Scribus
Scribus is free, open-source desktop publishing software for professional page layout on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What Scribus is
Scribus is free, open-source desktop publishing software for professional page layout on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its print output features include press-ready output, color separations, CMYK and spot colors, ICC color management, and PDF creation. The download directory lists 32-bit and 64-bit Windows installers, Intel and arm64 DMG files for macOS, and a Linux x86_64 AppImage alongside source archives. Scribus also includes illustration tools and a template library. The project listing names advanced end users, education, and desktop users among its intended audiences. It identifies C++ and Python as programming languages and Qt as one of its user interfaces. The listed release directory includes detached signature files for source archives and Windows packages. Its 1.6.4 directory contains release files dated April 20, 2025. The project listing describes PDF creation and print-color features but does not name third-party integrations. Support options could not be confirmed.
Good
- Free, open-source desktop publishing software
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Supports CMYK, spot colors, and ICC color management
- Creates PDFs and supports press-ready output
- Includes illustration tools and a template library
Watch out
- Support options could not be confirmed
- No named third-party integrations are listed
Who it suits
Scribus suits desktop users who need page-layout and print-preparation tools across Linux, macOS, or Windows. Its listed intended audiences include advanced end users and education.
Verdict
Scribus offers page layout, illustration, and print-output features at no cost across three desktop platforms. Readers who need confirmed support options should note that they could not be established.
Plans and prices
From Scribus's own pricing page, checked 14 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Desktop publishing software · free version · no paid subscription shown |
| Scribus | Free | Open-source desktop publishing software · Windows, macOS and Linux downloads |
The facts
Each one read from Scribus's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- API listing
- GetApp shows the API feature with zero user ratings, and no hosted web API is identified on that listing.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Color management
- The software supports RGB, CMYK and spot colors with ICC color management and color-blindness simulation.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Complex scripts
- The project repository lists right-to-left, bidirectional and Indic-language support, OpenType features and more than 500 languages.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Current package
- Homebrew lists Scribus 1.6.6 and provides macOS application and Linux AppImage artifacts.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Documentation and support
- The project exposes a wiki, manuals, mailing lists, forums, bug tracker and IRC channel through its repository links.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- The source tree contains plugin projects, scripting documentation, a bug tracker, mailing lists, forums and public SVN links.checked 14 Oct 2026
- File import
- The development readme lists importers for Microsoft Publisher, Visio, DOCX, Open Raster, QuarkXPress, RTF, XPS, XPress Tags and other formats.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Illustration tools
- Yeschecked 23 Sep 2026
- Independent comparison
- Creative Bloq calls Scribus the best free InDesign alternative for indie publishers but says it is less powerful and feature-rich than InDesign.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- GetApp user reviews mention GIMP, Adobe InDesign, Canva, Inkscape, Photoshop and Acrobat in Scribus workflows.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project listing names advanced end users, education, and desktop users among its intended audiences.checked 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The main program is GPL version 2 or later; portions also use LGPL, 3-clause BSD, MIT and public-domain terms.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: color assets and formats
- A G2 reviewer reports missing Pantone swatches, limited color profiles, no EPS opening and imperfect complex AI-file rendering.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: interface
- G2 reviewers commonly describe the interface as dated, basic or clunky and ask for modernization and dark mode.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: learning curve
- G2 reviewers say users must learn the correct procedures and that centralized learning material is lacking.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: missing polish and templates
- Reviewers report fewer page and style customization options than commercial tools and request more built-in templates.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: stability
- One G2 reviewer reports repeated crashes in the internal editor, while another reports multiple crashes during use.checked 14 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Desktop app
- Yeschecked 23 Sep 2026
- Linux downloads
- The download directory lists a Linux x86_64 AppImage and source archives.checked 11 Oct 2026
- macOS downloads
- The download directory lists Intel and arm64 DMG files.checked 11 Oct 2026
The company
- Early team size
- A 2001 project profile reported 12 active Scribus members.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2001checked 23 Sep 2026
- Maker identity
- The source copyright identifies Franz Schmid and other contributors collectively as the Scribus Team rather than a conventional software company.checked 14 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 23 Sep 2026
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