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I'm looking for tools that make it easy to create step-by-step, how-to guides.
Hello! Thanks for your request for tools that make it easy to create step-by-step how-to guides. The short version is that in addition to StepShot, I found 5 top tools that match your request and range in complexity, target client, and price point. These tools include: Oracle UPK, ScreenSteps, Dozuki, Clarify, and Helppier. Below you will find a deep dive of my methodology and findings. I found this request extremely interesting to research, mainly as there is such a variety of options out there!
METHODOLOGY
I began by reviewing StepShot to familiarize myself with the type of tool you need. I also reviewed your previous request regarding process documentation tools and purposefully excluded those from my list, because none are specific to creating how-to guides and, even if they were, you are already aware of them.
To ensure I created you a top tools list, I next searched for best tools for creating how-to-guides. StepShot popped up repeatedly as a high-quality tool during my search. Finding no such pre-existing "best-of" lists of top tools, I searched for alternatives to StepShot which revealed a number of competitors. AlternativeTo had a particularly helpful list.
In reviewing products, I excluded general design software like Adobe InDesign or PageMaker and any that were project-management-focused or only for creating diagrams. I also did my best to give you a variety of products in terms of price point, target clients, and complexity IE Oracle UPK is a complex program best for big companies or IT developers while Clarify is a simple tool better for small companies or individuals.
Ultimately I created my top list by ensuring that tools appeared regularly throughout my searches, were viable StepShot competitors, had a compelling competitive advantage, and were mentioned in external articles or lists.
FINDINGS
As you are already aware of StepShot, I have included it for comparison purposes but then added an additional 5 other tools to give you a top 6 tools list. They are listed in no-particular order. I list their name, a brief description, a reason for why I included them as a top tool, their main features, their competitive advantage relative to the other tools, relative downsides, and pricing.
LIST
DESCRIPTION: StepShot is a "software documentation tool" to create technical instruction, IT documents, manuals, and "step-by-step reference guides" that outline procedures for software.
REASON FOR SELECTION:
StepShot immediately appears in all searches for how-to guide tools and has been recognized by Atlassian for being a great Confluence add-on (plus you identified it!)
MAIN FEATURES
- StepShot automates documentation by recording team members workflow and producing screenshots on each mouse-click.
- StepShot documents can be exported to multiple file types including "MS Word, PDF, HTML, DITA and XML"
- It is applicable for diverse clients including government, universities, tech companies like Microsoft, blogging sites like WordPress, bank IT departments, and large enterprises.
- The company offers an affiliate program, where clients can earn 20% commission on every sale generated through sharing StepShot on their platforms.
- StepShot can be integrated into Confluence, a team collaboration tool from Atlassian, allowing guides to be easily accessible and modifiable by teams using the Confluence platform. "StepShot for Confluence" was nominated as a "Popular Choice Add-on" for Confluence" at Atlassian's 2016 "Codegeist Hackathon."
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
StepShot is highly compatible with other programs and flexible across diverse users and organizations. Their website is client friendly with an online chat feature and it is designed to be used "out-of-the-box" with minimal training for basic features. StepShot seeks out and rewards client collaboration through their affiliate program.
DOWNSIDES:
StepShot is primarily designed for software documentation and may be less useful for documenting offline processes. According to blogger Lindsey Liedke, it is "extremely feature heavy," which requires practice and reading of its own documentation. It is relatively expensive and may be cost-prohibitive for small companies or individuals.
PRICING:
- Single user: $290/year or $29/month for unlimited export/publish routines, "free Word template customization," and email/phone support.
10 licenses at $20 per user
20 licenses at $15 per user
50 licenses at $10 per user
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DESCRIPTION: Oracle UPK allows users to capture and disseminate "organizational process knowledge" throughout a project's life-cycle. Project teams can create documents such as "test scripts, system process documents, and interactive simulations, job aids, instructor manuals, presentations, and in-application performance support."
REASON FOR SELECTION:
StepShot markets itself as an alternative to Oracle UPK, indicating that Oracle UPK itself is a useful tool for creating how-to guides. It appears to be a go-to tool for tech companies or businesses with large IT departments that use other Oracle products.
MAIN FEATURES
- Has features specific to case studies, step-by-step guides, Question and Answer guides, and user testing guides.
- Oracle offers industry-specific UPK modules including for marketing and sales, channel revenue management, order management, logistics, and supply chain planning.
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE:
Oracle UPK allows users to create different types of documents depending on the particular project step, which would work for online and offline content. It is designed to "mitigate risk" and maximize "user adoption" by creating guides for testers that quickly answer their questions and give them the information they need to proceed. It is used by "over 4,000 organizations" and "4 million users globally," and is available in "22 languages." Oracle offers several resources to aid in program use including free guides and podcasts.
DOWNSIDES:
The Oracle UPK website appears to be quite technical and the program itself is best for IT. Developers specialize in using Oracle UPK as illustrated by a number of "Oracle UPK developer" jobs on job boards like Indeed and guides on the software by ITConvergence. Unlike StepShot, Oracle UPK does not have an automated recording feature. While Oracle UPK's many document options may be useful when dealing with a multi-faceted project, they may get in the way for people who want to write a straight-forward user guide. It is clearly designed for large businesses, as is highly costly for individual users, which is its biggest downside compared to the other top 6 tools. It also has limited customer service support online.
PRICING:
- UPK Standard costs $17,500 for an individual license for one person plus $3,850 for software updates and support. This is designed for an individual UPK developer.
- UPK Standard is also available for multiple licenses:
- UPK Professional costs the same for 1 license but $100 per license for 50 users or $50 per license for 500 users.
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DESCRIPTION: ScreenSteps is designed to create a "great self-service knowledge base" for customers with a focus on maximizing the return on customer interactions and reducing customer on-boarding time . It specifically designed to create step-by-step guides for B2B (business to business) SaaS companies looking to teach their customers how to successfully use their software. It is a web-based tool that integrates with client websites.
REASON FOR SELECTION:
ScreenSteps appeared in a list of StepShot alternatives and is specifically a tool for creating how-to-guides for customers. I further decided to include it as a top tool due to its easy to navigate website and price point along with its features that match your request.
MAIN FEATURES
- Enables the creation of manuals, how-to-guides, and articles with visual documentation including live training to promote self-service by customers.
- Users take screenshots, edit them, and write text within one interface that included "automated tables of contents."
- ScreenSteps builds a "support library" based on interactions with every customer, which drives costs down over time as more information is compiled.
- The backend platform promotes collaboration and help users manage workflow with notifications and permissions.
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE:
Their website includes their own step-by-step guides to show users how to streamline their own documentation processes and has accessible support. Their price point is particularly competitive compared to other products like StepShot and Oracle UPK. The platform is entirely online, eliminating the need to download potentially large software. It appears to be particularly good for digital training; a review of G2Crowd states "There's nothing that even comes close to help you create documentation for digital training." It is a relatively user-friendly product that does not require a lot of training or IT expertise. Their website appears to provide strong customer support through guides, email, and phone.
DOWNSIDES:
ScreenShot is designed for B2B companies in the SaaS space and may not be as applicable for other purposes. That said, reviews on G2Crowd mention it being useful for external and internal documentation. It does not appear to be compatible with many other programs.
PRICING:
All packages come with email and telephone support
- Small business package: $99/month for 5 users; "add additional authors for $20/month." Includes 3 sites; "add additional site for $10/month."
- Growing business package: $199/month for 12 users; "add additional authors for $20/month." Includes 5 sites; "add additional site for $10/month."
- Enterprise package: $499/month for 20 users; "add additional authors for $30/month." Includes 20 sites; "add additional site for $10/month." Includes an account manager for tailored support.
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DESCRIPTION: Dozuki is tool to "create, manage, and distribute work instructions and company documentation."
REASON FOR SELECTION:
Dozuki appeared in a list of StepShot alternatives and is specifically a tool for documenting instructions and company procedures which matches your request. Its clear focus on creating how-to-guides/manuals, high level of customization, and mobile compatibility got it to the top 6 list.
MAIN FEATURES:
- It is highly customizable both visually for branding and down to the HTML/CSS behind the "documentation portal."
- It includes mobile apps for use in the field. Mobile apps continue the look and feel of the customized portal and can include customizable features built by Dozuki developers.
- Includes "version control" and approvals to make it simple to keep content up-to-date and efficient.
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE:
Dozuki is highly customizable and flexible across platforms including computer, mobile, and hard copy. Their clients come from multiple industries including aerospace, automotive, data centers, field services, food manufacturers, and ISO certifications. Compared to the other top 6 tools, it has the highest level of customization and is specifically focused on written how-to-guides that can be printed as well as accessed online.
DOWNSIDES:
Dozuki is designed to create user manuals for technical jobs, which may make it less appropriate for individual use, blogging, or IT departments. The company does not share pricing online, which may indicate a lack of transparency. It is unclear how much involvement from Dozuki is needed to set up the platform and the level of customization available may indicate a need for experience in HTML/CSS. As their product is modular, every client will receive a different end version of Dozuki which may require a lot of upfront discussion with the company. Customer service is through an email form to a general email or by phone.
PRICING:
Dozuki does not publish its pricing online, because it apparently varies widely by client. That said, a review of their product on Capterra indicated that it costs around $299 per month.
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DESCRIPTION: A screenshot program that allows the user to quickly take and annotate screenshots through a "single, beautiful, simple workflow." Unlike other screenshot applications, it allows users to save images as a series of steps within a document. It is made by Blue Mango, the same developer as ScreenSteps.
REASON FOR SELECTION:
Clarify appeared in a list of StepShot alternatives. Though it markets itself as a screenshot app, it's simple design and ability to annotate images into one document makes it applicable as a how-to-guide tool. I added it to the top 6 list due to its straightforward interface and easy usability.
MAIN FEATURES:
- Allows users to edit screenshots such as resizing, cropping, blurring sensitive information, and adding in text boxes, arrows, and highlighted text.
- Compatible with web applications, Evernote, Dropbox, WordPress, and any system that can read the html source-code of the document.
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE:
It's simplicity may be its biggest competitive advantage as it does not require any technical expertise. It is flexible across other programs and inexpensive with a one-time cost per license.
DOWNSIDES:
It is an extremely simple tool that essentially makes screenshots easier to annotate and use, which may be too basic for extensive how-to-guides. It does not have complex features for creating manuals, so the customer would have to develop their own templates for how-to-guides. The Clarify website is minimal and customer support is limited to tutorial guides and a link to their parent company.
PRICING:
ScreenSteps license-holders can get a discounted license for $14.99 Mac or Windows; $19.99 for Mac&Windows.
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DESCRIPTION: Helppier creates interactive user guides for companies looking to provide customer service through tutorials and tips on their websites.
REASON FOR SELECTION: Helppier caught my eye in a Google search for how-to-guide tools. I then found it featured on several sites including a TechWhirl product review headlined, "Helppier rescues users of... web navigation and apps."
MAIN FEATURES:
- Supplies users with a backend tool to create walkthroughs without needing "coding or advanced programming skills."
- Tooltips pop up within the client's website allowing them to guide the user as they interact with online content.
- Customers can interact with guides, accessing content as they need it.
- Can be used for employee training and onboarding manuals along with marketing and product promotions to customers.
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE:
Helppier does not require IT knowledge to use and has a simple, straightforward design. Its mobile functionality allows users to create how-to-guides from smartphones and tablets. It is both customizable in terms of look and in how how-to-guides are structured.
DOWNSIDES:
It is designed to integrate with an existing website and has limited offline functionality. It's main selling point is its external facing features for customers rather than for internal manuals (though it does mention it can be used for employee training). It is primarily designed for marketers looking to increase the time consumers spend on their websites and monitor consumer behavior. It's price point is relatively expensive, especially for the enterprise and customer options.
PRICING:
Startup: 49Euros per site/month with unlimited tutorials and tooltips, advanced styling, and web-hosting. 10,000 runs/month.
Business: 499Euros per site/month with everything in startup plan plus no Helppier logo, feedback forms, user ratings, analytics, and "knowledge connector." 100,000 runs/month.
Enterprise: 999Euros per site/month with everything in business plan plus user segmentation. 500,000 runs/month.
Custom: Determined by features and requires discussion. Could include more web hosting, multi-site, on-premise capabilities, and unlimited runs/month.
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CONCLUSION
To wrap it up, in addition to StepShot, I have identified 5 top tools to create how-to-guides that range in complexity, target client, and price point. These 5 are: Oracle UPK, ScreenSteps, Dozuki, Clarify, and Helppier. I determined top by ensuring that tools appeared regularly throughout my searches, were viable StepShot competitors, had a compelling competitive advantage, and were mentioned in external articles or lists.
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