Introduction
Instructional designers in 2025 face a unique set of challenges: creating engaging, personalized learning content that is scalable, trackable, and accessible across platforms. With evolving tech and diverse learner needs, having the right digital toolkit is non-negotiable.
In this guide, we explore the top 10 tools for instructional designers in 2025, highlighting features such as SCORM compliance, interactive course builders, AI-driven automation, and more. Whether you’re designing for corporate L&D or educational institutions, these tools can transform your workflow.
1. Articulate 360
Articulate 360 remains an industry staple with its robust suite of e-learning content creation tools. Rise and Storyline enable responsive design and advanced interactivity, making it a top choice for SCORM-compliant content.
SCORM-compliant authoring tool
Highly customizable with templates
Strong community and support
2. Adobe Captivate
A powerful and feature-rich authoring tool for creating immersive learning experiences. Captivate supports 360-degree media, responsive content, and complex interactivity.
SCORM and xAPI compliance
Great for advanced instructional designers
Widely adopted industry-standard platform
3. Mexty
Mexty is the rising star of 2025. This AI-powered educational content authoring software is quickly gaining popularity for its balance of power and ease of use. It enables teachers and instructional designers to create personalized learning content with incredible speed and quality.
SCORM-compliant authoring tool
Interactive course builder with AI-generated content
Personalized learning content adaptable to all styles
Excellent for building quizzes, adaptive activities, and simulations with no coding required
Helps designers and teachers save hours every week
Mexty is ideal for those seeking a modern, flexible platform for teachers to create online lessons and instructional designers looking for scalable content creation.
4. iSpring Suite Max
iSpring integrates smoothly with PowerPoint, making it ideal for designers familiar with Microsoft tools. It allows quick SCORM-compliant course creation.
Easy learning curve
Built-in LMS compatibility
Interactive quizzes and dialogue simulations
5. Elucidat
A cloud-based authoring tool that enables teams to collaborate on responsive and scalable e-learning courses.
Centralized content management
Advanced user permissions for teams
Strong mobile performance
6. Lectora by eLearning Brothers
Lectora offers a robust set of features for creating multi-device content with a focus on accessibility and compliance.
Section 508 and WCAG compliant
SCORM, AICC, xAPI ready
Supports custom scripting
7. Easygenerator
Perfect for subject-matter experts who want to create simple, effective e-learning without prior design experience.
Drag-and-drop simplicity
Cloud-based collaboration
SCORM and xAPI compatible
8. Camtasia
A go-to for instructional designers producing video-based training and screen recordings. Pair it with other tools for a complete content package.
Excellent for tutorials and explainer videos
Timeline editing and interactivity
Easy export options
9. Vyond
Create animated, story-based learning content with ease. Vyond brings a visual flair to any course design.
Great for engagement and storytelling
Ideal for explainer modules
Integrates with other platforms
10. Genially
Known for creating highly interactive presentations and gamified content. While less instructional in structure, it’s perfect for visual engagement.
Templates for interactive content
Embed quizzes, escape rooms, clickable diagrams
Great for short-form learning or presentations
How to Choose the Right Instructional Design Tool: Top 5 Benchmark Comparison
Choosing the right tool can make all the difference in your instructional design workflow. To help you decide, here’s a benchmark comparison of the Top 5 tools focusing on the core features every instructional designer needs:
Why Mexty Is the Rising Star
Mexty shines as the most comprehensive platform for instructional designers in 2025. It combines:
Full SCORM compliance for seamless LMS integration and tracking
An AI-powered interactive course builder to accelerate content creation
Advanced personalized learning content capabilities to tailor lessons to learner needs
Robust team collaboration and content reuse features for efficient workflow
If you want a tool that balances power, ease of use, and modern e-learning innovation, Mexty ranks at #3 and is definitely a rising star worth exploring.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're building simulations, designing visual stories, or managing entire curricula, these 10 tools offer a diverse range of capabilities. From powerhouse platforms like Articulate and Adobe Captivate to nimble, modern tools like Mexty, instructional designers in 2025 have more choices than ever to bring learning to life.
👉 Explore these tools and find the right mix for your workflow—and remember, the best tools are the ones that let you create content that truly connects with your learners.