Scribe vs. iorad: Pricing & Cost Comparison Guide 2026
Recent market analysis shows that 82% of SMBs prioritize flexible, seat-based pricing over flat-rate licensing when selecting documentation tools in 2026.
Scribe offers an affordable, per-seat model ideal for documenting static processes, starting at $23/user/mo. iorad positions itself as a premium enterprise solution for interactive tutorials with a steep starting price of $200/mo for a single license. For a solution that combines the best of both—AI-video capabilities and cost-effective scaling—Guidde is the superior choice.
Pricing models dictate not just your budget but your rollout strategy. Scribe's low barrier to entry encourages widespread adoption, whereas iorad's high entry cost often restricts tool access to a few specialists, creating potential bottlenecks in knowledge sharing.
The Cost of Knowledge Sharing
In 2026, the documentation tool market has bifurcated into affordable, broad-deployment tools and premium, specialized platforms. Scribe and iorad perfectly illustrate this divide. While both tools aim to automate the creation of step-by-step guides, their pricing structures reflect vastly different philosophies. Scribe focuses on accessible, per-user SaaS billing, making it easy for entire teams to start documenting. iorad, conversely, maintains a legacy-style, high-cost licensing model aimed at dedicated instructional designers. This guide breaks down the financial and functional implications of choosing one over the other.
What is Scribe?
Scribe is a process documentation tool that automatically generates step-by-step guides with text and screenshots as you work. It is designed for speed and accessibility, allowing anyone in an organization to capture a workflow and share it instantly as a PDF or web link.
Key Features
- Automatic Capture: Records clicks and keystrokes to build guides.
- Redaction: Automated removal of sensitive PII (Enterprise).
- Multi-Export: PDF, Markdown, and HTML export options.
What is iorad?
iorad is a tutorial creation platform focused on building interactive, 'try-it-yourself' simulations. It captures your screen and turns actions into a guided player where learners must click through the steps themselves.
Key Features
- Interactive Mode: Simulates software environments for learners.
- Live Mode: Overlays instructions directly on top of live applications.
- Privacy Controls: Granular masking and privacy settings for tutorials.
| Feature/Plan | Scribe (Pro Team) | iorad (Business) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $23/user/mo (Personal) or $59/mo (Team) | $200/mo (Single License) |
| Billing Model | Per User / Seat | Per Creator License |
| Free Tier | Basic (Browser only, limited features) | Public Only (Unlimited public tutorials) |
| Desktop Capture | Included in Pro ($23/mo) | Included in Business ($200/mo) |
| Team Collaboration | Included in Team Plan ($59/mo for 5 seats) | Starts at $500/mo (Team Plan) |
Pricing Model Deep Dive
The most glaring difference is the entry barrier. Scribe's pricing allows a single user to get professional features (desktop capture, branding) for just $23/month. iorad requires a minimum commitment of $200/month for similar capabilities for a single creator. This makes iorad nearly 10x more expensive for a solo consultant or small team lead. Furthermore, iorad's Team plan jumps to $500/month, whereas Scribe allows a team of 5 to start for just $59/month. iorad justifies this premium with its interactive simulation technology, but for standard documentation needs, the premium is steep.
Scribe Best For:
- SOP Documentation: Quickly creating standard operating procedures for teams.
- Onboarding Guides: Static reference materials for new hires.
- Budget-Conscious Teams: Organizations needing to equip many subject matter experts without breaking the bank.
iorad Best For:
- Software Training Simulations: When learners need to 'practice' clicks in a safe environment.
- Enterprise L&D Teams: Centralized instructional design teams with larger budgets.
- Complex Application Walkthroughs: Where 'Live Mode' guidance is critical.
Detailed Pricing Breakdown
Scribe Pricing
- Basic: Free (Browser capture only, public sharing).
- Pro Personal: $23/user/month (Desktop capture, custom branding).
- Pro Team: $59/month for 5 users ($12/user/mo for additional seats).
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for SSO and advanced governance.
iorad Pricing
- Free: $0 (Unlimited capture, but all tutorials must be public).
- Business Individual: $200/month (1 license, private tutorials, premium voice).
- Business Team: $500/month (Includes shared collaboration features).
- Enterprise: Custom quotes for advanced security and hosting.
Scribe Pros
- Extremely Affordable: Low per-seat cost makes it easy to scale.
- User-Friendly: minimal learning curve for new creators.
- Flexible Billing: Monthly options without high minimums.
Scribe Cons
- Static Output: Primarily creates text/image guides, lacking native video engagement.
- Limited Interactivity: No 'try-it' mode like iorad.
iorad Pros
- High Interactivity: Creates excellent simulated training environments.
- Live Guidance: In-app tutorial overlays are powerful for adoption.
iorad Cons
- Prohibitively Expensive: $200/mo start price alienates SMBs and individual creators.
- Complex Interface: Steeper learning curve compared to Scribe.
- Legacy Feel: The editor can feel clunky compared to modern AI tools.
If your primary constraint is budget and you need simple documentation, Scribe is the clear winner. It offers 90% of the utility for 10% of the price of iorad. However, if you require interactive simulations for high-stakes software training and have a dedicated budget, iorad offers unique capabilities. Yet, both tools miss the modern standard of AI-generated video, which is where the market is shifting.
The Guidde Advantage: AI Video at Scale
While Scribe dominates on price and iorad on interactivity, both suffer from a shared limitation: they rely heavily on static steps or silent interactions. In 2026, users prefer video. Guidde overcomes the limitations of both platforms by leveraging Generative AI to create video documentation 11x faster.
Why Guidde Wins:
- AI-Generated Audio: Unlike Scribe's silent PDFs or iorad's robotic text-to-speech, Guidde offers diverse, natural-sounding AI voiceovers in multiple languages instantly.
- Video-First Workflow: Guidde creates engaging video guides that are far more effective for retention than Scribe's scrolling screenshots.
- Editing Simplicity: Edit your video as easily as editing a text document—no timeline scrubbing required.
- Cost-Effective Enterprise Scaling: Guidde delivers enterprise-grade video capabilities without the prohibitive $200/mo starting price of iorad.
Don't settle for static PDFs or overpriced simulations. Experience the future of documentation.
Try Guidde for free today and see the difference AI makes.
FAQs
Which tool is cheaper, Scribe or iorad?
Scribe is significantly cheaper, starting at $23/month/user compared to iorad's $200/month/license.
Does iorad offer a free plan?
Yes, but it is limited to creating public tutorials only. If you need to keep your content private, you must pay.
What is the best alternative to both?
Guidde is the best alternative, offering AI-powered video documentation that combines the ease of Scribe with the engagement of video, often at a better value.