Both Adobe Captivate 9 and Techsmith Camtasia allow users to create screen capture simulations for eLearning programs. Captivate 9 is more for creating interactive tutorials through step-by-step screen captures, while Camtasia focuses on video editing of full screen captures. The best choice depends on whether the goal is an interactive learning program or simple video tutorials.

1. Matthew W. Warner

2. Captivate 9 & Camtasia
In the most basic sense, both
Adobe’s Captivate 9 and
Techsmith’s Camtasia are
programs that allow the user to
use screen capture technology to
create simulations that can be a
great asset to eLearing programs.

3. Captivate 9 vs Camtasia
The main difference between the
two programs is in what they are
using the screen capture
technology to create. Camtasia is
more video oriented while
Captivate is more of an
interactive tutorial program.

4. Captivate 9 Camtasia
Captivate strikes me
as more of an actual
eLearning program. It
allows the program
designer to actually
create interactive
lessons by using
screen capture
simulations that then
allow the user to
follow along step by
Camtasia is more of a
video capture program
that allows the
designer to capture
every moment of what
they demonstrate on
their screen, then edit
the video before
publishing it.
However, the end
product is not nearly

5. Captivate 9 Camtasia
 Fairly easy to use,
especially if the
designer is familiar
with other Adobe
products.
 An abundance of
learning tutorials.
 The ability to add
activity and a large
variety of testing
options.
 Education discounts.
 Extremely user
friendly.
 Also a tremendous
amount of helpful
tutorials from
beginner to
advanced.
 Easy to post to video
sharing sites.
 Less expensive and
also has education
discounts.

6. Captivate 9 Camtasia
 1 GHz processor or
faster.
 Windows 8.1 or 10.
 A minimum of 2 GB or
RAM.
 Works with both 32
and 64 bit operating
systems.
 2 GHz processor or
faster.
 Windows 8 or 10.
 A minimum of 4 GB of
RAM.
 Works only with the
64 bit operating
system.

7. Captivate 9 Camtasia
 With 12 month
subscription,
individual packages
start at $29.99 a
month.
 Education edition is
$349, compared to
the full retail price of
$1099.
 Volume pricing
available.
 $199 for a single
user’s license.
 $169 for teacher or
student single user’s
license.
 $179 for a
government employee
single user’s license.
 Volume pricing
available.

8. Captivate 9 Camtasia
 Able to create
interactive
simulations.
 Easily work with other
media like
PowerPoint.
 Capturing from
mobile devices.
 Easily syncs with
other Adobe products.
 Able to capture full
length video.
 Easy to use video
editing.
 Easy to use audio
editing.
 Speech to text
software.
 Smart focus
capabilities.

11. CLAIM Strongly Agree Agree Disagree N/A
The directions are clear
and easy to follow.
It is easy to start and exit
the program.
Users can easily resume
where they left off in the
program.
The program is enjoyable
to use.
The graphic elements are
meaningful and
appropriate.
The software contains
useful management
features.
Basic tasks are easily
learned and intuitive.
Advanced features are
easy to access and apply.

12. CLAIM Strongly Agree Agree Disagree N/A
The directions are clear
and easy to follow.
It is easy to start and exit
the program.
Users can easily resume
where they left off in the
program.
The program is enjoyable
to use.
The graphic elements are
meaningful and
appropriate.
The software contains
useful management
features.
Basic tasks are easily
learned and intuitive.
Advanced features are
easy to access and apply.

13. My personal recommendation about Techsmith’s
Camtasia versus Adobe’s Captivate 9 is all based on
what the designer is trying to accomplish. While they
are both great products and offer a variety of
different options, I think the desired end result is
where the buyer must make the decision.
If you are trying to create a fully engaged learning
environment with the ability for the learner to
interact with the program and the designer wants to
gather data about the learner, then I would definitely
recommend Captivate 9.
I you are trying to create full length video screen
captures to allow the learner to simply watch and
take notes, work in different windows or on a
different computer, the Camtasia is the way to go.