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Head-to-head · Desktop Publishing Software

QuarkXPress vs VivaDesigner

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score QuarkXPress #3 in Desktop Publishing Software 8.9/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit QuarkXPress
VivaDesigner #5 in Desktop Publishing Software 8.6/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit VivaDesigner

QuarkXPress leads on 0 checks, VivaDesigner on 1, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreQuarkXPress · 8.9/10
  • Free planonly VivaDesigner
  • Free trialonly VivaDesigner
  • Most featuresVivaDesigner · 5 of 5

QuarkXPress scores higher on our rubric for desktop publishing software: 8.9 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

VivaDesigner offers free plan; QuarkXPress doesn't.

QuarkXPress is the better fit for mature print and digital publishing teams. VivaDesigner is the better fit for teams needing broad deployment and versioning.

  • QuarkXPress fits best

    Mature print and digital publishing teams

  • VivaDesigner fits best

    Teams needing broad deployment and versioning

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 QuarkXPress 8.9/10 Visit ↗ VivaDesigner 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.6
Ranking #3 in Desktop Publishing Software #5 in Desktop Publishing Software
Best for Mature print and digital publishing teams Teams needing broad deployment and versioning
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Not checked yet €39/user/mo
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Browser extension
Platforms Windows, macOS Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Tickets, Community, Docs Phone, Tickets, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features QuarkXPress 0/5 · VivaDesigner 5/5
PDF export Not checked yet ✓ (best)
EPUB export Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Master pages Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Preflight tools Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Color management Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Windows, macOS, Linux, Web browser
Collaboration level Not checked yet Versioning
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • Works across web, Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Exports PDF and EPUB with preflight and color management
  • Supports notes and visual change tracking for collaboration
Cons
  • 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
  • The SaaS/IaaS plan costs €299 per month on annual billing
  • Additional web users cost €39 per month each
  • Free Edition Plus becomes limited after its trial
Our verdict

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 →

VivaDesigner is a desktop, web-based, and server publishing application for creating books, brochures, flyers, newspapers, magazines, catalogs, business cards, resumes, and other layout documents. It is aimed at designers, publishers,…

Read the review →
  1. QuarkXPressDesktop Publishing Software 8.9Paid
  2. VivaDesignerDesktop Publishing Software 8.6Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • VivaDesigner — where it wins

    • Works across web, Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Exports PDF and EPUB with preflight and color management
    • Supports notes and visual change tracking for collaboration

    Where it doesn't

    • The SaaS/IaaS plan costs €299 per month on annual billing
    • Additional web users cost €39 per month each
    • Free Edition Plus becomes limited after its trial

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