Dr.Explain vs HelpNDoc
Dr.Explain
drexplain.comHelpNDoc
helpndoc.comSide by side
| Figure | Dr.Explain | HelpNDoc |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $24.17/mo | €99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 14 |
| Spec score · Help Authoring Tools | 8.5 (#4) | 8.9 (#2) |
| Spec score · Knowledge base software | 8.0 (#81) | 8.5 (#40) |
| Publishing audience | both | both |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Intended users | The maker identifies technical writers, programmers and developers, business analysts and integrators, and technical support specialists as intended users. | IBE Software says it develops tools and software for developers and Windows users, including HelpNDoc. |
Plans
Dr.Explain
- FreeFree
- Business Temporary$290 a year
- Business Perpetual v.7$690 a month
- Home Perpetual v.7$9,000 a month
- Free Restricted LicenseFree
- Business License — Temporary$290 a year
- Business License — Perpetual for v.7$690, paid once
- Home License — Perpetual for v.7$9,000, paid once
HelpNDoc
- Standard Named€99 a month
- Professional Named€299 a month
- Ultimate Named€499 a month
- Standard Floating€249 a month
- Professional Floating€749 a month
- Ultimate Floating€1,249 a month
- Personal EditionFree
- Personal EditionFree
- Standard Named€99, paid once
- Standard Floating€249, paid once
In their own words
Dr.Explain
Dr.Explain is a Windows help authoring tool for creating user guides, operating instructions, help files, and manuals. It captures application windows or web pages and adds numbered callouts to interface elements. Documentation can be exported as HTML, CHM, PDF, or DOCX; imports include CHM, HLP, HTML, XML, DOC/DOCX, and TXT, with project structure and formatting preserved. For software integration, it supports Help Context IDs and creates map files in.h,.vb, and.inc formats. Multiple authors can work on a project through the free Tiwri.com service or a corporate server on the company's internal network. An in-program AI Assistant offers generation, translation, and proofreading. The desktop application requires 64-bit Windows 11, 10, 8, or 7. The free license has no time limit but restricts project size and watermarks exported images; it includes 20 topics. Business Temporary costs $290 a year for five users, and Business Perpetual v.7 costs $690, paid once for five users. Home Perpetual v.7 costs $9,000, paid once for one user and excludes commercial use.
HelpNDoc
HelpNDoc is a Windows help-authoring tool for turning written or imported content into help files, websites, manuals, documents, Markdown, and eBooks. A single project can generate CHM, HTML, Word, PDF, Qt Help, Markdown, ePub, and Kindle outputs. Its authoring environment combines a table of contents editor, WYSIWYG topic editor, keywords editor, library, and word processor. The library stores reusable media and content, including pictures, videos, documents, HTML, variables, snippets, equations, QR codes, and counters. A script editor and API support project automation with Pascal commands, and generated help IDs and context numbers can be produced as source code for several programming languages. PDF output offers controls for compression, encryption, permissions, fonts, and viewer layout. The Ultimate edition includes an AI Assistant, AI Project Management Agent, and built-in MCP server. A free Personal Edition is available for personal use; commercial editions start at €99, with named and floating licenses. The listed prices exclude VAT.