When it comes to creating print media, posters, and publications, one can only think of Adobe InDesign. It is a well-known typesetting and desktop publishing software for all, including production artists and professional graphic designers. This tool helps you a lot if you are running image-related ventures.

• Free Alternative To Indesign Mac Os
• Indesign Cs6 Portable Free Download
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• Free Indesign Software
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Helvetica is not installed by default by the Creative Cloud or InDesign. You can add additional fonts with Typeset in InDesign or other CC applications. In InDesign, choose Type Find Fonts from Typekit to see what's available. Only fonts marked as 'Desktop' can be used in desktop applications like InDesign.

1. Download Blender: Windows Mac (Free) Related: Do I need 8GB or 16GB RAM MacBook Pro? Adobe InDesign Alternatives. With Adobe InDesign, you can create page layouts, paste-ups with careful measurement. If you are one who is interested in designing apps, Adobe InDesign will help you design the user interface and other layout designs of your app.
2. Starting with one of the best and free InDesign alternative software! Scribus was launched in 2001 and still hasn’t lost its zest over time: it gets updated, catching up with the changing publishers’ needs. With its set of free templates for designing brochures, business cards, and newsletters, Scribus is a gold mine!
3. Certain professionals avoid this free alternative because the processing of images is a bit slower in the Mac version. Overall though, it is a good choice for creatives and most certainly the best free Adobe Illustrator alternative.

Adobe InDesign enables users to create works like posters, flyers, newspapers, presentation, brochures, magazines, books, and other things. However, if you are looking for the best InDesign alternative, we have got your back. In this article, you will get to know about the top free InDesign alternatives along with their detailed description, including pros and cons. So, let’s get started with our list of the ten best InDesign alternatives for Windows & Mac!

PS: If you would like to know how to insert images in InDesign as well as how to resize an image in InDesign, this is just for you. Also, here is the detailed information on InDesign vs. Publisher.

Top 10 InDesign Alternatives for Windows & Mac

Some of the best InDesign alternatives for Mac are listed as follows!

1. Scribus

Scribus is a publishing application for desktops. It is designed especially for producing flexible layouts to prepare files. This tool allows users to create interactive PDFs and animation. All of these striking features make Scribus an InDesign alternative for Mac.
Scribus features an easy-t0o-user interface. It comes with impressive features like bitmap formats, flexible page templates, ICC color management, PDF creation, spot colors, and CMYK colors. This tool even supports markup languages like Lilypond and Latex.

Pros

• Available for free
• Supports bitmap formats
• User-friendly interface

Cons

• No support for INDD files and Pantone colors
• No print feature
• Needs scripts for performing several functions

Compatibility: Linux, Mac, and Windows

2. PDFelement

PDFelement is the best InDesign alternative for Mac. This ODT2PDF converter tool was designed especially to deliver premium PDF experience. It even works perfectly with Mac OS 10.14 version. What makes PDFelement incredible is its superb features.
The amazing features of this PDF Page Remover tool help users to produce professional PDF files. Some of its features include OCR function and various editing tools. It is even capable of converting, extracting, protecting, and sharing files.

Pros

• User-friendly and simple interface
• Improved OCR experience to convert scanned PDFs to searchable and editable text
• Product and turn PDFs into other formats
• Annotate and edit PDFs like word processors
• Protect PDFs with digital signatures, permissions, redaction, and passwords
• 24/7 customer support along with an online forum
• It can convert PDF to Midi file and convert or add text to PDF

Cons

• Noted no cons so far

Compatibility: Up to MacOS 11 and Windows 10

3. VivaDesigner

VivaDesigner is another powerful InDesign alternative. It comprises of all the striking features that you get with InDesign. Undoubtedly, this tool is really powerful than InDesign. The best part is that VivaDesigner is so simple and easy to use.
This application offers amazing features like CMYK and master pages optimization. This makes the printing and assembling of documents a lot easier. With the integrated word processor of VivaDesigner, you can edit and write articles directly.

Pros

• Intuitive user interface
• Enhanced collaboration among users

Free Alternative To Indesign Mac Os

Cons

• Expensive InDesign alternative

Compatibility: Mac

4. QuarkXPress

It is another great InDesign alternative. QuarkXPress is designed especially for editing and developing complex files. It even works perfectly in a WYSIWYG setting with intricate files. With this tool, you can create editable PDF files.
The most recent version of QuarkXPress allows you to publish in 36 different languages other than English. It enables users to enjoy control over shapes, text, opacity, images, and shapes. QuarkXPress works great with a wide variety of file formats. The tool helps you in producing advertisements, magazines, brochures, catalogs, books, newspapers, mobile apps, flipbooks, etc.

Also, click here to find out how to see the word count in InDesign.

Pros

• Supports almost all devices
• Available for use in WYSIWYG environments

Cons

• Advanced user-interface
• Expensive InDesign alternative

Compatibility: Mac and Windows

5. Canva

Canva is a very popular graphic design application for non-designers and beginners. This InDesign alternative comes with a user-friendly interface. Here, users can select from a wide range of graphics, design visuals, document templates, and fonts. It enables users to produce a web-ready version of any design product.
This platform features various adders and icons. The amazing thing about this tool is that it is available for free. However, there are in-app purchases for layouts, templates, and photographs. Otherwise, this tool works fine without even paying a penny.

Pros

• Drag-and-drop and simple interface
• Available for free
• Advanced features available
• Comes with lots of features

Cons

• The problem persists while billing

Compatibility: Mac and Windows

6. Affinity Publisher

Affinity Publisher comes with a revolutionized desktop publishing. This InDesign alternative comprises a lot of exciting features. Some of these features include photo editing tools and altered graphic design. It works on both Windows and Mac systems.
With Affinity Publisher, it is really easy to update spreads, master pages, and contents. The “Sections” tab allows you to allocate mater pages and control design in an intuitive way. One can simply edit the master layer on a single page with this tool. Its editing styles are really easy to control and work similarly to MS Word.

Pros

• Easy to navigate and intuitive interface
• Offers various templates
• Comprises all the InDesign functions

Cons

• Inadequate typography tools
• Only available for beta users

Compatibility: Mac and Windows

7. Swift Publisher

Swift Publisher is a desktop publishing and plain page layout software. This InDesign alternative comes with impressive features. One can use these amazing features for creating professional documents like catalogs and brochures.
The template gallery of Swift Publisher offers more than300 options for advertisements, flyers, restaurant menus, and catalogs. Using the section “Electronic Media,” you can even design Twitter and Facebook covers. To manage multipage documents, you can use several options present on the window, including layout tools and toolbar.

Pros

• Comes with 300 templates for various desktop publishing requirements
• Affordable tool
• Really easy and simple to use

Cons

• Not available for Windows
• Just key tools for importing and creating graphics files

Compatibility: Mac

8. PageStream

PageStream is a great desktop publishing tool. This InDesign alternative was launched initially under the tag “Publishing Partner,” which made its way in the market in 1986. PageStream works exactly like InDesign on Mac systems. Users can easily manage the work using the interesting features of this software.
The tool enables users to incorporate powerful and smooth graphics features into projects. Hence, you do not have to switch between tools to attain that illustration appeal. There are lots of tools available for promoting flexibility and speed in the design parameters.

Pros

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• Inexpensive InDesign alternative
• Works across several operating systems
• Easy to use interface

Cons

Free Alternative To Indesign Mac Download

• Bad customer support
• No OCR feature

Compatibility: Linux, Mac, Amiga OS, and Windows

9. SpringPublisher

It is a free desktop publishing tool that helps in creating posters, brochures, flyers, books, magazines, presentation, newsletters, etc. This InDesign alternative is really easy and simple to use, which makes it perfect for beginners. One can use this tool for creating simple designs, adding texts, codes, and vector shapes.
With SpringPublisher, you can even work with layers and layouts. It even works great for editing images using a wide variety of available templates. Using its free version, you can save designs with a maximum of 180 DPI output.

Pros

• Lots of amazing templates and layouts
• Available for free
• Great for beginners

Cons

• No premium version available

Compatibility: Mac and Windows

10. Lucidpress

Lucidpress is a tool that users use to create and design various document layouts. This web-based software is great for print. It even carries out dynamic work when it comes to working with digital formats. The incredible features of this software make it the best InDesign alternative.
Lucidpress comes with a lot of amazing features, which are really easy to manage. Using these features, users can seamlessly work without facing an issue. It works efficiently as a graphic designing application. Just register on the application and start working on your documents.

Pros

• Works perfectly with all browsers
• No need to download any app
• Protected with SSI through AES-25bit encryption

Cons

• Its free version allows publishing to just three pages
• Complex user-interface

Compatibility: Mac

Here, ends our list of the best ten alternatives to InDesign. All of these applications come with several pros and cons. Here, each and every application comes with its own amazing features. If you are looking for the best alternative to InDesign, you need to consider the above-mentioned tools. Check out the features, pros, and cons of every InDesign alternative before settling on a tool.

So, you can go with the desired InDesign alternative based on your needs and requirements. Choose any of the applications from the options given above and download the best InDesign alternative to get rid of the complex interface of InDesign! Also, click to find out how to wrap text in InDesign and learn more about the Architecture Cover Letter Sample and Tips.

It’s not you.

It’s InDesign.

For the beginner, it’s too complicated.

For the budget-conscious small business owner, it’s too expensive to use in the long term.

Wondering if there are better graphic design tools in the market? This guide is for you.

Today, I’ll share 10 great InDesign alternatives and who each of these tools is best suited for.

Whether you want to design a resume for your next freelance gig or share animated images on social media, this guide will help you narrow down your choice.

Let’s get right into it.

1. Canva

Pricing: Free plan available. 30-day free trial for paid plans. Paid plans start at $12.95 and $30.00. Discounts for classrooms, nonprofits, and annual subscriptions.

Platform: Cloud-based.

Mobile App: Android and IOS.

It’s impossible to dislike Canva.

This popular drag-and-drop platform is so easy to use that anyone can make a text-based design that looks as though a pro created it.

Just the free plan alone is enough to do all you need.

Main Features:

• Photo editing tools (e.g., image cropper, text to photo, photo effects)
• Graph maker
• Animator
• Wide integrations with platforms like Facebook and Google Drive
• HUGE variety of templates, icons, and fonts

Pros:

• Extremely intuitive.

Limitations: Editor stalls when there are many design pages in a file, or multiple objects on a page.

Best For: Non-designers who want to make text-based graphics like presentations, business cards, social media posts, and logos.

2. Resumonk

Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans start at $29 (1-year access). Grab the Resumonk lifetime deal on AppSumo today for $39.

Platform: Cloud-based.

Mobile App: None.

With Resumonk, creating resumes for your next independent contractor gig is a stress-free process.

Simply import your bio from LinkedIn, and the resume maker whips up a resume you can use right away.

Main Features:

• Resume builder
• Import from LinkedIn
• Custom URL for public sharing
• Cover letter builder
• 20+ templates collection

Pros:

• Keep track of all resume versions on the dashboard.
• One-click resume clone. It’s easy to customize your resume for different job postings.

Limitations: Lack of deep customization (e.g., unable to alter the column widths and color of a specific section of the resume).

Best For: Freelancers who want to create professional and effective resumes in a few clicks of a button.

3. QuarkXPress

Source: QuarkXPress

Pricing:7-day free trial. Product is a perpetual license, and comes with your choice of subscriptions for updates and technical support. Plans start at $395 for the software and a year subscription.

Platform: Windows and Mac.

Mobile App: None.

Before there was Adobe InDesign, there was QuarkXPress.

Sure, this page layout software may no longer be #1 in the market, but its 2020 version has come a long way.

What’s more, it’s still actively used in big agencies and publishing companies. Check out this tool if you work with folks in the agency or print industries.

Main Features:

• Flex page builder
• Embed HTML
• Import PDF with Artbox and Boundingbox
• Multi-orientation page support
• Paragraph style street enhancements

Pros:

• Robust features to control exactly how the layout looks.

Limitations: Slight learning curve and expensive.

Best For: Advanced graphic designers in agencies and the publishing industry.

4. Lucidpress

Pricing: Free plan available. 7-day free trial for paid plans. Paid plans start at $10 a month.

Platform: Cloud-based.

Mobile App: None.

Need an easier way to review a design before releasing it to the wild? Check out Lucidpress.

This brand templating platform helps you gather feedback from stakeholders in real-time.

All you need to do is set the requirements, request approval from the admins, and let Lucidpress do the rest.

Main Features:

• Design tools (e.g., drag-and-drop editor)
• Hundreds of professionally designed templates
• Data automation
• Team management

Pros:

• User-friendly interface.
• Document approval — review and approve each document before publishing.

Limitations: Lag issues (i.e., templates take a while to load).

Best For: Marketers who create marketing assets and want to streamline their approval workflow.

5. Piktochart

Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans start at $29 and $99 a month. Discounts for classrooms, nonprofits, and annual subscriptions.

Platform: Cloud-based.

Mobile App: None.

Who says presentations are boring?

With Piktochart, anyone can transform any complex data into captivating stories. Select a template, import your data, make additional tweaks, and voilà.

This is visual storytelling at its best.

Main Features:

• Interactive charts and maps
• Graphics (e.g., illustrations, shapes, icons)
• Design components (e.g., lists, timelines, comparisons)

Pros:

• Zero learning curve — great for non-designers.
• Excel and Google Sheets integrations to create graphs (psst, they automatically update when your data does!).

Limitations: Lack of templates for the free version. Compared to competitors like Canva, the difference is astounding.

Best For: Startup founders who want to create data-backed presentations like pitch decks and sales reports.

6. RelayThat

Pricing: $25/month for two users. Enterprise plan available.

Platform: Cloud-based.

Mobile App: None.

Ever used a design platform that claims to resize visuals for different social platforms, only to find it resizes just the background canvas?

Pfffft, some brands are just plain sneaky…

Luckily, RelayThat doesn’t do that. This fantastic tool automatically resizes your designs without requiring any additional work from you.

That’s right; you can easily share consistent graphics to every social media channel without spending unnecessary hours tweaking them!

Main Features:

• Headline generator
• Brand management
• One-click resize — adjust image size to fit any social media channel in a click.
• Automated image SEO

Pros:

• Switch between multiple campaigns in just a click.
• Import colors, photos, and logos from your website by inserting your URL in RelayThat’s import field.

Limitations: Lack of full custom control. Sumo-lings report they could not crop pictures and move and resize certain elements (e.g., color blocks under text).

Best For: Small business owners who want to create on-brand images for multiple social media accounts.

7. Venngage

Pricing: Free plan for students. Paid plans are $19 and $49 a month. Discounts for classrooms, nonprofits, and quarterly and annual subscriptions.

Platform: Cloud-based.

Mobile App: None.

With Venngage, it takes minutes to turn snooze-worthy data into engaging infographics.

Whether you’re looking to get high-quality backlinks or create a better reading experience for your readers, this infographic maker can make it happen.

Main Features:

• Photo editing (e.g., resize, crop, and change opacity)
• Hundreds of charts, maps, and icons
• Customizable infographic templates (new ones are added weekly)
• Free-form design canvas

Pros:

• Customizable template collections (i.e., pick what kind of templates you like best, and Venngage will recommend you a collection).
• Advanced collection of charts (e.g., stacked bubble, scatter plot).

Limitations: Editor can be slow when loading.

Best For: Marketers who want to design data-driven infographics.

8. Affinity Publisher

Pricing:30-day free trial. One-time fee of $49.99.

Platform: Windows and Mac.

Mobile App: None.

Say hello to Affinity Publisher, a desktop publishing program that helps you combine your images, graphics, and text and turn them into a work of art.

Use it with Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo for a smooth, productive workflow.

Main Features:

• IDML import
• Preflight checker
• Smart master pages
• OpenType support

Pros:

• StudioLink — switch between Affinity’s other apps (Designer and Photo) seamlessly.

Limitations:Users report frequent crashes.

Best For: Professional graphic designers working in print and looking to improve their workflow.

9. Swift Publisher

Source: YouTube

Pricing: Free trial. Licenses start at $19.99.

Platform: Mac.

Mobile App: None.

For printing CDs and business cards, look no further than Swift Publisher.

This all-purpose desktop publishing app for Mac supports direct-on-CD printing and multiple paper formats from popular manufacturers.

Main Features:

• 500+ professional templates
• Design and text tools (e.g., tint, crop, and circular text)
• Publishing tools (e.g., spread view, text to curve)
• Import options
• Sharing and printing

Pros:

• Circular text and vertical text tools; helpful when you want to wrap text around curved objects (e.g., iPhone casings).
• Mail merge with Apple contacts — automatically prints for all contacts in only one batch.
• Supports label and card papers (by Avery, Neato, Memorex, and more) and multiple direct-to-disc printers.

Limitations: Doesn’t support Windows.

Best For: Small business owners who want to design print materials like business cards, discs, and flyers.

10. Crello

Source: Crello

Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans start at $7.99/month, billed annually. Grab the Crello one-year deal on AppSumo today for $67.

Platform: Cloud-based.

Mobile App: Android and IOS.

Where to begin for Crello?

This graphic design software is a must-have to create animations for social ads.

With over 6,500 animated templates, marketers (even with zero designing skills!) can create snazzy videos and wow their users.

Main Features:

• Photo editing tools (e.g., frames, speech bubbles, photo filters)
• 6,500+ animated templates
• 3,400+ animated objects
• Design objects (e.g., icons, badges, labels)
• Animation (e.g., trim video, animated logos)

Pros:

Free Indesign Software

• Top-notch templates
• Fast rendering
• One-click resize

Limitations: Missing grid objects. From a Sumo-ling: “I’d like to have a nine-masks grid to put nine photos in them. I can make it manually with a copy-pasting one mask element, but it’s annoying, and it won’t be precise.”

Best For: Marketers who want to create animated images (e.g., GIFs).

Create Stress-Free Graphics With These InDesign Alternatives

Each of these tools has its strengths.

Affinity Indesign Alternative

For example, while Canva does offer an impressive collection of resume templates, it’s better to create your resume on Resumonk as you can import your credentials from LinkedIn and easily customize it for different job postings.

I hope this comparison guide narrows down a suitable graphic design tool for your business!

Here’s a quick refresher on these InDesign alternatives’ best use cases:

• Canva: Non-designers who want to make text-based graphics like presentations, business cards, social media posts, and logos.
• Resumonk: Freelancers who want to create professional and effective resumes in a few clicks of a button. Grab the Resumonk lifetime deal on AppSumo today for $39.
• QuarkXPress: Advanced graphic designers in agencies and the publishing industry.
• Lucidpress: Marketers who create marketing assets and want to streamline their approval workflow.
• Piktochart: Startup founders who want to create data-backed presentations like pitch decks and sales reports.
• RelayThat: Small business owners who want to create on-brand images for multiple social media accounts.
• Venngage: Marketers who want to design data-driven infographics.
• Affinity Publisher: Professional graphic designers working in print and looking to improve their workflow.
• Swift Publisher: Small business owners who want to design print materials like business cards, discs, and flyers.
• Crello: Marketers who want to create animated images (e.g., GIFs). Grab the Crello one-year deal on AppSumo today for $67.

Which graphic design tool will you get today?