We have been setting standards in layout and design with VivaDesigner for over 30 years. But how does VivaDesigner compare to other layout programs? How should you compare these programs with each other? For generations, journalists and comparison portals have been comparing VivaDesigner with other programs. But how objective are these comparisons?
We asked the AI software from OpenAI to compare VivaDesigner with other programs and to name the evaluation criteria.
Our question was:
If you were to give the programs “VivaDesigner”, “InDesign”, “Quark XPress”, “Scribus”, “Affinity Publisher”, Xara Page & Layout” and “Microsoft Publisher” a maximum of 100 points, how many points would you give each of these programs. Also state the data on which your rating is based.
The AI answered as follows:
To create a fair and up-to-date rating for VivaDesigner, “InDesign”, “Quark XPress”, “Scribus”, “Affinity Publisher”, Xara Page & Layout Designer” and “Microsoft Publisher”, I look at various criteria such as ease of use, feature set, value for money, platform availability and collaboration options. Here are the scores and the underlying data:
Evaluation criteria and point distribution:
-
- Ease of use (max. 20 points)
- Range of functions (max. 20 points)
- Price-performance ratio (max. 20 points)
- Platform availability (max. 20 points)
- Collaboration options (max. 20 points)
Sources:
-
- Official websites and documentation
User reviews and testimonials: - Forums and platforms such as G2, Capterra, Trustpilot
User reviews and testimonials on specialized design and software websites. - Technical reviews and comparisons
Technical articles and comparisons of DTP software on websites such as Creative Bloq, TechRadar, and other specialized IT and design magazines. - Personal experience and expert opinions
Assessments from designers and experts who have used both programs in practice.
- Official websites and documentation
*These evaluations are as of May 2024 and are based on the sources and criteria mentioned. Changes in future versions of the software could influence the ratings.
VivaDesigner
Ease of use: 19/20
Very user-friendly and easy to learn, especially for beginners.
Range of functions: 17/20
Professional tools available, but not as extensive as some specialized programs.
Price-performance ratio: 20/20
More flexible licensing options, including a free version and a one-time license.
Platform availability: 20/20
Available for Windows, macOS, Linux and Web.
Collaboration capabilities: 17/20
Good real-time collaboration features, ideal for team projects.
Overall score: 93/100
VivaDesigner impresses with its cross-platform availability, flexiblelicensing options and user-friendly interface. It offers solid collaborative features and is particularly attractive for users looking for a cost-effective and flexible solution.
Adobe InDesign
Ease of use: 18/20
Intuitive user interface, but complex features may require a steeper learning curve.
Range of functions: 20/20
Extensive professional tools and integrations, ideal for high-end publishing.
Price-performance ratio: 15/20
High price due to subscription model, but extensive features and regular updates.
Platform availability: 15/20
Available for Windows and macOS, but not for Linux.
Collaboration options: 18/20
Good real-time collaboration features via Adobe Creative Cloud.
Overall score: 86/100
Adobe InDesign scores highly for its comprehensive feature set and tight integration with other Adobe tools, making it the first choice for high-end publishing projects. However, the high cost and exclusive availability in the subscription model as well as limited platform availability can be disadvantages.
Affinity Publisher
Ease of use: 18/20
Intuitive user interface, but some advanced features require a learning curve.
Range of functions: 19/20
Extensive professional tools that cover almost all desktop publishing requirements.
Price-performance ratio: 19/20
One-time license fee, no subscriptions, which makes it cost-effective in the long term.
Platform availability: 18/20
Available for Windows and macOS, but not Linux.
Collaboration capabilities: 15/20
Collaborative features are less pronounced compared to some other programs.
Overall score: 89/100
Affinity Publisher stands out for its comprehensive feature set and excellent value for money due to the one-time license fee. However, it is not available for Linux and the collaborative features are less pronounced.
QuarkXPress
Ease of use: 18/20
Intuitive user interface, but some complex features may require a learning curve.
Range of functions: 19/20
Very comprehensive professional tools that cover almost all desktop publishing requirements.
Price-performance ratio: 16/20
Higher cost compared to other programs, but without subscription.
Platform availability: 18/20
Available for Windows and macOS, but not for Linux.
Collaboration options: 16/20
Good collaboration features, but not as advanced as some competitors.
Overall score: 87/100
QuarkXPress impresses with its extensive feature set and powerful professional tools. Ease of use and platform availability are good, but the cost is higher compared to some other programs.
Scribus
Ease of use: 16/20
Slightly higher learning curve as the user interface is less intuitive than some other programs.
Functionality: 15/20
Solid feature set, but lacks some advanced features compared to commercial programs.
Price-performance ratio: 20/20
Free and open source, making it an excellent choice for cost-conscious users.
Platform availability: 20/20
Available for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Collaboration capabilities: 15/20
Limited real-time collaboration features compared to some commercial alternatives.
Overall score: 86/100
Scribus offers unbeatable value for money as free open source software. It has a slightly higher learning curve and offers fewer advanced features and collaboration options compared to commercial programs.
Microsoft Publisher
Ease of use: 17/20
Easy and intuitive to use, especially for beginners.
Range of functions: 15/20
Solid basic features for desktop publishing, but not as comprehensive as specialized DTP programs.
Price-performance ratio: 17/20
Inexpensive as part of Microsoft 365, but no free version available.
Platform availability: 15/20
Only available for Windows, no macOS or Linux version.
Collaboration options: 15/20
Basic collaboration features through integration with Microsoft 365, but not as sophisticated as some competitors.
Overall score: 79/100
Microsoft Publisher is particularly attractive for beginners and occasional users who are integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem. It offers a simple and intuitive user interface, but the feature set is limited compared to specialized DTP programs, and it’s only available for Windows.
Canva
Ease of use: 20/20
Extremely user-friendly and intuitive, ideal for beginners and non-designers.
Range of functions: 15/20
Good basic functions for graphic design, but not as extensive for professional desktop publishing as specialized DTP programs.
Price-performance ratio: 18/20
Free version available, Pro version offers additional functions at a moderate price.
Platform availability: 20/20
Available as a web-based application and as an app for various operating systems (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android)
Collaboration capabilities: 19/20
Excellent collaboration features, including real-time editing and easy design sharing.
Overall score: 92/100
Canva impresses with its extremely user-friendly interface and excellent collaboration features. It’s ideal for simple to intermediate design projects, but doesn’t offer the same range of features as specialized DTP programs.
Xara Page & Layout Designer
Ease of use: 18/20
Easy and intuitive to use, especially for beginners and non-designers.
Range of functions: 16/20
Good basic functions for layout and design work, but not as extensive as specialized DTP programs.
Price-performance ratio: 18/20
One-time license fee, no subscriptions, which makes it cost effective.
Platform availability: 15/20
Only available for Windows, no macOS or Linux version.
Collaboration options: 15/20
Basic collaboration features, but not as advanced as some competitors.
Overall score: 82/100
Xara Page & Layout Designer is particularly attractive for beginners and occasional users looking for an intuitive and cost-effective solution. It offers a simple and intuitive user interface, but the feature set is limited compared to more specialized DTP programs, and it’s only available for Windows.
