In 2025, the market is brimming with high-quality desktop publishing tools that cater to a wide range of design needs, budgets, and skill levels. From user-friendly options like Appy Pie Design and Microsoft Publisher to professional-grade platforms like QuarkXPress and Affinity Publisher, these alternatives provide unique features that can suit both beginners and seasoned designers alike.
In this blog, we’ll explore the 10 best Adobe InDesign alternatives available in 2025, comparing their key features, pros, cons, and ideal user base to help you find the right tool for your design projects—whether you need a simple flyer, a complex multi-page document, or something in between. Let’s dive in!
Adobe Indesign: Platform Overview
Adobe InDesign is a professional desktop publishing software developed by Adobe, widely recognized as the industry standard for creating and publishing multi-page layouts and digital publications. Released in 1999, it quickly became the go-to tool for designers, marketing teams, and publishing houses due to its powerful features and seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud products like Photoshop and Illustrator.
InDesign excels in handling complex layout tasks, whether for print or digital formats. It offers advanced typography controls, flexible grid systems, and support for high-resolution images, vector graphics, and interactive elements like hyperlinks and buttons for digital publications. The platform’s ability to handle multi-page documents, such as magazines, brochures, eBooks, and catalogs, sets it apart from other graphic design tools.
Best Alternatives to Adobe Indesign
Appy Pie Design
Why Appy Pie Design is a User-Friendly Alternative
Appy Pie Design stands out as a cloud-based AI design platform that caters to users looking to create high-quality designs without requiring advanced technical or design skills. It helps users create designs like images, videos and animations as well as offers a wide array of customizable templates, making it a great option for individuals, small businesses, and entrepreneurs who want to quickly create professional designs for marketing, branding, or personal use. The platform's simplicity and accessibility make it an excellent alternative for users who find Adobe InDesign too complex or expensive.
Key Features
- AI-driven design tools: Appy Pie uses AI technology to assist users in creating professional-grade designs, including posters, logos, and more.
- Intuitive, drag-and-drop interface: Users can create designs easily without any coding knowledge or prior design experience.
- Customizable templates: A vast library of design templates for business cards, posters, flyers, brochures, and more.
- Cloud-based: All design projects are stored in the cloud, allowing for easy access and collaboration from any device.
- Multiformat export: Supports exporting designs in various formats, including JPG, PNG, and PDF, ensuring versatility for both print and digital projects.
Best Suited For
Appy Pie Design is perfect for non-designers, small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs who need a quick, easy, and affordable design tool. Its intuitive interface and AI-powered features make it ideal for users with little to no design experience who need to produce professional-looking designs for marketing, branding, or events.
Pros
- Easy to use: The drag-and-drop interface and pre-built templates allow users to create designs without any advanced skills.
- Cost-effective: Appy Pie Design offers affordable pricing compared to high-end design software like Adobe InDesign.
- AI-powered features: AI tools help streamline the design process, offering suggestions and automating certain tasks to make design creation faster and easier.
- Cloud-based: Projects are stored online, making it easy to access and edit designs from anywhere.
- No learning curve: Designed to be user-friendly, meaning that anyone can pick it up and start creating designs right away.
- Suite of AI design tools: Appy Pie Design offers a suite of AI tools like AI Image Generator, AI Video Generator and AI Logo Generator that help businesses achieve their goals effortlessly.
- Design with Flawless Text: This design platform generates design with error free text almost all the time removing the possibility of getting gibberish text.
Cons
- Slow Generation of Complex Images: A potential con of AI design tools is the slow generation of images with complex prompts.
- Less suited for large, complex projects: For more advanced, multi-page documents or intricate designs, Appy Pie Design may not offer the depth of features needed.
QuarkXpress
Why QuarkXPress is a Top Alternative
QuarkXPress is often viewed as Adobe InDesign’s most direct competitor because it offers a professional-grade toolkit for desktop publishing. It is robust and caters to seasoned designers and businesses in need of advanced layout and typography features. The platform has been around for decades, known for its high precision in print design.
Key Features
- Professional layout design tools.
- Advanced typography and font control.
- Image and vector editing features integrated.
- Web and mobile app design functionality.
- Supports both print and digital publishing.
Best Suited For
QuarkXPress is best for professional designers, marketing teams, and publishing companies who require high-end features for multi-page documents and multimedia integration.
Pros
- Extensive customization options for layouts and typography.
- No subscription fees; a one-time purchase.
- Great for both print and digital outputs.
- Fast and responsive interface for large, complex documents.
Cons
- Steeper learning curve compared to other tools.
- Not as widely used in some industries as Adobe InDesign, leading to fewer third-party tutorials and community support.
- Expensive upfront cost.
Suggested Reads:Canva Alternatives
Scribus
Why Scribus is a Great Free Alternative
Scribus is the go-to option for users who need a professional-grade publishing tool without the cost. As an open-source platform, Scribus provides a high degree of flexibility and customization. Its interface and features cater to those looking for an affordable alternative with comparable capabilities to InDesign.
Key Features
- Open-source, free to use.
- Supports CMYK colors, ICC color management, and PDF creation.
- High-quality typography features.
- Pre-flight checker for print projects.
- Import/export capabilities for various file formats.
Best Suited For
Scribus is ideal for individuals, freelancers, and small businesses on a budget. It's a great fit for users who don't need to pay for Adobe InDesign but still require professional design tools.
Pros
- Completely free to use with no hidden costs.
- Excellent for creating print-ready documents, brochures, and flyers.
- Active open-source community for support.
- Features advanced typography and color management tools.
Cons
- The user interface can feel outdated compared to paid tools.
- Limited integration with other design tools and software.
- Lacks some of the advanced features found in InDesign or QuarkXPress.
Affinity Publisher
Why Affinity Publisher is a Popular Choice
Affinity Publisher has rapidly grown in popularity due to its powerful features and seamless integration with Affinity's other design software, like Designer and Photo. It’s one of the affordable options for creative professionals who want advanced tools without being tied to a subscription.
Key Features
- Seamless integration with Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo.
- Professional layout and typography tools.
- Master pages, grids, and guides for precision layouts.
- Data merge for creating business cards, labels, etc.
- Supports both print and digital publishing formats.
Best Suited For
Affinity Publisher is perfect for creative professionals, agencies, and freelancers who want an affordable, professional-grade tool for creating brochures, magazines, and other multi-page documents.
Pros
- One-time purchase with no subscription fees.
- Smooth workflow between Affinity apps (Designer and Photo).
- High-performance design tools.
- User-friendly interface with advanced features for professionals.
Cons
- No mobile or web-based version, limiting flexibility.
- Fewer third-party resources and plugins compared to Adobe products.
- Lacks some collaboration features for team-based projects.
Microsoft Publisher
Why Microsoft Publisher is a Simple Alternative
Microsoft Publisher is an excellent tool for individuals and small businesses who want an easy-to-use publishing tool without the complexity of advanced design software. It’s well-suited for basic design tasks such as creating flyers, newsletters, and brochures.
Key Features
- Simple drag-and-drop design interface.
- Pre-designed templates for various publishing needs.
- Integration with other Microsoft Office products.
- Ideal for small-scale print projects.
- Supports basic print layout, typography, and image formatting.
Best Suited For
This tool is great for small business owners, beginners, and individuals who need a straightforward solution for creating simple layouts without advanced design knowledge.
Pros
- User-friendly and easy for beginners.
- Integration with the Microsoft Office suite.
- Affordable, especially for users who already use Microsoft 365.
- Great for quick, simple design tasks.
Cons
- Limited in advanced design features and customization options.
- Not ideal for professional designers or complex, large-scale projects.
- Lacks the flexibility of more robust tools like InDesign or QuarkXPress.
Suggested Read: Photoshop Alternatives
Marq (formerly Lucidpress)
Why Marq (formerly Lucidpress) Stands Out for Collaborative Design
Marq (formerly Lucidpress) is a web-based tool that allows for real-time collaboration, making it an excellent option for teams working on brochures, flyers, and marketing materials. It simplifies design tasks with its drag-and-drop interface, so no advanced design skills are required.
Key Features
- Cloud-based platform with real-time collaboration.
- Pre-built templates for easy design.
- Customizable branding tools for businesses.
- Supports both digital and print formats.
- Drag-and-drop interface that’s beginner-friendly.
Best Suited For
Marq (formerly Lucidpress) is ideal for marketing teams, educators, and small businesses who need to collaborate on design projects and don’t want to deal with the complexities of professional design tools.
Pros
- Cloud-based for easy access from anywhere.
- Real-time collaboration makes it great for teams.
- Wide range of templates available.
- No software installation required.
Cons
- Limited customization compared to desktop publishing tools.
- Free version has limitations on the number of documents and design options.
- Requires a subscription for premium features.
Swift Publisher
Why Swift Publisher is a Great Mac-Based Option
Swift Publisher is a user-friendly desktop publishing tool designed exclusively for Mac users. It provides an intuitive interface with templates and design tools for creating brochures, flyers, and newsletters without needing advanced design experience.
Key Features
- Pre-designed templates for brochures, newsletters, and flyers.
- Master pages for consistent layouts.
- Layer-based design for more control.
- Integration with macOS-specific features.
- Vector drawing tools for custom shapes.
Best Suited For
Swift Publisher is great for individual Mac users, small businesses, and freelancers who need a straightforward, affordable design tool for creating basic layouts and print materials.
Pros
- Easy to use with a clean Mac-friendly interface.
- Affordable one-time purchase.
- Includes a variety of templates and design tools.
- Supports high-resolution printing.
Cons
- Only available for macOS.
- Limited support for complex design projects.
CorelDRAW
Why CorelDRAW is a Viable Alternative for Design and Layout
CorelDRAW, while primarily known as a vector graphics editor, also offers robust desktop publishing features, making it a powerful multi-functional tool. It's an excellent alternative for designers who want the flexibility to create both complex vector illustrations and sophisticated layouts within a single platform.
Key Features
- Industry-leading vector graphic design tools.
- Page layout features for multi-page documents like brochures and magazines.
- Advanced typography controls.
- Extensive file format support, including AI, PSD, and PDF.
- Intuitive interface with custom workspaces.
Best Suited For
CorelDRAW is ideal for graphic designers, illustrators, and professionals who need both vector editing and desktop publishing capabilities, making it perfect for creative industries such as advertising, marketing, and branding.
Pros
- Offers both graphic design and desktop publishing features in one tool.
- One-time purchase option, eliminating subscription fees.
- Intuitive user interface with customizable workspaces.
- Excellent for creating intricate vector designs alongside print layouts.
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users, particularly with advanced features.
- The full suite can be pricey, especially for small businesses or freelancers.
- Not as widely adopted in the publishing world as Adobe InDesign.
Xara Designer Pro+
Why Xara Designer Pro+ is a Flexible Design Tool
Xara Designer Pro+ is a versatile platform that combines graphic design, illustration, and desktop publishing in one comprehensive package. It offers features for both print and web design, making it a flexible alternative for designers working across various media formats. Its performance and ease of use make it a strong competitor to InDesign for those looking for an all-in-one tool.
Key Features
- Vector graphics, illustration, and page layout capabilities.
- Drag-and-drop interface with real-time rendering.
- Template-based design for fast creation of brochures, flyers, and newsletters.
- Supports web design and responsive layouts.
- PDF/X support for print-ready exports.
Best Suited For
Xara Designer Pro+ is best for freelancers, agencies, and small businesses that require a multi-functional design tool capable of handling print and digital designs. Its flexibility makes it a good choice for users who need to switch between different types of projects.
Pros
- Combines multiple design tools into one platform.
- Offers an intuitive, drag-and-drop interface.
- Good performance with fast, real-time rendering.
- Includes a range of templates and pre-designed assets.
Cons
- The subscription model can be costly over time.
- Some users may find the platform lacks the depth of features for complex publishing projects.
VivaDesigner
Why VivaDesigner is a Cost-Effective Alternative
VivaDesigner is a desktop and online layout tool that offers professional-grade features at a fraction of the cost of Adobe InDesign. It targets both individual designers and publishing teams, providing a range of tools for multi-page layouts, typography, and collaborative editing. VivaDesigner is known for its affordability and flexibility, making it an excellent option for those seeking an InDesign alternative.
Key Features
- Professional page layout and design features.
- Online and desktop versions available.
- Advanced typography controls and multi-language support.
- Collaboration tools for team editing.
- Supports various export formats, including PDF, EPS, and XML.
Best Suited For
VivaDesigner is perfect for small design studios, freelance designers, and publishing teams who need a professional-grade tool that’s both affordable and flexible. It caters to users looking for a balance between cost and advanced features.
Pros
- Low-cost alternative with a one-time purchase or subscription options.
- Available as both a desktop and online application, allowing for flexible usage.
- Advanced collaborative editing features, ideal for teams.
- Strong support for print and digital publishing.
Cons
- The interface can feel less intuitive compared to industry-standard tools.
- Lacks some advanced features and integrations found in Adobe InDesign.
- Less prominent user base, meaning fewer tutorials and third-party resources.
Conclusion
Adobe InDesign remains the industry standard for desktop publishing, but there are numerous alternatives that can suit a variety of needs and budgets. Whether you're a freelance designer seeking affordability with Affinity Publisher or Scribus, a marketing team that needs a collaborative solution like Marq (formerly Lucidpress), or a creative professional looking for versatility in tools like CorelDRAW or Xara Designer Pro+, there is a wealth of options available.
For individuals or small businesses, Microsoft Publisher or Swift Publisher offer simplicity and affordability. On the other end of the spectrum, tools like QuarkXPress and VivaDesigner provide powerful features for more complex, professional-level projects at a lower overall cost than Adobe InDesign.
In the end, the best alternative to Adobe InDesign depends on your specific requirements, project type, and budget. This comparison aims to help you make an informed decision, ensuring that your publishing and design needs are met without the need to rely solely on Adobe's subscription model.
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