview

Pricing in this table is their starting tier and it may differ if they change, so always check the official website for the correct pricing.

Authoring Tool	SCORM	xAPI	cmi5	HTML5 Export	Platform	Key Features	Cost
Adobe Captivate	✅	✅	❌	✅	Windows, macOS	VR content creation, full customization, steep learning curve	$39/month
Articulate Storyline 360	✅	✅	✅	✅	Windows only	PowerPoint-style interface, interactive quizzes, large asset library	$1199/Year
iSpring Suite	✅	✅	✅	✅	Windows	Works inside PowerPoint, LRS-ready, video/screen recording	$970/year
Rise 360	✅	✅	✅	✅	Web-based	Mobile-first, rapid authoring, block-based content	Included in Articulate 360
Elucidat	✅	✅	❌	✅	Web-based	Team collaboration, analytics, customizable templates
DominKnow | ONE	✅	✅	✅	✅	Web-based	Responsive design, localization, offline tracking, mobile-ready playback	$997/year
Camtasia	✅	❌	❌	✅	Windows, macOS	Screen recorder, SCORM quiz interactions, powerful video editing	$179/year
Adapt Learning	✅	✅	❌	✅	Web-based (Open Source)	Drag-and-drop builder, responsive, strong developer community	Free (open source)
Lectora Online	✅	✅	✅	✅	Web-based	Accessibility support, responsive design, rich quiz options	$1299/year
Easygenerator	✅	✅	❌	✅	Web-based	Built-in LMS, collaboration tools, certificates, branding options	$1299/year

Below is more detailed overview about each authoring tools.

1. Adobe Captivate

View Demo | BestExport Settings | $39/month

Best for simulation and responsive design.

Adobe overhauled the captivate recently. Its recent version is much easier to use than the classic version. It now has a simplified interface designed for creating responsive content that looks good on any device. It is still one of the best tool in the market to create software simulations.

With a improved reporting functionality, it produces clean data. It supports xAPI, but for custom xAPI statement it is slightly more rigid then the Articulate Storyline. Video tracking is handled really well, not upto what GrassBlade xAPI Companion does, but in comparison to other authoring tools, Adobe Captivate does exceptionally well.

Pros:

• Market leader for software simulation recording.
• Best-in-class for true responsive design.

Supported eLearning Standard:

1. AICC
2. SCORM
3. xAPI

2. Articulate Storyline 360

View Demo | Best Export Settings | $1199/year

Industry standard for high end interactive eLearning.

“If you can imagine it, you can build it” this is the official claim by Articulate Storyline. If you are a powerpoint user and you want authoring tools that looks similar and at the same time gives you freedom to create whatever you want, then Articulate Storyline will be best choice for you.

Articulate is a fully eLearning focused company and the latest version of Articulate Storyline 360 is the best alternative to Adobe Captivate. You can create advanced interactive lessons with quizzes for your employees or students. It also has a library with a large number of resources of characters and scenery images to make your presentation more realistic.

In terms of tracking, Storyline is the king of it’s field. unlike many other tools that sends only “Completed” or “Passed”, Storyline allows you to create custom xAPI triggers and statements. This can allow you to track more type of interactions, such as you can even track mouse hovering over element.

It is easy to learn in comparison to Adobe Captivate and works only on Windows OS, which is a downside of this powerful tool.

Pros:

• Unlimited creative freedom(layers, triggers, states).
• Massive community and template library.
• Excellent cmi5 and xAPI support out of the box.

Supported eLearning Standard:

1. AICC
2. SCORM
3. xAPI
4. cmi5

3. iSpring Suite

View Demo | Best Export Settings | $970/year

Best for converting PowerPoint to SCORM

If you already have massive amount of PowerPoint presentations and need to turn them into courses quickly, iSpring is your best option. It installs as a PowerPoint add-on and allows you to add quizzes, interactions, and characters without leaving the PPT interface.

If you already know how to use PowerPoint, you can do most of the things out of the box. iSpring Suite only works on Windows OS until you install Windows OS on your iMac computer.

It also allows screen and video recording and has basic video editing features. It works with PowerPoint, which means you have to buy an MS Office subscription with iSpring Suite if you do not have one.

If you’re exporting your content with the Experience API standard, you can define your LRS details right inside the content and get reporting to your Learning Record Store.

Pros:

• Zero learning curve if you know PowerPoint.
• Excellent “Text-to-Speech” and character library included.
• Preserves all PowerPoint animations perfectly.

Supported eLearning Standard:

1. AICC
2. SCORM
3. xAPI
4. cmi5

4. Rise 360

View Demo | Best Export Settings | Included in Articulate 360 plan

fastest and web-based tool to create mobile-friendly course.

A web-based sibling of storyline, Rise 360 provides block-based builder to create interactive courses that looks like modern web-pages. If you don’t need complex animations or game like logic, then it is perfect for creating quick courses, such as how-to guide for compliance.

You can add images, text, and video in different blocks available in this tool. Rise 360 is a part of the Articulate 360 package so you get both tools. You can use any of these tools as per need.

There are documentation and tutorial videos to get you started, also there is a huge community of users that becomes the USP of Articulate 360.

Pros:

• Truly responsive (courses look perfect on phones automatically).
• Zero learning curve—you can build a course in an hour.
• Easy to share “Review” links with stakeholders.

Supported eLearning Standard:

1. AICC
2. SCORM
3. xAPI
4. cmi5

5. Elucidat

A powerful Web based authoring tool packed with features that make it easy to produce and collaborate with your whole team. Content can be created from scratch using the intuitive “what you see is what you get interface”.

Elucidat has a lot of pre-build projects in its library to let you get started quickly. It has a built-in eLearning portal that lets you instantly share courses with the learners.

To track learner performance, an analytics dashboard is also there. If you don’t want to use the learning portal, export the content package and use it in your LMS.

Pros:

• “Learning Accelerator” templates ensure instructional design quality.
• Excellent Brand Control (fonts/colors locked by admin).
• Cloud-based collaboration (multiple authors at once).

Supported eLearning Standard:

1. SCORM
2. xAPI

6. DominKnow | ONE | $1991/year

Create and publish responsive eLearning content without any extra efforts that fit and play in any display size. To provide your learners with engaging presentations and simulation, you can use the DominKnow App on iOS and Android devices.

It also provides offline learning and sends reports back to the server when the system device is online. DominKnow | ONE is loaded with amazing localization support that allows you to create multilingual courses with ease and it also has an accessibility feature for differently-abled people.

Key Features:

1. Responsive and Mobile ready
2. Collaboration & Review
3. Translation & Localization
4. Mobile App Player
5. Software Simulation
6. Section 508 and WCAG 2 AA support

Supported eLearning Standard:

1. SCORM
2. xAPI
3. AICC

7. Camtasia | $180/year

Best for Video-Based Learning & Screen Recording.

View Demo

An easy-to-use yet powerful video editing tool, that you can use to create interactive learning content. It is not like all other authorings, but you can use it to create interactive videos loaded with quiz interaction on the timeline.

Camtasia allows you to export content in SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004 format that you can upload and use on any learning management system that supports these standards. One downside of this tool is that it doesn’t support xAPI.

Key Features:

1. Video Editor
2. Screen Recorder
3. Add Interactions
4. Can reports completion to LMS

8. Adapt Learning | Free(Open Source)

Open source projects are always amazing to get started with if you have time to spend on learning. Adapt is one such tool that you can try to get started with for your authoring tool journey.

It was built by a bunch of techies but now managed by the whole community. You can create some astonishing courses with drag and drop the Adapt Framework. There are several good examples given on their website that you can get a good idea about them.

However, to get into the good creators league you need to go through a big learning curve if you’re not on the techie side.

Key Features:

1. Responsive Content
2. Full Control
3. Completely Free
4. Community support

Supported eLearning Standard:

1. SCORM
2. xAPI

9. Lectora Online | $129/month

This is another tool available in the market for a long time and offers a full feature trial to get your hands on. There is no need for any installation to run this authoring tool, it is all in your browser, access from anywhere and any device.

It supports gradable and non-gradable quiz questions and sends rich data to LRS if you’re using an xAPI package with LRS.

Key Features:

1. Responsive Course Design
2. Collaborative Authoring
3. Create Interactive Content
4. Starter templates
5. Huge Asset Library

Supported eLearning Standard:

1. SCORM
2. xAPI
3. xAPI cmi5
4. AICC

10. Easy Generator | $116/month

Easy generator is another cloud-based authoring tool that offers you all the flexibility to create adaptive content for different device sizes. With a rich UI and loads of templates, you can get started with ease. 

With custom branding options, you can optimise color and logo that suits well your designs. Easygenerator provides options to well define learner progress according to goals and award certificates on completion.

Key Features:

1. Kickstarter templates
2. Built-in LMS
3. Easy to use interface
4. Collaboration options
5. Brand theme setup
6. Send automatic certificates

Supported eLearning Standard:

1. SCORM
2. xAPI

Final Words

Almost all the eLearning authoring tools offer the same features. Some give full control over the layout and elements, some don’t. If you make a checklist of your requirements with the budget, it will narrow down options. Select the best and appropriate tool for your needs that matches your LMS requirements also.

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