Free Desktop Publishing Software

Simple and free desktop publishing tools

Scribus is by far the best-known free desktop publishing software. Reviews say it's very capable indeed. Over the years a large community of users has grown, so it's easy to get extra templates and peer support. It's available for Linux as well as for Mac and Windows operating systems. You can use Scribus to export PDF files for commercial printing, with color separations and color-management tools.

A detailed review at Softpedia.com finds Scribus impressive and reasonably easy to use, but criticizes the quality of the built-in themes. For editing graphics, Scribus integrates with GIMP, a free open-source photo-editing program. The Scribus interface earns mixed reviews.

For simpler, more basic desktop publishing software for Windows, Serif PagePlus SE is still available free. This is a much older version of the top-ranked Serif PagePlus X3 (*Est. $90). Reviews say the free SE version is easy to use, but includes no clip art and only a few templates.

Similarly, Mac users can try Sierra Print Artist for Mac 4.0, a free download. Like Serif PagePlus SE, this is older software but can still be found at some download sites. We were unable to find any reviews for it.

Although Jacci Howard Bear of About.com recommends Scribus as the best free desktop publishing software, she also gives Ragtime Solo a positive review. Like Apple iWorks, Ragtime Solo includes word processing and spreadsheet software as well as page layout tools. It's available for both Mac and Windows users. Versions are available that work on older operating systems, such as Windows 95 and 98, and Mac OS 8.1/9.0.

The last freeware version, Ragtime Solo 5, works with Windows XP and Vista. A review at MacNN.com says it doesn't work well with Mac OS X, however. Reviews say Ragtime Solo is quite capable -- including color separations and PDF conversion. Both the interface and the tutorials earn criticism in reviews, but -- the price is right.