Is Articulate Rise 360 becoming a go-to authoring tool in Learning Design?
To authoring tool, or not to authoring tool? That is the eternal question in learning design. And if you've been lurking around the digital education world, chances are you've heard the name Articulate Rise 360 whispered more than once—usually with a mix of admiration and mild skepticism.
Hi, I'm Bianca Raby—CEO of Oppida, long-time educator, and former president of the "Anti Authoring Tool Club" (yes, it was a thing… in my head). But I'm here to confess: I've changed my tune. After building several courses using Articulate Rise 360 with my team, I can officially say—I'm converted.
Here's why this authoring tool is becoming our go-to for specific learning design projects, and where it still leaves a bit to be desired. Prefer to watch? Check out this video:
The awesome side of Articulate Rise 360 as an authoring tool
1. Stylish by default
One of the first things you notice about Articulate Rise 360 is how polished the courses look right out of the box. As a learning design nerd, I love a tool that takes the heavy lifting out of styling. You can easily apply brand themes, tweak colours, update fonts, and adjust navigation layouts without losing your mind—or your weekend.
2. Native block style
Articulate Rise 360 was clearly built by folks who understand learning design. The platform uses a modular, block-based approach that aligns beautifully with how LDs plan learner journeys. (If you haven't already, download our free RISE Block Library Guide—it's a game-changer.)
3. Mobile-responsive and compliant
As an authoring tool, it works seamlessly across devices. Whether your learners are on desktop, mobile, or tablet, the course adapts. Plus, Articulate Rise 360 meets all the big compliance standards—SCORM, xAPI, AICC—making it easy to integrate into just about any LMS.
4. Easy to share and duplicate
Need to get stakeholder feedback? Share a link—no login required. Want to duplicate a module? One click. This authoring tool makes collaboration and iteration much smoother, which is a big win in the fast-paced world of learning design.
The not-so-awesome bits for Learning Design pros
1. The price tag
For freelancers or new LDs, the $1,000+ AUD annual fee can be a barrier. Unfortunately, Articulate Rise 360 doesn't offer monthly payment options, which limits its accessibility for those just starting out in learning design.
2. Limited customisation
The same features that make Articulate Rise 360 easy to use as an authoring tool can also feel restrictive. If you're a seasoned designer wanting a blank canvas (hello Canvas LMS), this tool may feel a little too templated.
3. Basic assessment features
Here's where it falls short. The multiple-choice quiz functionality is basic, and there aren't many other built-in ways to assess learners. At Oppida, we often rely on the host platform or LMS for deeper evaluation features.
So, what's the verdict? Articulate Rise 360 isn't perfect, but it's a solid authoring tool that can do a lot of heavy lifting for smart, scalable learning design—especially when used strategically. Got thoughts or experience using it? Drop a comment. We'd love to learn from you too.
And remember—stay awesome!