If you're evaluating microlearning authoring tools, 7taps and QuikAuthor will almost certainly both appear on your shortlist. They share a philosophy, fast, focused, bite-sized learning, but they diverge sharply on depth, pricing transparency, and who they're actually built for.
This post breaks down the key differences without the fluff. If you want the big-picture "which one suits my situation" view, read our companion post instead →. If you're already close to switching, the full comparison page has everything in one place.
The short answer
7taps is purpose-built for speed and simplicity. It excels at push communications, a card deck your team can absorb in two minutes between meetings. If that's your primary use case, it does it well.
QuikAuthor is built for instructional designers who need the full toolkit: gamification, SCORM export, PDF and video conversion, and a platform that stays focused on learning rather than drifting toward operations software.
Templates and gamification
This is where the gap is most visible.
7taps keeps its template range deliberately minimal. The focus is on cards, text, image, basic quiz, reflection prompt. That constraint is a feature for some teams (fewer decisions, faster creation) but a ceiling for others.
QuikAuthor ships with 60+ slide templates spanning the full engagement spectrum. Millionaire Quiz, Word Search, Memory Match, Jeopardy, Drag & Drop, Hotspot Discovery, Confidence Slider, branching scenarios, flip cards, and SCORM-compliant assessments. That's roughly 7x the template range.
The pedagogical argument for variety is simple: when every module looks the same, learners stop engaging and start clicking through. Format diversity isn't decoration, it's a retention mechanism.
Screen layouts and responsive design
7taps is mobile-first in the literal sense. On desktop, your course renders as a mobile-sized window centred in a 16:9 frame. It works, but it looks like what it is: a phone-sized experience on a laptop screen.
QuikAuthor layouts are fully responsive, optimised for desktop, tablet, and mobile with true full-screen rendering on each. For learners who sit at desks, which is most corporate learners, this matters more than it sounds.
AI avatars
Both platforms offer AI avatar video. They've made opposite bets on style.
7taps uses hyper-realistic generated avatars. The production quality is high, but realistic AI faces are increasingly recognised as triggering the uncanny valley effect, learners find them subtly unsettling without being able to articulate why. 7taps Enterprise users get more avatar options, but they're all in the same realistic style.
QuikAuthor uses animated pixel-style avatars by design. They're expressive and characterful without the uncanny valley risk. The full library, 13 male avatars, 11 female avatars, 25 voices across multiple accents, is available on the free plan. 7taps locks extended avatars behind Enterprise.
PDF and video conversion
7taps has neither.
QuikAuthor converts PDFs into interactive slide-based lessons and MP4 files into AI-transcribed, quiz-enhanced courses. Both are available on the free plan. If you have an existing content library, recorded webinars, compliance documents, onboarding decks, this alone changes the economics of content creation significantly.
SCORM export
7taps free: no SCORM.
7taps Enterprise: SCORM available, but requires a custom quote.
QuikAuthor free: 10 SCORM exports lifetime.
QuikAuthor Pro: unlimited SCORM exports.
If you're delivering into an LMS, this is a binary decision point.
Pricing
| Feature | 7taps Free | 7taps Enterprise | QuikAuthor Free | QuikAuthor Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shareable courses | 2 | Custom | 25 courses, unlimited lessons | Unlimited |
| SCORM export | Custom (paid) | 10 lifetime | Unlimited | |
| HTML export | Unlimited | Unlimited | ||
| PDF conversion | ||||
| AI video editor | ||||
| AI avatar videos | 2/month | 10/user/mo | ||
| AI prompts | 10 credits | 100/team/mo | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Template library | Limited | Limited | 7x more | 7x more |
| Price | $0 | Quote only | $0 | $69/mo |
7taps publishes no paid pricing. Everything beyond the free plan requires contacting sales. QuikAuthor Pro is $69/month with annual and multi-user discounts.
The honest verdict
7taps is a good tool for what it is. If your primary output is simple card-based communication nudges and you don't need SCORM, LMS integration, or deep gamification, it does that job quickly and cleanly.
QuikAuthor is the better fit if you're building actual training, compliance programmes, onboarding journeys, sales enablement, and need the features that go with that: SCORM, a proper template library, conversion tools, and layouts that look professional on a laptop.
The free plan comparison is particularly stark. QuikAuthor gives you 25 courses, unlimited lessons, unlimited AI prompts, 10 SCORM exports, and 2 avatar videos per month at no cost. 7taps free gives you 2 shareable courses and 10 AI credits.
FAQ
Is QuikAuthor a good alternative to 7taps?
Yes, particularly for teams that need SCORM export, PDF and video conversion, a larger template library, or full desktop and tablet layouts. QuikAuthor's free plan is also significantly more generous than 7taps' free tier.
Does 7taps support SCORM?
7taps only supports SCORM export on its Enterprise plan, which requires a custom quote. QuikAuthor includes SCORM export on all plans including the free tier (10 exports lifetime on free, unlimited on Pro).
Which is better for gamified microlearning, 7taps or QuikAuthor?
QuikAuthor offers substantially more gamification options, including Millionaire Quiz, Word Search, Jeopardy, Memory Match, Drag & Drop, branching scenarios, and Hotspot Discovery, around 7 times more templates than 7taps overall.
Can I try QuikAuthor before committing?
Yes. QuikAuthor's free plan has no time limit and no credit card requirement. You get 25 courses, unlimited lessons, unlimited AI prompts, and 10 SCORM exports to evaluate with real content.