eLearning companies are well aware of this, so they produce myriads of new eLearning tools each year. However, we believe that some of the best eLearning products are those created by Articulate Inc.
There are numerous people who use these software applications. In addition, people often ask us to explain Articulate Storyline vs Articulate Rise vs Articulate Studio.
To assist in answering this question we decided to write an article that will cover the applications found in the Articulate 360 suite and the differences between them.
Articulate 360 suite includes Storyline, Rise, and Studio, so when you subscribe to it, you will have the option to create both simple and complex content.
But what exactly are the differences between Storyline, Rise, and Studio?
To answer this question, we need to consider three factors which influence and depend on each other. They make an equilateral triangle, so it is necessary to take a closer look at each of them.
These factors are:
- Course Creator
- Content
- Learners
The first aspect is the course creator. In order to opt for any of these applications, you should consider your experience level, preferences, and creative skills.
Next, it is important to know what kind of content you want to create, how complex and interactive you want it to be, and how you would like to design it.
Finally, and most importantly, you need to know what your learners want, how they learn and what their needs are.
Only when you are familiar with all of these aspects will you be able to make the best choice for your particular situation.
What is Articulate Storyline?
Articulate Storyline is an all-around eLearning software application. It can help you create full-scale courses using amazing features that it offers.
In Storyline, you can basically create everything you can think of, in contrast to Rise and Studio, which are somewhat limited in that respect.
Storyline 360 Features
Storyline contains more than 2 million royalty-free assets (videos, icons, photos, and illustrations). It also has beautiful slide templates, characters, and animations.
This fantastic eLearning tool gives you the facilities to record the screen, edit videos, insert web apps, games and video content. You can do all this on your own or with your colleagues, thanks to the team slides option.
Interactive content is the staple of Storyline. You can use triggers to integrate different states into objects and modify them, as well as insert variables, dials, and sliders.
Storyline enables you to use creative quizzes to assess your learners whenever you want.
It is very important to note that Storyline supports right-to-left languages. Accessibility is also covered with Section 508/WCAG compliance, which is equivalent to WCAG (Level A, AA) accessibility used in Australia.
Finally, thanks to its responsive player, content created using Storyline is compatible with devices such as tablets and mobile phones as well as computers. So, if any of your learners would like to see the content in an Articulate Storyline mobile view, this the right choice for you and them.
This is just a short review of Articulate Storyline. If you would like to read about it extensively, go to our Articulate Storyline Ultimate Guide.
Articulate Storyline Pros and Cons
Pros
- Create complex interactive content
- All-round application
- Rapid Development Tools
- Numerous fantastic features
- Vast media library
- Compatible with all devices
- Import presentations from PowerPoint
- Right-to-left language support
- Section 508/WCAG support
Cons
- Only available with Articulate 360 subscription, although there is Storyline 3 which is a standalone version purchased under a perpetual licence
- Can take time to learn advanced features
What Is Articulate Rise?
Articulate Rise 360 is one of the applications included in the Articulate 360 suite. Similar to Storyline, you can create courses that can be viewed on any device.
It is a web-based application that is accessed through a web browser (preferably Google Chrome, but other browsers work as well).
This means that you cannot create a course in Articulate Rise when you are offline. However, once you have created the course online, you can download it and use it offline.
Articulate Rise Features
Definitely, the best thing about Rise is that you can quickly create fully responsive courses by using templates. This will save you a lot of time if you need to create a course on a tight deadline.
The application will automatically adapt the course to every device ‒ a desktop computer, tablet or mobile phone. Therefore, Rise will adapt image and video size to each of your learners’ devices.
In addition, it allows you to easily structure and build your courses online and see all publishing options and what they look like before you actually publish the course.
Another fantastic feature of this authoring tool is Articulate Rise blocks.
These learning components can be combined in different ways to create custom, unique and engaging lessons. From text to images and videos, these interactive elements will help to make your course engaging and interesting.
Also, adding a Storyline 360 module to Rise enables you to combine the best aspects of both tools. This way, learners can complete Storyline content in Rise courses based on the elements of the Storyline block.
There are many Articulate Rise interactions that you can use, such as timeline, sorting activity, process or labeled graphic.
Articulate Rise also allows you to create quizzes with different question types, add screencasts and engaging media content.
Collaboration with your colleagues is another useful possibility that Rise offers since two heads are better (and faster) than one.
Finally, you can export Rise content to SCORM or xAPI and import it to your LMS.
One important disadvantage of Rise is that it supports neither WCAG/Section 508 nor right-to-left languages. Therefore, if accessibility is important for your content, you should choose Storyline instead.
To see what a course created in Rise looks like, take a look at this Articulate Rise course example.
Articulate Rise Pros and Cons
It is obvious that Rise is different from Storyline in some aspects.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Saves you time
- Great for beginner-level course creators
- Vast media library
- Prebuilt templates
- Compatible with all devices
- No installation required
Cons
- Only available with Articulate 360 subscription
- Limited possibilities
- You must be online to create a course
- No variables or triggers
- No right-to-left language support
- No Section 508/WCAG support
What Is Articulate Studio?
Articulate Studio 360 is another eLearning software application included in Articulate 360.
It is a tool that will help you create presentation-based courses. Just as with Rise, you can use it to deliver courses on every device your learners are using.
Articulate Studio Features
Studio 360 is the latest Studio application by Articulate. It was preceded by Articulate Studio ‘09 and Studio ‘13. However, the newest version has all the features of the two previous ones and many more.
It readily adapts to all devices and provides the ideal view on all of them. Also, its mobile-friendly player will hide sidebar menus and browser to deliver playback optimised for every mobile device.
Touchscreen gesture support enables your learners to easily drag, swipe and pinch-to-zoom on their devices.
Like with Storyline and Rise, you will have access to Articulate 360 library and be able to choose high-quality media content.
In general, Studio is great for importing content from other software. Presenter 360, an app within Studio 360, allows you to import content from PowerPoint, Flash movies, web objects, and other interactive content.
The timeline will enable you to simply synchronise audio, animations, and annotations.
Engage 360, another app within this tool, allows you to build interactions by adding media and text. You can change the size, color themes, and fonts of the interactions.
With Quizmaker 360, one more app included in Studio, you can create quizzes when the time comes for assessment. Thanks to this app, it is very easy to create decision-making scenarios, surveys, quizzes, and drag-and-drop activities.
Finally, like Storyline but unlike Rise, Studio supports right-to-left languages, as well as Section 508/WCAG.
Articulate Studio Pros and Cons
Similar to Rise, Studio is limited in some aspects. However, it is also easy to use and doesn’t require a high level of expertise.
Pros
- Simple to use
- Import presentations from PowerPoint
- Great for beginner-level course creators and those familiar with PowerPoint
- Vast media library
- Add media, interactions, and quizzes easily
- Compatible with all devices
- Right-to-left language support
- Section 508/WCAG support
Cons
- Only available with Articulate 360 subscription
- Limited possibilities
Storyline 360 vs Rise 360 vs Studio 360
Obviously, there are a lot of similarities between these three applications.
It is important to note that one feature common to all three tools is the facility to upload content to Articulate Review. This way, you can get feedback about your course and useful suggestions as to how to improve it.
However, there are many differences between the three tools that are worth mentioning. Knowing them will help you make a better choice when deciding on the tool you want to use.
Once again, we will observe these differences from three perspectives: course creator, content, and learners.
Articulate Storyline 360 vs Articulate Rise 360
Course creators: If you are an experienced eLearning author, we recommend you use Storyline. It can be a little more complicated to use, but it gives amazing possibilities in return.
Also, if you want to create courses while offline, then you should choose Storyline.
On the other hand, if you are new to the world of eLearning authoring, you might like to begin with Rise. Using Rise, you can create simple courses quickly and easily.
Content: Storyline is great for creating engaging and interactive content. Interactions, triggers, motion paths, characters ‒ all these are included in Storyline and will allow you to create highly complex content.
However, if you need a simple course with prebuilt templates, then Rise is the right choice. Also, there is no better tool than Rise if you need content that will be fully responsive on all devices.
Learners: If your learners prefer interactive and complex content, go with Storyline. Also, if your learners include speakers of right-to-left languages or visually impaired people who use screen readers, then Storyline is your best pick.
Articulate Storyline 360 vs Articulate Studio 360
When it comes to these two, the differences are less noticeable. Both applications allow for interactivity and the option to publish to SCORM and HTML5.
However, there are some differences that need to be mentioned.
Course creators: Regarding this aspect, everything is the same as between Storyline and Studio.
If you are an experienced eLearning author with knowledge of PowerPoint-based or slide-based courses, choose Storyline.
If you are inexperienced but know how to work in PowerPoint, go with Studio.
Content: Content created in Storyline is highly customisable. It also contains more interactions and is more independent than content created in Studio.
On the other hand, in Studio, you can easily integrate content with audio. It is simpler to use, partly because of the linear presentation method.
Learners: Again, the difference is the same as between Storyline and Rise. If your learners like advanced content and interaction, go with Storyline.
However, if they prefer simpler courses, then you can’t go wrong with Studio 360.
Articulate Studio 360 vs Rise
Now, when it comes to these two, things are not as clear. In fact, they are very similar and it is not so easy to recommend which one to use.
However, here are the most notable differences between them.
Course creators: Both tools are simple to use and thus perfect for people with less experience in eLearning authoring.
Still, if you prefer to use prebuilt templates, then Rise may be a better option for you.
On the other hand, if you prefer creating content in PowerPoint and then importing it along with other content, go with Studio.
Content: When it comes to content, these two are very similar. Still, if you want to create slightly more complex content with more interactions, pick Studio.
If, on the other hand, you need to create a course very quickly, you should opt for Rise.
Learners: Again, the difference in content complexity should not be your main concern when choosing between these two.
However, if you teach speakers of right-to-left languages or visually impaired people, then your clear choice is Studio 360.
Conclusion
All of the three eLearning authoring tools have something that sets them apart. Which one you will use will depend on your needs and those of your learners.
The storyline is for more experienced authors, allowing you to create highly complex content, full of interactions and variables.
If you would like to master Storyline, take a look at our Articulate Storyline Training Courses.
The rise is great for rookies since you can create a fully responsive course quickly and easily using prebuilt templates.
The studio is the best choice for those who want something in between. It offers some possibilities that Rise does not, but it is also a little more complicated to use.
On the other hand, it is easier to use than Storyline, but it also offers fewer possibilities.
Again, your choice will depend on your eLearning creative skills, the content you want to create and your learners’ needs.
Ultimately, no matter which application you choose from the Articulate 360 Suite, you can be certain of creating fantastic content that will fully engage your learners.
