# Microsoft Publisher, QuarkXPress vs Adobe InDesign Comparison

| | Microsoft Publisher | QuarkXPress | Adobe InDesign | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.0 out of 5 | 4.6 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 1,003 | 304 | 3,430 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (47.5% of reviews) | Small-Business (79.9% of reviews) | Small-Business (58.0% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | $699.00 1 Perpetual License With One-Time Purchase | Starting at $99.99 1 License Per Month | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Microsoft Publisher

Pros:
- Ease of Use (4 reviews)
- Layout Design (3 reviews)

Cons:
- Design Limitations (1 reviews)
- Export Issues (1 reviews)

### QuarkXPress

Pros:
- Animations (1 reviews)
- Features (1 reviews)

Cons:
- Learning Curve (1 reviews)
- Steep Learning Curve (1 reviews)

### Adobe InDesign

Pros:
- Ease of Use (43 reviews)
- Layout Design (37 reviews)

Cons:
- Difficulty (17 reviews)
- Expensive (17 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Microsoft Publisher | QuarkXPress | Adobe InDesign | 
|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.7 (896 reviews) | 8.1 (230 reviews) | 9.3 (3124 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.8 (904 reviews) | 7.9 (234 reviews) | 8.0 (3137 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 9.1 (89 reviews) | 8.5 (47 reviews) | 8.8 (421 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 9.0 (73 reviews) | 8.2 (46 reviews) | 8.7 (300 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.4 (641 reviews) | 7.9 (191 reviews) | 8.2 (2404 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.5 (59 reviews) | 8.1 (42 reviews) | 8.9 (273 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.2 (888 reviews) | 6.0 (224 reviews) | 8.6 (3085 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Microsoft Publisher

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### QuarkXPress

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Perpetual License

Price: $699.00 1 Perpetual License With One-Time Purchase

Key Features:
- QuarkXPress is available as a perpetual license for those who prefer this traditional licensing model. You will own the license for this version of the software indefinitely but without upgrades, updates and technical support.

[Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/quarkxpress/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Adobe InDesign

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Creative Cloud Pro for teams

Price: Starting at $99.99 1 License Per Month

Description: 20+ apps, including InDesign, and Firefly creative AI for images, video, and audio, plus exclusive business features.

Key Features:
- Create and publish brochures, digital magazines, eBooks, posters, and presentations with InDesign.
- 20+ photo, graphic design, and video apps
- Unlimited access to standard creative AI image and vector features like Generative Fill in Photoshop

[Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-indesign/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Content Marketing

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Publisher** | N/A | N/A |
| **QuarkXPress** | N/A | N/A |
| **Adobe InDesign** | N/A | N/A |

#### Content Creation

| Feature | Microsoft Publisher | QuarkXPress | Adobe InDesign | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Content Creation Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Content Curation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Buyer Personas** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Content Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Optimization

| Feature | Microsoft Publisher | QuarkXPress | Adobe InDesign | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **SEO** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **A/B Testing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Dashboards & Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Audience Targeting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **ROI Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Logistics

| Feature | Microsoft Publisher | QuarkXPress | Adobe InDesign | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Customizable Templated Workflows** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Internal Communication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Version Control** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Editing and Approval Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Distribution Features** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Integrations & APIs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **User, Role, and Access Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Desktop Publishing

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Publisher** | 8.4/10 | 86 |
| **QuarkXPress** | 7.6/10 | 32 |
| **Adobe InDesign** | 8.2/10 | 294 |

#### Design

| Feature | Microsoft Publisher | QuarkXPress | Adobe InDesign | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Templates** | 8.8 (75 reviews) | 7.1 (20 reviews) | 8.4 (217 reviews) | 
| **Layout editor** | 8.6 (77 reviews) | 8.1 (27 reviews) | 9.1 (244 reviews) | 
| **Publishing formats** | 8.7 (72 reviews) | 8.8 (28 reviews) | 9.2 (267 reviews) | 
| **Saved preferences** | 8.8 (71 reviews) | 8.8 (29 reviews) | 8.9 (242 reviews) | 
| **Infographics** | 8.2 (64 reviews) | 7.5 (20 reviews) | 8.1 (201 reviews) | 
| **Asset Library** | 8.0 (72 reviews) | 7.9 (21 reviews) | 8.2 (206 reviews) | 

#### Platform Additional Functionality

| Feature | Microsoft Publisher | QuarkXPress | Adobe InDesign | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Mobile Access** | 7.0 (47 reviews) | 4.6 (8 reviews) | 5.9 (144 reviews) | 
| **File Storage** | 8.7 (61 reviews) | 8.1 (9 reviews) | 7.9 (169 reviews) | 

### Content Creation

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Microsoft Publisher** | N/A | N/A |
| **QuarkXPress** | N/A | N/A |
| **Adobe InDesign** | N/A | N/A |

#### Planning

| Feature | Microsoft Publisher | QuarkXPress | Adobe InDesign | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Scheduling Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Publishing

| Feature | Microsoft Publisher | QuarkXPress | Adobe InDesign | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Execute Content Publication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Social Media

| Feature | Microsoft Publisher | QuarkXPress | Adobe InDesign | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Social Media Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Planning

| Feature | Microsoft Publisher | QuarkXPress | Adobe InDesign | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Collaborative Editorial Calendars / Scheduling Content** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Microsoft Publisher | QuarkXPress | Adobe InDesign | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Generation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text Generation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text-to-Image** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text-to-Video** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Content Creation

| Feature | Microsoft Publisher | QuarkXPress | Adobe InDesign | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Natural Language Interaction** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Desktop Publishing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/desktop-publishing)


**Unique to QuarkXPress (1):** [Content Creation Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/content-creation)



---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Microsoft Publisher | QuarkXPress | Adobe InDesign | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 47.5% | 79.9% | 58.0% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 26.0% | 11.6% | 27.1% | 
| **Enterprise** | 26.5% | 8.5% | 14.9% | 

### By Industry

#### Microsoft Publisher

- **Higher Education:** 9.2%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 6.4%
- **Education Management:** 5.7%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 3.4%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 3.3%
- **Religious Institutions:** 3.2%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 2.9%
- **Design:** 2.9%
- **Government Administration:** 2.7%
- **Primary/Secondary Education:** 2.5%
- **Other:** 57.9%

#### QuarkXPress

- **Graphic Design:** 21.1%
- **Design:** 12.6%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 11.9%
- **Printing:** 7.1%
- **Publishing:** 6.5%
- **Newspapers:** 3.1%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 3.1%
- **Higher Education:** 2.7%
- **Media Production:** 2.7%
- **Entertainment:** 2.0%
- **Other:** 27.2%

#### Adobe InDesign

- **Design:** 11.7%
- **Graphic Design:** 11.5%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 11.1%
- **Higher Education:** 5.3%
- **Architecture & Planning:** 3.9%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 3.8%
- **Publishing:** 2.8%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 2.3%
- **Computer Software:** 2.1%
- **Education Management:** 2.0%
- **Other:** 43.6%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Microsoft Publisher

- [Canva](https://www.g2.com/products/canva/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (7439 reviews)
- [Marq](https://www.g2.com/products/charles-thayne-capital-marq/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (210 reviews)
- [Affinity Publisher](https://www.g2.com/products/affinity-publisher/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (73 reviews)
- [The Print Shop](https://www.g2.com/products/the-print-shop/reviews) — 3.9/5 stars (28 reviews)
- [Scribus](https://www.g2.com/products/scribus/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (27 reviews)
- [iStudio Publisher](https://www.g2.com/products/istudio-publisher/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (20 reviews)
- [Swift Publisher](https://www.g2.com/products/swift-publisher/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (11 reviews)
- [Wondershare PDFelement](https://www.g2.com/products/wondershare-wondershare-pdfelement/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1046 reviews)
- [Foxit PDF Editor](https://www.g2.com/products/foxit-pdf-editor/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (3612 reviews)
- [Print Artist Gold Edition](https://www.g2.com/products/print-artist-gold-edition/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (6 reviews)

### Alternatives to QuarkXPress

- [Canva](https://www.g2.com/products/canva/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (7439 reviews)
- [Marq](https://www.g2.com/products/charles-thayne-capital-marq/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (210 reviews)
- [Affinity Publisher](https://www.g2.com/products/affinity-publisher/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (73 reviews)
- [Scribus](https://www.g2.com/products/scribus/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (27 reviews)
- [Wondershare PDFelement](https://www.g2.com/products/wondershare-wondershare-pdfelement/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1046 reviews)
- [Visme](https://www.g2.com/products/visme/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (482 reviews)
- [Foxit PDF Editor](https://www.g2.com/products/foxit-pdf-editor/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (3612 reviews)
- [Bynder](https://www.g2.com/products/bynder/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1126 reviews)
- [Semrush](https://www.g2.com/products/semrush/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (3377 reviews)
- [Renderforest](https://www.g2.com/products/renderforest/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (446 reviews)

### Alternatives to Adobe InDesign

- [Canva](https://www.g2.com/products/canva/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (7439 reviews)
- [Marq](https://www.g2.com/products/charles-thayne-capital-marq/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (210 reviews)
- [Affinity Publisher](https://www.g2.com/products/affinity-publisher/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (73 reviews)
- [Foxit PDF Editor](https://www.g2.com/products/foxit-pdf-editor/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (3612 reviews)
- [Scribus](https://www.g2.com/products/scribus/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (27 reviews)
- [iStudio Publisher](https://www.g2.com/products/istudio-publisher/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (20 reviews)
- [Swift Publisher](https://www.g2.com/products/swift-publisher/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (11 reviews)
- [Wondershare PDFelement](https://www.g2.com/products/wondershare-wondershare-pdfelement/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1046 reviews)
- [InPage](https://www.g2.com/products/inpage/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (12 reviews)
- [The Print Shop](https://www.g2.com/products/the-print-shop/reviews) — 3.9/5 stars (28 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Microsoft Publisher

- Title: [What is the best way to design a business card using Microsoft Publisher?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-best-way-to-design-a-business-card-using-microsoft-publisher) — 5 comments, 2 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "If you have some of those perforated business cards by Avery, try downloading a template made for your paper and customize that.

Otherwise, you will..."
- Title: [How do you download new new templates to use on publisher?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/13361-how-do-you-download-new-new-templates-to-use-on-publisher) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "There is not a specific update or download for adding templates to Publisher, all new content is managed by an ondemand system.

With internet access,..."
- Title: [What is Microsoft Publisher used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-microsoft-publisher-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "It is a desktop publishing application used for creating and designing various publications, like newsletters. It provides tools for layout customization,..."
- Title: [What type of software is Microsoft Publisher?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-type-of-software-is-microsoft-publisher) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Design"
- Title: [What other functionality did you find useful in the app?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-other-functionality-did-you-find-useful-in-the-app) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "The diversity of formulas that you can make and mix"

### QuarkXPress

- Title: [Does anyone still use QuarkXPress?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/does-anyone-still-use-quarkxpress) — 5 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Yes. Those of us who first understood non-computerized typesetting (hot lead poured into molds) and then the early days of offset printing appreciate that in..."
- Title: [I upgraded to Big Sur only to find that Quark was not compatible.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/35311-i-upgraded-to-big-sur-only-to-find-that-quark-was-not-compatible) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hi, Keith. We’re sorry about this difficulty. QuarkXPress 2020 (version 16.2) and QuarkXPress 2021 (17.0.1) are both compatible with macOS Big Sur...."
- Title: [How much does QuarkXPress cost?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-much-does-quarkxpress-cost) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Quark has come down in price dramatically the last few years. They have a number of interesting plans that make sense for various size of users, from..."
- Title: [Is there a way to alter the perspective/warp text in Quark so I don't have to do it in PhotoShop and then import it?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-there-a-way-to-alter-the-perspective-warp-text-in-quark-so-i-don-t-have-to-do-it-in-photoshop-and-then-import-it) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hi. Will you please elaborate on your exact use case or share a video of the issue? In the meantime, you can reference the user guide regarding specific..."
- Title: [How do I use the gradient tool?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-i-use-the-gradient-tool) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hi. Please refer to this link:..."

### Adobe InDesign

- Title: [What other things do use Indesign for, besides designing a catalog.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-other-things-do-use-indesign-for-besides-designing-a-catalog) — 7 comments, 2 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "I don't know what you've already thought of. :) 

Here is a selection of things we make using InDesign:
* Books (design and typography)
* Billboards and..."
- Title: [Is InDesign part of Adobe Creative Suite?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-indesign-part-of-adobe-creative-suite) — 4 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Yes"
- Title: [Is Adobe InDesign free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-adobe-indesign-free) — 3 comments
  > **Top comment:** "No"
- Title: [Qual è il modo migliore per mantenere il mio lavoro organizzato?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-best-way-to-keep-my-work-organised) — 3 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "I have an external hard drive that I have individual folders for each project. I do package everything together after I’m done for the day so I can pick..."
- Title: [Do you have another easier version for this application?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/do-you-have-another-easier-version-for-this-application) — 3 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Pages from Apple would be easier to just and still give you a similar set of features. "

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/microsoft-publisher-vs-quarkxpress-vs-adobe-indesign)