Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

HelpSmith

helpsmith.com

Free trial Windows
Visit helpsmith.com
Spec score 7.6 #16 of 29 in Help Authoring Tools

Spec sheet

Purpose
HelpSmith is an XML-based help authoring tool for creating CHM Help, Web Help, printed manuals, PDF, Word, ePub, and Markdown documentation from a single source.Read 5 Oct 2026 · helpsmith.com
Integrations
Help files and Web Help can integrate with applications or websites, and exported topic lists can be used in header files compatible with C#, VB.NET, Delphi, C++, and MS Office VBA.Read 5 Oct 2026 · helpsmith.com
Support
Technical and ordering questions are handled through support tickets in the online Help Center.Read 5 Oct 2026 · helpsmith.com
Conditional publishing
Build tags and conditional compilation let authors produce different versions of the same help file for multiple audiences.Read 5 Oct 2026 · helpsmith.com
Content editor
The built-in word processor provides dynamic styles, a spell checker, and Unicode support.Read 5 Oct 2026 · helpsmith.com
Evaluation
The maker offers a free evaluation download and says purchased licenses eliminate the evaluation version's restrictions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · helpsmith.com
Import
HelpSmith can import content from HTML, Word, CHM, and other formats.Read 5 Oct 2026 · helpsmith.com
License terms
A purchased license has no time limit for use with the corresponding HelpSmith version; minor-version upgrades are free, and major-version upgrades are free within one year of the order date.Read 5 Oct 2026 · helpsmith.com
Screenshots
The built-in Image Tool captures screenshots and supports annotations, clickable hotspots, and control annotations for UI elements.Read 5 Oct 2026 · helpsmith.com
Teamwork
The Ultimate Edition supports an unpacked XML project format that can be used with version control systems such as GitHub and Subversion and with external translation tools.Read 5 Oct 2026 · helpsmith.com
Web Help
Its Web Help output has a responsive layout for desktop computers and mobile devices.Read 5 Oct 2026 · helpsmith.com
Windows requirements
The download page lists Windows 11/10/8/7, a 1 GHz processor, 512 MB RAM, and 150 MB free disk space as system requirements.Read 5 Oct 2026 · helpsmith.com

Plans and prices

Standard $199, paid once One-time license fee Per-seat license for local PC installation · free minor version upgrades · free major upgrades within one year · unlimited technical support Read 5 Oct 2026 · helpsmith.com
Professional $299, paid once One-time license fee Per-seat license for local PC installation · free minor version upgrades · free major upgrades within one year · unlimited technical support Read 5 Oct 2026 · helpsmith.com
Ultimate $399, paid once One-time license fee Per-seat license for local PC installation · free minor version upgrades · free major upgrades within one year · unlimited technical support Read 5 Oct 2026 · helpsmith.com

Every HelpSmith plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to HelpSmithAll alternatives →