9 Best Marq Alternatives: Features & Benefits

Marq, previously known as Lucidpress, is a great tool for creating various types of graphics like brochures, newsletters, flyers, presentations, etc. However, seasoned users claim that the functionality of this program is quite restricted and cannot cover the needs of professional designers to the full. Therefore, many of them are looking for the best Marq alternatives, which can be desktop publishers or graphic design tools.

Top 9 Marq Alternatives

  1. Adobe InDesign - Cutting-edge page design program
  2. Affinity Publisher - State-of-the-art desktop publishing app
  3. Adobe FrameMaker - Creating and sharing is a cinch
  4. QuarkXpress - For print and digital design
  5. Swift Publisher - Pro-level desktop publishing options
  6. Scribus - Multi-platform page layout designer
  7. Bookemon - Excellent print-on-demand service
  8. Xara Designer Pro X - Extensive design toolkit
  9. Canva - Web-based versatile design tool

Marq is an online publishing app with handy drag-and-drop functionality designed to produce fantastic graphics for print and digital. There are many worthy alternatives to this tool including web-based platforms and apps friendly to various OS like Windows and Mac in particular.

In this review, I’ve rounded up both paid and free options. Note that even free tools described here can compete with pro-level products, which cost a fortune. All the programs come with functions for creating layout designs and making various types of graphics like invitations, magazines, and books for print.

1. Adobe InDesign

Cutting-edge page design program
  • Straightforward UI
  • Auto sync to cloud storage
  • Multiple downloadable fonts
  • Easy-to-adjust layouts
  • Offers audio and video assets
  • A bit steep learning curve

Verdict: Adobe InDesign is a top-rated program for designing page layouts with advanced options that can cover the needs of the most demanding professional. This multi-purpose solution allows you to create print-based docs, interactive electronic magazines, and even more complex content.

The functionality of the program lets you make and publish electronic books, posters, interactive PDFs, etc. Comparing Adobe InDesign vs Lucidpress, InDesign is easier to learn, although novices may devote some time to mastering its complex control features.

I like that many tasks like adding a table of contents and page numbering are automated. To use the full functionality of the tool, be ready to pay $20.99/month, but InDesign free version is also available.

adobe indesign marq alternative interface

2. Affinity Publisher

State-of-the-art desktop publishing app
  • Content managing features
  • Can handle IDML (InDesign Markup Language) files
  • Text importing and placement options
  • Comes with tutorials
  • Creates texts in different styles
  • Issues with data merge

Verdict: Affinity Publisher is an intuitive and speedy desktop publishing app that offers a great number of features. With it, content creation and manipulation are intuitive procedures. If compared to Marq, the program boasts more advanced features that can cover the needs of professional users. This InDesign alternative lets you open and tweak .idml files. Clean and easy-to-navigate user interface that allows even non-designers to perform even complex tasks with ease.

Furthermore, using a studio menu, it is easy to add, hide, move and place an array of other adjustment panels. Like many other Marc alternatives, this program is not subscription-based, so you only need to pay $54.99 to enjoy the full functionality of this tool. Affinity Publisher is compatible with both Windows and Mac platforms.

affinity publisher marq alternative interface

3. Adobe FrameMaker

Creating and sharing is a cinch
  • Drag and drop functionality
  • Easy translation of files
  • Extensive community
  • Compatible with multiple formats
  • CML editor is difficult to turn off

Verdict: Adobe FramerMaker is a popular Marq alternative that mainly deals with technical docs. With this XML editor, authoring, publishing, and editing files is a breeze. If compared to its competitor, the Adobe product offers more extensive support for different devices and channels. The program appeals to users with such state-of-the-art features as smart catalogs, quick element toolbar, easy-to-adjust UI, etc.

This book design software allows reviewing content using smartphones and collaborating in real-time with shared online PDF-based reviews. The full version of the program costs $29.99/mo. Moreover, it comes with a free trial that lets you determine whether the program is worth its money.

adobe framemaker marq alternative interface

4. QuarkXpress

For print and digital design
  • Recovers docs automatically
  • Handy license manager
  • Compressed PDF
  • Collection of royalty-free stock images
  • Speedy PDF exporting
  • Pricey yearly updates
quarkxpress marq alternative logo
QuarkXPress

Verdict: QuarkXPress is a top-notch graphic design and digital publishing solution that allows you to create page layouts, improve the content, etc. Non-destructive image enhancement is what makes the program win over the competitor and allows it to enter the list of the best Marq alternatives. QuarkXpress is without a doubt professional software, which is not suitable for beginning users as they will definitely struggle with its serious functionality.

Unlike Lucidpress, QuarkXPress supports automated doc recovery, which is an obvious advantage. Besides, the process of exporting linked files and fonts into a single location is very straightforward. Spending only $259 per year, you can enjoy all these goodies. But prior to making a purchase, I recommend checking the program’s functionality by using a free trial.

quarkxpress marq alternative interface

5. Swift Publisher

Pro-level desktop publishing options
  • Comes with over 500 templates
  • Powerful features for editing text
  • A collection of 100 image masks
  • Offers an array of 2D and 3D heading presets
  • Extensive importing & exporting capabilities
  • Only compatible with Mac
swift publisher marqalternative logo
Swift Publisher

Verdict: Swift Publisher is a user-friendly publishing and page layout app specifically developed for Mac. In contrast to Marq, it comes with more than 300 project templates, and over 2000 pictures to produce sophisticated designs. Moreover, it allows viewing and working with pages side-by-side in various modes, which simplifies the workflow in times.

As a highly-functional Marq alternative, it supports layers, which allows the creation of complex graphics without trouble. Besides, the ability to modify the visibility of layers, reordering them, or making them non-printable is also worth your attention. The program exports projects in various formats, including PNG, TIFF, PDF, EPS, and JPEG. I especially appreciate the feature of generation Barcodes and Serial Numbers, so you won’t need to install third-party plugins to perform this task. The price of a single-user license is $19.99

swift publisher marq alternative interface

6. Scribus

Multi-platform page layout designer
  • Can work with vector graphic
  • Advanced color management options
  • Easy-to-adjust frames
  • Handy mode for previewing content
  • Compatible with multiple formats
  • Pro-level tools are absent
scribus marq alternative logo
Scribus

Verdict: Unlike Marq, Scribus is a free DTP software that allows designing page layouts for creating different types of docs with ease. You can start your design by selecting a template from the extensive collection of ready-made assets or give the flow to your imagination and create impressive graphics from scratch.

Extensive compatibility is another strong point of this open-source Marq alternative. It flawlessly runs on such platforms as Windows, Linux/UNIX and Mac OS X. Besides, thanks to its cutting-edge publishing features, it is widely regarded as one of the best cookbook software. The pro-level functionality includes ICC color management, color separations, CMYK and Spot Color support, and an array of options to create PDF files.

scribus marq alternative interface

7. Bookemon

Excellent print-on-demand service
  • Allows calculating book price on the spot
  • Multiple templates
  • Allows uploading content direct to marketplaces
  • Intuitive features
  • Handy teaching instrument for tutors
  • Simultaneous conversion of no more than 8 docs
bookemon marq alternative logo
Bookemon

Verdict: Bookemon is a great print-on-demand service, which is especially popular among teachers and students who just learning how to lay out and print graphics. Import chapter Word docs, upload images to templates, add background and clip arts and perform other operations with this handy resource. Bookemon is specially developed to create books or brochures.

After finishing a project, publish it on the web and choose from an array of sharing options to send your creation to friends or random users and let them read and appreciate your online book. Besides, all files created using Bokemon feature embed codes, which will come in handy when publishing docs in various educational resources, blogs, etc. In its turn, Marq cannot boast such a feature. Moreover, this online platform is absolutely free.

bookemon marq alternative interface

8. Xara Designer Pro X

Extensive design toolkit
  • Advanced color management tools
  • Dynamic bleed
  • Allows creating flowing text
  • Supports various formats
  • Integrates with other Xara programs
  • Only runs on the Windows platform
xara designer pro x marq alternative logo
Xara Designer Pro X

Verdict: Xara Designer Pro X is a full-featured program that can cover all your graphic design needs. As the software works with customizable vector graphics, enhances images, and handles professional print and modern web design, it enters the list of the best Marq alternatives. Its ICC profiles support provides you with advanced color management options that ensure realistic rendering of CMYK color in RGB displays.

You can use a razor-sharp HiDPI workspace to create a design of top-rated quality. Note that Marq cannot compete with its competitor in this aspect. Xara Designer Pro X is compatible with more than 70 file formats allowing you to work on a file in other programs without trouble. You can enjoy the full functionality of the program for only $159.00.

xara designer pro x marq alternative interface

9. Canva

Web-based versatile design tool
  • Web-based tool
  • Drag-and-drop functionality
  • Animation options
  • Straightforward interface
  • Keywords based search
  • No cutting-edge publishing configurations
canva marq alternative logo
Canva

Verdict: Canva is a user-friendly design platform for crafting graphics of top-notch quality. Its intuitive drag-and-drop functionality turns any graphics creation routine into a straightforward procedure. Besides, there are approximately 8000 default templates for creating appealing designs, which simplify the workflow as well. Unlike Marq, Canva allows searching for the required asset by keywords.

Moreover, it is possible to adjust the size of the file depending on the type of content (posters, flyers, book covers, etc.) you want to get as the result. You can export any project in a PNG format or share it on social media platforms or elsewhere. If you want to get access to premium templates and graphics, you need to purchase a yearly subscription that costs $119.99.

canva marq alternative interface
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