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Head-to-head · Desktop Publishing Software

Adobe InDesign vs QuarkXPress

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Adobe InDesign #2 in Desktop Publishing Software 9.2/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Adobe InDesign

Adobe InDesign leads on 0 checks, QuarkXPress on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAdobe InDesign · 9.2/10
  • Free trialonly Adobe InDesign

Adobe InDesign scores higher on our rubric for desktop publishing software: 9.2 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

Adobe InDesign is the better fit for professional print-production workflows. QuarkXPress is the better fit for mature print and digital publishing teams.

  • Adobe InDesign fits best

    Professional print-production workflows

  • QuarkXPress fits best

    Mature print and digital publishing teams

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Side by side

Feature Adobe InDesign 9.2/10 Visit ↗ QuarkXPress 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.9
Ranking #2 in Desktop Publishing Software #3 in Desktop Publishing Software
Best for Professional print-production workflows Mature print and digital publishing teams
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — Not checked yet
Free plan — —
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Desktop, Cloud Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS Windows, macOS
Support Community, Docs · 24/7 Tickets, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Adobe InDesign 0/5 · QuarkXPress 0/5
PDF export Not checked yet Not checked yet
EPUB export Not checked yet Not checked yet
Master pages Not checked yet Not checked yet
Preflight tools Not checked yet Not checked yet
Color management Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Collaboration level Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Strong multipage layout and typography tools
  • Preflight checks and PDF import/export workflows
  • Review links, Data Merge, and Adobe integrations
  • Supports books, magazines, newspapers, brochures and digital publications
  • Exports to PDF, ePub and HTML5 from shared layouts
  • Integrates with Word, Excel, Illustrator, Photoshop and IDML
Cons
  • No free plan
  • Available on Windows and macOS only
  • Broader creative tools require a different plan
  • No free plan or native mobile application
  • Pricing requires choosing between subscription and perpetual licensing
  • Real-time collaboration is listed, but collaboration workflows are not detailed
Our verdict

Adobe InDesign is a professional desktop-publishing application for designers, prepress and production professionals, print-service providers, publishers, agencies, and corporate design teams. It supports brochures, magazines, books,…

Read the review →

QuarkXPress is desktop publishing and page-layout software for creative professionals producing print and digital content. It covers brochures, books, magazines, newspapers, interactive publications and e-books, with tools for typography,…

Read the review →
  1. Adobe InDesignDesktop Publishing Software 9.27-day trial
  2. QuarkXPressDesktop Publishing Software 8.9Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Adobe InDesign — where it wins

    • Strong multipage layout and typography tools
    • Preflight checks and PDF import/export workflows
    • Review links, Data Merge, and Adobe integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan
    • Available on Windows and macOS only
    • Broader creative tools require a different plan
  • QuarkXPress — where it wins

    • Supports books, magazines, newspapers, brochures and digital publications
    • Exports to PDF, ePub and HTML5 from shared layouts
    • Integrates with Word, Excel, Illustrator, Photoshop and IDML

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan or native mobile application
    • Pricing requires choosing between subscription and perpetual licensing
    • Real-time collaboration is listed, but collaboration workflows are not detailed

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update