12 Best Instructional Design Tools That Actually Work in 2025

Creating engaging learning content reminds me of putting together a puzzle with missing pieces. Many of us face the same struggles - outdated software and countless hours spent on tasks that repeat endlessly.

My experience with testing dozens of instructional design tools in the last decade taught me something valuable. The right tool can slash your course creation time by 50% and make your learning materials substantially better.

New AI-powered solutions keep entering the market as traditional platforms evolve faster. Finding the perfect tool becomes challenging. This led me to create a well-researched list of 12 best instructional design tools that deliver results in 2025.

Let me walk you through each tool's unique features, pricing, and ground applications. You'll discover everything from AI-powered content generators to complete authoring suites that help you make smart choices for your learning projects.

ChatGPT for Instructional Design

Image Source: OpenAI

ChatGPT has become my trusted companion in creating engaging learning experiences as an instructional designer. This AI-powered tool is now a crucial part of my toolkit because it helps me create content faster and improve course development.

ChatGPT Features for Course Creation

ChatGPT excels at brainstorming and solving problems in course development. It helps craft learning objectives, generate scenarios, and create assessments that match course goals. The tool analyzes qualitative and quantitative data effectively to find learning gaps and training needs.

ChatGPT Pricing and Plans

ChatGPT offers four distinct pricing tiers to meet different needs:

ChatGPT Integration with Other Tools

Integrating ChatGPT into existing learning platforms needs careful planning. The tool provides API integration capabilities that enable smooth connection with Learning Management Systems (LMS). It also supports various data formats including CSV, PDF, and images, which enables detailed content analysis and creation.

ChatGPT works best when used with other instructional design tools. This combination creates a reliable course development process, especially when you have interactive elements and assessments. The tool processes multiple formats which makes it valuable for developing multimedia learning content.

Articulate 360 Suite

Image Source: Articulate

My decade of experience with instructional design tools has shown that Articulate 360 stands out as an exceptional suite. It combines AI capabilities with resilient course authoring features, and has become my preferred choice to create engaging learning experiences.

Articulate 360 Key Features

The suite packs an impressive array of capabilities that make course creation efficient. The AI Assistant helps create content up to 9x faster. These features have proven valuable:

• Content Library with 13+ million assets

• Responsive course authoring tools

• AI-powered content generation

• Built-in LMS integration

• Enterprise-grade security with FedRamp, ISO27001, and SOC-2 certifications

Articulate 360 Pricing

Different pricing options accommodate various needs:

Educational institutions can access special discounts that start at $899 annually.

Articulate 360 Use Cases

My projects have shown Articulate 360's versatility across learning scenarios. The suite excels at creating both microlearning modules and complete courses. Beyond traditional course development, it works well for:

• Software simulations with screen recording

• Interactive assessments and quizzes

• Responsive mobile learning content

• Video-based training modules

The platform's versatility sets it apart - it handles everything from quick tutorials to complex, branching scenarios naturally. The strong user community of over 1.5 million members provides extensive support and resources.

Adobe Captivate

Image Source: Adobe

I've tested many instructional design tools and found that Adobe Captivate excels at software simulation and virtual reality training features.

Adobe Captivate Features

The platform creates engaging interactive learning experiences. Without doubt, these impressive capabilities include:

• Software simulations with demo, training, and assessment modules

• Virtual reality and interactive video creation

• Native audio editing and modern text-to-speech conversion

• Accessibility features meeting Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 standards

Adobe Captivate Pricing

Adobe's flexible pricing options suit different needs:

Adobe Captivate Best Practices

My experience has helped me find several strategies to tap into the full potential of Adobe Captivate. A custom workspace makes the development process smoother. Using Photoshop round-tripping helps reduce project file sizes.

These steps will give you optimal results:

1. Optimize assets before import:

   • Convert audio to MP3 format

   • Compress videos prior to importing

   • Use SVG graphics for scalability

2. Use keyboard shortcuts for faster development

The Swatch Manager is one of the most valuable features that makes color scheme implementation easy across projects. This helps you retain control over visual consistency.

The platform adapts content to different screen sizes effectively. Its integration with Learning Management Systems through SCORM, AICC, and xAPI standards ensures wide compatibility.

Camtasia

Image Source: TechSmith

My experience creating instructional content shows that Camtasia is an outstanding screen recording and video editing tool. It makes creating engaging learning materials simple and straightforward.

Camtasia Screen Recording Features

The software captures screen content with amazing clarity and provides 4K resolution recording capabilities. My projects have shown these features are incredibly useful:

• Multi-source recording with screen, webcam, and system audio capture

• Cursor path editing and customization options

• Built-in noise reduction and audio enhancement tools

• PowerPoint integration for smooth presentation recording

Camtasia Pricing Options

You can choose from three pricing tiers that fit different needs:

Faculty and students can get special pricing discounts at educational institutions.

Camtasia Integration Capabilities

The software comes with strong integration options that I've used successfully in many projects. You get access to:

• Direct export to popular Learning Management Systems

• SCORM-compliant course creation

• Multiple video format exports including MP4

• YouTube and Vimeo direct publishing

I found powerful quiz and assessment features after adding Camtasia to my workflow. These interactive elements pause videos automatically so learners can better interact with the content.

Camtasia's interactive video features are a great way to get more from my instructional design projects. Clickable links and customizable quizzes boost learner engagement significantly.

Canva for Education

Image Source: Canva

My experience as a seasoned instructional designer shows that Canva for Education is an indispensable tool in my design arsenal. It provides a versatile platform to create engaging visual content for classrooms and training programs.

Canva Education Features

The platform's resilient capabilities have increased my course development efficiency. These core features make it stand out:

• Real-time collaboration tools for team projects

• Extensive library of educational templates

• Built-in content management system

• Safe and secure platform for student accounts

Canva Education Pricing

The pricing structure meets various educational needs:

Canva Templates for Learning

Canva's extensive template library sets it apart in the instructional design world. I have used these templates for many educational purposes:

The platform excels at creating presentations, infographics, and one-pagers. The drag-and-drop editor is user-friendly and works well for educators at all skill levels.

The platform's template customization with brand elements is valuable. I can import data from Google Sheets to create accurate charts and diagrams. This feature helps me develop informed instructional materials.

Canva's stock video capabilities have improved my video-based training materials. The platform lets me swap images and add text overlays to create professional content. Template objects can be grouped and ungrouped, which gives me flexibility to customize designs for specific learning objectives.

iSpring Suite

Image Source: iSpring Solutions

PowerPoint expertise can be a great asset in instructional design tools, especially when you have iSpring Suite. This powerful authoring tool builds directly into PowerPoint. It's an excellent choice for instructional designers who value familiarity and streamline processes.

iSpring Suite Features

The platform stands out from other instructional design tools through its PowerPoint integration. My experience shows these capabilities are incredibly valuable:

• HTML5/SCORM course creation

• 14 types of interactive quizzes and assessments

• Role-play simulations with branching scenarios

• Video lectures and screencast recording

• Text-to-speech conversion with natural voices

iSpring Suite Pricing

The platform has three detailed pricing tiers:

iSpring Integration Options

iSpring Suite's extensive integration capabilities impress me the most. The platform works with over 150 Learning Management Systems. This compatibility means you can deploy courses created with iSpring almost anywhere.

iSpring Cloud, available in Suite Max and Premium plans, offers these benefits:

• AI-enhanced cloud course builder

• Live collaboration tools

• 20GB secure storage space

The platform's customer support team resolves 83% of cases within 2 hours. This shows their steadfast dedication to user success. The Content Library has over 116,000 templates, characters, and locations. You can create professional-looking courses quickly and easily.

Vyond

Image Source: Vyond

My experience with many instructional design tools led me to discover Vyond, which excels at turning complex training concepts into engaging animated videos. This cloud-based platform has become a crucial part of my course development toolkit.

Vyond Animation Features

The platform provides an accessible interface that makes video creation simple for users without technical expertise. These capabilities have proven particularly powerful:

• Character Creator with customizable actions and expressions

• Extensive library of 40,000+ props and character actions

• AI-powered background generation and instant translations

• Screen recording functionality with continuous connection

• Built-in audio editing with voice-over capabilities

Vyond Pricing Plans

Vyond's flexible pricing options suit different needs:

Vyond for eLearning

Vyond's capabilities have helped me create engaging learning experiences in my projects. The platform excels at turning static content into dynamic video lessons. The platform's integration with major Learning Management Systems delivers content smoothly.

Vyond's template library offers hundreds of customizable scenes that speed up course development significantly. The platform stands out because it handles both simple explainer videos and complex training scenarios effectively.

The videos export as MP4 files, which work well across learning platforms. The platform's enterprise-level security features protect content while making shared course development possible.

H5P

Image Source: H5P

My hands-on experience with instructional design tools shows that H5P is a standout open-source platform. It enables creators to build interactive content without coding expertise. The platform currently powers educational content on over 17,000 websites.

H5P Interactive Content Features

The platform comes with more than 50 interactive content types. These features have proven invaluable in my projects:

• Interactive videos with embedded quizzes

• Course presentations with multimedia elements

• Dialog cards for self-paced learning

• Virtual tours with 360-degree environments

• Branching scenarios for adaptive learning

H5P Pricing (Free vs Premium)

H5P offers flexible pricing options that match different needs:

H5P Integration Options

My project experience shows H5P's exceptional integration flexibility. You can implement H5P content in three main ways:

1. Direct embedding through H5P.com

2. LTI integration with major learning platforms

3. Plugin installation for CMS platforms

The platform's content works smoothly on mobile devices. H5P's compatibility with Learning Management Systems through SCORM, AICC, and xAPI standards makes it a powerful choice.

Users can start creating content right away with its browser-based interface - no software installation needed. The platform's resilient security framework includes FedRAMP compliance and regular security updates that protect educational content effectively.

Lectora

Image Source: eLearning Solutions Company for Business | Gamification Consulting ...

My extensive work with instructional design tools has shown me that Lectora stands out in creating learning experiences anyone can access. The numbers back this up - it's the best authoring tool you can use to develop WCAG-compliant content.

Lectora Features

The platform's AI Course Wizard has changed how I create content. Now I can develop courses in just three easy steps. These key features make it special:

• AI-powered content generation wizard

• Built-in accessibility design guide

• Responsive course frameworks

• Interactive wireframe templates

• Desktop and cloud-based authoring options

Lectora Pricing Plans

You'll find flexible pricing options that work for different needs:

Lectora Use Cases

The platform's value shines through its ground applications. Auto-Owners Insurance turned a three-day in-person training into a 60-minute interactive course. They kept the training just as effective while cutting down seat time by a lot.

My projects have benefited greatly from the platform's branching scenarios and conditional formatting. Kettering Health Network used these features to build an engaging Corporate Integrity course that saw 4,565 completions. Their work earned them the 2016 HealthSteam Excellence Through Innovation Award.

ReviewLink has been a game-changer for my team projects because it makes the feedback process with stakeholders smooth and simple. The platform also works with BranchTrack to create compelling digital scenarios and collect useful data that improves courses.

Lectora's steadfast dedication to accessibility sets it apart. The platform stays compliant with Section 508 and WCAG guidelines, so learning content reaches every student effectively.

Synthesia

Image Source: Synthesia

My extensive testing of instructional design tools showed that Synthesia transforms video-based learning with its AI-powered capabilities. The platform caught my attention because it lets you create professional training videos without traditional recording equipment.

Synthesia AI Video Features

The platform's reliable capabilities have improved my course development process. Here are the remarkable results I found:

• Over 120 AI avatars of all types for different training scenarios

• Text-to-speech functionality in 140+ languages and accents

• 50+ pre-designed video templates for quick creation

• AI video dubbing in 29+ languages

Synthesia Pricing

You'll find flexible pricing options that match different needs:

Synthesia Implementation Tips

My experience with Synthesia in projects of all sizes has shown impressive results. Organizations like Teleperformance cut their production time by five days per video and saved $5,000 per project. Here's everything you need to know:

Teams report a 62% drop in creation time, from 13 to 5 days. Xerox cut their video production costs by half using AI actors.

The platform combines smoothly with popular LMS systems like EasyGenerator, Articulate 360, and Docebo. This compatibility will give a smooth content delivery across different learning platforms.

Rise 360

My journey as an instructional designer led me to Rise 360, a tool that helps create responsive courses 9x faster with AI assistance. This web-based platform changed how I develop courses.

Rise 360 Features

The block-based authoring system improved my content creation process. Here are the main features:

• AI Assistant to generate and improve content quickly

• 13M+ templates and images to develop courses

• Interactive quizzes with multiple question types

• Immediate collaboration tools for team projects

• Built-in accessibility features that support WCAG 2.1 Level AA

Rise 360 Pricing

Rise 360's pricing structure comes with these options:

Rise 360 Best Practices

My projects helped me find strategies that make the most of Rise 360. The platform optimizes media automatically, but using high-quality images up to 5GB will give you the best visual quality on all devices.

The platform's block templates are a great way to get quick course development started. My content management became smoother when I organized courses into folders. The platform also lets you duplicate courses and lessons, which cut down my development time substantially.

My video content works better with closed captions in multiple languages. Rise 360's responsive preview helps me check how courses look on devices of all types, which creates a consistent experience for learners whatever their screen size.

Storyline 360

My experience as a lead instructional designer shows that Storyline 360 stands out at creating interactive and customized learning experiences. The platform's PowerPoint-like interface makes it available to beginners, while providing advanced features for experienced designers.

Storyline 360 Features

These powerful tools have transformed my course development process. I now use these capabilities:

• Timeline scrubbing for precise content timing

• Multi-select objects with group editing

• SVG image support with direct editing

• Advanced drag-and-drop functionality

• Screen recording with captions

Storyline 360's unique strength lies in knowing how to create any interaction through slide layers, triggers, and states. The platform's text-rendering engine gives consistent spacing and readability on all devices.

Storyline 360 Pricing

The platform has several pricing options that fit different needs:

Academic institutions can get special discounts, which makes it more available for educational use.

Storyline 360 Templates

I have used the platform's extensive template library in my projects. Content Library 360 offers professionally-designed slide templates that speed up development significantly. These templates can be customized with:

• Theme colors and fonts to match your brand

• Custom layouts for specific content types

• Responsive design elements

• Interactive components

The platform lets you create and share custom templates, which are great for keeping consistency in team projects. All templates adjust automatically to different screen sizes and provide optimal viewing on all devices.

Comparison Table

Conclusion

My favorite and what I believe is the most versatile set of tools is the paid version of Canva. 

We all operate a bit differently. The right tool selection depends on various factors. Free options like H5P or Canva for Education might work better with budget limitations. Teams that need advanced features will benefit from Storyline 360 or Lectora's accessibility-focused tools. Rise 360 or iSpring Suite could be more suitable for small organizations' quick course development.

Success often comes from combining multiple tools, based on my experience. I use Camtasia to record screens, add Vyond animations to boost engagement, and deliver final content through a strong platform like Articulate 360.

The instructional design world keeps changing, especially when you have AI integration. These tools show how technology boosts human creativity in course development instead of replacing it. Of course, picking the right mix of tools will help you create more engaging and effective learning experiences for your audience.