Xara Designer Pro+ review
A broad Windows design suite combining illustration, publishing, photo editing and web tools.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Xara Designer Pro+ is a Windows desktop application for designers, marketers and businesses that need multiple creative tools in one product. It covers vector illustration, desktop publishing, page layout, photo editing, PDF editing, web design and website creation. Its multi-page documents, presentations, print and digital layouts, bitmap-to-vector tracing and Adobe-compatible importing make it suited to users working across several design formats rather than a single specialist task.
The published plans show two billing options. Annual billing starts at $16 per user per month, while monthly billing is $22 per user per month. Both plans include vector illustration, desktop publishing, photo editing, graphic design, a PDF editor, a no-code website builder, Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive integration, plus the Xara Elements content catalog. A 14-day free trial is available, but there is no free plan. The annual option fits users comfortable with an annual commitment; monthly billing offers a shorter commitment at a higher monthly price.
Its main strength is breadth: non-destructive image editing, 130+ photo filters, bitmap-to-vector tracing, full PDF editing and access to 3,000+ templates and photo filters sit alongside illustration and layout tools. That range can suit Windows users who prefer one desktop application for varied creative work. The trade-off is platform scope. Designer Pro+ is documented as Windows-only, with no mobile app, and brand management and real-time collaboration references primarily describe Xara Cloud rather than this product. Choose it for broad desktop design coverage on Windows; consider an alternative if mobile access or collaboration in Designer Pro+ is essential.
Xara Designer Pro+ pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Combines vector illustration, publishing, photo editing and PDF editing
- Includes a no-code website builder and Adobe-compatible importing
- Provides 3,000+ templates and photo filters through Xara Elements
- Where it doesn't
- Available for Windows desktop only
- No free plan; paid access starts at $16 per user per month
- No mobile app or documented real-time collaboration for Designer Pro+
Xara Designer Pro+ fact sheet, pricing and score →
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