The Complete Guide to the Top Standard Operating Procedure Tools and Scribe Competitors
Within any scaling company, process documentation is key for maintaining efficiency and smooth onboarding. Still, many organisations deal with scattered notes, repeated questions, and time-consuming onboarding. That’s where SOP tools and step-by-step guide generators come in—enabling teams to document processes, automate training, and maintain consistency.
If you’re on the lookout for the right SOP tool or considering alternatives to Scribe, this guide highlights the top-rated platforms currently on the market—covering their pros and cons. Be it simplifying SOP creation or building professional process walkthroughs, this comparison guides you towards the best process documentation tool for your team.
1) Trails – The Simplified AI SOP Generator
Among the latest tools in this space, Trails stands out for its simplicity and intuitive design. It’s a easy-to-use online step-by-step guide generator built to make process documentation effortless.
What makes Trails special is its AI-driven documentation feature, letting users dictate steps naturally. It automatically captures steps, blurs sensitive details, and neatly organises everything into shareable guides.
Key Features:
• Capture browser workflows automatically
• Add AI-based voice transcriptions for faster documentation
• Automatic blurring of sensitive data
• Folder-based organisation and team access management
• Easy sharing and embedding options
Pros: Simple UI, speed, and affordability. Cons: No desktop capture yet and limited analytics. Best For: Teams that want a simple, fast, and reliable AI SOP generator.
2) Tango – In-App Training Assistant
Tango merges workflow capture with training assistance. It helps users not just document processes but also follow them directly within the application interface.
Its interactive walkthroughs allow teams to embed guidance into their tools, making onboarding and process navigation more intuitive.
Key Features:
• On-screen interactive walkthroughs
• Dynamic process steps
• Web activity recording
• Integrated tooltips for in-app guidance
Pros: Excellent for tool adoption and real-time employee support. Cons: Slightly higher pricing and a recent shift in focus away from core SOP functionality. Best For: Companies focusing on digital adoption and interactive onboarding.
3) Whale – SOP Platform for Learning and Compliance
Whale bridges SOP creation with structured employee training. It’s particularly popular among field-based teams that need easy mobile access to procedures.
Key Features:
• Responsive SOPs accessible anywhere
• Built-in AI assistant for instant answers
• Employee assessments and progress tracking
Pros: Ideal for frontline or operational teams needing consistent training access. Cons: Slightly complex setup and requires multiple browser extensions. Best For: Organisations focused on ongoing employee development.
4) Trainual – Structured Learning & SOP System
Trainual acts as a robust training and documentation platform than a simple SOP generator. It’s designed for structured onboarding and role-based training.
Key Features:
• Interactive SOP templates
• scribe alternative Role mapping and organisational structure visualisation
• AI-assisted content creation
Pros: Comprehensive for larger teams managing training at scale. Cons: Costlier and overbuilt for simple SOP creation. Best For: Organisations building structured knowledge bases.
5) Folge – Offline SOP Recorder
If you prefer working offline or managing documentation locally, Folge is a great option. It’s a desktop SOP recorder that runs on your computer.
Key Features:
• No-cloud dependency
• One-time purchase licence
• Supports multiple output types
Pros: Ideal for independent professionals. Cons: Lacks collaboration tools and team sharing features. Best For: Individual professionals or consultants creating guides independently.
6) HubSpot Guide Creator – Basic Free SOP Recorder
HubSpot Guide Creator is a simple Chrome-based extension for recording browser processes. It’s free, but limited.
Key Features:
• Screenshot capture directly within the browser
• Free to use for quick documentation
Pros: Easy to access for HubSpot users. Cons: No video, blur, or collaboration capabilities. Best For: Users who need a very basic free recorder for browser processes.
7) Floik – Interactive Demo Creator
Floik is geared towards creating visual assets from workflows. It lets teams repurpose workflow captures for marketing and onboarding.
Key Features:
• Flexible content export options
• Built-in narration support
• Custom branding tools
Pros: Great for creating polished client-facing materials. Cons: Not ideal for internal SOP use. Best For: Marketing professionals needing interactive explainers.
8) Guidde – Video-Based SOP and Process Documentation
Guidde simplifies best process documentation tool SOP creation through visual storytelling. It includes editing features, AI voiceovers, and subtitles.
Key Features:
• Built-in video editor and voiceovers
• Frame-by-frame instruction builder
• Custom branding and subtitles
Pros: Professional-grade results for public use. Cons: Overkill for internal-only documentation. Best For: Teams producing explainer videos for support, sales, or customer education.
How to Choose the Right SOP Generator
Selecting the most suitable SOP creator relies on your team’s objectives:
• For speed and simplicity: Choose Trails.
• For interactive in-app guidance: Go with Tango.
• For structured onboarding: Pick Whale or Trainual.
• Offline privacy? Go with Folge.
• Need visuals? Try Floik or Guidde.
• For quick, free tasks: Try HubSpot Guide Creator.
Final Thoughts
Documentation priorities vary across teams. Some require polished video-based explainers, while others just need quick and efficient guides. For most teams, a lightweight yet powerful SOP generator like Trails offers the perfect mix of simplicity and intelligence—user-friendly yet powerful.
Looking for a smarter SOP workflow solution, adopting an AI-based documentation tool now will reshape team productivity—minimising confusion and streamlining collaboration.