This article presents a detailed functional evaluation of the main currently available tools that can be used for synchronous distance e-learning. This evaluation covers 20 tools commonly used in synchronous e-learning. Some tools have been specifically designed for synchronous e-learning and others were originally designed for web conferencing, but in their evolution, they have integrated most of the functions included in the tools designed for synchronous e-learning. Today, most of web conferencing tools allow the remote presentation of rich multimedia contents, and therefore, they can be used in synchronous e-learning with a satisfactory efficiency. On the contrary, most synchronous e-learning tools have integrated a very sophisticated web conferencing support, so they can be used for sales presentation, tele-marketing or to support collaborative work. This functional convergence opens a huge market of users for these tools, in which are involved the most important companies of the software and telecommunications sectors. Key-Words: Synchronous distance e-learning, multimedia tools, e-learning tools, functional evaluation