Articulate Rise vs Storyline: Which Tool is Right for Your eLearning Project?

Rise or Storyline: Making the Right Choice

You’ve decided to invest in custom eLearning. Now you face a critical decision: which authoring tool should your course be built in?

If you’re considering Articulate (the industry standard), you have two main options: Rise and Storyline. Both are excellent tools, but they serve very different purposes and come with different price points, timelines, and complexity levels.

This guide will help you choose the right tool for your specific project.

Quick Decision Framework

Choose Rise if you need:

Fast deployment (3 weeks or less)
Mobile-friendly courses
Simple, clean design
Lower budget ($5,500-$7,500)
Easy future updates
Template-based efficiency

Choose Storyline if you need:

Complex interactions
Custom branching scenarios
Software simulations
Complete design control
Game-based learning
Advanced assessments

Still not sure? Keep reading for the complete comparison.

What is Articulate Rise?

Rise is a web-based, rapid authoring tool designed for creating modern, responsive eLearning courses quickly.

Best For: Compliance training, onboarding, policy courses, awareness training, and any content that needs to work seamlessly across devices.

Key Philosophy: Template-driven efficiency with modern design built-in. Focus on content, not design decisions.

What is Articulate Storyline?

Storyline is a powerful desktop application for creating highly customized, interactive eLearning experiences.

Best For: Software training, complex simulations, branching scenarios, game-based learning, and situations requiring complete creative control.

Key Philosophy: Complete freedom and flexibility. Build anything you can imagine (but it takes longer).

Side-by-Side Comparison

Design & Appearance

Articulate Rise:

✅ Modern, clean aesthetic built-in
✅ Fully responsive (automatically adapts to device)
✅ Contemporary templates and blocks
❌ Limited customization options
❌ Template-based look (can feel similar to other Rise courses)
Result: Professional courses with minimal design effort

Articulate Storyline:

✅ Complete design control
✅ Custom layouts and styling
✅ Unique, branded experiences
❌ Requires design skills or mockups
❌ Responsive design requires extra work
Result: Fully customized look, but requires more design time

Winner: Rise for speed and mobile, Storyline for customization

Interactions & Interactivity

Articulate Rise:

Built-in interaction blocks:
- Tabs and accordions
- Flip cards
- Labeled graphics
- Timelines
- Sorting activities
- Flashcards
All interactions are pre-built and template-based
Quick to implement but limited options
Can’t create custom interactions

Articulate Storyline:

Unlimited custom interactions:
- Drag-and-drop activities
- Click-and-reveal with custom triggers
- Branching scenarios with variables
- Simulations and software walkthroughs
- Game mechanics (scoring, levels, badges)
- Complex decision trees
Complete control using triggers, variables, and states
Can build anything, but requires technical knowledge

Winner: Rise for standard interactions, Storyline for custom complexity

Development Time

Articulate Rise:

Simple Course: 1-2 weeks
Standard Course: 2-3 weeks
Complex Course: 3-4 weeks
Fast because of templates and limited design decisions
Less back-and-forth on visual design
Quick to make updates

Articulate Storyline:

Simple Course: 3-4 weeks
Standard Course: 4-6 weeks
Complex Course: 6-12 weeks
Slower because everything is custom
More design decisions and revisions
Visual mockups and approvals needed
Updates take longer

Winner: Rise by a significant margin

Cost

Articulate Rise Courses:

Our pricing: $5,500 - $7,500 + GST
Market average: $6,000 - $12,000
Lower cost due to faster development
Template efficiency reduces hours

Articulate Storyline Courses:

Our pricing: $10,500+ + GST (custom quote)
Market average: $12,000 - $30,000
Higher cost reflects development time
Custom work is inherently more expensive

Winner: Rise for budget-conscious projects

Mobile Experience

Articulate Rise:

✅ Built mobile-first
✅ Perfect on phones and tablets
✅ No extra work needed
✅ Consistent experience across devices
✅ Touch-friendly interactions
Result: Excellent mobile experience automatically

Articulate Storyline:

⚠️ Designed primarily for desktop
⚠️ Requires Articulate Mobile Player app for best mobile experience
⚠️ Some interactions don’t translate well to touch
⚠️ Extra testing needed for mobile
⚠️ May need separate mobile version
Result: Can work on mobile but not optimized

Winner: Rise decisively for mobile learning

Assessment Capabilities

Articulate Rise:

Built-in quiz blocks
Multiple choice, multiple response, matching, sequence
Simple knowledge checks
Basic scoring and feedback
Pass/fail tracking
Limited assessment options

Articulate Storyline:

All standard question types
Custom question formats
Branching based on responses
Complex scoring systems
Remediation paths
Scenario-based assessments
Pre-tests and adaptive testing

Winner: Storyline for advanced assessments

When to Use Articulate Rise

Perfect Scenarios:

1. Compliance Training

WHS inductions
Code of conduct
Privacy and security awareness
Policy training
Annual refresher courses

2. Onboarding Programs

Company culture and values
Systems and tools overview
Benefits and policies
First week orientation

3. Awareness Training

Cyber security basics
Diversity and inclusion
Mental health awareness
Change management communications

4. Quick Reference Content

Process guides
Product overviews
Sales enablement basics
Standard operating procedures

5. When You Need:

Fast turnaround (under 4 weeks)
Mobile-first delivery
Easy future updates
Lower budget
Clean, modern look without design effort

When to Use Articulate Storyline

Perfect Scenarios:

1. Software Training

Screen recordings and simulations
Click-through demonstrations
Try-it-yourself practice
Software navigation training
System walkthroughs

2. Complex Branching Scenarios

Sales conversation simulations
Customer service situational training
Leadership decision-making
Ethical dilemma scenarios
Medical diagnosis practice

3. Game-Based Learning

Points and scoring systems
Levels and progression
Competition elements
Badges and achievements
Story-driven experiences

4. Highly Customized Courses

Specific brand requirements
Unique navigation design
Custom interactions
Specialized interfaces
Complete creative control needed

5. When You Need:

Complex logic and variables
Advanced tracking and reporting
Simulated environments
Custom assessments
Features Rise can’t provide

Rise + Storyline: Using Both

Sometimes the best solution is using both tools in the same training program:

Example: Comprehensive Sales Training

Rise Modules:

Module 1: Company and product overview (Rise)
Module 2: Sales process overview (Rise)
Module 3: Sales conversation simulation (Storyline)
Module 4: CRM system training (Rise)
Module 5: Objection handling practice (Storyline)
Module 6: Resources and references (Rise)

Result: Fast, cost-effective development for straightforward content, with custom Storyline modules where high interaction is critical.

Cost Impact:

4 Rise modules: $7,500 each = $30,000
2 Storyline modules: $12,000 each = $24,000
Total: $54,000 vs. all Storyline: $72,000+

Common Misconceptions

”Storyline is always better because it’s more powerful”

Reality: More power doesn’t mean better results. Rise courses often have higher completion rates because they’re easier to navigate and work better on mobile. Power is only valuable if you need it.

”Rise courses all look the same”

Reality: While Rise uses templates, courses can look quite different through:

Brand colors and logos
Custom images and graphics
Content structure choices
Interaction type selections
Video integration

”Storyline is too complex for us”

Reality: You don’t build it yourself - we do. The question isn’t “can you use Storyline” but “do you need Storyline’s capabilities?"

"Rise is just for simple courses”

Reality: Rise can handle complex content. It’s the interactions that are simpler, not the content depth. You can teach complex topics in Rise effectively.

Decision Matrix

Use this to score your project:

Factor	Rise Points	Storyline Points
Need mobile-friendly	+3	0
Need custom interactions	0	+3
Need branching scenarios	0	+3
Timeline under 4 weeks	+3	0
Budget under $10,000	+3	0
Software training	0	+3
Compliance/policy	+2	0
Game mechanics needed	0	+3
Need easy updates	+2	0
Complete design control	0	+2

Scoring:

Rise 8+: Rise is the clear choice
Storyline 8+: Storyline is the clear choice
Close scores: Consider hybrid approach or contact us for recommendation

Real Examples

Example 1: WHS Induction

Requirements:

Cover company safety policies
Site-specific hazards
Emergency procedures
PPE requirements
Mobile-accessible for field workers

Best Tool: Rise

Mobile-first critical for field access
Straightforward content structure
No complex interactions needed
Easy to update when policies change
Cost: $7,500 | Timeline: 3 weeks

Example 2: Sales Objection Handling

Requirements:

Realistic customer conversations
Multiple objection scenarios
Branch based on responses
Practice until proficient
Track success rates

Best Tool: Storyline

Branching conversations essential
Custom scenario design needed
Variables track performance
Multiple paths through content
Cost: $12,000 | Timeline: 5 weeks

Example 3: Product Training

Requirements:

Product features and benefits
Use cases and customer stories
Basic navigation demonstration
Sales positioning guide
Tablet-friendly for sales team

Best Tool: Rise

Content is primarily informational
Basic navigation can be shown via screenshots/video
Tablet access important
Quick updates for product changes
Cost: $7,500 | Timeline: 3 weeks

Example 4: System Training (Complex)

Requirements:

Software simulation practice
Try-it-yourself exercises
Branching based on choices
Multiple user paths
Desktop-focused users

Best Tool: Storyline

Screen recordings and simulations
Practice mode essential
Multiple workflows to demonstrate
Desktop-primary removes mobile concern
Cost: $15,000 | Timeline: 6 weeks

Making Your Decision

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Mobile Requirements

Will learners access on phones/tablets?
Is mobile the primary device?
If yes to either: Strongly favor Rise

2. Interaction Complexity

Do you need branching scenarios?
Are custom interactions essential?
Do you need simulation practice?
If yes to multiple: Favor Storyline

3. Timeline

Do you need launch within 4 weeks?
Is speed critical?
If yes: Strongly favor Rise

4. Budget

Is budget under $10,000?
Is cost a primary driver?
If yes: Favor Rise

5. Future Updates

Will content change frequently?
Do you need easy updating?
If yes: Favor Rise

6. Design Control

Do you have specific brand requirements?
Need completely custom look?
If yes: Consider Storyline

Our Recommendation Process

When you contact us about eLearning development:

1. Discovery Call

We discuss your training needs
Understand your audience and constraints
Review content complexity

2. Tool Recommendation

We recommend Rise, Storyline, or hybrid
Explain reasoning
Show relevant examples

3. Transparent Pricing

Fixed price quote based on tool and scope
Clear timeline
No hidden costs

4. You Decide

Armed with information
Understanding trade-offs
Confident in choice

We won’t upsell you to Storyline if Rise meets your needs. Our goal is the right solution, not the most expensive one.

Get Expert Guidance

Not sure which tool is right for your project?

Our Approach:

15-minute discovery call to understand needs
Honest recommendation (Rise or Storyline)
Show relevant examples
Fixed-price quote for recommended approach

Pricing:

Rise courses: From $5,500 + GST
Storyline courses: From $10,500 + GST
Hybrid approach: Custom quote

Get a quote and tool recommendation →

Learn More:

Bottom Line: Rise for speed, mobile, and efficiency. Storyline for complexity, customization, and advanced interactions. Choose based on your actual needs, not assumptions about which is “better.”