Desktop Publishing Software Reviews

The reviews below are assigned ratings by ConsumerSearch. These ratings are based on credibility in testing, evaluating and identifying the best Desktop Publishing Software. See our ratings criteria

For recommendations of best Desktop Publishing Software, see our Fast Answers page, which summarizes what these reviews say. A longer summary and analysis appears in our Full Story report for Desktop Publishing Software. Our Where to Buy page contains information on retailers and Desktop Publishing Software prices.

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Desktop Publishing Software Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Desktop Publishing Software Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. Smart Computing >> Details/Subscribe	Power of the Press Jeff Dodd Dec. 2005		In this head-to-head roundup of desktop publishing software, reviewer Jeff Dodd looks at two easy-to-use programs (MS Publisher 2003 and Print Shop Pro Publisher Deluxe 21) and two more advanced programs (QuarkXPress 6.5 and Adobe InDesign CS2). While Adobe InDesign is rated as the best product on the market, Microsoft Publisher 2003 gets the "Smart Choice" rating because the "modestly priced and fully capable" program is great for "home and small-office computer users."

Desktop Publishing Software Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Desktop Publishing Software Ratings Comments on Reviews

2. Macworld >> Details/Subscribe	Publishing software Editors of Macworld As of Oct. 2006		Print Explosion Deluxe 3.0 and Print Shop for Mac 2.0 both get the same four-mouse rating (on a five-point scale). Print Explosion works well for cards, crafts and school projects, but editors say it also has business features. This short review doesn't include much performance detail. Macworld posts a similar review for Print Shop for Mac 2.0, saying it's good for school and home projects, but not as good for multi-page publications because templates for the second page are limited, and after that, there are no templates at all. Swift Publisher 1.0 gets the same four-mouse rating. Editors say it lacks polish, but is good for the basics.
3. CNet.com	Desktop Publishing Software Editors of CNet.com As of Oct. 2006		CNet doesn't have a section for desktop-publishing software, but several titles receive reviews and editor's ratings. InDesign CS2 gets an Editor's Choice rating. Microsoft Publisher 2003, the more basic and affordable option, is not reviewed by the editors but is given two user reviews: One is favorable, and the other is an abysmal review by one user who says it freezes up. CNet editors have some coverage on Office 2007, but little information specifically on Publisher 2007.
4. Top Ten Reviews.com	Desktop Publishing Software Reviews 2006 Editors of Top Ten Reviews.com As of Oct. 2006		Although this review covers a lot of products, lack of site disclosure and methodology keep this website from getting a higher rating in our chart. Ten software packages receive ratings, but the actual reviews are short, and it's unclear how much testing was performed. The highest rating goes to Art Explosion Publisher Pro, which editors say is "fun and reasonably simple to use." PagePlus, Print Shop Pro Publisher, Microsoft Publisher, Print Shop and Print Shop Essentials all receive generally favorable ratings. Lower ratings go to Publishing Studio, Design & Print, Print Workshop and QuickStart Desktop Publisher Pro.
5. About.com	Desktop Publishing: RagTime Solo Jacci Howard Bear Not Dated		This review touts RagTime Solo as an excellent free option for Mac or PC users who "want a true page layout and publishing solution without the cost of the major desktop publishing programs." Pros and cons are given as well a brief description and a single-paragraph review. Site guide Jacci Howard Bear recommends some other desktop-publishing software, including E-Press EasyOffice Freeware and 602Pro PC Suite 2001, which is free for both commercial and non-commercial use.
6. Macworld >> Details/Subscribe	First Look: InDesign CS2 Terri Stone April 3, 2005		This review highlights improvements to the latest version of Adobe InDesign, including footnote support with import from Word, streamlined object styles, easier to share XML files, more user-friendly text handling, the ability to anchor an object and the option to reveal layers within one PSD file. Unfortunately, Macworld has not published a more recent, in-depth review of InDesign CS2.
7. About.com	Top 7 Desktop Publishing Software Programs Jacci Howard Bear Not Dated		Of the seven titles on this list, most are aimed at business professionals. Adobe InDesign and Quark Xpress get the highest ratings. However, they are both more than the average home user needs. Serif’s Page Plus is the most mainstream product here, and its powerful tools “pose a serious threat to Microsoft Publisher," says Jacci Howard Bear.

Desktop Publishing Software Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Desktop Publishing Software Ratings Comments on Reviews

8. PC Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	CorelDraw Essentials 2 Luke Peters Feb. 2004		This short review compares CorelDraw to Serif's PagePlus 9, professional grade desktop publishing software. Features highlighted are the tutorial CD, wizards and proficiency with design tools. Editors warn of the steep learning curve for beginners, however, which results in a mixed overall rating.
9. ActiveWin	Microsoft Publisher 2003 Brian Kvalheim Not Dated		This comprehensive single-product review of Microsoft Publisher 2003 covers improvements over the 2002 version. Reviewer Brian Kvalheim says Publisher is practically ideal. It is easy-to-use and full of practical features. Overall, this product gets a high rating of 93, though it isn't compared to other programs.
10. Mad Penguin	Scribus 1.1.6 Reviewed Editors of Mad Penguin Apr. 24, 2004		In this in-depth review of Scribus, reviewers address features, installation, interface and ease-of-use. Editors compare it to Publisher 2003, saying that a lack of templates keeps Scribus from measuring up. This reviewer concludes that Scribus is good, but not great, and suggests a few changes to the software that would allow it to improve.
11. Computer Active	Greenstreet Publisher 4 Jananie Nadarajah Jan. 8, 2004		This short review covers a few key points of Publisher 4, citing its good range of templates and extensive image collection. Overall, this inexpensive software is rated as a good entry-level pick.
12. OS News	Review of Scribus – A Free DTP for Unix Roberto J. Dohnert July 17, 2003		Roberto Dohnert has followed Scribus' development from its early incarnations. His positive rating of the latest version concludes that Scribus isn't quite ready to supplant Adobe InDesign or Quark, but continued improvements make it a good choice for open-source users.
13. PC Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	Desktop Publishing Software is Right at Home Christina Wood Feb. 1, 2003		Although most titles in this four-program roundup have been updated, this is one of the best multi-product roundups we found. The Print Shop Pro Publisher Deluxe, version 15, gets the Editor's Choice rating. This program has lots of templates and over a million searchable images, plus photo and video editors. Editors say this is the best choice for home users. Microsoft Publisher 2002 is also good, but more appropriate for small business and more sophisticated home use. MS Publisher doesn't have an extensive image library, but it is easy to use.
14. Home Office Reports	Review of Publishing and Printing Software Editors of HomeOfficeReports.com Not Dated		This large article covers the seven major developers of desktop publishing software, along with features and ratings for each of their products. While not comparing software directly, overall ratings are given to each of the companies. Intangibles -- such as support and ease of use -- are also evaluated. Adobe and Microsoft software get the best overall ratings. Broderbund takes some knocks for misuse of the "fine print." For example, online features can be “changed or discontinued at any time.”

Desktop Publishing Software Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Desktop Publishing Software Ratings Comments on Reviews

15. Amazon.com	Publishing Software Contributors to Amazon.com As of Oct. 2006		If you have your choice narrowed down to a couple of titles, this is a good place to check before you buy. Installation headaches are the main complaints. Microsoft Publisher 2003 receives generally favorable reviews from customers, citing the "user-friendly" features. Print Shop 21 receives many complaints. There are no reviews yet of MS Publisher 2007, and only one review of Print Shop 22 Deluxe.
16. Epinions	Desktop Publishing Software Contributors to Epinions As of Oct. 2006		We did not find many owner-written ratings here. Most titles have only a handful of reviews, and many have no comments at all. But Epinions can be worth a quick check of programs you’re considering.