Adobe InDesign review

InDesign is a specialist rather than an everyday design tool, which is why it ranks last here despite being the best at what it does. Adobe describes it as a professional page layout application for print and digital publishing, with precise typography, preflight checks and output for print, web and tablet apps. It is built for magazines, books, catalogs, newspapers and corporate publishing. It imports native Photoshop and Illustrator files, shares panels and commands with them, and works with InCopy so writers and editors can update text while designers own the layout. Native PDF support gives printers consistent files. There is a seven-day free trial, after which it is sold as a single app or in Creative Cloud Pro. For a designer whose main output is single graphics, social posts or screens, it is the wrong main tool; Affinity's layout mode covers lighter multi-page work for free. Adobe showed us local-currency prices, so the USD price is pending.

Who it is for

Designers producing magazines, books, catalogs and other long multi-page documents.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending); 7-day free trial.

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Professional page layout with precise typography control
• Preflight and publishing for print, web and tablet
• Imports native Photoshop and Illustrator files
• Native PDF support for consistent output
• InCopy integration for editorial workflows

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The standard for books, magazines and catalogs
• Strength: Shares interface and commands with Photoshop and Illustrator
• Strength: Reliable PDF output for printers
• Weakness: Subscription only
• Weakness: Overkill for single graphics or social posts
• Weakness: Needs Photoshop or Illustrator for creating artwork

Key facts

• Free trial: 7 days
• Plans: Single app or Creative Cloud Pro
• Integrates with: Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro, InCopy
• Output: Print, web and tablet

Where it ranks

Adobe InDesign is No. 8 in our Best Graphic Design Software verdict.