Serif PagePlus Starter Edition
Best desktop publishing software for home
- Free
- Easy to use
- Lots of templates
- Documents limited to five pages
- Can't save files as PDFs
- Windows only
Serif PagePlus Starter Edition is a welcome addition to the desktop publishing market, say reviewers. The free software is a mini-version of Serif's PagePlus X5 (*Est. $75) design software, and includes many of the same functions found in other versions of the software. Reviewers liked the ability to embed images, and to insert calendars and tables into text, and the free templates that come with the software. There were some disadvantages pointed out in reviews of the freeware, earning criticism from reviewers. The color palette has limitations and files cannot be saved to PDFs, meaning this software cannot be used for commercial printing projects. PC World's Ian Harac, like many reviewers, was frustrated by the five-page limit for documents in the Serif PagePlus Starter Edition software. For small projects, such as scrapbooks, greeting cards or personal newsletters, Serif PagePlus Starter Edition does the job.
In addition to the thorough review on PC World, we also found useful reviews from About.com's desktop publishing guide, Jacci Howard Bear, and Gizmo's Freeware.
Our Sources
1. PC World
Harac provides a detailed review of the PagePlus Starter Edition, commenting on the features and tools included with the software. The review focuses on the functionality provided by the software, and also highlights the drawbacks, including the five-page document limit.
Review: PagePlus Starter Edition, Ian Harac, March 7, 2011
2. About.com
Jacci Howard Bear, the About.com desktop publishing guide, provides a detailed overview of the Serif PagePlus Starter Edition software. Bear appreciates the functions that come with this free software, including templates, and working with tables and calendars. She's disappointed to finds that the software has a five-page limit, and that users cannot create PDFs. The software also won a 2011 readers' choice award.
Review: Serif PagePlus Starter Edition, Jacci Howard Bear
3. Gizmo's Freeware
This review offers up PagePlus Starter Edition and Scribus as viable alternatives to pricey design software. The reviewer finds PagePlus Starter Edition easy to use, but lacking in some aspects. Scribus is the more powerful software, but likely too complex for casual users.
Review: Best Free Desktop Publishing Program, Editors of Gizmo's Freeware, April 30, 2011
Desktop Publishing Software Runners Up:
5 picks including: CNET, Computer Shopper…
4 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…
2 picks by top review sites.
![Serif PagePlus X6 [Download]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51PihyoKCvL._SL75_.jpg "Serif PagePlus X6 [Download]"){kind=small}
Best Reviewed
Desktop Publishing Software
- Best desktop publishing software for home Serif PagePlus Starter Edition *Est. $0
- Best desktop publishing software for small businesses Serif PagePlus X5 *Est. $75
- Desktop publishing software for Mac Apple Pages '09 *Est. $20
- Professional desktop publishing software Adobe InDesign CS5.5 *Est. $700
- Best free desktop publishing software Scribus *Est. $0
Get info about new reports and updates
