Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Desktop Publishing Software

Affinity vs QuarkXPress

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Affinity #1 in Desktop Publishing Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Affinity
QuarkXPress #3 in Desktop Publishing Software 8.9/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit QuarkXPress

Affinity leads on 1 check, QuarkXPress on 0, and 0 are 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 scoreAffinity · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly Affinity

Affinity scores higher on our rubric for desktop publishing software: 9.4 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

Affinity offers free plan; QuarkXPress doesn't.

Affinity is the better fit for broad publishing without a subscription. QuarkXPress is the better fit for mature print and digital publishing teams.

  • Affinity fits best

    Broad publishing without a subscription

  • QuarkXPress fits best

    Mature print and digital publishing teams

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Affinity 9.4/10 Visit ↗ QuarkXPress 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.9
Ranking #1 in Desktop Publishing Software #3 in Desktop Publishing Software
Best for Broad publishing without a subscription Mature print and digital publishing teams
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free Not checked yet
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS Windows, macOS
Support Docs Tickets, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Affinity 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
  • Combines vector, pixel editing, and page layout in one workspace
  • Supports print preflight, CMYK, spot colors, bleed, and data merge
  • Free for individuals on Windows and macOS with Canva export
  • 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
  • Requires a Canva account for individual access
  • No mobile app is currently available
  • Team collaboration runs through Canva export rather than the desktop app
  • 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

Affinity brings vector design, pixel-based photo editing, and page layout into one desktop application. It suits individuals who need to create illustrations, logos, edited images, typography, multi-page documents, or print-ready materials…

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. AffinityDesktop Publishing Software 9.4Free plan
  2. QuarkXPressDesktop Publishing Software 8.9Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Affinity — where it wins

    • Combines vector, pixel editing, and page layout in one workspace
    • Supports print preflight, CMYK, spot colors, bleed, and data merge
    • Free for individuals on Windows and macOS with Canva export

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a Canva account for individual access
    • No mobile app is currently available
    • Team collaboration runs through Canva export rather than the desktop app

  • 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

All desktop publishing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update