HelpScribble vs HelpSmith
HelpScribble
helpscribble.comHelpSmith
helpsmith.comSide by side
| Figure | HelpScribble | HelpSmith |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 3 |
| Spec score · Help Authoring Tools | 7.9 (#11) | 7.6 (#16) |
| Evaluation | The maker offers a free evaluation version for download. | The maker offers a free evaluation download and says purchased licenses eliminate the evaluation version's restrictions. |
| Import | Users can import HPJ and RTF files created with another help authoring tool or use a help decompiler to reuse existing work. | HelpSmith can import content from HTML, Word, CHM, and other formats. |
| Purpose | HelpScribble is a help authoring tool for creating help files from start to finish. | 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. |
| Support | Purchased licenses include free technical support by email; evaluators can receive support for problems that prevent proper evaluation. | Technical and ordering questions are handled through support tickets in the online Help Center. |
Plans
HelpScribble
- HelpScribble 100-user license$35.99, paid once
- HelpScribble single user license$99, paid once
- HelpScribble 5-user license$399, paid once
- HelpScribble 10-user license$699, paid once
- HelpScribble 20-user license$1,199, paid once
- HelpScribble 30-user license$1,649, paid once
- HelpScribble 50-user license$2,399, paid once
- HelpScribble 75-user license$3,099, paid once
HelpSmith
- Standard$199, paid once
- Professional$299, paid once
- Ultimate$399, paid once
In their own words
HelpScribble
HelpScribble is a paid Windows desktop help-authoring tool that takes documentation from writing through publication. A single project can produce WinHelp files, HTML Help files, printed manuals and online HTML documentation. Writers can import HPJ and RTF files from other authoring tools or reuse material with a help decompiler. Single-sourcing, version control and translation support are included. A bundled HelpContext property editor maps topics to controls in Delphi and C++Builder, while generated help works with Windows applications built in other environments, including.NET, Visual Basic and Office VBA. The maker lists compatibility from Windows 98 through Windows 11. It is Windows-only, though the maker says VMware or Win4Lin can run it on Linux, and HTML output can document Linux applications. A free evaluation download is available, with anonymous downloading and no personally identifiable information collected during evaluation. Licenses include free email support, updates and bug fixes. The single-user license costs $99 as a one-time purchase.