The 21 Best SCORM Authoring Tools and Other SCORM Software
20 minutes
In 2024, SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) celebrates its 24th anniversary since the release of SCORM 1.0. In these more than two decades, a variety of software products designed for creating SCORM content have emerged. This article aims to review the top SCORM tools and offer insights to help you choose the one that’s right for your needs. They will include:
- Desktop authoring tools
- Cloud-based authoring tools
- Converters
- Wrappers and packagers
- SCORM players/testers
What Is a SCORM Authoring Tool?
A SCORM authoring tool is a software app designed to help you develop SCORM-compliant training materials from the ground up. Some tools focus on specific types of learning content, while others allow you to create a variety of activities, such as quizzes, role-play simulations, and video courses.
Instructional designers and course developers can use these tools to build interactive, multimedia-rich eLearning content without the need for programming skills. Once a course is ready, they can publish it in the SCORM format, making it compatible with various learning management systems (LMSs).
Currently, two versions of SCORM are widely used: 1.2 and 2004. Each version has unique technical features; for example, SCORM 2004 offers enhanced reporting capabilities. Most eLearning authoring tools today enable you to publish content to both SCORM 1.2 and 2004. But if you’re planning to design courses for a specific LMS, it’s crucial to know which version is supported by your platform.
Types of SCORM Authoring Software
Broadly speaking, you will need to choose between two types:
- Desktop programs: As the name suggests, these are software solutions that you need to install on your desktop, and they do not require internet connectivity to function. These software suites usually come equipped with more advanced features and customization options.
- Cloud-based software: These are apps that you can run in a browser. They obviously need the internet to function and are rather lightweight when compared to their desktop alternatives. While most of them miss out on advanced features, they are better suited for remote teams.
What to Consider When Choosing an Authoring Tool
With the abundance of eLearning authoring tools available, choosing the right one can be daunting. Here are the key factors to consider:
- Content needs. Determine the types of content you need to create, such as interactive simulations, video tutorials, or simple slideshows.
- User skills. Assess whether you or your team can handle complex software or if you’ll need a user-friendly tool.
- Development time. For tight deadlines, opt for software with templates and eLearning assets to speed up the course creation process.
- Collaboration features. If working with a team and collecting stakeholder feedback is a priority, choose a tool that supports secure and easy collaboration.
- Technical support. Ensure that the vendor offers reliable customer service for any technical issues you might encounter.
The Best Desktop SCORM Authoring Tools
We have compiled a list of the top SCORM authoring tools that have to be installed on your desktop and have highlighted their functionalities. Continue reading to explore your options.
Type: Desktop + cloud-based
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
OS: Windows
Price: from $970/year per author
iSpring Suite is a SCORM-compliant authoring tool integrated as a PowerPoint add-in. It includes a variety of apps designed for creating specific types of eLearning content, such as quizzes, role-plays, videos, ebooks, and more.
Even if you’re new to eLearning creation, you can easily start with iSpring Suite. Simply take an existing PowerPoint presentation, enhance it with interactive elements using the provided tools, publish it as a mobile-ready SCORM course, and upload it directly to your LMS.
The iSpring Suite Max package features Content Library — a rich collection of pre-designed templates, backgrounds, and characters to help streamline your course creation. Besides, it offers a cloud-based service that includes an online tool for crafting simple courses and quizzes. This tool comes with a built-in AI assistant that can do all the heavy lifting for you: offer course ideas, generate quiz questions, fine-tune course design, and more.
Outstanding features:
- PowerPoint integration: Turns PPT slides into eLearning courses with all original effects preserved.
- Role-play simulations: Allows you to build interactive role-plays with branching scenarios.
- Content Library: Provides over 100,000 ready-to-use characters, backgrounds, and templates for rapid design.
- Cloud-based course builder: Enables building page-like courses in no time with a built-in AI assistant.
- Character builder: Allows for the creation of customized illustrated characters.
- Text to speech: Converts text to natural-sounding multilingual narration.
- Collaboration space: Facilitates interaction with SMEs and online course sharing.
Type: Desktop + cloud-based
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
OS: Windows
Price: $1,399/year per author
Articulate 360 is another comprehensive SCORM builder that integrates various tools, including a quiz maker and a screen recorder, among other features. Its primary component, “Articulate Storyline 360,” focuses on crafting interactive slides, which can be assembled into SCORM-compliant courses. As a standalone app, it provides extensive capabilities for programming diverse learning scenarios, although it requires a higher degree of user proficiency.
Articulate 360 offers a rich content library filled with slide templates and character images, along with a review tool that enhances project collaboration. It also includes “Articulate Rise 360,” an online authoring tool designed for creating straightforward SCORM content directly in your web browser.
Outstanding features:
- Advanced course builder: Features a powerful course builder, similar to the PowerPoint tool, but with capabilities specific to eLearning.
- Cloud-based authoring tool: Enables the development of fully responsive courses right in your web browser.
- Content Library: Provides an extensive range of customizable templates, characters, and royalty-free media.
- Review tool: Facilitates collaboration by allowing team members to gather feedback in a single place.
- Video recorders: Offers tools to record and edit screencasts and webcam videos.
Type: Desktop
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
OS: Windows / Mac
Price: $33.99/month per author
Adobe Captivate is a sophisticated SCORM course builder that works as an independent slide-based content creator. It includes a comprehensive quiz builder, a video editor, and a rich content library, offering functionalities similar to those found in Articulate and iSpring.
However, it stands out because of its advanced features, such as specific tools for building software simulations, creating interactive videos, and designing immersive VR learning experiences using 360° images or videos. While these powerful capabilities set Adobe Captivate apart, they also introduce a steeper learning curve that requires more in-depth training compared to simpler apps.
Outstanding features:
- VR (virtual reality) capabilities: Allows for the creation of immersive scenarios using 360-degree images and videos.
- Interactive videos: Enables building interactive learning experiences by overlaying quizzes and additional information.
- Assets Library: Comes with a rich library of ready-to-use characters, themes, backgrounds, and more.
- Software simulations: Allows you to build simulations for software training.
- Advanced actions and variables: Lets you create complex interactions using conditional actions and variables.
Type: Desktop
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
OS: Windows
Price: Free
iSpring Free is a lightweight, intuitive SCORM creation software that integrates with Microsoft PowerPoint and allows users to transform their existing presentations into interactive online courses. With iSpring Free, educators and trainers can enhance their courses with quizzes that include multimedia elements, customizable testing rules, and three question types: multiple response, multiple-choice, and fill-in-the-blank. Best of all, iSpring Free offers all these capabilities at no cost, making it an accessible choice for individuals and organizations looking to create interactive courses without financial investments.
Outstanding features:
- Free eLearning authoring tool: Allows you to create online courses for free.
- PowerPoint integration: Easily turns presentations into online courses while preserving all animations, triggers, transitions, and effects.
- Quiz builder: Enables the addition of quizzes to courses, supporting 3 question types.
- Multi-device compatibility: Automatically adapts courses to look perfect on smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Type: Desktop
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
OS: Windows / Mac
Price: From $215.86/year per user
Camtasia is a powerful screen recording and video editing software that is especially popular among educators and professionals who create video tutorials. It has an intuitive interface that combines robust editing tools with the ability to add annotations, transitions, and effects. With capabilities like interactive quizzes, a comprehensive asset library, and direct integration with video sharing platforms, Camtasia facilitates the creation of dynamic video content suitable for a wide range of educational and professional applications. You can use Camtasia to turn interactive videos into SCORM-compliant courses and export them to your LMS.
Outstanding features:
- Screen recording: Offers high-quality capture of everything on your computer screen.
- Built-in video editor: Allows for comprehensive editing, including cutting, merging, and adding effects.
- Multi-track timeline: Supports complex edits with a multi-layer timeline.
- Interactivity and quizzing: Enables embedding quizzes and interactive elements.
- Green screen effect: Allows for creative background changes.
- Asset library: Includes royalty-free music, sound effects, and video assets.
Also read → The 6 Best Screen Recorders for a Windows PC
Cloud-Based SCORM Authoring Tools
Here you’ll find cloud-based authoring tools that allow you to create courses online right in your browser and enable real-time collaboration and sharing.
Type: Cloud-based
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
Price: From $39/month per user
iSpring Page is an intuitive cloud-based authoring tool designed to streamline the creation of eLearning courses. It allows users to assemble interactive courses quickly by simply copying and pasting content, and enhancing it with multimedia, quizzes, and other interactive elements. The platform supports real-time collaboration, enabling teams to work together on course development and design.
iSpring Page comes with a built-in AI assistant that handles all the work for you. This smart assistant can write text for your course, correct spelling errors, create a course outline, generate questions for quizzes, and much more.
Outstanding features:
- AI-powered course creation: A built-in AI assistant does the heavy lifting for you, streamlining course authoring and saving you time.
- Collaborative course authoring: Lets team members co-edit and refine courses.
- Brand customization: Allows you to customize courses with brand-specific colors and fonts.
- Multiple languages: Supports numerous languages, including English, German, French, Spanish, and Arabic.
- Content sharing via link: Enables you to create courses online and share them worldwide with a link.
Type: Cloud-based
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
Price: From $108/month per author
Easygenerator is a cloud-based eLearning authoring tool designed to simplify the creation of interactive courses. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes it a good choice for users of all levels of technical ability. The program also features EasyAI — an AI tool for generating content that helps create courses even faster.
Besides, Easygenerator includes a robust content localization feature that allows users to translate courses to multiple languages in a matter of minutes, as well as collaboration capabilities. You can invite an unlimited number of co-authors to work on the content at the same time or review the project.
Outstanding features:
- User-friendly interface: It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that allows you to create courses with no coding skills.
- Collaboration tools: Multiple content authors can work on the content simultaneously.
- EasyAI: Comes with an AI tool that helps generate course content, optimize it, and suggest improvements.
- Multilingual support: Allows users to translate courses to and from 75 languages with the click of a button.
- Text to speech: Can convert written text into spoken words.
- Accessibility: Allows learners to interact with content with accessible features.
Type: Cloud-based
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
Price: Upon request
Lectora Online offers a user-friendly interface that allows both novice and experienced developers to build multimedia-rich content. The tool comes with the AI Course Wizard. Unlike many alternatives, which get you started with a template that you can place content into, the AI Course Wizard will generate course content for you and place it onto pages ready for you to refine.
Lectora’s collaboration features enable multiple users to work on a single project simultaneously. It also includes a comprehensive analytics suite that provides detailed insights into learner engagement and course effectiveness.
Outstanding features:
- Advanced authoring capabilities: Includes a wide range of interactive elements like quizzes, simulations, and games.
- Team collaboration: Enables multiple users to work on a project simultaneously.
- AI Course Wizard: Allows you to create courses in minutes with a built-in AI tool.
- Extensive asset library: Provides a rich library of templates, characters, and stock images.
- Analytics and reporting: Has reporting tools to track learner progress and course effectiveness.
Capterra rating: 4.7/5 (12 reviews)
G2 rating: 3.5/5 (1 review)
Type: Self-hosted cloud-based
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
Price: Free (open source)
Adapt Learning is an open-source authoring solution that enables you to create responsive, multi-device learning content. The tool supports a range of interactive components, such as quizzes, drag-and-drop activities, and multimedia elements. Its modular architecture and extensive plug-in library allow users to extend the tool’s functionality. Since it’s open source, you can customize it as desired, but you’ll definitely need advanced tech skills to do this.
Outstanding features:
- Free open source software: Allows users to modify the software to meet their specific needs.
- Responsive design: Creates content that automatically adjusts to fit any screen size.
- Interactive components: Supports a variety of interactive elements, including quizzes, drag-and-drop activities, and multimedia content.
- Extensive plug-in library: Users have access to a wide range of plug-ins developed by the Adapt community.
Type: Cloud-based
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
Price: Upon request
Knowbly provides a wide array of customizable widgets, such as quizzes, drag-and-drop activities, and interactive videos that can be added to courses. It also has an asset management system that helps organize multimedia resources so users can access them easily and reuse them across multiple projects. Like many other web-based SCORM builders, Knowbly provides capabilities for collaboration on content. Team members can edit and review content in real time.
Outstanding features:
- Content widgets: Provides a variety of customizable widgets that can be easily integrated into any course.
- Templates and themes: Comes with a wide range of templates and themes to start building courses quickly.
- Collaborative tools: Allows multiple users to edit and review content simultaneously.
- Asset management: Includes an asset manager that helps users organize and access multimedia files and other resources efficiently.
Type: Cloud-based
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
Price: from $490/year
Coassemble is an employee training platform that integrates course authoring capabilities with a learning management system (LMS). It has an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, so users with no tech skills can create online courses with ease. Besides, it offers a variety of ready-made templates that can be filled with content pieces like images, videos, quizzes, and texts.
Once the training materials are ready, they can be assigned to learners via the Coassemble learning management system. Educators and trainers can monitor learner progress and optimize course content for better outcomes in the singular interface.
Outstanding features:
- Unified platform: Combines the functionalities of both an LMS and a SCORM content creator.
- Customizable templates: Offers a wide range of templates for creating various types of content, including lessons and quizzes.
- Real-time collaboration: Allows multiple users to work on the same course simultaneously.
- Tracking and reporting: Includes reporting tools that help instructors monitor learner progress.
- Integration capabilities: Integrates with third-party apps, such as Slack, Zapier, and Google Workspace.
Type: Cloud-based
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
Price: Upon request
dominKnow | ONE is a centralized solution for creating and distributing learning content. The tool comes with an LCMS and combines its traditional authoring tool, Claro, with its responsive authoring tool and simulation creator. Like many other cloud-based solutions, the platform is equipped with robust collaboration and review features, allowing teams to work together on courses in real time. A key focus of the tool is accessibility. dominKnow | ONE supports Section 508, AODA, WCAG 2.2 Level AA, and WAI-ARIA compliance to ensure the content is accessible for all learners.
Outstanding features:
- LCMS: Provides a platform for creating, managing, and distributing eLearning content.
- Variety of content: Allows you to create software simulations, screen captures, and animated GIFs.
- Real-time collaboration: Enables creators, reviewers, and approvers to work together on content with permission-based roles.
- Translation and localization: Allows you to translate courses quickly and easily.
- Accessibility: Meets guidelines for WAI-ARIA, WCAG 2.2 Level AA, and Section 508 compliance for accessible eLearning content.
Type: Cloud-based
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
Price: Upon request
Gomo Learning features an intuitive content editor with drag-and-drop functionality that makes it easy for users to build interactive learning experiences. It has basic functionalities, such as adding media and interactive elements like quizzes. But it also includes advanced capabilities, like variable and display conditions that let you control the learner journey and dynamic branching.
The tool supports a variety of layout options and navigation styles that allow you to create customized course designs. It also includes powerful features for course duplication and transfer that enhance collaboration and scalability across different departments and external agencies.
Outstanding features:
- Pre-configured screen layouts: Offers a variety of customizable screen templates to accelerate the design process.
- Branching scenarios: Enables the creation of complex learning paths based on the learner’s interactions.
- Centralized resource library: Manages all digital assets in one place, with updates being reflected across all courses.
- Real-time collaboration: Supports team collaboration with features like co-authoring and task management.
- Analytics: Integrates with Google Analytics for in-depth tracking and reporting of learner engagement.
Type: Cloud-based
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
Price: Upon request
Evolve is another cloud-based tool for creating interactive online courses. It features a user-friendly interface, so users can build content quickly, even if they have no tech skills. Evolve supports a wide range of multimedia elements, including videos, audio, images, and interactive components, such as quizzes and branching scenarios. It also provides responsive design capabilities, so content looks great on any device, from desktops to smartphones.
Outstanding features:
- Interactions: Comes with 50 building blocks like flip cards, carousels, flow charts, sliders, and responsive tables.
- Immersive simulations: You can create software simulations, product demos, and proof-of-concept projects.
- Complete brand control: Allows you to align content with brand guidelines by adding logos, colors, fonts, and styles.
- Reviewing and commenting: Enables commenting on any part of a course in real time and providing instant feedback.
- Live preview: It allows authors to see changes instantly as they build, edit, and update courses.
SCORM Converters
A SCORM converter is a tool that can turn files (PDF, PPT, DOC) into SCORM-compliant packages for uploading to an LMS.
Type: Desktop
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
OS: Windows
Price: $270/year per author
iSpring Converter Pro is designed to turn PowerPoint presentations into HTML5 and SCORM courses. When converting, it preserves all animations, transitions, and multimedia elements that are in the original presentation. The converted content looks perfect on any device and integrates easily with any SCORM-compliant LMS.
Type: Desktop
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
OS: Windows
Price: $227/year per author
iSpring Flip is a lightweight tool that converts documents like Word, PDF, and PowerPoint into interactive e-books. These e-books can be viewed on any device and include features like page flipping and bookmarking. The converted e-books can also be uploaded to an LMS for tracking and reporting.
Type: Cloud-based
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
Price: $19/month
Scormify is another tool for transforming your Word, PDF, and PowerPoint documents into SCORM courses. The other capabilities include uploading and converting video files for streaming and adding quizzes to videos.
Type: Cloud-based
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
Price: From $29/month per user
ScormHero is an intuitive tool for converting PowerPoint presentations, PDF files, and videos to SCORM courses. It also allows you to enhance converted slide decks with quizzes and videos. The tool comes with an AI assistant for generating quiz questions and converting text to speech.
SCORM Wrappers and Packagers
These tools don’t allow you to create courses or perform conversions. Developers use SCORM wrappers to make existing HTML content SCORM-compliant. They do this by attaching SCORM API commands to specific events that occur when the content is viewed in a browser.
Type: Desktop
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
OS: Windows / Mac
Price: Free
The Pipwerks wrapper is a JavaScript application that’s designed to make HTML content SCORM compatible. But it can only be beneficial for users with coding skills.
SCORM Players / Testers
Before uploading a SCORM file to your LMS, it’s sometimes necessary to test it for errors and ensure that it sends accurate statuses. SCORM testers are designed precisely for this purpose.
Type: Cloud-based
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
OS: Windows / Mac
Price: From $40/month. There’s also a free plan.
SCORM Cloud, created by Rustici Software, a worldwide leader in eLearning standards, is the premier choice for testing SCORM content. It provides detailed debug logs to assist in troubleshooting any reporting issues your content might encounter.
Besides, it can function as an alternative to traditional LMSs. The tool can host interactive learning modules and then dispatch them to facilitate distribution.
Type: Integrable software
Supported SCORM versions: 1.2 / 2004
OS: Windows / Mac
Price: Upon request
Like SCORM Cloud, Rustici Engine is also a product of Rustici Software. It integrates into your LMS, offering a unified API for launching, playing, and tracking eLearning content.
Rustici Engine is embedded in hundreds of LMSs globally and supports SCORM, xAPI, cmi5, LTI, and AICC content. This uniformity ensures a consistent experience for learners and administrators, regardless of which eLearning standards are associated with a course.
FAQ
Here, you’ll find answers to the most common questions regarding SCORM.
What is SCORM?
SCORM, or Sharable Content Object Reference Model, is a collection of standards for eLearning software. It ensures that eLearning courses can work in different LMSs seamlessly.
What is SCORM software?
SCORM software refers to applications that support the SCORM standards for eLearning, These can include tools for creating, delivering, and testing online training content.
Why is SCORM compatibility important in eLearning software?
SCORM compatibility ensures that eLearning content can be seamlessly shared, tracked, and reused across different learning management systems.
How do I know if software is SCORM-compliant?
Look for certifications or specifications listed by the software provider that mention SCORM-compliance. It typically supports versions like SCORM 1.2 or 2004.
To Sum Up
We’ve explored various SCORM tools and highlighted the leading software in each category. If you have suggestions for any other SCORM-compliant software, feel free to share them in the comment section.
Useful Resources
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