No. 7 of 29 ·Desktop Publishing Software

Laidout

Linux

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Freedom report

Two barsScore 5.4

Free tierA free tier is on its own pricing page
Open codeNo open-source code on record
Runs widely1 of 6 device platforms
DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

Laidout is ranked #7 of 29 in desktop publishing software on Freedom251. It runs on Linux. There is a free plan.

Laidout plans and pricing

All plans

Free (GPL 3.0) Free GPL 3.0 software · Linux support stated · version 0.097 laidout.org · 7 Oct 2026

Compared on desktop publishing software

Free plan: Yes
Supported platforms: Linux
PDF export: Yes
Master pages: No
Preflight tools: No
Color management: No

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The record

Purpose: Laidout is desktop publishing software built for arranging pages into cut and folded impositions, including booklets and polyhedron nets.
Book layout: It supports single pages, custom folded book signatures, and net impositions such as accordion folds and polyhedron nets.
Vector tools: Object types include paths, ellipses, rounded rectangles, gradients, point sets, color meshes, warped images, and captions.
File formats: It imports SVG, images, Scribus files, OFF polyhedra, and PDF pages rendered as images; PDF page import for reimposition is described as under development.
Export: Export formats include PDF, SVG, Scribus, images, HTML galleries, Podofoimpose plan files, Page Atlas images, and Postscript.
Command line: Laidout can batch import, reimpose, and export files from the command line without opening a window.
Integrations: The maker says Laidout can import and export Scribus files with limitations, and can import Gimp palettes.
License: The FAQ says Laidout is released under GPL 3.0.
Platform: The maker says Laidout currently works only on variations of Linux; Mac and Windows WSL support are described as uncertain.
Release status: The homepage identifies version 0.097 and says the stable release is old, recommending a development snapshot or compiling from source where possible.
Support: Users can report bugs and request features through Laidout’s Codeberg issue tracker; the maker also invites users to contact the developer.
Known limitations: The FAQ says scripting is not well debugged or documented and not all object types are accessible to scripts.
Maker: The site identifies Tom Lechner as Laidout’s only current developer.
Target use: Laidout describes the Paper Group tool as useful for making posters when a printer can print only on small sheets.
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best Desktop Publishing Software in 2026#7 of 29

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Sources

laidout.org· checked 5 Oct 2026
laidout.org/features/· checked 5 Oct 2026
laidout.org/faq/· checked 5 Oct 2026
laidout.org/dev/· checked 5 Oct 2026