QuarkXPress vs Scribus: Which Software is Better

Comparing QuarkXPress vs Scribus is actually an interesting task because both programs have excellent features for creating newsletters, magazines, posters and other documents. However, Scribus can please users with all these goodies absolutely for free, while QuarkXPress allows testing its capabilities for free just several days, and then you need to switch to a paid version.

QuarkXPress has a rich toolset, which you can use to create a page layout, illustrations and graphic elements, cope with editing and multi-channel tasks. The program works smoothly on Win and Mac devices, allowing users to automate their routine workflow, become more efficient when it comes to management, collaboration, and publishing.

Scribus also contains a multitude of top-quality instruments. Here you can find spot colors, ICC color management features, and CMYK colors. The software is praised for the possibility to manage professional typesetting and prepare online publications (PDFs and interactive forms). Being an open-source program, it works on all popular platforms.

What Is QuarkXPress

quarkxpress logo

QuarkXPress is highly functional software for creating content for digital publishing. You can make complex page layouts in a WYSIWYG format, use raster graphics and vectors for your projects, convert Adobe InDesign files into QuarkXPress native documents and export curated content as PDFs in a single environment.

This desktop publishing software appeals to users with an abundance of layouts and color palettes that are ideal for creating online or print magazines. The updated Java Script options, typography menus for adjusting fonts, and publishing & saving features deserve many flattering words.

There is also a collection of editing instruments. You can make your images more eye-catching preserving the coherence across the group.

The bragging point of QuarkXPress is the possibility to control and customize all elements of a layout no matter whether you prepare a project for print or online use. While exporting, you can choose from a variety of options and even make fantastic presentations saved as HTML5.

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    QuarkXPress: Pros and Cons

    Improved layers control. While working on a document, you can select and group objects in multiple layers. Besides, you can rearrange these objects with a simple drag-and-drop approach and unlock/lock, hide/unhide, and multi-select items using shortcut keys.

    Advanced work with PDF files. If you frequently work with PDF files, QuarkXPress is a very appealing option in QuarkXPress vs Scribus competition. It has many great features typically available in a PDF editor. You can edit particular pages, marge them from other PDF docs, organize or delete pages and export them as a new PDF. Moreover, you can insert videos, slideshows, and animations into your projects and export them as HTML.

    Customizable UI. The software is absolutely easy to master if you have previously used a graphic program. I like the possibility to adjust the interface, make the pasteboard bigger/smaller, and more. In addition, resizing and relocating a picture is also very easy.

    Expandable functionality with add-ons. Though the range of tasks this program is suitable for amazes users, you can extend the functionality even more by integrating add-ons. For instance, you can use Quark CopyDesk to edit components without affecting an established layout. Quark App Publishing Studio helps publish, distribute, monetize, and track digital content with integrated analytics.

    Supports files from other programs. You can upload InDesign files and use them for your magazines and other projects. Besides, users can take advantage of enhanced control of bleed settings.

    Amazing customer support. Managers are very friendly and help solve different issues very quickly. If you want to clarify any point, you can also become a member of an online community as the most popular topics are described there.

    High cost per logins.

    What Is Scribus

    scribus logo

    Scribus is a desktop publishing program and the most serious alternative to InDesign. If you have already used Adobe's software, you will easily get the hang of this tool.

    When launching the program, you see a blank slate of workspace called document. You can fill it with various objectі, which are called frames here. There are text frames where you can insert written content, image frames for housing pictures, and shape/line frames for dealing with fancy graphics.

    For more advanced tasks, you can use layers with frames set on top of one another. There are also pro-level publishing elements, including color separations, CMYK and spot colors. When you download Scribus and open it, you will be amazed by multitude of unique tools, which give it an additional point in the QuarkXPress vs Scribus stand-off. For example, there are powerful vector drawing tools, rich format support, nice import/export options, emulation of color blindness and rendering or markup languages such as LaTeX and Lilypond.

    If you don’t like available fonts, you can upload new ones. There are special scripts that allow enlarging objects to cover an entire page automatically.

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    • scribus interface

      Scribus: Pros and Cons

      Open-source. The best thing about this program is its open-source, free nature. You can customize the program according to your needs, and quickly extend the functionality by integrating custom Python plug-ins and photo editing software. You can also easily switch from Scribus to other open-source programs, e.g., Inkscape.

      Great tools to make a book. You can design pages from scratch or use ready-made templates. There are such options as Outline, Styles, Layers, and Properties to make your pages look stylish. Though the program includes predefined page sizes, it is possible to alter them in accordance with your needs. The Automatic Text Frames tool makes it possible to build a text frame into every page.

      Numbers and sections are intuitive to adjust. Building Master Pages to assign different profiles to sections in a book is a breeze. Actually, making sections here resembles the steps you take in MS Word. You can add page numbers, by making a text box on the outside edge and selecting Insert > Characters > Page Numbering. The same method works for InDesign.

      Remarkable color management options. Color modifications are far beyond standard options available in similar programs. You can alter colors of your publication not only for a digital variant but also for printed format. It is possible to select document and monitor profiles, customize solid colors, and more.

      Lots of export variants. You can output your finished projects in bitmap formats (TIFF, PSD, and JPEG), in EPS for further processing in GIMP, as well as in SVG, Xfig, and Encapsulated PostScript. If you work with vector drawings, the software allows importing files or open them right for editing.

      Occupies little space. The program takes little hard drive space and RAW resources. Moreover, it copes with regular tasks rather fast unlike many other analogs.

      Not newbie-friendly. Comparing Scribus vs Publisher and QuarkXPress, I immediately understood that this program may confuse beginners, so if you lack experience, you may need to spend some time to understand how to use it to your advantage.

      QuarkXPress vs Scribus: Price

      quarkxpress vs scribus price

      Users can test QuarkXPress for free 7 days in a row. Then, you have to buy the subscription. An individual plan for 1 year costs €474, a business subscription for the same period costs €686. It is also possible to buy a subscription for 2 and 3 years. Educational establishments, government structures, and non-commercial organizations can get discounts.

      Scribus is available for free.

      QuarkXPress vs Scribus: Who Wins?

      QuarkXPress or Scribus – which program to choose? The answer depends greatly on your requirements and needs. QuarkXPress has a range of top-notch tools for picture editing, creating graphics and illustrations, page layout, web and mobile app publishing. Thus, if you want to prepare a book for publishing without using multiple programs, you can fully rely on QuarkXPress.

      Scribus is suitable for work with print docs and interactive PDF files. Though it is a free program, it also contains several efficient features such as CMYK support and image packing. Here you can’t handle images and graphics, but integrating Scribus with third-party programs, you can expand its functionality.

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