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Head-to-head · Learning Content Authoring Software

Adobe Captivate vs D2L Creator+

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Adobe Captivate #2 in Learning Content Authoring Software 9.2/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 4 features Try Adobe Captivate
D2L Creator+ #5 in Learning Content Authoring Software 8.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit D2L

Adobe Captivate leads on 0 checks, D2L Creator+ on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAdobe Captivate · 9.2/10
  • Free trialonly Adobe Captivate
  • Most featuresD2L Creator+ · 3 of 4

Adobe Captivate scores higher on our rubric for learning content authoring software: 9.2 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

Adobe Captivate is the better fit for authors wanting desktop-based interactive courses. D2L Creator+ is the better fit for brightspace users adding interactive course activities.

  • Adobe Captivate fits best

    Authors wanting desktop-based interactive courses

  • D2L Creator+ fits best

    Brightspace users adding interactive course activities

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Adobe Captivate 9.2/10 Visit ↗ D2L Creator+ 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.6
Ranking #2 in Learning Content Authoring Software #5 in Learning Content Authoring Software
Best for Authors wanting desktop-based interactive courses Brightspace users adding interactive course activities
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $39.99/mo Pricing on request
Free plan — —
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Desktop Cloud
Platforms Windows, macOS Web
Integrations 5 integrations 2 integrations
Features Adobe Captivate 1/4 · D2L Creator+ 3/4
Responsive output ✓ ✓
Scenario branching Not checked yet Not checked yet
Interactive video Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Screen recording Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Export formats Not checked yet Course export through Brightspace; specific file formats not stated
Publishing standards Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Build branching courses, simulations, quizzes, and knowledge checks.
  • Publish responsive HTML5 packages using SCORM, AICC, or xAPI.
  • Share review links for comments and stakeholder feedback.
  • Offers more than 50 H5P content types and formative practice questions
  • Connects gradable interactive content to the Brightspace Gradebook
  • Includes AI-assisted questions, capture tools, and learner analytics
Cons
  • No free plan; the individual subscription starts at $39.99 per month, billed annually.
  • Team and enterprise pricing requires contacting sales.
  • Authoring is desktop-based, not browser-based.
  • Requires Brightspace; authors work within it rather than a separate authoring app
  • Pricing is customized and requires a sales inquiry
  • Course export is through Brightspace; specific file formats are not stated
Our verdict

Adobe Captivate is desktop software for creating interactive eLearning, aimed at instructional designers, corporate training professionals, educators, and business users. Authors can import PowerPoint slides with editable elements, then…

Read the review →

D2L Creator+ adds interactive authoring tools inside Brightspace for educators and organizational learning teams creating courses on that platform. Authors can build page layouts with panels, apply branded styles and templates, add…

Read the review →
  1. Adobe CaptivateLearning Content Authoring Software 9.230-day trial
  2. D2L Creator+Learning Content Authoring Software 8.6Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Adobe Captivate — where it wins

    • Build branching courses, simulations, quizzes, and knowledge checks.
    • Publish responsive HTML5 packages using SCORM, AICC, or xAPI.
    • Share review links for comments and stakeholder feedback.

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; the individual subscription starts at $39.99 per month, billed annually.
    • Team and enterprise pricing requires contacting sales.
    • Authoring is desktop-based, not browser-based.

  • D2L Creator+ — where it wins

    • Offers more than 50 H5P content types and formative practice questions
    • Connects gradable interactive content to the Brightspace Gradebook
    • Includes AI-assisted questions, capture tools, and learner analytics

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires Brightspace; authors work within it rather than a separate authoring app
    • Pricing is customized and requires a sales inquiry
    • Course export is through Brightspace; specific file formats are not stated
  • Adobe Captivate9.2/10 · 30-day trial

    A desktop authoring tool for building interactive courses and publishing LMS packages.

    Try Adobe CaptivateFull verdict →
  • D2L Creator+8.6/10 · Pricing on request

    A Brightspace add-on for building interactive activities, practice questions, and course pages.

    Visit D2LFull verdict →

More comparisons

All learning content authoring software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update