The Best Adobe InDesign Alternatives for Every Designer
Adobe InDesign has long been the industry standard for desktop publishing, creating beautiful layouts for print and digital media. Though its ability to create content for Flash Player-based sites is no longer in high demand, InDesign is still a great piece of software for creating PDFs and other types of content for webpages and print. However, for many users, the subscription model, steep learning curve, or specific feature sets can be a barrier. Because of how exporting from InDesign functions, you might need to look for software alternatives that can export designs and layouts to more modern digital frameworks (such as QuarkXPress and its ability to export content to HTML5 or Scribus and its support for creating interactive PDF forms). Fortunately, there are many powerful and user-friendly Adobe InDesign alternative options available that cater to a variety of needs and budgets.
Top Adobe InDesign Alternatives
Whether you're a professional designer looking for a robust alternative, a small business needing cost-effective solutions, or a beginner just starting out, there's an InDesign alternative perfect for you. Here's a curated list of the top contenders.
Scribus
Scribus is a fantastic open-source Adobe InDesign alternative, available for Free on Mac, Windows, Linux, BSD, and PortableApps.com. It's a desktop publishing (DTP) application designed for flexible layout and typesetting, with the ability to prepare files for professional quality image setting equipment. Scribus can also create animated and interactive PDF presentations and forms, making it a powerful choice for those who need features like color management, interactive PDF forms, and publishing capabilities without the cost.
Affinity Publisher
Affinity Publisher stands out as a strong commercial Adobe InDesign alternative for Mac and Windows users. It's lauded for being inexpensive and offering a one-time purchase, completely free of subscriptions. This app is known for its intuitive interface, ultra-fast performance, and robust features like desktop publishing, PDF editing, and print brochure capabilities, making it a powerful and bloat-free option for professional designers.
Canva
For those seeking a more accessible and web-based Adobe InDesign alternative, Canva is an excellent freemium option available on Web, iPhone, and iPad. It simplifies the design process with its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to easily create stunning designs for web or print, including blog graphics, presentations, flyers, and more. Its online collaboration and export to PNG features make it ideal for quick and easy visual content creation.
QuarkXPress
QuarkXPress is a long-standing commercial Adobe InDesign alternative for Mac and Windows, known for creating and editing complex page layouts in a WYSIWYG environment. It offers advanced features like export to HTML, a built-in image editor, a built-in PDF converter, support for Javascript, and excellent handling of large imported pictures, making it a powerful choice for professional publishing needs, including digital-to-print conversion and even InDesign import.
Lucidpress
Lucidpress is a web-based, freemium Adobe InDesign alternative that makes creating beautiful print and digital documents accessible to everyone. Perfect for flyers, brochures, newsletters, and more, it offers cloud sync, Google Drive integration, online sharing, and export to PDF. Its web-based nature makes it a flexible and convenient option for collaborative design and publishing.
Desygner
Desygner provides an online and mobile freemium Adobe InDesign alternative for Web, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, and iPad users. It's a simpler alternative to more complicated design suites, offering visual design, custom templates, and features like social media integration and marketing tools. Desygner's collaborative design tool allows anyone, regardless of skill level, to create stunning designs.
VivaDesigner
VivaDesigner is an economically priced, high-end commercial Adobe InDesign alternative available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. It's powerful yet easy to use, with innovative concepts to improve workflows and document management. Features like database publishing, cloud-based capabilities, support for MathML, and team publishing make it an excellent choice for simplifying collaborations between various parties.
Swift Publisher
For Mac users, Swift Publisher is an easy-to-use commercial Adobe InDesign alternative for page layout and desktop publishing. It provides all the necessary tools for creating professional-looking documents such as flyers, brochures, catalogs, magazines, and more. Its key features include desktop publishing, support for layers, and print brochure capabilities, making it a solid choice for Apple enthusiasts.
DesignBold
DesignBold is a freemium web-based Adobe InDesign alternative designed to make design fun and effortless. With its drag-and-drop simplicity and keyboard shortcuts, users can achieve sophisticated results without needing technical expertise. It offers a wide range of features including social media integration, content templates, image editing, convert images to PDF, and scheduling for social media posts, making it a versatile tool for various design needs.
Canvas
Canvas 11 is a commercial Adobe InDesign alternative for Windows, offering a cost-effective and integrated solution for technical illustrations and graphics. It provides precision tools, support for layers, and the ability to save as EPS and export to PDF, making it a robust option for users who require detailed and technical design capabilities.
With a diverse array of options ranging from open-source powerhouses to user-friendly web applications, finding the right Adobe InDesign alternative is easier than ever. Consider your specific needs, budget, and desired features to choose the best fit for your design and publishing projects.