RagTime
Frame-based desktop publishing for business documents
At a glance
- Editor score6.4 / 10
- Pricing30-day trial
- Best forData-rich publishing with database connections
- Free planNo
- EPUB exportNo
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Combines text, spreadsheets, charts, images, and drawings in one layout
- Supports CMYK, spot colors, ICC color management, and PDF/X output intent
- Connects to ODBC and FileMaker databases through extensions
Where it doesn't
- No free plan; the product uses a paid licensing model
- No EPUB export is listed among its publishing formats
- Advanced database connections require extensions
Our verdict on RagTime
RagTime is a desktop publishing and business-publishing application for documents that combine text, spreadsheets, charts, images, drawings, and forms. Its frame-based layouts suit business users creating reports, price lists, forms, presentations, manuals, and other structured publications. The application runs on macOS and Windows and includes integrated word processing with footnotes, tables of contents, indexes, and multilingual spell checking. A 30-day unrestricted evaluation period is available, after which the evaluation becomes non-saving.
Its strongest distinction is the way layout and structured business content work together. Reusable master layouts support consistent page templates, while mail merge can combine variable text, tables, and images. Word import and export help with document exchange, and PDF export supports professional print workflows, including PDF/X output intent in the current change log. CMYK and spot-color separation, together with ICC color management, make RagTime more relevant to users preparing controlled print output than to casual page-design users.
RagTime also fits organizations that need database-linked publishing rather than a purely visual layout tool. ODBC and FileMaker connections are available through extensions, giving reports, forms, and other recurring documents a structured data path. The paid plans range from single-user and multi-user versions to a company license, but there is no free plan, and EPUB export is not listed. Choose RagTime when database connections, business documents, mail merge, and print control matter most; consider another desktop publishing option if you need a lower-cost entry point or digital-book export.
RagTime pricing
All 4 RagTime plans and prices →
RagTime fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | macOS, Windows |
| PDF export | Yes |
| EPUB export | No |
| Master pages | Yes |
| Preflight tools | Not verified |
| Color management | Yes |
| Collaboration level | Not verified |
| Free trial | 30 days |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 2 integrations: ODBC, FileMaker |
| Pricing | 30-day trial (source) |
| Website | ragtime.de |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
RagTime integrations
RagTime lists 2 integrations on its own site.
- ODBC
- FileMaker
Alternatives to RagTime
- AffinityA broad desktop publishing suite for design, editing, layout, and print output without a subscription.5.0
- Adobe InDesignA focused choice for multipage layouts, typography, prepress, and PDF production.4.0
- QuarkXPressA full-featured desktop publisher for teams producing print and digital content.—
See all RagTime alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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