Top Online Training Tools Trainers Need to Build an Engaging Online Course

How to choose the right online training tools to boost learner engagement, retention, and course outcomes

The shift toward digital learning has never been more pronounced. Statistics show the UK e-learning and online education market is now worth over $12 billion and is poised for continued growth as organisations and institutions intensify investment in digital training solutions.

For training managers tasked with designing meaningful educational experiences, selecting the right online training tools is a cornerstone of success. But with a crowded market and constantly evolving technology, how can L&D leaders decide which tools deliver the best outcomes?

This comprehensive guide breaks down the must-have tools modern trainers need to build engaging, effective online courses — from content creators to learner engagement platforms — while revealing savvy insights into how UK organisations are leveraging these tools today.

Why the Right Online Training Tools Matter

Research on online learner satisfaction reveals that about half of learners find online courses engaging, but also that interactive elements significantly boost learner motivation and comprehension.

Simply put: the tools you choose influence not just aesthetics, but learner engagement, knowledge retention, and return on training investment. In a competitive corporate environment — where 78% of UK businesses plan to adopt e-learning solutions long term — trainers must go beyond static slides and text-heavy modules.

Each of the following tools will help you to create effective online courses and interactive videos to meet your training goals. Goster can advise you on the best tools for the course you have in mind if you are interested. This consultation for the best online training tools is available during a free discovery call which you can book here.

1.

Course Creation & Authoring Tools

Best for: Designing structured, interactive content

These tools help trainers transform raw content — videos, documents, presentations — into organised, branded online training. They’re the backbone of your course.

Key online training tools to consider:

  • Drag-and-drop course builders — enable fast, non-technical course creation with minimal coding.

  • SCORM/xAPI support — ensures content works smoothly across Learning Management Systems (LMS).

  • Interactive elements — quizzes, clickable modules, simulations and branching scenarios.

Examples of standout tools:

📍 Articulate 360 — flexible authoring with responsive design and collaboration features.
📍 iSpring Suite — converts PowerPoint files into engaging online content.
📍 Easygenerator — intuitive editor focused on simplicity and rapid course deployment.

2.

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Best for: Delivery, tracking, and management

Once content is built, an LMS delivers it to learners, tracks progress, and provides analytics. For UK organisations especially, LMS adoption is seen as a strategic priority as companies modernise training post-pandemic.

Why they matter:

  • Centralised learner data and analytics

  • Progress tracking and certification

  • Integration with HR systems and enterprise software

Top LMS considerations:

✔ Integration with existing HR tools
✔ Support for blended learning formats
✔ Mobile compatibility

3.

Video & Multimedia Tools

Best for: Creating dynamic, visual and narrative content

Video remains one of the most engaging formats in online training. Tools that help record, edit, and publish video content are indispensable.

Examples include:

📍 Camtasia — combines screen recording with rich editing features.
📍 AI voice tools — now increasingly used to add professional voice-overs without recording studios.                                                 📍 H5P — many online course elements to customise – including interactive video

4.

Collaboration & Real-Time Engagement Tools

Best for: Live sessions, group learning, feedback and participation

Even asynchronous online courses benefit from synchronous engagement features:

  • Live webinars and virtual classrooms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams)

  • Breakout rooms for small-group work

  • Polls, Q&A modules, and collaborative whiteboards

These tools bring real-time interaction into digital modules, helping to combat learner isolation and foster community — one of the oldest challenges in online education.

5.

Analytics & Assessment Platforms

Best for: Measuring outcomes and improving effectiveness

Data drives better training decisions. Tools that deliver detailed insights into learner behaviour — such as which modules are completed, where learners struggle, and how long they engage — are essential.

Look for features such as:

  • Dashboards tracking course completion

  • Behavioural analytics (time on task, interactions)

  • Automated reporting for stakeholders

6.

AI-Integrated Content Tools

Best for: Speed, personalisation, and scalability

Artificial intelligence is now embedded in many online training tools to streamline content creation:

  • AI-generated course frameworks

  • Automatic summarisation and quiz generation

  • Adaptive learning paths tailored to individual progress

UK adoption of AI in training is rising — particularly in personalised learning experiences — but many organisations still lag compared to global peers.

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UK Training Landscape: What the Statistics Tell Us

Here’s what L&D leaders in the UK should know about online learning adoption:

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📌 The UK e-learning market exceeded USD 12 billion in 2025 and continues to expand.

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📌 Corporate e-learning revenue was over USD 4.6 billion in 2024 and is expected to more than double by 2030, with a CAGR around 19.5%.

UK Companies
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📌 78% of UK companies plan to adopt e-learning solutions long term to modernise employee training strategies.

UK University Students
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📌 80% of UK university students rated online learning quality as above average, underscoring the importance of engagement-driven design.

These figures reinforce that while online training tools are increasingly mainstream, the challenge for trainers now centres on quality and engagement — not just deployment.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right online training tools isn’t just about listing features — it’s about aligning them with your learners’ needs, organisational goals, and long-term training strategy.

Whether you’re building blended learning programmes, enhancing compliance training, or creating certification pathways, the right toolkit will make the difference between passive content and active learning experiences.

Reach out to us for a free 15 minute discovery call to explore some options for putting together the right online training tools for the course you have in mind.

Sources & further reading

(These were used to research UK statistics and interactive video engagement referenced in the article.)

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