Item: Adobe Captivate
Rating: 9
Author: Gabe Nance

Overall Satisfaction with Adobe Captivate

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We primarily use Adobe Captivate for software demonstrations, simulations and/or training videos that contain software demonstrations. I've tried several other systems (Camtasia, Powtoons, etc.) and Captivate is by far the superior system for software demonstrations and simulations. In fact, we often use it in conjunction with other systems (After Effects, Powtoons, Camtasia, etc.) to create "next level" training videos!

Pros and Cons

Pros

Software demonstrations
Software simulations
Training videos that include software demonstrations
Video effects that include specific motion paths

Cons

It doesn't handle animated gifs well at all in my opinion
It would be nice to have more control over precise motion paths (like After Effects)
It would be nice to have more assets ready to incorporate (like After Effects)

Return on Investment

30% increase in learner engagement for software demonstrations
56% increase in learner engagement for use in hybrid training using Zoom/Teams
Overall improvement in learner satisfaction scores (12%)

Usability

I'd say that 2/3s of the functionality is fairly usable (7-8) once you learn the basics, but for new tasks that have just been incorporated or for non-essential, unique activities or functionality, I'd say that Captivate gets a lower score, closer to 3 or 4. have had to be creative and figure these things out, so it's possible but not easy or especially intuitive.

Alternatives Considered

Camtasia, Snagit, Powtoon, Adobe After Effects and Microsoft Powerpoint

Adobe Captivate outshines all of these other tools -Camtasia, Snagit, Powtoons, After Effects, PowerPoint - when it comes to software demonstrations, simulations and/or training videos that contain software demonstrations ( hybrid video containing software demonstrations). But for other types of video, it is less useful, depending on the video type. I tend to use it like I use a power drill - it's a top-of-the-line tool for certain jobs but less useful for others.

Key Insights

Do you think Adobe Captivate delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Adobe Captivate's feature set?

Yes

Did Adobe Captivate live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of Adobe Captivate go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Adobe Captivate again?

Yes

Likelihood to Recommend

It is the best tool on the market for software demonstrations, simulations and/or portions of training videos that contain software demonstrations - basically a hybrid video containing software demonstrations. It's not nearly as well-suited for videos that are more promotional in nature, sales or soft-skills videos or anything that's not procedural or step-by-step.

Adobe Captivate Feature Ratings

Comments

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Best tool on the market for software demonstrations and simulations