LodeStar review
A broad desktop authoring tool for branching, multimedia, and self-paced learning.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
LodeStar is desktop eLearning authoring software for educators, trainers, and instructional designers creating self-paced learning content. It supports branching scenarios, case studies, differentiated paths, WebQuests, geolocation stories, interactive questions, and multimedia activities. Authors can combine text, images, video, audio, animation, embedded content, drag-and-drop exercises, and interactive images, then publish activities for the web or for SCORM- and cmi5-compatible learning management systems. It runs on Windows and macOS and includes a 14-day trial.
Pricing offers several licensing routes. The Single Educator License costs $149 per educator per academic year with annual billing, while the Single Educator License - Perpetual License costs $249 per educator. Government and not-for-profit organizations have a $549 perpetual license, and the Single Corporate License - Perpetual License costs $649 per license. An Individual Training Seat costs $249 per training seat. The paid plans are suited to different ownership and organizational models rather than a simple feature-tier structure, so educators should compare annual access with perpetual licensing before choosing. The published plans do not include a free plan.
LodeStar’s strongest fit is content that benefits from variety and learner choice. Templates such as ActivityMaker, ARMaker, WebQuestMaker, and Detective Challenge support different lesson formats, while interactive question types include multiple choice, multiple select, true/false, matching, categorization, and short answer. Integrations include Inspire, D2L Brightspace, Moodle, Blackboard, SCORM Cloud, and LCVista, with SCORM 2004 reporting and learner performance reports adding tracking options. Choose LodeStar for scenario-rich, multimedia self-paced courses and differentiated learning paths. Choose an alternative if you need browser-based authoring, a free plan, or a narrower tool for straightforward lessons.
LodeStar pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Branching scenarios, case studies, and differentiated learning paths
- Multimedia authoring with interactive questions and activities
- SCORM, cmi5, LMS publishing, and learner performance reports
- Where it doesn't
- No free plan, with annual licensing starting at $149
- Desktop software is limited to Windows and macOS
- Broad feature set may exceed needs for simple lesson creation
LodeStar fact sheet, pricing and score →
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