Best Help Authoring Tools for Freelancers

Archbee is a lightweight, flexible docs tool. Build product documentation, internal wikis, knowledge bases, API references, developer guides, changelogs, diagrams — in one app. Archbee helps your team communicate asynchronously. This makes you effective and remote-ready—one of the fastest & smartest editors ever strapped on a documentation tool. If you have a complex product or your users are developers, you need product docs. We make it mega easy to set up branded docs on your domain with all the bells and whistles.

MadCap Flare lets you create and manage technical documentation for online Help, API documentation, policy and procedure manuals, knowledge bases, or user guides.

FastHelp is a versatile Windows Help File Generator that allows users to create both online and offline documentation effortlessly. With the capability to compile into various formats from a single source editor, you only need to type your content once and can convert it to any desired format with ease. To appreciate the user-friendly nature of FastHelp, check out the video located further down this page. The following list outlines the compilation formats available through FastHelp. Our product is repeatedly favored over competitors because it significantly reduces both time and costs, thanks to its remarkable intuitiveness and efficiency. Instead of navigating complex learning curves with other software, you can generate a fully functional help file in less than one minute using FastHelp; all you need to do afterward is input the help text. Our dedicated clientele includes a range of users, from independent developers to major corporations such as NASA, General Motors, 3M, and Motorola, demonstrating the trust and satisfaction that FastHelp has garnered in the industry. With such a diverse user base, it’s clear that FastHelp meets a variety of documentation needs efficiently.

Document360 is a smart Knowledge base platform. With powerful AI features and advanced tools, it helps businesses create, manage, and share high-quality documentation for diverse use cases. Use Cases Knowledge Base for Customers and Teams Create a centralized knowledge hub with AI-powered search and auto-tagging to ensure quick answers and improved team productivity. Analytics help identify gaps and optimize content. IT Documentation (Including API Docs) Streamline technical documentation with markdown support, version control, and features for developers like code snippet embedding. AI ensures content is always accurate and relevant. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Maintain consistent processes across teams with a central repository for SOPs. AI-driven categorization and content suggestions make creation and updates simple. User Manuals Design professional manuals with customization options, AI summarization, and localization tools to cater to diverse user needs.

ProProfs Knowledge Base serves as a powerful knowledge management tool designed to create easily searchable online FAQs, enhancing customer service and minimizing ticket volumes. This platform centralizes access to a wide array of files, documents, and instructional articles, allowing users to reach them from various devices and platforms. Organizations can seamlessly disseminate crucial information to train their sales, customer service, and support personnel effectively. Furthermore, it acts as a valuable resource for onboarding new employees, familiarizing them with company protocols and procedures. By significantly boosting productivity, ProProfs Knowledge Base enables both employees and customers to swiftly locate the information they seek, regardless of time or location. Additionally, this software alleviates the repetitive task of answering frequently asked questions, streamlining communication and efficiency within the organization. Ultimately, it enhances overall operational effectiveness by ensuring that knowledge is readily available when needed.

Follow - A fast tool to create step-by-step tutorials, guides, and documentation. It's a desktop tool that allows you to capture steps with every click, customize screenshots, make annotations, and create the final guide in HTML or Word Document, PDF, PowerPoint slides and more. This app is ideal for anyone who wants others to be able to navigate products, applications and training. It's as simple as that: - Take screenshots from apps, any area on your desktop, or fullscreen. You can pause, adjust, or resume. Screenshots are available with every click - Give each step an appropriate name and description. You can reorder them, hide them and add new ones as you go. Guides can be organized in projects. Add shapes, lines, arrows and text to enhance your screenshots. Don't include sensitive information. Multi-step instructions can be facilitated by adding step icons. Export with just one click to simple HTML. Ready to be published to your help desk rich HTML, PDF, or other formats

The Help Generator offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed for creating CHM help files, web-based assistance, and printed user manuals. Its contemporary editing interface, influenced by Office aesthetics, is packed with features that enhance productivity and ensure high-quality results. You can utilize the WYSIWYG (HTML) Help Editor, which features a modern Windows fluent ribbon for seamless editing. With the Help Generator, you can create standard Windows help files, often referred to as CHM files or compiled HTML help, as well as online help for any Windows application. The accompanying add-in generates a detailed topic page for each form within your application, complete with a title, a screenshot featuring an image map, and sections dedicated to all controls. Notably, the pages produced by this add-in are automatically integrated with your application, providing immediate F1 support for context-sensitive help. Additionally, there are add-in versions compatible with Visual Studio .NET, Visual Basic 6, and Microsoft Access, making it a versatile option for different development environments. This flexibility allows developers to streamline the documentation process, ensuring that users have easy access to the information they need.

HelpScribble is a versatile and user-friendly help authoring tool designed to assist you in creating comprehensive help files from the ground up. With it, you can seamlessly generate WinHelp (.hlp) files, HTML Help (.chm) files, printed manuals, and online documentation for your website all within a single HelpScribble project. If you have prior experience with another help authoring software, you can easily incorporate your existing work by importing HPJ+RTF files produced by that tool or through the use of a help decompiler. The help files generated with HelpScribble can be utilized to offer context-sensitive assistance for your Windows applications, regardless of the development environment employed. Moreover, HelpScribble allows you to create standalone portable documents for distribution. This software is compatible with a wide range of Windows operating systems including Windows 98, ME, NT4, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10, and it even supports help file creation for older versions like Windows 3.1 and 95. You can easily download a complimentary evaluation version to explore its features and functionality firsthand. This tool is an excellent choice for anyone looking to streamline their help documentation process efficiently.

WinCHM is an intuitive and robust tool designed for creating help documentation. It allows users to effortlessly master the art of producing professional and visually appealing help files in formats such as HTML Help (CHM), web-based help, PDF manuals, and Word documents. With its advanced capabilities, you can generate a CHM file from the ground up or convert a collection of existing HTML files into a CHM format. Additionally, it offers the functionality to open and modify existing CHM files. The software supports templates, enabling users to create consistently styled HTML help files with ease. It also provides comprehensive features for web help development, including Contents, Index, Search, and Bookmark functionalities. An integrated WYSIWYG HTML editor eliminates the need for an external word processor, making editing CHM files straightforward. Moreover, the super table of contents hierarchy editor enhances organization, and features like multi-select moving and icon changes simplify the design process. WinCHM Pro is truly user-friendly, allowing anyone to utilize its powerful features without requiring extensive learning. Overall, it's an excellent solution for anyone looking to streamline the help authoring process.

Effortlessly generate source code and API documentation, as well as general-purpose documentation in various formats and styles, using Doc-O-Matic, which ensures reliability and speed. By taking source code and comments, along with additional conceptual topics and external input, Doc-O-Matic produces comprehensive documentation from these components. Its single-source methodology allows for the creation of multiple output types from a single documentation base, enhancing efficiency. Among the outputs are HTML-based Help files such as HTML Help, Help 2, Help Viewer 2.x, and browser-based Web Help. Furthermore, Doc-O-Matic is capable of generating printable documentation in both PDF and RTF formats, along with XML output that is perfect for further processing. The documentation produced is rich in features right from the start, offering collapsible and tabbed sections, and it automatically cross-links all parts of the documentation, including the source code. Additionally, Doc-O-Matic integrates seamlessly into existing library documentation, effectively bridging any gaps and enhancing user experience. With its versatile capabilities, Doc-O-Matic stands out as a comprehensive solution for documentation needs.

Create documentation without the need for technical jargon and enjoy seamless hosting. Write in a familiar style that feels just like using a word processor! There’s no need to worry about complex syntax if you prefer simplicity. Publish your work instantly with just one click. Organize your content into chapters, sections, and pages with ease, allowing you to focus fully on your product. You don’t need any coding skills, making it possible for anyone to contribute to the writing process! Our documentation software offers hassle-free hosting solutions. You can either use your own custom domain or set one up through our platform. Select a theme, upload your logo, and tailor everything to align with your brand or website. Collaborate with your team by allowing them to assist in the documentation process. Control access by assigning roles and user privileges to ensure security. You can easily make your documentation private and password-protected for personal or internal use. Publish with confidence, knowing that your previous work is secure and has been backed up. You can download or restore your documents at any time, ensuring peace of mind. This documentation software is designed to simplify the process of creating and managing your documents. Furthermore, it empowers users to enhance their workflow while fostering collaboration across teams.

WebWorks enhances the value of your product by streamlining the publishing process, allowing more time for enriching the documentation provided to your clients. The One-Click Publishing method is the ideal solution for documentation publishing due to its efficiency and precision. It encompasses three main phases: create, generate, and deliver. This straightforward workflow is designed to be agile, adaptable, and smart, enabling you to concentrate more on crafting your message rather than the intricacies of publishing. Through ePublisher, One-Click publishing is facilitated by a customizable template known as ePublisher Stationery. This stationery contains a series of guidelines that outline the entire publishing procedure. After it is designed and saved, this stationery can be easily shared among team members to lighten the workload. Moreover, with ePublisher Designer, you have the flexibility to tailor your stationery to meet your specific publishing requirements, making it the quickest and most scalable solution for producing ready-to-use document sets. Ultimately, this streamlined process not only boosts productivity but also enhances the overall quality of the documentation.

HelpNDoc offers a comprehensive set of features designed for crafting thorough help files and documentation. The platform encompasses everything from the table of contents to the final layout of the documentation, ensuring a complete solution. Its user interface is thoughtfully designed for clarity and efficiency, utilizing the familiar ribbon layout first established by Microsoft Office, while contextual editing tools, like those for images and tables, appear only when relevant, enhancing usability. With essential tools embedded within the software, including a table of contents editor, a WYSIWYG topic editor, a keywords editor, and a library, HelpNDoc streamlines the process of creating outstanding documentation. Additionally, the inclusion of a robust word processor allows users to feel instantly comfortable as they navigate through their writing tasks, making the overall experience even more enjoyable and productive. This makes HelpNDoc not just a tool, but a supportive environment for anyone looking to produce high-quality documentation.

HelpStudio provides a swift and straightforward solution for the creation and dissemination of procedures, documentation, and help systems, allowing integration with various desktop, web, or mobile applications. It offers the ability to generate cross-platform output in formats such as Browser Help, which is responsive for tablets and mobile devices, as well as HTML Help (CHM), Help 2.x, Microsoft Help Viewer, and printable PDFs. With built-in localization features, you can easily extend your help system to a worldwide audience if needed. HelpStudio features a robust WYSIWYG authoring interface, HTML-based layout templates, and customizable Content Widgets, enabling users to produce and localize professional help systems with minimal effort. There are no dependencies on Word or similar editors, and it integrates seamlessly with Source Control to facilitate teamwork and collaboration. Importantly, HelpStudio maintains complete Unicode support, accommodating languages like Japanese, Chinese, and Korean, without requiring a costly add-on, making it an accessible choice for diverse user needs. Ultimately, HelpStudio empowers users to craft comprehensive help systems that cater to a global market effortlessly.

MadCap Central offers a secure, cloud-based platform designed specifically for authoring, collaboration, workflow, and project management tailored for technical writers and documentation teams. The process of managing content and projects has never been more streamlined. This unique solution enables your team to effortlessly track and oversee tasks, structure workflows, schedule and automate various processes, host and publish content, and enhance your authoring skills through the involvement and assessment of subject matter experts (SMEs). With its secure cloud environment, MadCap Central seamlessly integrates robust on-premises authoring and publishing features. The user-friendly interface is designed to simplify the organization of your content, projects, teams, and users. With a customizable dashboard, users can enhance their working experience for maximum efficiency. Its comprehensive capabilities allow for project uploads, importing from other users, assigning specific users to projects, setting project statuses, and receiving timely notifications about activities, ensuring that your documentation process is not only efficient but also highly collaborative. Furthermore, the integration of these features into a single platform means that teams can work together more effectively, reducing the time spent on administrative tasks.

HelpSmith is a comprehensive help authoring tool that enables users to generate CHM HTML Help files, Web Help systems, printed manuals, Adobe PDF documents, Microsoft Word documents, and ePub eBooks from one source. For those in search of a solution to create a CHM help file, an online Web Help system, or a PDF manual, HelpSmith offers an extensive array of features, including a robust word processor for drafting help topics and a built-in screenshot utility that can automatically capture help for dialog windows. With HelpSmith, you can effortlessly produce a CHM help file, a responsive Web Help system that works seamlessly on both desktop and mobile devices, a printed manual, a PDF document, an ePub eBook, and a Microsoft Word document all from a single source project. Additionally, the included word processor has a spell checker and supports dictionaries in various languages, making it easier to write clear and accurate content. This versatility makes HelpSmith an ideal choice for anyone needing to create comprehensive help documentation in multiple formats.

Doc-To-Help simplifies the process of creating, managing, and publishing content across various formats and devices directly from Microsoft® Word. By utilizing this tool, you can transform your Word documents into more accessible formats, automatically generating features like tables of contents and indexes for improved searchability. Embracing the "Write Once, Publish Anywhere" principle allows users to distribute their content across countless output types and devices seamlessly. This software effectively maximizes content reuse and document management, ensuring that you won't have to juggle multiple versions of documents that share common content. Additionally, the professional pre-written manuals that come with MadCap Doc-To-Help are packed with valuable information, enabling you to tailor essential documents to align with your organization's needs. You can effortlessly create, modify, and publish both web and print-based Employee Handbooks and Medical Policy and Procedure Manuals using these high-quality templates, which are included at no extra cost with your Doc-To-Help purchase. This comprehensive approach not only streamlines your documentation process but also enhances the overall efficiency of your content management.

Take charge of your compliance needs with a specialized document management system designed specifically for the aviation sector. Join a community of over 20,000 aviation experts who are streamlining the process of creating manuals effortlessly within our aviation-focused document management solution. It is both straightforward and effective, allowing you to immerse yourself in writing thanks to its user-friendly modules. Create real-time connections between your aviation manuals and regulatory mandates, eliminating the hassle of exchanging files repeatedly! You can review your documents effortlessly, minimizing errors and guaranteeing that everyone has access to the most current revisions. Stay informed with the latest compliance libraries and enjoy the benefits of automated compliance tracking. Simplify your editing process while maintaining complete control over your documents. Instantly share aviation manuals through our document management system and accompanying reader application, featuring live links to key regulatory bodies like the FAA, EASA, and CASA. The system highlights the impact of changes word by word and automatically generates compliance checklists, ensuring you stay organized and compliant in an ever-evolving industry. This innovative approach to document management not only enhances productivity but also fosters a culture of precision and accountability within your organization.

Introducing an innovative audio guide platform designed to be accessible for all users. Create smartphone-compatible audio guides in various languages for any destination, completely free of charge, directly via our website. Enjoy the benefits of your creations! The process is streamlined and efficient. Enhance inclusivity with automatic translations available in 11 different languages, ensuring high-quality audio guides that cater to the needs of partially sighted visitors. No technical skills or recordings are necessary! Authors have the opportunity to earn income through guide sales. We have transformed the audio guide industry by leveraging cutting-edge AI text-to-speech technology. Our platform empowers anyone to independently craft and distribute audio guides with just a script and a few images. Once published, your audio guide can generate passive income, allowing you to relax while it gains traction and sales! If you prefer, we can also assist you in creating your audio guide. Reach out to us to get started on this exciting journey! Your ideas can bring valuable experiences to countless explorers.

LockStep offers a user-friendly and swift authoring interface that incorporates all the integrated editors available in WinSequence Enterprise. It allows for direct image capture using compatible cameras, similar to WinSequence Enterprise. However, LockStep targets smaller businesses that require a straightforward, single-user desktop solution for creating and exporting formatted PDF instructions. Both LockStep and the enterprise offerings share the same data model, making it seamless to upgrade to the enterprise suite when necessary. This upgrade often occurs when there is a demand for a network-capable multi-user solution for writers, the need for electronic work instructions accessible via web browser in the production environment, or when integration with other IT systems is sought. Notably, WinSequence Enterprise maintains the same interface as the LockStep application, ensuring that only minimal additional training is needed to utilize the expanded functionalities of WinSequence. This makes the transition not only smooth but also efficient for users familiar with LockStep.

Your users can create effective help documentation by next week. Dr.Explain is a help authoring tool that allows you to create help files, user documentation, and online help manuals in HTML, PDF, WORD, WORD, and CHM formats. Your product is great, but users continue asking the same questions every day. Your support team is overwhelmed and your email inbox is full. You have to spend all of your time calling customers, even though your product is flawless. You receive constant requests for online demos. You can create user-friendly help documents for your customers using Dr.Explain in just two days. This will cut down on your support team's workload up to half. Your customers can make the most out of your product without you having to help. This saves you time, money, effort, and effort. You can create help documentation once with Dr.Explain, and then publish it in many formats, including a help center integrated into your mobile app or desktop, or an online repository integrated with your website.

HintEd makes it easy to quickly onboard new employees into digital platforms. It does this without the need for them to leave their workplaces. HintEd is a no-code tool. It includes plugins, standalone windows applications, and SDKs to create interactive in-app walksthroughs (hints popups, tooltips), for enterprise applications: desktop and web. Our services help companies reduce training costs by up to 2x, increase employee onboarding, and reduce support costs by 70%. HintEd replaces User handbooks, face to face training, and video guides. It is the ideal solution for SMBs as well as Enterprises looking to automate customer/software support and software training.

The WYSIWYG editor eliminates the necessity to learn HTML or any other markup language for its use. It features an array of integrated content elements such as images, code samples, step-by-step tutorials, videos, FAQs, and quizzes. Additionally, it accommodates various output formats, including Markdown, DocBook, and DITA. All languages can be managed within a single project file, removing the hassle of maintaining separate projects for each supported language. This tool comes equipped with several built-in utilities, such as a screenshot capture tool, tutorial creator, FAQ and quiz generators, and a GIF recorder, making it convenient for users. You can produce technical content professionally, even without prior experience in technical writing. The steep learning curves associated with traditional technical writing software are a thing of the past, as Helpinator simplifies complex tasks with an intuitive user interface. Features like the built-in phrase expander enhance writing speed, while step-by-step guides and annotated screenshots facilitate clearer documentation. Consequently, users can effortlessly generate visually appealing and effective documentation tailored to their needs. Ultimately, this tool empowers anyone to create high-quality documentation without the usual barriers.

FAR HTML is a suite designed for help authoring and file management, ideal for those who need to efficiently handle HTML, XML, and ASCII text files, as well as create help documentation for various formats like HTML Help 1.x and MS Help Viewer. Utilizing FAR HTML can lead to significant savings in both time and resources when working on help projects. It integrates seamlessly with MS Workshop and SDK, allowing for simultaneous use. Additionally, FAR HTML can function in batch mode, enabling unattended operations. You can try the full version with a 30-day free trial. It also supports the creation of WebHelp through straightforward HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The software boasts partial translations in Japanese, German, and Simplified Chinese, making it accessible to a wider audience. FAR HTML fills many gaps left by conventional tools, proving its worth in creating and maintaining high-quality documentation and help resources. Notably, while some competing tools are priced over ten times higher than FAR HTML, they often fall short in terms of features and reliability. Ultimately, FAR Tools are designed to enhance your productivity, allowing you to focus on your work with greater efficiency. Users can expect to experience a significant boost in their workflow due to the capabilities of FAR HTML.

An incredibly swift cloud-based Markdown editor designed specifically for technical writers, this tool enhances the user experience of our everyday content creation processes while eliminating the challenges often associated with writing. It features collaborative authoring on the same page along with draft links for teams, all aimed at fostering better cooperation among writers, developers, and the wider organization. Users can store their content in a dedicated repository equipped with robust search and tagging capabilities, alongside the assurance of complete version control. This system eradicates the issues of duplicate files and unclear version names. With the ability to publish modular content, you can tailor your approach to topic-based writing and single sourcing, thereby optimizing content reuse. Say goodbye to outdated wikis; your internal documentation is now more accessible and dynamic than ever. The platform supports company-wide private documentation as well as tailored role-specific guides for onboarding new employees or generating reports, all achievable with just a few clicks. Enjoy unlimited hosting for your documentation, with the added flexibility of a custom domain, seamless integration for publishing to external services, or options for self-hosting, ensuring that your content is always within reach. Embrace a new era of documentation that prioritizes efficiency and collaboration across the board.