The Best Free Adobe InDesign AlternativesTop Desktop Publishers and other similar apps like Adobe InDesign

The best free alternative to Adobe InDesign is Scribus, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Adobe InDesign and many of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Adobe InDesign are Affinity, Canva, Desygner and Polotno.

filter to find the best alternatives

Adobe InDesign alternatives are mainly Graphic Design Tools, but if you're looking for Image Editors or Color Picker Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Free, Linux, Mac, Android, iPad and Chrome OS. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Adobe InDesign.
More about Adobe InDesign
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Adobe InDesign alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Scribus icon

    Scribus

     411 likes

    Open-source desktop publishing software offering flexible layouts and typesetting, professional image setting, CMYK support, interactive PDFs, vector tools, and wide format support, perfect for creating newspapers, brochures, and more on Mac, Windows, Linux, and BSD.

    26 Scribus alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Oracle Solaris
    • Flatpak
    Scribus screenshot 1
     
    |
    13
    130
    Comments about Scribus as an Alternative to Adobe InDesign
    Comment summary: Scribus is viewed as a competent alternative to Adobe InDesign, praised for its comprehensive features and ability to produce professional work, especially for users valuing free software. However, it attracts criticism for its outdated user interface and occasional usability issues, such as difficulties in performing basic tasks and a lack of alignment features. While some find it suitable for small projects, others struggle with its more complex functions in comparison to InDesign.
    Top Positive Comment
    maurosoft391
    3

    depsite it's poorly designed, scribus is somewhat easy to use. the font problem can be fixable by writing in the internal editor

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    15

    absolute pain in the $$$ to work with. lacks basic functionality like showing up the font you select in the actual page

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    It's very basic, and needs a lot of work to do even the simplest of things properly.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 13 comments
    Adobe InDesign Icon
    Scribus icon

    • Most users think Scribus is a great Adobe InDesign alternative.

    • Scribus is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Adobe InDesign.

    • Scribus is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Adobe InDesign.

    • Scribus is Free and Open SourceAdobe InDesign is Paid and Proprietary
    • Scribus is Lightweight and Privacy focusedAdobe InDesign is not according to our users
  2. Affinity icon

    Affinity

     55 likes

    Unified design solution merging advanced photo, vector, and layout tools for seamless workflow, non-destructive editing, RAW support, batch processing, AI enhancements, GPU acceleration, file compatibility, cloud asset integration, and tailored workspace options.

    68 Affinity alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Affinity screenshot 1
     
  4. Canva icon

    Canva

     384 likes

    A comprehensive design application combining innovative photo and video editing with advanced AI capabilities to streamline creating designs. Users can produce unique graphics, engaging social media content using customizable templates and thousands of images, videos, and fonts accessible through its vast library.

    93 Canva alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Canva screenshot 1
     
    |
    7
    35
    Comments about Canva as an Alternative to Adobe InDesign
    Top Positive Comment
    DalsPhotography
    1

    Canva has now purchased all the Affinity company. Yet, you can still use them as separate software, but I don't know for how long!

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    11

    Canva is a good layout but has none of the advanced text editing functionality that InDesign has.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Canva is not made for layouts

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 7 comments
    Adobe InDesign Icon
    Canva icon

    • Some users think Canva is a great Adobe InDesign alternative, some don't.

    • Canva is the most popular Web-based, Android, iPhone, SaaS & Android Tablet alternative to Adobe InDesign.

    • Canva is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe InDesign is Paid and Proprietary
    • Canva is Privacy focused and LightweightAdobe InDesign is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Designmaker by Designs.ai icon
    Designmaker by Designs.ai

    Designmaker is an intelligent design generator that connects inputted data with dynamic design templates to create stunning visual content.

    https://designs.ai
    Learn More
  6. Desygner icon

    Desygner

     95 likes

    Desygner is an online and mobile design solution, which offers a simpler alternative to expensive and complicated design suites.

    179 Desygner alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Desygner screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    Comments about Desygner as an Alternative to Adobe InDesign
    Osiris Berbesia
    Negative
    3

    No similar at all to indesign

    Guest
    Negative
    -6

    It simply doesn't offer file upload. I'm looking for a online solution to edit my .indd files...

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Adobe InDesign Icon
    Desygner icon

    • Some users think Desygner is a great Adobe InDesign alternative, some don't.

    • Desygner is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe InDesign is Paid and Proprietary
  7. Polotno icon

    Polotno

     21 likes

    A versatile visual design suite offering an intuitive canvas editor, automated template creation for social media and ads, video editing integration for apps, and asset management through unlimited libraries. Supports various storage options and is made for creative scale.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Polotno screenshot 1
     
  8. Aktivisda icon

    Aktivisda

     11 likes

    Aktivisda is a web application to facilitate the creation of visuals that use the graphic charter of an organization, and the spreading of this graphic charter.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    Aktivisda screenshot 1
     

    • Aktivisda is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Adobe InDesign.

    • Aktivisda is Free and Open SourceAdobe InDesign is Paid and Proprietary
  10. Marq icon

    Marq

     42 likes

    Marq, formerly Lucidpress, is a brand-templating platform that empowers everyone to build on-brand.

    62 Marq alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
     
    |
    11
  11. Picmaker icon

    Picmaker

     10 likes

    Picmaker is an online design solution that helps create stunning YouTube thumbnails, channel art, and IGTV covers. It is a simpler and faster alternative to expensive and complicated design tools that are available today.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Auto background removal tool - Picmaker
     
  12. Drawtify icon

    Drawtify

     7 likes

    Free Online Vector Graphic Editor with Great Design Templates and Elements. With powerful vector editor, you can create beautiful graphics online for free, such as SVG graphics, vector logos, infographics, flyer, poster, banners, etc.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Drawtify screenshot 1
     
  14. Designmaker by Designs.ai icon

    Designmaker by Designs.ai

     2 likes

    Designmaker is an intelligent design generator that connects inputted data with dynamic design templates to create stunning visual content.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    Designmaker Dashboard
     
  15. Kindle Create icon

    Kindle Create

     2 likes

    Reflowable format allows you to create files for Kindle, print, and EPUB. Readers can adjust the size of eBook fonts, margins, and various properties on Kindle.

    10 Kindle Create alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    Kindle Create screenshot 1
     
12 of 27 Adobe InDesign alternatives