Adobe InDesign vs Figma: Which Is Not For Printing?

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I needed to create brochures and magazine layouts for my client, so I decided to compare Adobe InDesign vs Figma in the process.

To my mind, Adobe InDesign one-up the other program if you need to work with multiple texts and manage typography. It has lots of purpose-made features and tools for such tasks. Besides, it allows controlling every work stage.

Figma is suitable for making UI designs, especially if you need to share ideas with your teammates. However, it lags behind Adobe software in terms of control over the typography process. Besides, it may show poor results when used for print designs.

Final Verdict:

If you are a beginner user, who needs to create print designs, opt for Adobe InDesign for Windows and Mac. It contains many helpful features that are easy to understand. Using it, I managed to design a magazine for photographers. Besides, I took advantage of its integration with Photoshop and Lightroom to improve my visuals.

Head-to-Head Comparison

adobe indesign logo

Adobe InDesign

figma logo

Figma

Rating

★★★★☆ 4.5/5

★★★★☆ 4/5

Best For

Professional layouts and managing typography

UI/UX designers who create user interfaces, prototypes, and design systems

Free Version

Free Trial

✔️

Price

$22.99/mo
$15/mo

Platforms

Windows, Mac
Web, Windows, Mac, Linux
Key Features
  • Advanced page layouts
  • Typography control
  • Master pages
  • Content-Aware Fit
  • Paragraph and Character styles
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Pen tool
  • Frames, transitions and animations
  • Auto layout
  • A wide range of plugins

What Is InDesign

indesign interface

For me, Adobe InDesign is a wonderful program capable of producing all sorts of designs, including brochures, magazines, leaflets, collages, and more. This desktop publishing software is popular among users because it allows controlling different parameters of design materials and access to advanced typography options.

Besides, it comes with AI features. Using the Content-Aware Fit function, I scaled and repositioned my image into a frame automatically. The program analyzed context and focal point for a 100% accurate result.

Another advantage of the software is user-friendliness. The design process is intuitive and fast thanks to the Auto Styles and other AI functions. I also want to point out that InDesign belongs to a large family of Adobe tools, so you can instantly transfer your work to Illustrator, Photoshop, or other software to apply the needed tweaks. This is a serious point to consider if you are comparing InDesign vs Figma.

What Is Figma

figma interface

I usually rely on InDesign when I need to make brochures, multi-page documents, and magazines. Figma, in turn, is my favorite program for UI/UX design and real-time collaboration. I have also tried some Figma alternatives and can say that few of them can stay on par with Figma in terms of flexibility. Besides, I greatly appreciate the possibility of working together with my colleagues on the same project.

I believe Figma can satisfy your demands if you create interactive prototypes for app design and share design systems. The prototyping features deserve many praising words, as it is possible to create and test user flows right in Figma.

One more strong point is the plugin ecosystem. Using suitable tools, you can expedite your routine workflow.

Pros and Cons

Adobe InDesign

Versatility in document creation

Difficult to master quickly

Flexibility in layout
Requires powerful computer

Convenient features for organization


Powerful design tools



Integration with Adobe software




Figma

Efficient design workflow

Lags and slow loading times

Real-time collaboration
Limited offline functionality

Easy file sharing

Customizable templates

Active community

Price

adobe indesign logo

Adobe InDesign

figma logo

Figma

Free Version

Free Trial

✔️

Premium

$22.99/mo

$15/mo

Best Offer

Creative Cloud All Apps
$59.99/mo

$15/mo

Integration

adobe indesign logo

Adobe InDesign

figma logo

Figma

Photoshop

✔️

Lightroom

✔️

Axure

✔️

✔️

Google Workspace

✔️

✔️

Alternatives

  • affinity publisher logo
    Affinity Publisher
    $75
  • quarkxpress logo
    QuarkXPress
    $251/year
  • marq logo
    Marq
    Free
  • microsoft publisher logo
    Microsoft Publisher
    $69.99/year
  • xara designer pro+ logo
    Xara Designer Pro+
    $22/mo

My Final Verdict

To my mind, Figma ticks the boxes if you prioritize collaboration and prototyping needs. Adobe InDesign is a perfect solution for developing meticulous layouts and materials for print. Using InDesign for Mac, I created several layouts for a photography magazine. Both the process and the outcome are amazing.

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