CorelDRAW vs Adobe InDesign: Which Software Is Better?

While both these programs are used by experienced graphic designers, originally, they were built for different purposes, which is why many users nowadays want to compare CorelDRAW vs Adobe InDesign.

InDesign allows you to work on page layouts. With it, you can create a well-organized layout with graphical and text elements. Besides, the program enables you to edit multi-page documents and export them in a variety of digital formats. Using this software, you can also prepare your files for printing.

CorelDRAW is perfect for creating multi-page publications, such as small magazines with short, one-page articles. While CorelDraw also allows you to work with layouts, it was not designed for working with big files. You might notice some performance issues and delays when working on large documents.

CorelDRAW is constantly upgraded as the developers add new tools that make it easier to navigate. While it is perfect for advanced users, beginners might find it challenging to use its tools. However, the developers are trying to facilitate user workflows.

Here, you will find an easy-to-customize interface that allows you to select desktop and window-border color schemes, re-size icons, use various toolboxes and import options.

The company works with experienced designers to ensure that its users will get the best experience. As the result, they created a convenient UI that you can customize to your needs.

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100+ file formats. What makes this software stand out among many CorelDRAW alternatives is that it enables users to work with bitmap files, Microsoft Office documents, CGM, SVG, EPS, TIFF, JPEG and PNG files. You can also save your projects in PDF/A and S1000D formats.

Handy tools. If you are an aspiring graphic designer, you can easily master this vector illustration software to quickly design posters, greeting cards, cards, calendars, etc.

Objects are easy to manage. When comparing CorelDRAW vs Adobe InDesign, keep in mind that the former allows you to edit all the elements by using the Objects docker tool. It enables you to hide, rename elements, change their order and search for objects. With it, you can edit object formatting, fills, etc.

Comment and collaboration options. After saving your project to the cloud, you can share it with your team members and clients so that everyone with a link can comment, approve or edit it.

Tools for editing multi-page documents. By using the Pages Docker, you can group pages or work with them as if they were layers. Besides, you can use a Multipage view to see all your pages on one screen in a grid. This way, it will be easier for you to see how these pages look together. Besides, it will allow you to quickly drag objects from one page to another.

Bitmap to vector tracing. Thanks to its QuickTrace option, the program supports one-click bitmap to vector tracing, which makes it easier for you to work with illustrations and layouts.

Perspective tools. By using these in-built tools, you can quickly draw one-, two-, or three-point perspective. You just need to select a perspective grid and draw any objects. Besides, you can import objects from other projects and right-click to select the alignment plane.

Limited sharing options. While you can share a file with your colleagues, it will be impossible for them to draw objects or make edits without a Corel license. However, they will be able to comment and annotate documents.

Not for beginners. This software was designed for advanced users. However, even if you don’t have loads of experience, you can still master it and learn how to create professional illustrations.

When making the CorelDRAW vs Adobe InDesign comparison, take a look at the operating systems they are compatible with. Adobe released InDesign as the first publishing software for macOS users. Then, they introduced a version for Windows-based devices as well. Now, you can even get InDesign on Linux. This software is widely used by designers and digital artists who work on a variety of print products, such as books, brochures, newspapers, magazines, e-books, interactive PDF files, and other documents.

The key selling points of this software are a well-thought-out layout, convenient design, and tools for working with multi-page documents. You can customize your workspace to make it easier to work on various projects, such as interactive PDF files or digital publications.

InDesign comes with a variety of features and handy resources that will help you master its main tools. Besides, it integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud, which ensures that it will always remain up to date.

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Convenient collaboration tools. Adobe InDesign comes with a set of handy collaboration tools that allow users to work with their teams of writers and editors. Thanks to these in-built features, you can create layouts more quickly. Due to the integration with Creative Cloud Libraries, users can share texts, colors, shapes, and graphics together with other team members.

Streamlined UI and optimized workflow. The program comes with the default dark theme. You will get access to a variety of tools in your workspace. Thanks to the convenient user interface, you can adjust various parameters quickly.

Master page feature. If you decide to create a layout for a multi-page publication, InDesign will be a perfect choice for your needs. With it, you can number pages automatically and use the Master page option to edit several pages with the same settings.

Adobe Fonts auto-activation. The program automatically activates various fonts from Adobe Fonts. After paying for a subscription, you will get unlimited access to the Adobe font library. You can use it online or download fonts to your device. Besides, the developers upgraded the Character Panel’s real-time visual font browsing and advanced search options.

Convenient printing options. With the help of this software, you can design layouts for books, flyers, posters, brochures, annual reports, magazines, etc. Besides, you can use pro-level typesetting tools to create pages with multiple columns, typography elements, graphic images, etc.

HSB support. The program allows you to adjust HBS and color values using the Color Picker, Color panel, and the New Swatch feature. You don’t have to translate color values into RGB.

Modern-looking digital publication design. With it, you can design magazines, eBooks, and online documents with interactive elements. To make your projects more engaging, you can use audio, video, slideshows, animations, etc. InDesign allows you to organize all the design elements easily and quickly create projects in various formats.

Inconvenient shortcuts. The keyboard shortcuts in InDesign are not the same as in other Adobe products. It would be better if the developers used the same shortcuts for similar tools.

Steep learning curve. Since this program was designed for advanced users, get ready to spend a lot of time studying InDesign tutorials if you have never used this software before. You will need to keep track of its updates. Sometimes, it might be difficult to decide which software you need to use for your project, CorelDRAW or Adobe InDesign.

CorelDRAW allows you to select one of three payment options. You can save money by purchasing a perpetual license for $499.

If you already have a license and need to upgrade your version, you can pay a one-time fee of $199. Those who don’t want to pay for a subscription and keep track of recent updates can pay $99 per year to automatically receive the current version of the software.

Adobe InDesign is available only for those who have paid for an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. You can pay $20.99 per month for a standalone program or subscribe to the entire suite for $52.99 per month.

The Creative Cloud suite from Abode includes the programs that will come in handy for every professional designer, such as Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, etc.

CorelDRAW includes a variety of award-winning design programs that will come in handy for freelancers, businesses and education professionals from across the globe.

If you don’t know which software to use for your project, CorelDRAW or Adobe InDesign, think about whether you need to work on large documents and multi-page files.

The key advantage of InDesign is that it allows you to edit large amounts of text. With it, you can quickly create multi-page publication layouts for books, posters and magazines.

If you need to work on multi-page documents, Adobe InDesign is the best option to consider. However, if you are a professional designer and need to use powerful graphic design software for Windows, take a closer look at CorelDRAW.