Compared · checked 2026-10-24
The best free desktop publishing software
Brochures, zines, flyers and books need page layout: master pages, text that flows from frame to frame, and a PDF a printer accepts. Four tools do it for free, from our browser app to a full desktop suite.
We make Page Layout, one of the tools on this page. Every fact about the other tools comes from their own pages, linked under each one, as they read on 2026-10-24. Prices and features change: check each site before you choose.
How we compared them
- Free for the layout features you need
- Print readiness: CMYK, bleed, crop marks and PDF/X
- Layout tools: master pages, threaded text, styles, and opening InDesign files
- What you need to run it: system, install, account
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Runs where | Account needed | Print PDF | CMYK | Opens IDML (InDesign) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page Layout ours | Free | Browser; offline .html | No | PDF with bleed, crop marks and embedded fonts | Yes | No |
| Affinity | Free for individuals | macOS, Windows; iPad in progress | Yes, a free Canva account | PDF/X-1a and PDF/X-4 | Yes, plus spot colours | Yes |
| Scribus | Free, open source (GPL) | Linux, BSD, macOS, Windows | Not stated | PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3 | Yes, plus spot colours and ICC | Yes (version 1.6) |
| Canva | Free; Pro US$12 a month billed yearly | Browser; Windows and Mac apps | Yes | PDF; crop marks and bleed option | Pro only | Not stated |
| Feature | Page Layout ours | Affinity | Scribus | Canva |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master pages | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not stated |
| Threaded text frames | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Paragraph and character styles | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partly |
| CMYK colours | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partly |
| Spot colours | No | Yes | Yes | Not stated |
| PDF/X export | No | Yes | Yes | Not stated |
| Bleed and crop marks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Open IDML (InDesign) | No | Yes | Yes | Not stated |
| Templates | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI tools | Partly | Partly | Not stated | Partly |
| AI assistant that uses the app | Local model or your own key | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Runs in a browser | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Desktop app | Works in the browser; offline .html file | macOS, Windows | Linux, macOS, Windows | Windows, Mac |
| No account needed | Yes | No | Not stated | No |
| Open source | Yes | No | Yes | No |
1. Page Layout (ours)
Best for: Layout in the browser with no install or account: flyers, zines and business cards with a print-ready PDF.
Good
- Master pages, threaded text frames, paragraph and character styles
- Templates for business cards, zines and flyers; any page size
- PDF with trim and bleed boxes, crop and bleed marks, CMYK colours and embedded font subsets
- Works on your device and offline; open source (MIT)
- Installs on phone, tablet and desktop from the browser
- The AI button can lay out a flyer or a zine for you: text frames, pictures and pages, with a model on your device or your own key
Not so good
- Still in beta
- No tables, tab stops, footnotes, spot colours or gradients yet
- No PDF/X, and cannot open InDesign or IDML files
- PDF pages are placed as images; booklets are exported in reading order
2. Affinity
Best for: Professional layout, photo and design work in one app, now free for individuals, on Mac or Windows.
Good
- Design, photo editing and page layout in one app
- Opens IDML, PSD, AI and DWG files
- CMYK, spot colours, preflight and bleed
- Master pages, linked text frames, paragraph and character styles; works offline after activation
Not so good
- Needs a free Canva account and a connection to download and activate
- Canva AI tools inside it need a paid Canva plan
- No Linux version; iPad still being built
Affinity website · Sources: Affinity home, Affinity download and FAQ, Affinity print design guide, Affinity help: master pages, Affinity help: linking text frames, Affinity help: templates, Affinity additional terms
3. Scribus
Best for: A free, open source layout program on any desktop, Linux included, with PDF/X and colour management.
Good
- Open source, on Linux, BSD, macOS and Windows
- Colour separations, CMYK, spot colours and ICC colour management
- PDF/X export for print
- IDML import in version 1.6
Not so good
- A desktop install
- No collaboration features in its manual
Scribus website · Sources: Scribus on SourceForge, Scribus releases, Scribus manual: PDF/X-3, Scribus 1.6 new features, Scribus manual: master pages, Scribus manual: text frames, Scribus manual: styles, Scribus manual: PDF options, Scribus manual: shortcuts
4. Canva
Best for: Quick, template-based designs in a browser, for people who do not need professional layout tools.
Good
- Over 1.6 million templates and 4.7 million photos, videos, graphics and audio
- PDF, JPG and PNG export on the free plan
- PDF Print download with a crop marks and bleed option
- Up to 20 AI uses on the free plan
Not so good
- CMYK export for print is a Pro feature
- Text does not flow from one text box to the next; its help does not mention master pages or IDML import
Canva website · Sources: Canva home, Canva pricing, Canva help: margins, bleed and crop marks, Canva help: text across text boxes, Canva help: Brand Kit text styles, Canva help: CMYK for print, Canva desktop apps, Canva beginners guide, Canva terms of use
Which one to choose
Page Layout is our pick for flyers, zines and business cards: master pages, threaded text and styles in a browser, with no account, a CMYK PDF with bleed and crop marks, and it installs from the browser and works offline. It is in beta and lacks PDF/X, tables and spot colours.
Choose Affinity if you need professional print features such as PDF/X, spot colours and IDML import, are on Mac or Windows and accept a Canva account. Choose Scribus for a free, open source desktop program on any system, Linux included. Choose Canva for quick template designs; it keeps CMYK export for Pro.
Questions
Is there a free alternative to InDesign?
Yes. Page Layout has InDesign-style tools in a browser, with no account, but cannot open InDesign files. If you need to open IDML files or export PDF/X, Affinity (free for individuals) and Scribus do both.
Which free layout software exports CMYK for print?
Affinity, Scribus and Page Layout write CMYK colours for free. Canva keeps CMYK export for its Pro plan.
Can I do page layout in a browser?
Page Layout and Canva run in a browser; Canva also has Windows and Mac apps. Affinity and Scribus are desktop programs.
Do I need an account?
Affinity and Canva need a Canva account; Affinity needs it to download and activate. Page Layout needs no account.
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