Explore the list of Authoring tools you can use when starting with Technical Writing
What is an Authoring Tool?
An authoring tool in technical writing refers to a software application or platform designed specifically for creating, editing, managing, and publishing technical documentation and content.
Authoring tools make tech writing easier. They have special features that regular word processors don’t have. These tools help writers organize and manage complex information better.
With authoring tools, writers can:
- Structure content logically using headings, tables, lists etc.
- Reuse the same content across multiple documents easily.
- Add multimedia like images, videos, diagrams seamlessly.
- Generate different formats like PDFs, web pages, ebooks from the same source.
- Collaborate with team members, track changes, control versions.
Regular word processors can’t do all this efficiently for big technical projects. Authoring tools streamline the entire writing process for technical documentation. They ensure consistency and high-quality output.
Now, if you are a beginner in technical writing, this list of authoring tools will give you a quick idea about the best authoring tools you can get started with.
Top 10 Authoring Tools For Technical Writers
1. Adobe FrameMaker:
A robust and industry-standard authoring tool for creating complex technical documentation.
It offers advanced formatting capabilities, structured authoring support, and the ability to publish content in multiple formats seamlessly.
Key Features:
- Authoring capabilities with support for XML and DITA.
- Advanced formatting options and cross-referencing tools.
- Integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
- Outputs to multiple formats, including PDF, HTML, and print.
Pricing: Subscription-based or one-time purchase.
2. MadCap Flare:
A comprehensive authoring environment designed for single-source publishing and multi-channel content delivery.
It streamlines the process of creating, managing, and publishing documentation across various platforms and devices.
Key Features:
- Supports topic-based authoring and content reuse.
- Offers responsive design and mobile publishing features.
- Integrates with version control systems and content management platforms.
Pricing: Subscription-based or perpetual license.
3. Oxygen XML Editor:
A powerful XML editor that provides a robust and flexible authoring environment for technical writers working with structured content.
It supports a wide range of markup languages and offers advanced editing and validation features.
Source: Oxygen XML Editor 16.0
Key Features:
- Powerful XML authoring environment with support for various markup languages.
- Includes validation, transformation, and debugging tools.
- Customizable authoring experience with add-ons and plugins.
- Supports collaborative editing and version control.
Pricing: Subscription-based or perpetual license.
4. Atlassian Confluence:
A collaborative content management platform that enables teams to create, share, and organize technical documentation, knowledge bases, and other types of content in a wiki-style environment.
Key Features:
- Collaborative content creation and knowledge management platform.
- Supports wiki-style authoring and content organization.
- Integrates with other Atlassian products, such as Jira and Bitbucket.
- Offers customizable templates and macros for technical documentation.
Pricing: Cloud or self-hosted subscription-based.
5. Adobe RoboHelp:
A specialized authoring tool focused on creating professional online help systems, user assistance, and context-sensitive documentation.
It offers responsive design capabilities and integrates seamlessly with other Adobe products.
Key Features:
- Specialized tool for creating online help systems and user assistance.
- Supports responsive design and context-sensitive help.
- Integrates with other Adobe products for multimedia integration.
- Outputs to various formats, including HTML, PDF, and mobile apps.
Pricing: Subscription-based or one-time purchase.
6. HelpNDoc:
A user-friendly and versatile help authoring tool that enables technical writers to create professional-quality documentation, including online help, user manuals, and printable guides, in various output formats.
Key Features:
- User-friendly help authoring tool for creating professional documentation.
- Supports HTML, CHM, PDF, and other output formats.
- Offers customizable templates and skins.
- Includes features like context-sensitive help and full-text search.
Pricing: One-time purchase or subscription-based.
7. Paligo:
A cloud-based component content management system (CCMS) that simplifies the process of creating, managing, and publishing technical documentation.
It supports structured authoring, content reuse, and collaborative workflows.
Source: https://paligo.net/
Key Features:
- Cloud-based component content management system (CCMS) for technical documentation.
- Supports structured authoring, content reuse, and translation management.
- Offers collaboration and review features, as well as version control.
- Integrates with various tools and platforms, including GitHub and Zapier.
Pricing: Subscription-based plans.
8. ClickHelp:
A comprehensive platform for authoring and publishing online help, documentation, and knowledge bases.
It offers a user-friendly interface, responsive design capabilities, and tools for creating interactive tutorials and simulations.
Key Features:
- User-friendly tool for creating online help, documentation, and knowledge bases.
- Supports single-source publishing and responsive design.
- Offers collaboration features and version control.
- Includes tools for creating interactive tutorials and simulations.
Pricing: Subscription-based plans.
9. Author-it:
A powerful authoring environment that caters to the needs of technical writers and eLearning content creators.
It supports structured authoring, content reuse, and offers extensive publishing options.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive authoring environment for technical documentation and eLearning content.
- Supports structured authoring with XML and DITA.
- Offers content reuse, translation management, and version control.
- Outputs to various formats, including HTML, PDF, and ePub.
Pricing: Subscription-based or perpetual license.
10. StackEdit Markdown Editor:
Lightweight and distraction-free editors that allow technical writers to author documentation using the simple and easy-to-learn Markdown syntax.
They offer live previews and the ability to export content to various formats.
Key Features:
- Lightweight editors for authoring documentation using the Markdown syntax.
- Offers a distraction-free writing experience with live previews.
- Supports exporting to various formats, including HTML, PDF, and Word.
- Integrates with version control systems and collaborative platforms.
Pricing: Free or one-time purchase, depending on the editor.
That’s A Wrap!
This list covered a range of authoring tools catering to different technical writing needs, from structured authoring and single-source publishing to online help and collaborative documentation platforms.
Each tool offers unique features, integrations, and pricing models, allowing technical writers to choose the best fit for their projects and organizational requirements.
We recommend visiting the official website of each tool for more details.
As a technical writer who recently switched to using DITA and Oxygen XML, I found this article very helpful. The comparison between different tools was spot on. Would love to see a more detailed guide on customizing DITA for specific needs!
Thank you for this comprehensive overview! I’ve been considering switching from FrameMaker to something more modern. The insights on Markdown-based tools were particularly interesting. Does anyone have experience with Typora for tech writing?
Great insights! I’ve always been a fan of using Confluence for team collaboration, but I’m starting to feel limited by its formatting options. Any suggestions for tools that offer better design flexibility while maintaining collaboration features?
This article was a lifesaver! I’m new to the technical writing field and was overwhelmed by the number of tools out there. Thanks for breaking down the pros and cons of each. I’ll definitely give Adobe RoboHelp a try!
Fantastic read! I didn’t realize there were so many options beyond the traditional tools like Word and Google Docs. The section on open-source tools was particularly eye-opening. Anyone here tried using Sphinx for documentation?
Thanks for the detailed comparisons! I’ve been using Help+Manual for a while now, but I’m looking for something that integrates better with our development workflow. Any recommendations for tools with strong Git integration?
Insightful article! I’ve been debating between using Paligo and ClickHelp for my next project. Your pros and cons list has given me a lot to think about. Would love to hear from anyone who has experience with both!
This was super informative! I’m always on the lookout for tools that streamline the writing process. Your mention of Snagit for screen capture and video tutorials is a game changer. Any other add-ons you’d recommend?
Really enjoyed this article! As someone who’s been using traditional word processors, I found the information on structured authoring tools very compelling. Time to explore something new, like DocBook or AsciiDoc!