Head-to-head · Interactive Lesson Makers
Articulate Storyline 360 vs eXeLearning
Articulate Storyline 360 leads on 0 checks, eXeLearning on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreArticulate Storyline 360 · 9.1/10
- Free planonly eXeLearning
- Free trialonly Articulate Storyline 360
Articulate Storyline 360 scores higher on our rubric for interactive lesson makers: 9.1 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.
eXeLearning offers free plan; Articulate Storyline 360 doesn't.
Articulate Storyline 360 is the better fit for advanced Windows-based interaction design. eXeLearning is the better fit for free open-source lessons with broad exports.
- Articulate Storyline 360 fits best
Advanced Windows-based interaction design
- eXeLearning fits best
Free open-source lessons with broad exports
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Side by side
| Feature | Articulate Storyline 360 9.1/10 Visit ↗ | eXeLearning 8.6/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.1 | 8.6 |
| Ranking | #2 in Interactive Lesson Makers | #6 in Interactive Lesson Makers |
| Best for | Advanced Windows-based interaction design | Free open-source lessons with broad exports |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free |
| Starting price | $1,449/seat/yr | Free plan |
| Free plan | — | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | 14 days | — |
| Deployment | Desktop, Cloud | Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, Web | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Integrations | 4 integrations | 3 integrations |
| Features Articulate Storyline 360 1/6 · eXeLearning 1/6 | ||
| Multimedia content | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Interactive activities | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Branching paths | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Live lesson delivery | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Learner analytics | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| SCORM export | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Delivery mode | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Articulate Storyline 360 is a Windows-based course authoring application for instructional designers, training teams, educators, and organizations building custom e-learning. Its slide-based approach supports multimedia, branching… Read the review → |
eXeLearning is a free, open-source authoring tool for teachers, educators, and content creators. It supports lessons built from text, images, video, games, quizzes, interactive activities, and assessments. Authors can work through desktop… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Articulate Storyline 360 — where it wins
- Detailed controls with layers, states, triggers, and variables
- Publishes responsive HTML5 courses in SCORM, xAPI, and AICC
- Supports simulations, assessments, review workflows, and collaboration
Where it doesn't
- Storyline authoring is Windows-based rather than browser-native
- There is no free plan; evaluation is available through a 14-day trial
- Shared team slides and cloud project access require a Teams plan
eXeLearning — where it wins
- SCORM 1.2 export supports LMS tracking.
- Exports projects to HTML, EPUB, PDF, and IMS.
- Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, web, and self-hosted setups.
Where it doesn't
- Verified integrations are limited to Moodle, WordPress, and Omeka-S.
- Responsive output depends on the selected style.
- Collaborative editing is available in the cloud version.
- Articulate Storyline 3609.1/10 · 14-day trial
A deep Windows authoring tool for custom interactions, simulations, assessments, and LMS delivery.
Visit ArticulateFull verdict → - eXeLearning8.6/10 · Free plan
A free open-source lesson authoring tool with strong export and LMS support.
Visit eXeLearningFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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