What are the best free alternatives to Adobe InDesign?
Free Adobe InDesign alternatives. Adobe InDesign offers its users artistic opportunities and a high degree of creative freedom for the realization of projects. As a layout program with a large range of functions, it is used by many publishers, marketing agencies as well as freelance graphic designers.
Scribus
Scribus is free and open-source desktop publishing software available for most desktop operating systems. It is designed for layout, typesetting, and preparation of files for professional-quality image-setting equipment. Scribus can also create animated and interactive PDF presentations and forms.
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| ✔ Free open-source solution | ✘ Operation and user interface are less intuitive than InDesign |
| ✔ Continuous development and improvement | ✘ Text formation and imports are a bit cumbersome |
Visit: www.scribus.net
Free Adobe InDesign alternatives
Marq (formerly Lucidpress)
Marq is a web-based desktop publishing software application. Built on web standards such as HTML5 and JavaScript, Marq is supported in modern web browsers including Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer 8+.
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| ✔ Simple operation without much training | ✘ Free version has very restricted range |
| ✔ Attractive interface | ✘ Privacy concerns for online applications |
Visit: www.marq.com.
Free Adobe InDesign alternatives
VivaDesigner
Alternative to InDesign and InDesign Server. Server with which you can edit InDesign documents online in your browser. VivaDesigner is the first typesetting and layout program in the world for both desktop and Web. This economically priced high-end DTP program is extremely powerful and still very easy to use.
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| ✔ Cross-platform system | ✘ Range of functions in the free version is severely restricted (no PDF output) |
| ✔ Free version also available to commercial users | |
| ✔ Good price-to-performance ratio in the full version |
Visit: www.viva.us
Free Adobe InDesign alternatives
Canva
Canva is an Australian graphic design platform, used to create social media graphics, presentations, posters, documents, and other visual content. The app includes templates for users to use. Canva is your free photo editor and video editor in one graphic design app!
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| ✔ Good InDesign alternative for simple graphics and small projects | ✘ Not a full DTP solution |
| ✔ Quick-to-learn operation | |
| ✔ Teamwork features available in the free version |
Visit: www.canva.com
Free Adobe InDesign alternatives
| Type | Pricing | Benefits | Drawbacks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scribus | Open source solution | Free download | Free alternative to InDesign with comparable functions, continuous development, suitable for professional use | Requires a training period, use and interface less intuitive, some central functions cumbersome |
| Lucidpress | Web-based application | Free version with restricted features, paid full version | Easy to use, no extensive training necessary, good support available for beginners on the clear user interface | Limited range of functions in the free version, less suited for professional use, data security should be considered (online storage) |
| VivaDesigner | Desktop and web versions available, cross-platform | Free version, paid full version | Free version also available for commercial users | Full range of functions only for paying users, otherwise severely restricted |
| Canva | Purely web-based application | Freemium model | Short training period, simple and intuitive tool | Not a full alternative to InDesign |
Free Adobe InDesign alternatives
