HelpScribble vs MadCap Flare
HelpScribble
helpscribble.com
MadCap Flare
madcapsoftware.comSide by side
| Figure | HelpScribble | MadCap Flare |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $262.50/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 8 |
| Spec score · Help Authoring Tools | 7.9 (#11) | 8.0 (#9) |
| Founded | 1996 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Rawai, Phuket, Thailand | Denver, Colorado, USA |
| Import | Users can import HPJ and RTF files created with another help authoring tool or use a help decompiler to reuse existing work. | Flare supports importing Word, Excel, Confluence, FrameMaker, RoboHelp, and DITA content, and Easy Sync can keep imported files linked to their sources. |
| Purpose | HelpScribble is a help authoring tool for creating help files from start to finish. | MadCap Flare is an authoring and publishing platform for technical documentation, online help, knowledge bases, policies, training materials, and API documentation. |
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
MadCap Flare
- Starter — Flare Desktop Only$3,150 a year
- Flare Online — IndividualPrice not published
- Flare Online — TeamPrice not published
- Flare Online — BusinessPrice not published
- Starter — Flare Desktop Only$3,150 a year
- Flare Online - BusinessPriced on request
- Flare Online - IndividualPriced on request
- Flare Online - TeamPriced on request
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.
MadCap Flare
MadCap Flare is an authoring and publishing platform for technical documentation, online help, knowledge bases, policies, training materials, and API documentation. Topic-based authoring and single-sourcing let teams reuse material across versions and output formats. Flare can publish responsive HTML5, print, PowerPoint, PDF, Word, SCORM, and other formats; it also imports content from Word, Excel, Confluence, FrameMaker, RoboHelp, and DITA. Flare Online adds browser-based review for subject matter experts and non-Flare users, concurrent authoring, and real-time collaboration. Publishing can connect directly to Salesforce, Zendesk, and ServiceNow. Flare supports Unicode, double-byte, Cyrillic, and right-to-left languages, while Flare Online analytics can track topic views, searches without results, and user behavior. The Starter desktop plan costs $3,150 a year, billed at $3,150 per author per year. A free 30-day trial is available without a credit card. Flare Desktop requires Microsoft Windows; Flare Online offers browser-based authoring and review.