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Best Desktop Publishing Software in 2026

Desktop publishing software lets you arrange text and images into page layouts for print or digital use. Compare master pages, color management, and preflight tools, then check PDF and EPUB export against your intended output. Collaboration level and supported platforms can affect workflow fit; free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost context. VivaDesigner, Blurb BookWright, and PublishMedia are among the entries. Weigh the layout and export features you need alongside the ways you work with others and the platforms you use.

  1. 1

    Scribus

    by Scribus
    Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2

    Scribus offers page layout, illustration, and print preparation across three desktop platforms at no cost. Its listed capabilities focus on PDF and print output; support options are unconfirmed.

    8.7 Free plan Visit site
  2. 2

    Blurb BookWright

    Free plan APIiPhoneMac+2

    BookWright provides desktop layout and image tools for a range of custom book projects, with print and PDF options. The software is free, but printing a book costs extra.

    7.6 Free plan · paid from $12 Visit site
  3. 3

    Flipsnack

    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+2

    Flipsnack combines flipbook creation, interactive elements, and reader analytics in a browser-based service.

    7.6 Free plan · paid from $16/user/mo (annual) Visit site
  4. 4

    InPage

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

    InPage brings language-specific layout and publishing tools together with image and ePUB export. Check the desktop compatibility and file-version limits against your workflow before choosing it.

    7.5 Visit site
  5. 5

    Affinity

    Free plan MacWindows

    Affinity offers three creative toolsets at no cost for individuals, with desktop availability on Windows and macOS.

    7.4 Free plan Visit site
  6. 6

    Kindle Create

    Free plan MacWindows

    Kindle Create prepares completed manuscripts for KDP in reflowable, print replica, or comic formats.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  7. 7

    iStudio Publisher

    Free plan Mac

    iStudio Publisher offers layout controls and print-focused PDF output for Mac publishing projects.

    7.1 Visit site
  8. 8

    Layout Department

    Free plan MacWindows

    Choose Layout Department if you need to impose PDFs for book, zine, or booklet printing, including through its unlimited free Community Edition.

    7.1 Free plan · paid from $29 Visit site
  9. 9

    PublishMedia

    Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1

    PublishMedia offers browser-based editing and print exports, with a free viewing tier and paid editing plans. Review the Import Report for layout changes, especially with complex Publisher files.

    7.1 Free plan · paid from $99/yr Visit site
  10. 10

    VivaDesigner

    Free plan APILinuxMac+3

    VivaDesigner covers design and publishing work across desktop and web, with browser editing, team features and multiple export formats.

    7.0 Free plan · paid from €299/mo (annual) · 30-day trial Visit site
  11. 11

    Laidout

    Free plan Linux

    Laidout covers specialized imposition tasks and offers a broad set of import, export, and batch options at no cost.

    6.9 Free plan Visit site
  12. 12

    Megal Publisher

    Free plan Web

    Megal Publisher supports layout creation, several import formats, and multiple output types.

    6.9 Free plan · paid from £5.99/mo Visit site
  13. 13

    Publisher Plus

    Free plan Mac

    Choose Publisher Plus if you want a Mac app for composing printable documents with templates, layout controls, and several export formats.

    6.7 Free plan Visit site
  14. 14

    Adobe InDesign

    Free trial APIMacSelf-hosted+1

    Choose InDesign for desktop page layout when you need its range of publishing formats, typography controls, and Adobe app integrations.

    6.6 7-day trial Visit site
  15. 15

    Vellum

    Free plan Mac

    Vellum offers book-specific layout and preview tools for ebook and print editions, with a free download for exploring before purchase.

    6.5 Free plan Visit site
  16. 16

    Calamus SL

    Free trial MacWindows

    Calamus SL offers an extensive frame-based publishing workflow, including editable imports and print-output tools.

    6.2 30-day trial Visit site
  17. 17

    Lacuna

    Free trial LinuxMacWindows

    Choose Lacuna if you want desktop tools for formatting manuscripts into EPUB files and print-ready PDFs, with controls for both book design and print settings.

    6.2 From $149 Visit site
  18. 18

    PageStream

    Free trial LinuxMacWindows

    Choose PageStream if you need desktop page layout across its listed design range, with drawing tools, PDF export, and master pages.

    6.0 From $99.95 · 14-day trial Visit site
  19. 19

    QuarkXPress

    Free trial AndroidiPhoneMac+2

    QuarkXPress combines page layout, typography and equation tools with a range of print and digital output formats.

    6.0 From $18/user/mo (annual) Visit site
  20. 20

    RagTime

    Free trial MacWindows

    RagTime brings layout, data, and office tools into one frame-based workspace.

    5.7 30-day trial Visit site
  21. 21

    Swift Publisher

    Free trial Mac

    Swift Publisher brings print layouts, mail merge, and several export formats to a Mac desktop app. Its lack of a free version and missing book-layout features may matter for some projects.

    5.5 From $19.99 Visit site
  22. 22

    Joomag Email Marketing Suite

    by Joomag Email Marketing Suite
    Paid Web

    Joomag focuses email marketing on publishers, linking publication content with audience segmentation and engagement reporting.

    5.4 Pricing on request Visit site
  23. 23

    Xara Page & Layout Designer

    Free trial Windows

    Page & Layout Designer combines document creation with layout and image tools, supported by a large included content library.

    5.4 From $12/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
  24. 24

    Print Artist Platinum 27

    Paid MacWindows

    Print Artist Platinum 27 offers a broad set of templates, graphics, and output options for print projects.

    5.3 From $99.99 Visit site
  25. 25

    PrintMaster 10

    Paid MacWindows

    PrintMaster 10 combines templates, image assets, photo tools, and mailing features in a desktop editor. Consider its paid price and internet requirement alongside the formats and projects you need.

    5.3 From $49.99 Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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