Quick Overview
- 1#1: Adobe InDesign - Professional desktop publishing software for creating precise, high-quality print layouts including brochures.
- 2#2: Affinity Publisher - Affordable one-time purchase publishing app offering advanced typography and layout tools for brochure design.
- 3#3: Canva - User-friendly online design platform with extensive brochure templates and drag-and-drop editing.
- 4#4: Marq - Cloud-based design and print platform for creating brand-consistent brochures with automation features.
- 5#5: Scribus - Free open-source desktop publishing tool for professional brochure layouts and PDF export.
- 6#6: Adobe Express - Free web and mobile design app with brochure templates, AI enhancements, and quick editing tools.
- 7#7: Visme - Visual design platform for crafting interactive and printable brochures with data integration.
- 8#8: Venngage - Online tool specializing in data-driven infographics and customizable brochure templates.
- 9#9: Microsoft Publisher - Simple desktop publishing software in Microsoft 365 for building basic brochures with templates.
- 10#10: PosterMyWall - Online template-based designer for posters, flyers, and brochures with easy customization.
These tools were chosen based on key criteria—including design quality, ease of use, feature versatility, and overall value—to deliver a curated list that balances professional capabilities with user-friendliness, spanning beginners to industry experts.
Comparison Table
Selecting the ideal brochure design software is key to creating impactful marketing materials, and the landscape offers options from professional tools to easy-to-use platforms. This comparison table evaluates software like Adobe InDesign, Affinity Publisher, Canva, Marq, Scribus, and more, outlining key features, usability, and capabilities to help readers choose the best fit for their projects.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adobe InDesign Professional desktop publishing software for creating precise, high-quality print layouts including brochures. | creative_suite | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | Affinity Publisher Affordable one-time purchase publishing app offering advanced typography and layout tools for brochure design. | creative_suite | 9.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 3 | Canva User-friendly online design platform with extensive brochure templates and drag-and-drop editing. | other | 9.1/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 4 | Marq Cloud-based design and print platform for creating brand-consistent brochures with automation features. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Scribus Free open-source desktop publishing tool for professional brochure layouts and PDF export. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 6.4/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 6 | Adobe Express Free web and mobile design app with brochure templates, AI enhancements, and quick editing tools. | creative_suite | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Visme Visual design platform for crafting interactive and printable brochures with data integration. | other | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Venngage Online tool specializing in data-driven infographics and customizable brochure templates. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Microsoft Publisher Simple desktop publishing software in Microsoft 365 for building basic brochures with templates. | creative_suite | 7.2/10 | 7.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 10 | PosterMyWall Online template-based designer for posters, flyers, and brochures with easy customization. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
Professional desktop publishing software for creating precise, high-quality print layouts including brochures.
Affordable one-time purchase publishing app offering advanced typography and layout tools for brochure design.
User-friendly online design platform with extensive brochure templates and drag-and-drop editing.
Cloud-based design and print platform for creating brand-consistent brochures with automation features.
Free open-source desktop publishing tool for professional brochure layouts and PDF export.
Free web and mobile design app with brochure templates, AI enhancements, and quick editing tools.
Visual design platform for crafting interactive and printable brochures with data integration.
Online tool specializing in data-driven infographics and customizable brochure templates.
Simple desktop publishing software in Microsoft 365 for building basic brochures with templates.
Online template-based designer for posters, flyers, and brochures with easy customization.
Adobe InDesign
creative_suiteProfessional desktop publishing software for creating precise, high-quality print layouts including brochures.
Advanced master pages and paragraph/character styles for effortless consistent multi-panel brochure layouts
Adobe InDesign is a professional desktop publishing software renowned for creating high-quality print and digital layouts, including brochures, magazines, and interactive PDFs. It offers unparalleled precision in typography, layout grids, and multi-page document management, making it the industry standard for brochure design. With seamless integration into the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem, it allows effortless incorporation of assets from Photoshop and Illustrator.
Pros
- Exceptional typographic controls and layout precision ideal for professional brochures
- Seamless integration with Photoshop, Illustrator, and other Adobe tools
- Robust multi-page management with master pages and automatic text flow
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Subscription-only model with no perpetual license option
- High system resource demands on older hardware
Best For
Professional graphic designers and print agencies creating complex, high-end brochures requiring precise control and production-ready output.
Pricing
Starts at $22.99/month for a single app subscription; included in Creative Cloud All Apps plan at $59.99/month.
Affinity Publisher
creative_suiteAffordable one-time purchase publishing app offering advanced typography and layout tools for brochure design.
StudioLink technology, which embeds full Affinity Designer and Photo editing capabilities directly in Publisher for fluid brochure design without switching apps
Affinity Publisher is a professional desktop publishing software from Serif, specializing in creating high-quality layouts for brochures, flyers, magazines, books, and multi-page documents. It provides comprehensive tools like master pages, advanced text flow, precise typography controls, and support for both vector graphics and raster images. With seamless integration into the Affinity ecosystem (Designer and Photo), it enables efficient workflows for brochure design without the need for file exports. Its one-time purchase model makes it a compelling alternative to subscription-heavy competitors like Adobe InDesign.
Pros
- One-time purchase with no subscription fees, offering excellent long-term value
- StudioLink integration allows switching to Affinity Designer or Photo tools directly within Publisher for versatile brochure workflows
- High performance with stable handling of complex multi-page documents and large files
Cons
- Limited ecosystem of third-party plugins and extensions compared to Adobe InDesign
- Steeper learning curve for users new to professional layout software
- Lacks built-in cloud collaboration features for team-based brochure projects
Best For
Professional graphic designers and small agencies seeking a powerful, affordable tool for creating polished brochures without recurring costs.
Pricing
One-time purchase: $69.99 for Affinity Publisher v2; $164.99 for the full Affinity Creative Suite (Publisher, Designer, Photo); 6-month free trial available.
Canva
otherUser-friendly online design platform with extensive brochure templates and drag-and-drop editing.
Magic Studio AI tools that auto-generate and resize brochure designs from simple text prompts or images
Canva is a web-based graphic design platform that enables users to create professional brochures using a drag-and-drop interface and thousands of customizable templates. It provides access to millions of stock photos, icons, fonts, and elements, along with tools for layouts, text editing, and branding consistency. Brochures can be exported in print-ready PDF or shared digitally, with options for collaboration and integration with print services.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor perfect for beginners
- Vast library of brochure-specific templates and assets
- Real-time collaboration and easy sharing/export options
Cons
- Limited advanced controls for typography and vector editing
- Premium elements and features require Pro subscription
- Performance can lag with very complex or image-heavy designs
Best For
Non-designers, small businesses, and marketers needing quick, professional-looking brochures without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free plan with basic features; Canva Pro at $12.99/month (billed annually) or $14.99/month; higher tiers for teams and enterprise.
Marq
enterpriseCloud-based design and print platform for creating brand-consistent brochures with automation features.
Automated brand enforcement that locks templates to company guidelines, preventing off-brand designs
Marq (formerly Lucidpress) is a cloud-based design platform specializing in creating professional brochures, flyers, and marketing collateral using a vast library of customizable templates. It excels in team collaboration with real-time editing, automated brand asset management, and workflow approvals to ensure on-brand consistency. Users can export designs for print or digital use, making it suitable for marketing teams producing high-volume materials efficiently.
Pros
- Extensive template library tailored for brochures and print materials
- Powerful brand controls and real-time collaboration for teams
- Seamless integration with cloud storage and dynamic data automation
Cons
- Advanced customization limited compared to Adobe InDesign
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams or heavy users
- Occasional performance lags with complex documents
Best For
Marketing and creative teams in SMBs needing fast, on-brand brochure production with collaboration.
Pricing
Free plan available; Pro at $12/user/month; Team at $24/user/month; custom Enterprise pricing.
Scribus
otherFree open-source desktop publishing tool for professional brochure layouts and PDF export.
Native support for PDF/X-4 export ensuring print-ready brochures with embedded fonts and color profiles.
Scribus is a free, open-source desktop publishing software ideal for creating professional brochures, flyers, newsletters, and other print materials. It provides precise layout tools, support for CMYK color management, vector graphics, and high-quality PDF export standards like PDF/X. While powerful for print design, it requires some learning to master its feature-rich environment.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no subscriptions
- Professional print features like CMYK, ICC profiles, and PDF/X export
- Cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, and Linux
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Dated user interface compared to modern alternatives
- Limited real-time collaboration or cloud features
Best For
Budget-conscious graphic designers and print professionals needing powerful, free tools for high-quality brochure layouts.
Pricing
100% free (open-source, no paid tiers or subscriptions).
Adobe Express
creative_suiteFree web and mobile design app with brochure templates, AI enhancements, and quick editing tools.
AI-powered Quick Actions for instant design enhancements like background removal and text effects
Adobe Express is a web-based design tool from Adobe that simplifies brochure creation through thousands of customizable templates, drag-and-drop editing, and access to premium Adobe Stock assets like images, fonts, and icons. It caters to quick, professional designs with features like animations, QR code generation, and collaboration tools, making it accessible for non-designers. While not as robust as full Adobe suite apps like InDesign, it excels in speed and ease for marketing materials.
Pros
- Vast library of brochure templates and Adobe Stock assets
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with mobile support
- Free tier with solid basic functionality
Cons
- Advanced editing limited compared to InDesign
- Premium features like no watermarks require subscription
- Occasional performance lags with complex designs
Best For
Small businesses, marketers, and beginners seeking fast, template-driven brochure designs without needing expert skills.
Pricing
Free plan with watermarks; Premium at $9.99/month or $99.99/year (includes 100K+ assets); All Apps plan at $59.99/month.
Visme
otherVisual design platform for crafting interactive and printable brochures with data integration.
Seamless integration of animated elements and live data for creating interactive, engaging brochures
Visme is a cloud-based design platform that specializes in creating visually appealing brochures, presentations, infographics, and reports through an intuitive drag-and-drop editor. It provides thousands of customizable brochure templates, a vast library of royalty-free assets like icons, photos, and fonts, and supports animations, data visualizations, and interactive elements. Users can collaborate in real-time and export designs in print-ready PDF or high-resolution formats for both digital and physical distribution.
Pros
- Extensive library of brochure templates and design assets
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface suitable for beginners
- Advanced features like animations and data integration
Cons
- Free plan has significant limitations on exports and assets
- Advanced customization can have a learning curve
- Pricing escalates quickly for teams needing premium features
Best For
Marketing teams and small businesses seeking professional, customizable brochures without needing advanced design expertise.
Pricing
Free plan with basic features; paid plans start at $12.25/user/month (billed annually) for Personal, up to $24.75/user/month for Business.
Venngage
specializedOnline tool specializing in data-driven infographics and customizable brochure templates.
Vast collection of data-infused brochure templates with one-click customization
Venngage is an intuitive online design platform focused on creating visually appealing graphics, including brochures, infographics, and reports through thousands of customizable templates. Users can leverage a drag-and-drop editor to personalize tri-fold, bi-fold, and other brochure layouts with icons, images, charts, and brand assets. It supports team collaboration and exports to high-quality PDF for print, making it suitable for quick professional brochure production without advanced design skills.
Pros
- Extensive library of brochure-specific templates
- User-friendly drag-and-drop interface for beginners
- Strong collaboration and branding tools
Cons
- Free plan includes watermarks and limited exports
- Advanced customizations require premium subscription
- Less precise control for complex print layouts compared to dedicated tools
Best For
Marketers, small businesses, and non-designers who need fast, template-based brochure creation.
Pricing
Free plan with watermarks; Premium starts at $19/user/month (billed annually); Business at $49/user/month; Enterprise custom.
Microsoft Publisher
creative_suiteSimple desktop publishing software in Microsoft 365 for building basic brochures with templates.
Catalog Pages and Mail Merge for data-driven, personalized brochure production
Microsoft Publisher is a desktop publishing application from Microsoft, ideal for creating brochures, flyers, newsletters, and other print marketing materials using pre-designed templates and simple layout tools. It features drag-and-drop editing, text wrapping around objects, and integration with Word and Excel for data import. While not as advanced as professional tools, it excels in quick, straightforward designs for non-experts.
Pros
- Extensive library of brochure templates
- Seamless integration with Microsoft Office apps
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for beginners
Cons
- Lacks advanced typography and vector tools
- Windows-only, no macOS or web version
- Subscription required for updates and full features
Best For
Small businesses and office users familiar with Microsoft Office needing simple, template-based brochure designs.
Pricing
Included in Microsoft 365 Personal ($6.99/month) or Family ($9.99/month) subscriptions; one-time purchase options limited.
PosterMyWall
otherOnline template-based designer for posters, flyers, and brochures with easy customization.
Massive royalty-free media library integrated directly into brochure templates for instant customization
PosterMyWall is an online design platform specializing in customizable templates for posters, flyers, brochures, social media graphics, and videos. For brochure design, it offers a large selection of tri-fold and multi-page templates that users can edit with drag-and-drop tools, fonts, images, and effects. It supports print-ready exports in high resolution and allows easy resizing for different formats, making it suitable for quick professional designs without advanced software.
Pros
- Vast library of over 1,500 brochure templates
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor for beginners
- High-quality print-ready downloads and resizing options
Cons
- Free plan includes watermarks on downloads
- Limited advanced vector editing and precise control
- Some templates feel generic or overly sales-oriented
Best For
Small business owners, event planners, and non-designers needing fast, template-based brochure creation.
Pricing
Free plan with watermarks; paid plans from $4.99/month (Basic) to $29.99/month (Pro), with annual discounts.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools cater to diverse needs, from professional precision to budget-friendly accessibility. At the top, Adobe InDesign remains the gold standard, excelling in high-quality print layouts for those prioritizing polish. Affinity Publisher and Canva stand as strong alternatives—Affinity for its advanced typography at a one-time cost, and Canva for user-friendliness and extensive templates. Together, they cover a wide range of capabilities for effective brochure design.
Elevate your brochure design with Adobe InDesign—its professional tools and layout precision make it the ideal choice to craft impactful, visually stunning materials that stand out.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
