Software · head to head
Labster vs Articulate 360
Articulate 360
Software
The complete e-learning authoring solution
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Labster customization is limited and labs cannot be easily adapted to specific course learning outcomes; Articulate 360 priced annually per user at $1,749 for Teams and $1,449 for Personal, with no monthly option shown
- They diverge on capability: Labster covers Virtual simulations, Articulate 360 covers Storyline 360.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Labster and Articulate 360 actually diverge.
| Attribute | Labster | Articulate 360 |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web | Windows, Web (Rise) |
| Founded | 2011 | 2002 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Labster
- Virtual simulations
- 3D environments
- Theory pages
- Quizzes
- Lab reports
- Progress tracking
- Mobile access
- Multiplayer
Only in Articulate 360
- Storyline 360
- Rise 360
- Content Library
- Review 360
- Screen recording
- Characters
- Templates
- SCORM/xAPI
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Labster
- Virtual labsnot Articulate 360
- Pre-lab preparationnot Articulate 360
- Supplemental learningnot Articulate 360
- Remote educationnot Articulate 360
Articulate 360
- Authoring e-learning courses with Storyline and Risenot Labster
- Delivering training through the built-in LMSnot Labster
- Review and approval cycles with subject matter expertsnot Labster
- Exporting SCORM packages to an existing LMSnot Labster
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Labster
- Customization is limited and labs cannot be easily adapted to specific course learning outcomes
- Simulations can lag or freeze depending on operating system and connection speed
- Cannot fully replace hands-on physical lab experience and data collection
- Students report preference for tactile physical lab experience over virtual simulations
Articulate 360
- Priced annually per user at $1,749 for Teams and $1,449 for Personal, with no monthly option shown
- The built-in LMS covers up to 300 active learners; larger audiences need the Reach Pro add-on
- Learner analytics, API integrations and localisation are all paid add-ons
- Collaboration features, including co-authoring and shared folders, require the Teams plan
Pricing, plan by plan
Labster
On request- Student Access$49/month
- Course simulations
- Mobile access
- Progress tracking
- Institution$undefined/month
- All simulations
- LMS integration
- Analytics
- Enterprise$undefined/month
- Custom content
- API access
- Priority support
Articulate 360
On request- Personal$1399/month
- Storyline 360
- Rise 360
- Content Library
- Teams$1599/month
- All Personal
- Team collaboration
- Priority support
- Enterprise$undefined/month
- Volume licensing
- SSO
- Custom onboarding
Which should you pick?
Choose Articulate 360 if
- You need storyline 360.
- You work on Windows, Web (Rise).
- You also want rise 360.
Questions people ask
- Is Labster or Articulate 360 better?
- Neither clearly leads. Labster starts at On request and Articulate 360 at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Labster or Articulate 360?
- Labster starts at On request and Articulate 360 at On request.
- Does Labster or Articulate 360 run on more platforms?
- Labster runs on Web. Articulate 360 runs on Windows, Web (Rise).
- What is Labster best used for?
- Labster is most often used for virtual labs, pre-lab preparation, supplemental learning, remote education. Of those, virtual labs and pre-lab preparation are not what Articulate 360 is typically brought in for.
- What can Labster do that Articulate 360 cannot?
- Labster covers Virtual simulations, 3D environments, Theory pages, Quizzes. Articulate 360 covers Storyline 360, Rise 360, Content Library, Review 360.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Labster: What STEM subjects does Labster cover?
Labster provides interactive 3D simulations across biology, chemistry, physics, and other STEM subjects, designed for university, college, and high school students.
Labster: How many students has Labster served?
Labster has served over 6 million students and thousands of institutions globally with its virtual lab simulations.