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Best Learning Content Authoring Software in 2026

Learning content authoring software helps create lessons, courses and other training materials. This list is for people choosing a tool on a budget, including teams that need a free plan or code they can inspect.

  1. 1

    Adapt Learning

    Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+5

    Adapt combines a no-code authoring tool with a developer framework and a broad set of course features.

    9.3 Free plan Visit site
  2. 2

    Xerte

    Free plan Open source AndroidiPhoneLinux+4

    Choose Xerte if you need a free authoring suite with interactive templates, HTML5 output, and learning-platform exports. It fits organisations able to install and maintain it on a web server.

    8.5 Free plan Visit site
  3. 3

    ActivePresenter

    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4

    ActivePresenter combines recording, editing, course authoring, and LMS-oriented exports.

    7.7 Free plan · paid from $249 Visit site
  4. 4

    BranchTrack

    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+2

    BranchTrack combines scenario authoring, learner tracking, and multiple delivery options for experiential learning.

    7.5 Free plan · paid from $83/mo (annual) Visit site
  5. 5

    Coursebox

    by Coursebox
    Free plan WebiPhoneAndroid

    Choose Coursebox if you want a course platform with web and mobile access, several course formats, and a free tier for unlimited learners.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  6. 6

    eXeLearning

    Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2

    eXeLearning offers free authoring across desktop and online use, with export formats and plugins for publishing and learning platforms. Mobile access is for viewing materials, not editing.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  7. 7

    Easygenerator

    Free plan Web

    Easygenerator combines course authoring, interactive content, and several distribution paths in a web platform.

    6.9 Free plan · paid from $116/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
  8. 8

    Lectora

    Free plan WebWindows

    Lectora combines course-building, collaboration, localization and multiple publishing formats. The listed suite price and asset-download restriction are worth weighing against its authoring features.

    6.7 From $1,549/yr Visit site
  9. 9

    Articulate Rise 360

    Free trial WebWindows

    Choose Articulate Rise 360 if you need browser-based course authoring, interactive quizzes, and LMS package exports. Its Teams plan supports simultaneous work on separate lessons.

    6.2 From $1,449/user/yr · 14-day trial Visit site
  10. 10

    Evolve Authoring

    Free trial AndroidAPIiPhone+1

    Evolve Authoring combines course creation, assessment, collaboration, and multiple publishing options. Its 21-day trial offers a way to evaluate the paid product before committing.

    6.2 From $49/user/mo (annual) · 21-day trial Visit site
  11. 11

    Gomo Learning

    Free trial AndroidiPhoneWeb

    Gomo combines course authoring, collaboration, responsive output and LMS-ready publishing in one cloud-based product.

    5.9 Pricing on request · 21-day trial Visit site
  12. 12

    isEazy Author

    by isEazy
    Free plan
    5.8 Visit site
  13. 13

    CourseArc

    Paid APIWeb

    Choose CourseArc if your organization needs collaborative course authoring, interactive content and LMS connections.

    5.5 Pricing on request Visit site
  14. 14

    iSpring Cam Pro

    by iSpring Cam Pro
    Free trial Windows

    iSpring Cam Pro covers capture, editing, export, and publishing in one Windows workflow.

    5.5 From $327/yr · 14-day trial Visit site
  15. 15

    Coassemble

    by Coassemble
    Paid API

    Choose Coassemble if your team wants to author courses and deliver them through embedded experiences, Slack, links, or SCORM, with API tools for tracking.

    5.4 From $250/mo (annual) Visit site
  16. 16

    Adobe Captivate

    Paid MacWindows

    Adobe Captivate combines interactive authoring, assessments, responsive output, and SCORM export.

    5.1 From $39.99/mo (annual) · 30-day trial Visit site
  17. 17

    H5P

    by H5P Group
    Paid
    4.1 Visit site
  18. 18

    Elucidat

    by Elucidat
    Paid
    4.0 Visit site
  19. 19

    SmartBuilder

    by SmartBuilder
    Paid
    3.9 Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Compare free plans, paid prices, trial periods and licences before choosing. Check whether the tool runs where you need it, such as web, Windows, Android, iOS, an API or a self-hosted setup.

Questions

Which learning content authoring tools have a free plan?

ActivePresenter, Adapt Learning, BranchTrack, Easygenerator and eXeLearning list a free plan. Free-plan limits and features can differ.

Which tools offer a free trial?

Adobe Captivate lists a 30-day trial; Evolve Authoring 21 days; Articulate Rise 360 and Easygenerator 14 days.

Are open-source options available?

Open-source code is offered by tools in this category. Check the licence before reading, changing or redistributing code.

What platforms should I compare?

Check support for web, Windows, Android, iOS, API and self-hosted use, based on where you need to create or deliver content.

What is the lowest listed paid price?

Adobe Captivate lists plans from $39.99 per month with annual billing. Other tools use different billing terms or provide pricing on request.

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