InDesign Alternatives (2026): 10 Tools Compared

InDesign is the industry standard for brochures, magazines, books and menus, and it can do almost anything with type and pages. But it's a big program, and many small businesses only need a tidy leaflet, a simple menu or a catalogue that looks professional.

Here are ten InDesign alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. They range from browser tools with templates to open-source desktop publishing software, and every description comes from each tool's own website and directory listings. If you're also weighing up online design apps, my review of a popular drag-and-drop design app may help you decide.

InDesign alternatives side by side

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site shows a permanent free plan, free app or open-source download. Trial only means there's a free trial or time-limited free version but no ongoing free way to use it in full. Free plans usually come with limits or watermarks, so read what's included.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Adobe Express	Online design app	Flyers, posters and quick print designs	Yes
Affinity	Design and layout suite	Layout, vector and photo work in one app	Yes
Apple Pages	Document and layout app	Simple leaflets and documents on Apple devices	Yes
Canva	Online design tool	Templates for brochures, menus and social posts	Yes
Flipsnack	Flipbook and brochure maker	Online catalogues and digital magazines	Yes
Marq	Brand templates platform	On-brand documents for teams	Yes
Scribus	Open-source desktop publishing	Print-ready layout on a free program	Yes
Swift Publisher	Mac page layout app	Brochures, cards and labels on a Mac	Trial only
Visme	Visual content platform	Reports, documents and infographics	Yes
VivaDesigner	Layout and typesetting program	Books and magazines on desktop or web	Trial only

Ten page layout tools to try instead of InDesign

Adobe Express

Best for: Small business owners who want to knock out flyers and social graphics quickly, with a free plan to start on.

Affinity

Best for: Designers who want page layout, vector drawing and photo editing together, on Mac or Windows, free for individuals.

Apple Pages

Best for: Apple device owners who need tidy newsletters, flyers and reports without learning a full layout program.

Canva

Best for: Non-designers who want ready-made templates for brochures, menus and flyers that they can tweak in a browser.

Flipsnack

Best for: Businesses publishing brochures, catalogues or magazines as page-turning online flipbooks that readers open by link.

Marq

Best for: Teams that need brochures, sales sheets and other documents to stay consistent with their brand.

Scribus

Best for: People who want a real page layout program for print, with open-source software and no licence.

Swift Publisher

Best for: Mac users making brochures, business cards and labels who'd like to try the app before they decide.

Visme

Best for: Marketers who want branded reports, documents and infographics from templates, using the free Basic plan.

VivaDesigner

Best for: Publishers and designers who need layout and typesetting tools on Windows, Mac or Linux, with a free download to try.

What to look for in page layout software

Layout tools all arrange text and images on a page, but they differ in how much control you get and how much help you're given. These are the points to weigh up.

• Control over type. Look for real columns, text flow between boxes, master pages and style settings if you're making anything longer than a leaflet.
• Print readiness. If the job is going to a printer, check for bleed, crop marks and CMYK colour support.
• Templates. A good library saves hours if you're not a trained designer.
• Output. Decide whether you need a print PDF, a web page, or an online flipbook, and check the tool supports it.
• Platform. Some tools are Mac only, some are browser based, and some run on Windows, Mac and Linux.
• Brand control. If several people create documents, look for ways to lock logos, colours and fonts.

If layout terms such as bleed, kerning or leading are new to you, my guide to key graphic design terms explains them in plain English.

Questions to ask before you leave the Adobe layout world

• Do I need to keep editing existing InDesign files, or am I starting fresh?
• Will my documents go to a commercial printer, a desk printer or only appear on screen?
• Am I making single pages, such as flyers and menus, or long documents, such as books and magazines?
• Does anyone else need to open or edit the files, and which program will they have?
• Is a free version or trial long enough to finish a real job?
• Will I be working with fonts and images that need to travel with the file?

Which kind of layout tool suits your project

• Template-led online design apps suit flyers, menus, social posts and one-off print jobs where speed matters more than fine typographic control.
• Open-source and traditional desktop publishing programs suit longer print documents where you want full control over pages, columns and colour.
• Flipbook and online publishing tools suit catalogues and magazines that readers browse on a screen rather than print.
• Brand-template platforms suit teams that need many people to produce consistent documents.
• Everyday document apps suit simple newsletters and reports where layout is a bonus rather than the whole point.

For adverts in particular, my static ad layout cheat sheet shows how to arrange images and headlines so they get noticed.

Handing over layout files when you switch

• Ask your printer which file types they accept before you commit to a new tool. A print-ready PDF is usually the safe choice.
• Embed or outline your fonts, or you may find the text shifts when someone else opens the file.
• Keep your original InDesign packages. Don't delete them until a finished job has come back from print.
• Save your logos as vector files so they stay sharp at any size.
• Make one simple, single-page document first to learn how the new tool handles text and images.

Layout mistakes to avoid

• Choosing a tool for its looks, then discovering it can't export what your printer needs.
• Cramming too much onto a page. White space helps people read.
• Using low-resolution images, which print blurry even when they look fine on screen.
• Mixing too many fonts in a single document.
• Skipping a proof. Always check a printed or screen proof before approving a big print run.

Why a smaller layout tool can be worth a look

Smaller layout tools tend to focus on a particular job, such as flipbooks, labels, typesetting or on-brand documents. They're often quicker to learn than a full publishing suite and can fit the way a small team works.

Before you rely on one, check that it's still being updated, that it exports the file types your printer or readers need, and that its free plan or trial is clear on its own site. Microsoft has also announced the retirement of its own desktop publishing app, so check Microsoft's support pages if you still rely on it.

Do you make a layout or desktop publishing tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Choosing your next page layout tool

Pick two tools that match the kind of document you make most, whether that's menus, brochures, catalogues or books. Build the same sample page in each, export it the way your printer or readers need it, and keep the one that gets a clean result without a fight.

Frequently asked questions

What is the closest thing to InDesign?

A desktop publishing program with master pages, text flow and print-ready export is the closest match. If you mainly make flyers and menus, a template-led design app may be quicker.

Is there a free alternative to InDesign?

Yes. Several tools on this page are free, open source, or have a free plan. Features and export limits vary, so check each tool's own site.

Can I open InDesign files in other programs?

Often not directly. Ask for a PDF or exported images from the original, and keep the original files in case you need them later.

Which file type should I send to a printer?

Most printers prefer a print-ready PDF with bleed and crop marks. Always ask your printer for their exact requirements.

Can I make a magazine or catalogue without a full publishing program?

Yes. Online flipbook tools and template-based design apps can produce catalogues and magazines for screens, and some can export a PDF for print.