The 60+ Best Instructional Design Software and Tools for 2025

Whether you’re a novice or an experienced instructional designer (ID), you need eLearning tools that help you streamline your course building process. We’ve compiled an extensive list of the best instructional design software (ID software) and resources and, for simplicity, have divided it into categories, from authoring tools to audio-video software and photo sharing platforms. Check them out to choose the right instructional design software for your needs and training costs.

What is Instructional Design Software?

Instructional design software is any program that can be used by instructional designers to plan, design, develop, deliver, and manage eLearning content, or to add media and interactivity to existing educational content.

Different types of instructional design tools for eLearning professionals include:

• Authoring tools — eLearning authoring software for instructional designers to create responsive courses and training assessments
• Audio and video editing ID software — instructional design applications for recording and editing videos, narrations, and podcasts
• Storyboard software — tools used by instructional designers to map out eLearning projects
• Project management tools — software for organizing and streamlining workflows
• Writing tools — software for refining course scripts

Explore them all in our instructional design software list and find the ones that will help you improve your eLearning process.

What is the Most Popular Instructional Design Software?

Finding the right tools can make all the difference in your instructional design projects. Below, we’ve highlighted the top software in each category, from content authoring platforms to communication tools, to help you work smarter and create engaging content.

• Instructional design authoring tools: We recommend iSpring Suite to allow you to create a wide variety of training content, from interactive courses to role-play simulations and assessments, all with a user-friendly interface.
• Mind mapping tools: We suggest XMind for visually organizing ideas and brainstorming, with its versatile export options and multiple chart types.
• Image and photo sharing resources: We recommend Unsplash for high-quality, free stock images to enhance your eLearning visuals for free.
• Presentation tools: We suggest Microsoft PowerPoint for creating professional slide-based presentations with animations, media embedding, and interactivity features.
• Graphics and infographics tools: Although not a specialized learning design software, we recommend Canva for creating stunning graphics and infographics quickly, even if you have no prior design experience.
• Video editing tools: Try Camtasia to create and edit high-quality videos, screen recordings, and interactive video content.
• Audio tools and samples: We recommend Audacity for recording and editing audio tracks; it’s perfect for adding professional voice-overs or sound effects to your courses, and it’s free.
• Interactive learning tools: Consider Kahoot! for creating engaging quizzes and gamified learning experiences that boost learner motivation and retention.
• Survey tools: We find SurveyMonkey good for collecting valuable learner feedback before and after training, with robust analytics and reporting options.
• PDF and flipbook makers: We recommend iSpring Flip for converting static documents into interactive eBooks with a realistic page-turning effect.
• Writing tools: We suggest Grammarly for refining course scripts, ensuring clarity, and maintaining a professional tone in your training materials.
• Project management tools: For freelance instructional designers, Trello can prove useful for organizing and managing instructional design projects with visual boards and seamless team collaboration features.
• Communication and sharing tools: Try Slack for real-time communication and file sharing, to ensure smooth collaboration with team members and stakeholders.

These tools are some of the best in the field, each designed to meet the specific needs of instructional designers. Keep reading to learn more about their features and explore other excellent options.

The Best Instructional Design Software Tools for 2025

Whether you need to track your ideas while brainstorming or create custom eLearning courses or presentations, here you will find the top eLearning design software for various needs and operating systems. This list will help you find the right instructional design software for your needs.

eLearning authoring tools

Course development, or instructional and curriculum design software, is the primary tool for instructional designers and their development teams. With it, you can build engaging interactive courses from scratch or turn existing instructional materials into eLearning courses.

We also prioritize authoring software because, among the various instructional design software tools covered in this article, they are specifically created for eLearning.

These are the key features of eLearning authoring tools:

• The ability to create courses without coding knowledge
• The ability to integrate images, audio, video, and animations
• Options for adding quizzes, surveys, drag-and-drop activities, and simulations
• A responsive design

1. iSpring Suite

iSpring Suite is a fully stocked instructional development software designed to create interactive SCORM-compliant and multi-device courses from PowerPoint presentations and publish them to any learning management system easily.

It has a user-friendly interface and allows instructional designers to quickly create responsive courses, simulations, assessment quizzes, video presentations, and dialogue simulations with no special training or coding knowledge required. It also replaces a video editor, allowing you to record webcam and screen capture and edit training videos all under one roof. With iSpring, you can convert your existing Word, PDF, and PPT manuals and textbooks into interactive e-books with just a few clicks.

The tool comes with an extensive library of characters, backgrounds, and slide templates, allowing you to build training content much faster. It also includes Character Builder, which makes it easy to create custom characters and make engaging course content for personalized training.

Key features:

• Enables fast conversion of PowerPoint slides into interactive SCORM-compliant courses with little to no learning curve.
• An all-in-one tool for creating diverse content, such as slide courses, quizzes, training videos, screencasts, role-play simulations, and more.
• An outstanding user experience, thanks to a very intuitive interface that allows people with no prior tech or design skills to master the tool within minutes.
• Includes an instructional design portfolio builder that you can use to showcase your best ID projects.
• 24/7 customer support.

Cost: Starts at $770 per user/year. $970/year (includes a 1-year subscription to iSpring Suite and advanced features, such as Content Library, iSpring Cloud, as well as technical support and upgrades). User onboarding. 14-day free trial. A free demo is available upon request.

2. iSpring Page

iSpring Page is a cloud-based course builder for creating interactive pages and quizzes.

With iSpring Page, you can build mini tutorials and micro courses with videos, images, knowledge checks (quizzes with multiple-choice questions, for example), and custom branding in a matter of minutes. 

The tool supports teamwork, so multiple authors can collaborate on the same learning content online to get the project done more quickly by avoiding time consuming email-based exchanges.

Key features:

• Works directly in your browser, so it doesn’t depend on your OS.
• Courses you create with iSpring Page can be uploaded to any learning management system that supports SCORM or xAPI format.
• Extremely intuitive, with no learning curve.
• Includes an AI assistant, which makes it easy to create training content and speeds up writing, editing, and formatting significantly.
• 24/7 customer service.

Cost: $470/year for individuals; $1,970/year for teams. Free trial for 14 days.

3. Articulate 360

Articulate 360 is a bundle of nine various tools, including prominent eLearning authoring and curriculum design tools like Articulate Storyline 360 and Rise 360. The suite is one of the top eLearning authoring tools available today.

Articulate Rise 360 is a cloud-based software for creating courses based on simple long-reads right in a browser. It enables you to assemble fully responsive courses from different pre-made ‘building blocks.’

Articulate Storyline 360 is a more sophisticated stand-alone tool for Windows but still requires no coding knowledge. It allows you to build complex interactive walkthroughs and courses and experiment with triggers and layers. Created content can be uploaded to most LMS platforms. 

However, Articulate 360 has a pretty steep learning curve, and the user experience is not exactly enjoyable, so it won’t be the right instructional design tool for users who aren’t tech-savvy.

Key features:

• Content Library 360 offers an extensive collection of templates, characters, and royalty-free stock assets (like images, videos, and audio files).
• Articulate 360 includes a collaborative tool, Review 360, that streamlines the course review process with subject matter experts through feedback and revisions.
• Articulate Storyline 360 offers unmatched customization options and enables you to create custom eLearning courses.
• Customer support has mixed reviews, but subscribers have access to exclusive training resources.

The Articulate 360 Teams feature is tailored for group collaboration, allowing team members to collaborate on projects, share and manage team slides, and maintain a consistent design across different courses.

Cost: from $1,099/user per year. 30-day free trial.

4. Adobe Captivate

Adobe Captivate is one of the most well-known authoring tools for instructional designers and provides powerful instructional design software tools that are perfectly suited for complex projects, such as building complex courses with interactive multimedia. 

It has great capabilities for making interactive videos, virtual reality (VR) projects, and software simulations, but might not be the best fit for aspiring instructional designers as it has a steep learning curve. Courses that you create can be uploaded to most online learning platforms. While it can be time-consuming to master, Adobe Captivate is a powerful tool that can create high-quality content.

Key features:

• Allows for the creation of responsive content that automatically adjusts to different screen sizes and devices.
• Offers a rich library of ready-to-use assets: characters, themes, backgrounds, and more.
• Features a comprehensive set of options for creating quizzes with various question types, feedback options, and scoring methods.
• Supports the creation of multistate objects for interactive content and fluid boxes that align objects automatically.

Cost: $33.99/month (billed annually). Free 30-day trial.

5. DomiKnow ONE

DomiKnow ONE is an instructional authoring software that combines traditional e-course creation with robust, responsive design, screen recording, and software simulation into a single integrated system.
This instructional design software has a Microsoft look, so most of the features will be intuitive for novice course designers, but reviews highlight the limited support that’s offered.

Key features:

• Offers a centralized system for managing assets and enabling users to store, organize, and reuse multimedia files.
• Supports real-time team collaboration, allowing multiple course designers to work on the same project simultaneously.
• Includes a wide range of interactive elements and widgets, such as buttons, rollovers, and drag-and-drop interactions.
• Produces content that is compliant with SCORM and xAPI standards.
• Has a moderate learning curve.

Cost: upon request. Free 14-day trial.

6. Lectora

ELB Learning is an old hand in the eLearning field, and their eLearning authoring tool, Lectora, has been around for a long time. Lectora is one of the most popular desktop course design software tools that helps instructional designers create courses with media and assessments, but it’s not easy to get started — you need to be an experienced instructional designer because of the steep learning curve. Both desktop and web applications are available.

Key features:

• Offers robust compatibility with most LMSs (learning management systems).
• Includes tools that simplify the translation process, allowing for easy localization of courses into different languages.
• Provides features that make courses compliant with accessibility standards like WCAG and Section 508.
• Offers a wide range of customizable templates and themes, which enables rapid course development.

Cost: $117/month. Billed annually. Free 30-day trial.

7. Brainshark

Brainshark is an eLearning authoring tool and instructional design software solution that’s designed to be a sales enablement platform for businesses and can be used for workplace learning or sales training.

It combines features of authoring software and a learning management system (LMS). With the platform, companies can create and deliver text- and video-based learning content to train sales team members. Brainshark also provides options for the tracking and evaluation of learner results with data collection and instant feedback.

Key features:

• Optimized for mobile learning, allowing learners to access training content on the go from their smartphones or tablets.
• Offers tools for sales coaching and practice.
• Provides a library of ready-made, industry-specific content, and built-in templates.
• Seamlessly integrates with various CRM systems, including Salesforce.

Cost: upon request.

What is the best eLearning authoring tool for 2025?

All the tools mentioned above are the best options on the market today. They have the highest reviews from customers and industry experts, and most instructional designers use one or more of them — each for a specific task.

Which authoring tools are the best for you? It depends on the kind of content you want to create, your tech proficiency, what you need the tool for (only to create courses and training content or to also share it with learners and track their progress), as well as your intended training costs.

If you’re an aspiring instructional designer and new to eLearning, with no coding knowledge, and/or need a tool to create all kinds of eLearning content quickly and easily and then publish it to your LMS, there’s no better choice than iSpring Suite. The software is user-friendly and has powerful creation and editing tools, including functionalities for quiz creation, interactivity, screen capture, video editing, and content customization features. The easy-to-use software enables users to create software simulations, interactive walkthroughs, training videos, interactive presentations, and other responsive content.

Mind mapping tools

Not all eLearning software is authoring and editing tools; some of the best instructional design tools offer a wider range of solutions. While planning an eLearning project with your development teams, you need to collect ideas, exchange feedback, and brainstorm. Creating a mind map is an effective productivity process for capturing your thoughts and representing them visually. Here, we’ll offer you some mind-mapping tools to help you decide which one is right for you.

Key features of a mind map tool:

• Allows easy creation and organization of nodes and branches
• Real-time collaboration options
• The ability to add detailed notes
• Built-in templates
• Options to customize nodes with different colors, shapes, and icons

8. XMind

XMind is a full-featured mind mapping and brainstorming tool for instructional designers that will help you collect your ideas and craft them into a visual representation with a logical structure. 

You can export your mind map into multiple formats, including PDF, TXT, HTML, and JPEG. In addition to the mind map structure, XMind also offers tree, logic, and fishbone charts.

Cost: $5.99/month (if paid monthly) or $59.99/year (if paid annually).

9. MindMeister

MindMeister is one of the most popular instructional design software platforms. It’s a market-leading online productivity tool that allows you to get instant feedback, brainstorm great ideas, take notes, and plan projects with your team or subject matter experts – even when you are thousands of miles apart. 

You can also use this tool to manage meetings and store, share, and manage corporate knowledge.

Cost: Free Basic plan. Individual accounts start at $5.99/month.

Alternative services → Miro, iMindMap, SpiderScribe

Presentation tools

Presentations and slideshows are some of the most common ways of delivering corporate training or engaging existing and potential customers. With a strong understanding of instructional design and advanced skills working with presentation software, you can create beautiful, engaging content to help your learners achieve real results.

You probably already know about these top instructional design tools, but we think they’re worth mentioning.

Key features of a presentation tool:

• A variety of pre-designed templates and themes
• Smooth transitions and animations
• Support for embedding images, videos, and audio files
• Built-in charts, graphs, and infographics
• Options for customizing slide layouts

Also read → 12 Interactive Presentation Software and Tools

10. Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint is the most popular and arguably the best free instructional design software that allows you to create and show PowerPoint slides. 

You can combine text, graphics, and multimedia content to build professional presentations that can feature engaging elements. To make presentations more interactive, you can add triggers, animation effects, and set up navigation using hyperlinks.

Cost: You can use Microsoft PowerPoint for free online through Microsoft 365 for the web. Microsoft also offers a Microsoft 365 subscription that includes PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook, and 1 TB of cloud storage per person. This subscription starts at $6.99 per month.

11. Prezi

Prezi is a web-based tool for creating engaging presentations (called Prezis). It’s similar to MS PowerPoint but has some unique customization features. For example, you can add 3D backgrounds, other responsive content, and import PDF files into your Prezis.

Cost: The Standard plan for personal use starts at $5/month.

Graphics and infographics tools

Visual representation is an easy way to enhance eLearning. If you want to spend less time creating graphics for your instructional design training materials or don’t have enough skills to work with complex photo editors like Photoshop, use simple instructional design tools that allow you to make great visuals without needing any design expertise at all. The nice thing here is that most of them are free.

Let’s explore some of them.

Key features of a graphic and infographic tool:

• A wide variety of pre-designed templates and themes
• An intuitive drag-and-drop interface
• Basic image editing capabilities
• Options for customizing text, shapes, colors, and other design elements
• Built-in tools for creating various types of charts and graphs

12. Canva

Canva is a graphic design website and one of the best design tools around. It uses a responsive format with in-app guidance and provides access to over 1 million stock photos, graphics, and fonts. 

The Canva platform has instructional design software tools that help you create different types of content, such as social media image presentations, invitations, marketing, and training material. The site offers a huge selection of built-in templates that are free to use, making Canva a tool that really reduces training costs.

Cost: Free.

13. Paint.net

Paint.NET is a free image and photo editing software for Microsoft Windows. It has a simple interface and a minimum set of features needed for an instructional designer. The learning curve is nonexistent, so it’s easy to use for those with no technical knowledge. 

PAINT.NET includes simple tools for drawing shapes, the Gradient tool, the Magic Wand, a lot of special effects, support for layers, and much more.

Cost: Free.

14. Figma

Figma is a cloud-based instructional design software. It provides all the tools you need for the design phase of a project, including vector tools, prototyping capabilities, and code generation. The nice part is that you can share designs with your customers without them needing to download any software to view or edit. 

Figma is a great solution for advanced instructional designers. The platform has a huge selection of design tools and features, which means the learning curve is quite steep. However, there are endless online tutorial videos and in-app guidance to see you through.

Cost: The Starter pricing plan for individuals is free.

15. Vectornator

Vectornator is a graphic design and illustration app for iOS and macOS devices. Use this instructional design software to create layout mockups, prototypes, branding elements, vector graphics, and custom typography. 

Its highly intuitive interface is designed to be used by novices and experts alike: gesture controls and a text-editing tool make design faster and easier. 

With Vectornator’s numerous integrations, export/import options, social media templates, and effortless functionality, you can achieve beautiful results.

Cost: Free.

16. Infogram

Infogram is an easy-to-use visualization and infographic platform. It has options for creating and sharing beautiful infographics, online reports, digital charts, maps with interactive elements, dashboards, and social media visuals. 

Infogram has an intuitive editor that converts users’ data into infographics that can be published, embedded, or shared.

Cost: The Basic plan for personal use is free.

17. Imgflip

Imgflip helps to make the static visual design come alive with movement and humor. It’s an easy-to-use tool that allows you to create your own engaging elements, such as GIF images relating to your content. 

You can make animated GIFs from video files, YouTube videos, and pictures.

Cost: Free.

18. Photocopa

Often, a photo or set of photos comprises a theme for an eLearning course, and it’s important to find colors that complement that imagery. You can do this with Photocopa, which creates a palette based on your photos.

Cost: Free.

19. Comic Life 3

Comic Life 3 is an app for progressive instructional designers who are ready to build eLearning courses in the form of comics. The tool has everything you need to make stunning comics: fonts, templates, panels, balloons, captions, and lettering art.

Cost: $29.99 (lifetime license).

Video tools

Training videos are much more engaging than manuals and even simple slides. With the screen recording and video creation software applications listed here, you can make screen capture videos, talking head videos, software simulations, presentations with a voice-over explaining the content to make interactive walkthroughs, and more.

Key features of video tools:

• Webcam recording
• Screen recording
• Tools for cutting, trimming, and splitting video clips
• Transition effects
• Visual effects and filters

20. Free Cam

Free Cam is a simple screen recording tool for Windows. It provides a full set of features of screen video capture, such as selecting a screen recording area, recording a voice-over and system sounds, and highlighting the mouse cursor.

Free Cam lacks video editing tools, but you can save screencasts on your desktop or share them on YouTube.

Cost: Free.

21. iSpring Cam Pro

iSpring Cam Pro is an advanced video program for creating video training and screen recordings. 

With this tool, you can record professional-looking video courses, how-to videos, and software tutorials. When making video lessons, you may need to add titles, annotate, record voice-overs, create a freeze frame, and more. iSpring Cam Pro will help you do all that in the quickest and easiest way possible.

Cost: $227 (annual subscription) with a 14-day free trial.

22. Camtasia

Camtasia is a popular screen capture instructional design software for creating training videos, tutorials, screencasts, etc. 

It comes with powerful video editing capabilities and is especially handy for screen recording. With Camtasia, you can add annotations, music, and four types of quizzes and surveys to videos and convert them to SCORM files.

Cost: $299.99/per year.

Audio tools and samples

Including high-quality audio in courses and training videos is a great way to engage learners and keep them involved in the process. We’ve compiled a few instructional design tools that will help you create first-rate audio and sound effects for your eLearning courses to feature engaging elements. 

As a bonus, we’ll review a service where you can find free music tracks.

Key features of audio tools and samples:

• Ability to work with multiple audio tracks
• Tools for cutting, trimming, and splitting audio clips
• Options to apply fade-in and fade-out effects
• A wide range of audio effects and filters
• Tools for reducing background noise and removing unwanted sounds

23. Audacity

Audacity is a free cross-platform instructional design software for recording and editing audio. With this tool, you can record live audio, cut, copy, or mix sounds together, change the speed or pitch of a recording, and much more.

The user interface is a little outdated, but there are many tutorials and some in-app guidance to help you out.

Cost: Free.

24. Watson Text to Speech

Watson Text to Speech automatically converts written text into natural-sounding audio. 

This service is a great solution for instructional designers who don’t want to record voice-overs for their courses themselves or hire a professional voice actor. It’s available in 13 voices across seven languages.

Cost: You can convert 10,000 characters per month for free.

25. BBC Sound Effects

BBC Sound Effects is a library of 16,000 audio samples that can be streamed or downloaded in WAV format and may be used in the education sector or for personal and research purposes. 

Sounds include people walking, a cash register, crowds cheering, a car engine, and much more.

Cost: Free.

Alternative services → Synthopia, SampleSwap, SampleFocus, FreeSound

Interactive learning tools

Game-based learning offers a lot of advantages. This motivational, challenging, and fun experience can hold learners’ attention longer and increase knowledge retention. We’ve collected a list of instructional design tools for eLearning that’s interactive to help you produce even more effective training content.

Key features of an interactive learning tool:

• Enables users to facilitate learning through interaction
• Allows creating interaction in multiple formats to keep learners engaged
• Typically an easy-to-use software

26. Kahoot!

Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform. It lets you create fun learning games (called kahoots) within minutes. You can make quizzes on any subject in any language. 

The format is up to you. For example, you can add videos, images, and diagrams to your questions. It allows a great user experience, thanks to its modern interface.

Cost: From $17/host per month.

27. QuizGame

QuizGame is another instructional design software tool for gamifying training with responsive content. It offers a few games like Prison Break, Do or Die, and the Big Escape, which can excite learners, create a competitive environment, and manage the learning process in a fun manner.

Cost: Upon request.

28. WIREWAX

WIREWAX is a browser-based editor that allows you to transform any video into an interactive experience by easily adding hotspots, without the need for a screen recording app. 

The videos can play on mobile devices, tablets, and desktops. In 2021, WIREWAX became a part of Vimeo, a global online video platform and leading video instructional design software solution. This can therefore be a good way to transform non-mobile courses into interactive training videos that are available on the go.

Cost: Upon request.

29. Vyond

Vyond lets you create animated video courses. It has a big library of built-in customizable templates, sounds, props, and other interactive multimedia, so you can make unique dynamic and responsive content. 

You can use dialogue, lip-sync, and realistic movements to speed up learners’ immersion in the courses.

Cost: From $299/year.

Survey tools

Survey tools are crucial for user research and data collection. You should always conduct a survey before adopting new systems, such as when evaluating learning management systems. You should also conduct a survey before and after course creation and launch.

The pre-training survey can help define the learning goals and understand learners’ expectations. The post-training survey is a final step that will help you identify which activities learners enjoyed most, what they struggled with, and how much they learned.

If you have a content creation tool, you can create quizzes and surveys in your course builder. If not, you can use one of the following popular tools:

Key features of a survey tool:

• Options for conducting anonymous surveys
• Support for various question types
• Real-time tracking of survey responses
• Analytics and reporting tools
• Ability to export survey data in formats like CSV, Excel, and PDF

30. Surveymonkey

SurveyMonkey is an online instructional design software that allows you to launch different questionnaires. You can use standard templates or create customized surveys, send them to your end users, and monitor how learners complete surveys in real time, thanks to powerful data collection features. 24/7 customer support is provided via email.

Cost: The Standard Monthly plan costs $99 per month.

31. CrowdSignal

CrowdSignal is a simple survey tool for creating customizable, interactive surveys. You can prevent double voting and spam, analyze data in real time with instant data collection, export results in Excel, PDF, CSV, Google Docs, or XML formats, and much more.

Cost: It has a free plan. The paid subscription starts at $15 per month.

Alternative Tools → Google Surveys, Typeform, Zoho Survey, Survey Planet

Page-turning PDF (flipbook) tools

PDF documents are not always designed to be compatible with screen readers. It’s a good decision to turn them into a page-turning experience. PDFs will automatically adapt to screen size and orientation, and it’s easy to read them on tablets and smartphones. This makes these tools a great way to convert non-mobile courses into mobile device-friendly learning.

Key features of a PDF tool:

• Ability to create or convert PDFs
• Works on multiple devices
• Accepts large files
• Easy to use

32. iSpring Flip

With iSpring Flip, you can quickly turn PowerPoint, PDF, and Word documents into attractive ebooks with a realistic page-turning effect. After conversion, all fonts, images, links, references, and navigation elements are preserved.

Cost: $227 per user (annual subscription).

Alternative Tools → See our article about the top flipbook software programs.

33. SmallPDF

SmallPDF is a platform for converting and editing PDF output online. You can convert Word, PPT, and Excel files to and from PDF, compress, remove pages, add text, shapes, images, and annotations, extract images, and more.

Cost: It offers a free plan with access to 21 SmallPDF tools. $7/month per user (team plan), $9/month per user (individual plan).

Writing Tools

Writing software can be some of the best tools for instructional design because an eLearning course is not just about design, technology, and interactivity. High-quality content is based on a story that helps to create an immersive learning experience. 

So, text is another important part of a course that hasn’t lost its shine amidst graphics and media. We’ve collected a list of several top instructional design software that can help course developers write and improve texts, or save them time when writing.

Key features of a writing tool:

• Real-time grammar and spell-checking
• Recommendations to improve the style and tone of the text
• Suggestions to improve sentence structure and variety

34. Grammarly

Grammarly is an online platform that will help you make your writing clear and mistake-free. It automatically detects grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style mistakes. It’s available via a browser extension for Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge.

Cost: Basic writing suggestions are available with the free account (100 prompts per month).

35. Hemingway

Hemingway is a cloud-based instructional design software for making writing bold and clear. It checks your text for readability and helps you locate complex sentences and phrases, excessive adverbs, and passive voice constructions that can be turned into active voices.

The app is free to use and should help elevate your writing to a professional standard. If Hemmingway can improve your writing and eliminate the need to contract a professional to write your learning content, then your training costs will be substantially reduced.

Cost: Free, but there is also a paid app for $19.99 USD.

36. Google Docs

Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and Google Forms are elements of an office suite of tools for creating various file types. It has smart editing and styling tools to help you format text and paragraphs with ease. You can choose from hundreds of fonts, add links and images, and more.

Cost: Free.

Project management tools

Whether you’re an independent instructional designer or a member of a team, you’ll probably need some tools that will help you be more organized, thereby boosting your performance and saving you precious time. 

We’ve made the task easier by drawing up a short list of such tools. Check out what’s special about them, and find a solution that meets your requirements.

Key features of a project management tool:

• Ability to create tasks and assign them to team members
• Visual timeline for planning and tracking project progress
• Collaboration tools
• File sharing

37. Trello

Trello is an easy-to-use instructional design software known for visualizing project tasks. 

It includes boards, lists, and cards that help you organize your project and track all its aspects in a quick visual manner. The tool syncs between devices seamlessly, so you can use it wherever you go.

Cost: Free for personal use.

38. Google Calendar

Google Calendar is a time management and scheduling calendar service. It allows you to easily keep track of your daily schedule by creating specific tasks, reminders, and events. 

You can share your calendars with others and even create team calendars.

Cost: Free.

39. Tomato Timer

Tomato Timer is an online Pomodoro Technique timer. The Pomodoro Technique uses a timer to break work down into 25-minute intervals (Pomodoro), separated by short breaks. 

It’s based on the idea that frequent breaks improve mental agility. The Tomato Timer lets you set custom times, audio tone, and volume.

Cost: Free.

Tools for communication and sharing

Some instructional designers work remotely, as well as asynchronously, or in time zones that are different from those of their customers. Many eLearning platforms, especially learning management systems, provide a built-in communication tool, but sometimes other tools are preferred.

The designer and customer should always keep in touch so projects don’t go off the rails. You can easily do that by using the following instructional designer tools for communication:

Key features of a communication and sharing tool:

• Real-time text messaging
• Web conferencing
• Ability to record meetings
• File sharing

40. Skype

Skype allows audio and video calls and messaging between multiple devices. You can also easily share presentations or anything on your screen during a call, record Skype calls, and use live subtitles in order to read the words that are spoken. This can be a good solution for conducting virtual classroom sessions.

Cost: Essential features are free.

41. Slack

Slack is one of the best-known collaboration tools that’s used by remote teams. It supports direct messaging and group messaging, as well as audio and video conferencing. 

One of its outstanding features is an advanced search engine. You can search everything within the message threads and documents to find the information you’re looking for quickly.

Cost: Has a free plan. Paid plans start at $2.25/month.

42. GoToMeeting

GoToMeeting has everything needed to host a web meeting successfully. You can launch a meeting from anywhere, even on a mobile device. 

It also has some other features, such as the ability to hand over control of your computer and one-click recording.

Cost: Pricing plans start at $12/month.

43. Google Drive

Google Drive is a safe place for storing files and putting them within reach of any device. 

It allows users to store files on Google servers, synchronize files across smartphones and computers, and share documents. 

You can invite others to view, edit, or leave comments on files or folders in your Google Drive.

Cost: The first 15 GB of storage with a Google account is free

Best Instructional Design Resources in 2025

In addition to learning design software, you’re likely to need resources such as templates, images, and articles on eLearning. Fortunately, we’ve collected the best resources for instructional design. Check them out!

Ready-made templates

Creating a unique course from scratch takes a lot of time. To create engaging training courses quickly, you can use ready-made templates that you can upload straight into different learning management systems. If you’re looking for quality templates, check out these resources:

44. eLearning Brothers Asset Library

eLearning Brothers Asset Library is perhaps the biggest name among training resources and the industry leader when it comes to templates.

It has a large and constantly evolving library of 1,500+ templates, including interactions, games, scenarios, quizzes, and layouts. 

There are also thousands of cutout characters, PowerPoint graphics, stock images, and more.

Cost: $117 per month or $1,398 per year.

45. Faster Course

Faster Course has an attractive library of templates with a primary focus on Adobe Captivate, Articulate, and Lectora.

You just need to download a template, copy and paste your texts, images, and videos, and publish the resulting interactive training courses.

Cost: Starts at $349 per year.

46. Rapid eLearning Templates

Rapid eLearning Templates offers full-featured templates for Articulate Storyline and Adobe Captivate. It has a few free downloads as well as a collection of premium templates. 

You can also order a custom template on this website.

Cost: The price for a premium plan with templates starts at $30.

47. eLearning.net

eLearning.net produces free high-quality templates, graphics, and related services. The site also offers free sets of illustrated characters.

Cost: The price for one template is $29.95.

Image and photo sharing platforms

If you don’t want to create graphics on your own, you can use ready-made pictures from photo-sharing platforms. 

There’s a wide variety of high-quality, beautiful images, vector graphics, and art illustrations there, which will help you make your training content more engaging.

48. Unsplash

Unsplash gives you access to thousands of free stock photos with a Creative Commons Zero license. That means you can use the images and edit them for free without asking permission from the photographer or website.

Cost: Free.

Alternative services → Pexels, Storyblocks, FreeImages.uk

49. Microsoft Clipart Library

Microsoft Clipart Library provides you with a selection of 40 Microsoft clipart images. You can choose any clipart that suits your eLearning courses.

Cost: Free.

50. Flaticon

Flaticon is the largest resource of free icons available in PNG, SVG, EPS, PSD, and BASE 64 formats. It includes 1,649,000 vector icons. You can edit their size, position, and colors.

Cost: Free. Premium plans for icons and stickers start at $7.50/month (billed annually).

Alternative services → The Noun Project, Font Awesome, IconPharm

51. Google Fonts

Google Fonts is a great instructional design software because it has a library of 1714 licensed fonts. All fonts are released under open-source licenses, allowing them for both personal and commercial use.

Cost: Free.

Alternative tools → Freebiesbug, 1001 Free Fonts, DaFont, Font Bundles

Inspirational and educational eLearning resources

Inspiration and new knowledge are essential for success in any profession. Instructional designers are no exception and need to learn in their careers constantly. 

Here are the three best eLearning content resources for instructional designers, providing some of the greatest insights, tips, and trends in the industry:

52. eLearning Industry

eLearning Industry is a comprehensive blog about digital learning and instructional design. It offers a lot of interesting and thought-provoking articles on eLearning trends, strategies, and software used by instructional designers, as well as free eBooks and webinars.

53. The eLearning Guild

The eLearning Guild is another website where digital learning professionals can share their knowledge, expertise, and ideas to build better training experiences. The Guild hosts several conferences, including DevLearn, Learning Solutions, and Realities360.

Cost: Free.

54. CommLab India

CommLab India is a global leader in rapid online learning content solutions. It offers a lot of useful tips, tricks, and advice.

Cost: Free.

Instructional design books

If you want to develop your skills and knowledge of the latest ID trends and innovations, check out these new books!

Also read → The 21 Best Books on Instructional Design

55. “Learning Experience Design Essentials,” by Cara North

Cara North presents a comprehensive design process covering task analysis, assessments, usability testing, and the pivotal element of conveying the ‘why’ behind the learning experience. Explore blending content and context, essential LXD skills, and North’s expert advice on crafting effective learning experiences. This book is ideal for beginners.

56. “Talk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change,” by Julie Dirksen

This book tackles a fundamental issue for instructional designers: how to stimulate action when learners know what to do but aren’t doing it. Using behavioral science, Julie Dirksen provides strategies to understand the process of change, motivate learners, and apply models like the COM-B Model. It’s perfect for eLearning professionals seeking to influence learner behavior.

57. “Reverse Training Design,” by Mark Mrohs

Drawing from extensive experience and recent research, Mark Mrohs offers a unique, reverse approach to corporate training. This advanced read is ideal for seasoned professionals seeking fresh approaches to training design. Explore the concept of “starting at the end” for improved program design and aligning training with cognitive processes.

58. “What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Instructional Designer,” by Luke Hobson

This book is a must-read for new instructional designers seeking valuable insights to avoid common pitfalls and accelerate professional growth. Find answers to key questions, such as the pros and cons of an ID career, portfolio building, networking, self-learning, and collaborating with SMEs.

YouTube channels on instructional design

YouTube is a great place to learn and hone your skills. Here are three instructional design channels that are currently the most informative and publish new videos regularly!

59. iSpring

If you want to enhance your instructional design skills and excel in content creation, check out our YouTube channel! Explore tips, step-by-step guides, and reviews on course creation and eLearning tools. Discover tutorials for iSpring Suite, the iSpring Learn LMS, and more to elevate your eLearning expertise.

60. Instructional Design Tips

Hosted by Tom McDowall, this channel delves into the best software for instructional design, strategies, methods, and other tools, featuring discussions on pressing issues in online learning. While not ideal for beginners, it’s perfect for those looking to deepen their ID skills and stay up to date on industry trends.

61. Devlin Peck

Check out Devlin Peck’s eLearning YouTube channel if you’re new to instructional design. Devlin provides valuable insights into the basics of instructional design, building an eLearning portfolio, and the life of an instructional designer.

How to Choose the Right Instructional Design Software

With so many options available, choosing the right instructional design tools for eLearning can feel overwhelming. To narrow your search down and make an informed decision, start by asking yourself these key questions:

• What operating systems will you be working on?
  Ensure that the learning design tools are compatible with your environment, whether they’re Mac, Windows, or cloud-based content authoring platforms.
• What types of files and assets will you use?
  Check if your course development software supports the file formats and tools you already work with to avoid compatibility issues.
• What functionality do you need?
  Do you prefer a simple user interface for quick tasks, or do you require advanced features for complex projects? Are you looking for curriculum development tools or training design software? Will you create bite-sized sales training or full-fledged academic video courses for students?
• What’s your budget?
  Consider whether free instructional design tools, trial versions, or subscription plans fit your financial constraints.
• How scalable is the software?
  Will it handle just a few courses, or can it support large-scale content production efficiently?
• What interactive elements do you need?
  Determine whether the software supports video, audio, quizzes, and other media elements that are crucial for your content.
• Do you need analytics?
  If tracking learner progress and engagement is essential, choose tools for instructional designers that include data collection and reporting features.
• What kind of support is available?
  Look for software with robust training resources, online communities, and/or responsive customer support to help you troubleshoot and learn.

Finally, explore user reviews on trusted platforms like G2 Crowd, Capterra, TrustRadius, and eLearning Industry to get real-world insights from others. Be flexible, as tools and technologies evolve over time.

Next Step: Test-Drive Instructional Design Tools

Well, now you know about the best instructional design software, platforms, and resources, and will easily select the right tool to create effective learning materials. All of them together will help you create eLearning courses faster and make them more beautiful and engaging.

iSpring Suite is one of the best instructional design tools for the price. If you’re looking for a robust eLearning authoring tool that will enable you to create professional-looking courses and training quizzes, and make the eLearning experience truly engaging in multiple formats, feel free to download a 14-day trial of iSpring Suite.