Course Creation & Design

What are the best SCORM authoring tools?

Alexandra-Cote-author-profile
8 min

Dear course creators, instructional designers, and business leaders welcome to the world of SCORM-compliant authoring tools! Oh no, I’m not here to scare you away—just to give you a little jolt about the importance of making the right choice when it comes to eLearning technology.

Some fundamental advantages SCORM-compliant content offers are:

In this guide, I’m guiding you through the SCORM essentials, explaining what it is, why it matters, and which tools make the best virtual companions for tracking and compatibility across learning platforms.

You’ll find detailed descriptions of top tools (with some handy insights on pricing), practical tips for choosing your ideal match, and a few surprises.

What are SCORM authoring tools for elearning?

SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) refers to a series of technical eLearning standards. Choosing SCORM authoring tools for creating eLearning content means you’ll ensure your educational content stays compatible across different LMS platforms. You’ll also find it easier to share, track, and update your courses consistently.

Types of SCORM authoring tools

Let’s break down the most popular types of SCORM authoring tools used to create and manage an eLearning course:

1. Cloud-based SCORM authoring tools

These tools are hosted online and users can reach them via their browsers. They’re best if you want to create courses for a remote team or learning modules that are heavy on collaboration.

2. Desktop SCORM authoring tools

Thanks to their offline access, you can also track advanced interactivities. They’re best for course creators who need extensive features and flexibility for in-depth, constantly changing courses.

3. Mobile-friendly SCORM authoring software

These tools were created to perform on mobile learning content. They often come with a mobile app and should be picked to train deskless and field workers.

Features to look for in a SCORM authoring tool

These tools can be complex though as they’re always adding new use cases for course creation and distribution. So here are my recommendations for the functionalities that matter the most and why:

1. Ease of publishing

A SCORM content authoring tool should allow seamless exporting to ensure compatibility across LMS platforms and support for both eLearning standards.

Keep an eye on: Tools that provide one-click publishing options for different SCORM versions will reduce time spent troubleshooting compatibility issues. This means you’ll be able to focus on high-quality content instead of technical setup.

2. Multimedia support and interactive elements

You’re probably already at a stage where you’ve tested a couple of content formats and know what works best for your audience. Whether you want to engage learners through rich multimedia experiences or something out of the ordinary (like VR courses), the right SCORM course authoring tool should make this extra easy.

Keep an eye on: A tool that can handle various media types, such as videos, audio files, animations, and interactive elements, allows you to create dynamic, immersive learning experiences.

3. Responsive design

Planning on making your courses available on the go? If not, you should. Mobile learning is essential as more learners access courses from smartphones and tablets—and find this highly engaging. Responsive design remains key for creating visually appealing courses that will also be enjoyable to use.

Keep an eye on: Tools that offer responsive design capabilities will let you create courses that automatically adjust to different screen sizes and orientations.

4. Customization and templates

Templates and personalization let you create a course that will both align with brand guidelines and work well for every individual in particular.

Keep an eye on: SCORM authoring tools with a library of templates can save you hours of content creation you’d otherwise spend on design while allowing customization options.

5. Analytics and reporting

Data will always tell you more than you can get by simply talking to learners. Robust analytics allow educators to track completion rates, scores, time spent, and more to assess how impactful a course truly is.

Keep an eye on: Tools with built-in analytics dashboards offer real-time insights, helping you adjust content based on learner behavior. Reporting though should be aligned with SCORM, xAPI, or other standards to better track all your goals.

Additionally, features like cloning courses in these tools can expedite the localization and translation process, making collaboration and review more streamlined in creating accessible training content.

The benefits of using SCORM-compliant authoring software

Let me just take a close look at how SCORM authoring software stands out in the eLearning space.

Interoperability is the #1 keyword you should remember. SCORM authoring tools allow creators like you to build online courses that function smoothly across a variety of SCORM-compliant learning management systems.

These tools facilitate the creation of SCORM courses by converting various file types, like PowerPoint presentations and videos, into SCORM-compliant formats, often including features such as quiz integration and support for different SCORM versions.

By building upon existing data in these systems, you can also use SCORM authoring tools to track metrics such as learner engagement, completion rates, and scores. So not only are these solutions easy to update at any point, but they also give you quite a lot of details about course effectiveness and learner progress.

The result? Your students will love their course experience! That’s because a complete SCORM package makes for straightforward eLearning courses that incorporate multimedia materials, quizzes, and interactivity to create engaging learning experiences.

Top 5 SCORM authoring tools for course creators

I’ve tried quite a few such tools in my own journey towards finding the best place to host my courses and let me tell you this: They all seemingly work the same way. Use them for one day and you’ll realize they’ll actually impact your workflow in very different ways.

Let me walk you through a couple of popular SCORM-compliant authoring tools, outlining their features, pros and cons, and pricing to help you find the best fit.

1. LearnWorlds

A screenshot showing LearnWorlds' dashboard on a laptop screen.

LearnWorlds is a versatile cloud-based LMS that doubles as a SCORM authoring tool, allowing creators to build SCORM-compliant courses directly. With a user-friendly interface, robust customization, and extensive multimedia options, LearnWorlds eliminates the need to juggle your courses across multiple platforms so you can create courses faster and better.

Features: Course customization, interactive videos, quizzes, assessments, SCORM import/export, mobile app builder

Pros

  • Easy integration
  • Excellent multimedia tools
  • Advanced analytics

Cons

  • Advanced customization on a higher plan

Ease of use: Beginner-friendly thanks to its drag-and-drop tools
Customer support: 24/7 support with resources like tutorials and webinars 
Pricing: Starts at $24/month for yearly plans, with advanced plans for additional features

2. Articulate Storyline 360

A screenshot showing Articulate Storyline 360's dashboard.

For me, web-based Articulate 360 mostly stands out because of its extensive multimedia and interaction capabilities for course development. I’d say it’s better suited if a content creator needs a deeply immersive learning experience but do note it can take quite a lot of time for your team to learn how to use it.

Features: Content library, multimedia support, responsive design, SCORM and xAPI compliance

Pros

  • Highly customizable
  • Lots of interactive elements
  • Strong video support

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Only for desktop users

Ease of use: Intermediate; requires time to master
Customer support: Extensive resources, including tutorials, forums, and live chat
Pricing: $1,749/per user/per year

3. Adobe Captivate

A screenshot showing Adobe Captivate's dashboard on a laptop screen.

Adobe Captivate is popular among course designers who are already familiar with the Adobe suite or those who need VR capabilities. I recommend checking out how Captivate can help you create better experiences for mobile learners and keep your courses accessible. Additionally, Captivate offers software simulations to create realistic training scenarios for application training.

Features: VR/AR content, responsive design, mobile compatibility, SCORM compliance

Pros

  • Supports complex learning experiences
  • Good for creating mobile courses

Cons

  • Quite expensive
  • Takes long to get used to

Ease of use: Best for experienced users
Customer support: Adobe’s support network, tutorials, and community forums
Pricing: $1,299 one-time license or $33.99/month

4. iSpring Suite

A screenshot showing iSpring Suite's dashboard on both laptop and mobile screens.

iSpring Suite is a PowerPoint-based tool I would choose for instructors who rely on screen recording during content development. It also works if you want to turn existing presentations into SCORM-compliant content without too much training needed.

Features: PowerPoint presentations integration, quizzes, video lectures, SCORM and xAPI export

Pros

  • User-friendly
  • Works within PowerPoint
  • Advanced screen recording capabilities

Cons

  • Limited customization compared to other tools
  • Heavy reliance on PowerPoint can hinder creativity

Ease of use: Easy, especially for PowerPoint users
Customer support: Email, chat support, and online learning materials
Pricing: €770/author/year

5. Easygenerator

A screenshot showing the Easygenerator dashboard on a laptop screen.

Easygenerator is quite simple when it comes to its feature stack but it comes with ready-made templates for SCORM-compliant courses. Opt for this cloud-based SCORM authoring software if you’re just testing out eLearning content for the first time or if you want to try a couple of short courses.

Features: Templates, SCORM export, video/audio support, real-time collaboration

Pros

  • Quick setup
  • Low costs
  • Good for beginners

Cons

  • Limited customization options
  • No offline access

Ease of use: Very easy with its native templates
Customer support: Email support and online tutorials
Pricing: Starts at $108/month

Choosing the right tool for your course needs (and budget)

By now you probably have a rough idea of what you want to prioritize when it comes to choosing SCORM creation tools.

For instance, tools like LearnWorlds and iSpring are user-friendly for beginners, while Adobe Captivate will require more experience. How much you’re willing to spend on a solution like this also plays its part.

For a robust balance of functionality, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness, try LearnWorlds for free.

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FAQs

Can I use SCORM tools with any LMS?

SCORM tools can work with most learning management systems, but only if the LMS is SCORM-compliant like LearnWorlds. Check if your LMS supports SCORM to ensure compatibility, as some platforms might only support other standards like xAPI or AICC.

Do I need SCORM compliance if my courses are only on one platform?

If you want to keep things simple and use a single platform for course management, SCORM compliance isn’t essential. However, SCORM adds portability and tracking capabilities that could be useful if you decide to switch to a different learning management system.

How do I choose between SCORM and non-SCORM tools?

Go for SCORM tools if you need detailed tracking, portability across platforms, or standardized content. Non-SCORM tools might be simpler and cost-effective if your training goals don’t require extensive tracking or compatibility across LMS platforms.

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Alexandra-Cote-author-profile
Alexandra Cote

Alexandra Cote is a SaaS growth marketer and online instructor who's worked with dozens of brands in the MarTech, HR tech, and productivity space. She's also a strong supporter of staying happy at work and choosing a healthy career path.