Category: Comparison

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:

1. 1. Ease of use (max. 20 points)
   2. Range of functions (max. 20 points)
   3. Price-performance ratio (max. 20 points)
   4. Platform availability (max. 20 points)
   5. Collaboration options (max. 20 points)

Sources:

1. 1. Official websites and documentation
      User reviews and testimonials:
   2. Forums and platforms such as G2, Capterra, Trustpilot
      User reviews and testimonials on specialized design and software websites.
   3. 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.
   4. Personal experience and expert opinions
      Assessments from designers and experts who have used both programs in practice.

*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.

The following 28 most important points compare Canva and VivaDesigner:

In order to create a comprehensive comparison between “Canva” and “VivaDesigner”, we consider the aspects of features, ease of use, platforms, support, use cases, teamwork and compatibility. These aspects are based on the information obtained from the sources listed at the end of the article.

Platform Support

• • VivaDesigner offers broad platform support, including Windows, Mac and Linux, as well as a web-based version[1][3].
  • Canva is primarily a web-based application, with limited support for desktop platforms via third-party tools[1].

User friendliness

• • VivaDesigner is recommended for both professionals and beginners, thanks to its intuitive user interface and AI-based features[3].
  • Canva is known for its simple and intuitive user interface, which is particularly suitable for beginners and non-professional designers[2].

Features

• • VivaDesigner offers a high-end publishing and layout program suitable for professional design and publishing tasks[3].
  • Canva focuses more on creating graphics and less on publishing, which makes it less suitable for complex layout tasks[2].

Teamwork

• • VivaDesigner supports team collaboration through its desktop and web versions, which makes it attractive for companies and workgroups[3].
  • Canva for Teams also offers team features, but with a focus on simple graphics creation rather than large-scale publishing projects[4].

Use cases

• • VivaDesigner is particularly suitable for professional publishing tasks such as product labels, posters, signs, banners, flyers and brochures[3].
  • Canva is ideal for creating blog graphics, presentations, Facebook cover photos, flyers, posters and invitations[2].

Support and customer service

• • VivaDesigner offers direct mail or phone contact with the developers, which enables a quick implementation of suggestions for improvement[3].
  • Canva provides support mainly through online resources and community forums[2].

Compatibility and integration

• • VivaDesigner supports a variety of languages and can be integrated with other applications such as Nextcloud[3].
  • Canva offers a wide range of templates and design elements, but these are mainly used within the Canva platform[2].

  Pricing models

  • VivaDesigner offers both free and paid versions, with one-time payments for the desktop version and flexible options for commercial licenses[3].
  • Canva uses a freemium model, with a free basic version and a Pro version for advanced features[2].

Design and layout options

• • VivaDesigner offers extensive design and layout options suitable for professional publishing projects[3].
  • Canva offers a variety of design templates and elements, but may be limited for complex layouts and professional print projects[6].

Accessibility and mobility

• • VivaDesigner offers a desktop and a web version, which provides flexibility in terms of working environments[3].
  • Canva is mainly web-based, which allows access from anywhere, but requires an internet connection[2].

Customization

• • VivaDesigner allows for extensive customization and is open to suggestions for improvement from users, which are often quickly implemented[3].
  • Canva offers customization options through templates and design elements, but less flexibility in adapting to specific user needs[2].

Professional use

• • VivaDesigner is particularly suitable for professional users who plan to use the program intensively[2].
  • Canva, while suitable for a broad user base, may not offer the depth of features required for professional design projects[6].

License costs

• • VivaDesigner offers a cost-effective solution with no monthly fees, which is particularly attractive for small businesses and freelancers[3].
  • Canva offers a free version, but access to all features requires a Pro version, which incurs monthly costs[2].

Document Management

• • VivaDesigner offers innovative concepts for document management and work processes, which can improve efficiency[1].
  • Canva focuses more on the creation of individual designs and offers fewer features for comprehensive document management[2].

Offline support

• • VivaDesigner offers offline support through the desktop version, which allows you to work without a constant internet connection[1].
  • Canva is mainly an online platform, which limits its use without an internet connection[2].

Extensibility and customization

• • VivaDesigner offers a high level of extensibility and customization, which makes it suitable for specific requirements and workflows[3].
  • Canva offers a wide range of templates and design elements, but fewer options for customization for complex requirements[2].

Collaboration and sharing

• • VivaDesigner supports effective teamwork through features such as perfect InDesign import and the ability to edit documents on the desktop or on the web[3].
  • Canva for Teams also offers team features, but focuses more on design sharing than large-scale publishing projects[4].

Language support

• • VivaDesigner supports a variety of languages, making it accessible for international teams and projects[3].
  • Canva also offers support for multiple languages, but the information about the exact number of supported languages is less transparent[2].

Customer support

• • VivaDesigner offers direct contact with the developers for support requests, which enables quick and effective problem solving[3].
  • Canva provides support mainly through online resources, which means less direct interaction with the support team[2].

Price-performance ratio

• • VivaDesigner offers good value for money, especially with the one-time payment option for the desktop version[3].
  • Canva offers a freemium model, but access to all features requires a Pro version, which incurs additional costs[2].

Design flexibility

• • VivaDesigner offers extensive design and layout options that make it suitable for a variety of publishing projects[3].
  • Canva offers a wide range of templates and design elements, but less flexibility for complex layouts and professional print projects[6].

Professional publishing options

• • VivaDesigner is particularly suitable for professional publishing tasks, thanks to its extensive features and layout options[3].
  • Canva focuses more on the creation of graphics and less on extensive publishing projects[2].

Integration with other applications

• • VivaDesigner can be integrated with other applications such as Nextcloud, which improves collaboration and document management[3].
  • Canva offers integrations with different platforms, but the possibilities may be more limited compared to VivaDesigner[2].

Access control and brand control

• • VivaDesigner offers extensive options for access control and brand control, making it suitable for organizations with strict branding guidelines[3].
  • Canva for Teams also offers branding options, but VivaDesigner may offer deeper control over brand elements[4].

Customization for specific workflows

• • VivaDesigner offers a high level of customization to specific workflows and requirements, making it attractive to professional users[3].
  • Canva offers flexibility through its templates and design elements, but less customization for complex workflows[2].

License options

1. • VivaDesigner offers flexible licensing options, including free, purchased or rented commercial licenses[3].
   • Canva offers a freemium model, with a free basic version and a Pro version for advanced features[2].

Document import and export

• • VivaDesigner allows you to import and export documents, including perfect InDesign import, without having to own InDesign[3].
  • Canva offers import and export functions, but possibly less extensive options for the exchange of professional design projects[2].

Customer-specific requirements

• • VivaDesigner allows you to import and export documents, including perfect InDesign import, without having to own InDesign[3].
  • Canva offers import and export functions, but possibly less extensive options for the exchange of professional design projects[2].

• Sources/Citations:

• [1] https://alternativeto.net/software/canva/?platform=linux
  [2] https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-design/free-alternatives-to-adobe-indesign/
  [3] https://www.getapp.at/software/2069864/vivadesigner
  [4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkxjMXejPKA
  [5] https://www.capterra.com.de/alternatives/1056296/vivadesigner
  [6] https://shotkit.com/adobe-indesign-alternatives/
  [7] https://www.capterra.com.de/software/1056296/vivadesigner
  [8] https://www.onlineprinters.de/magazin/indesign-alternativen/
  [9] https://www.capterra.com.de/compare/168956/1056296/canva/vs/vivadesigner
  [10] https://www.guru99.com/de/free-adobe-indesign-alternatives.html
  [11] https://www.heise.de/tipps-tricks/InDesign-Alternativen-6-Desktop-Publishing-Tools-im-Ueberblick-4291292.html
  [12] https://www.ionos.de/digitalguide/websites/webdesign/kostenlose-alternativen-zu-adobe-indesign/
  [13] https://www.omt.de/online-marketing-tools/scribus/alternativen/
  [14] https://praxistipps.chip.de/indesign-alternativen-3-gratis-publishing-programme_42778
  [15] https://wedesignmarbella.com/free-adobe-indesign-alternatives/
  [16] https://www.druckmarkt.com/impressions/51print.pdf
  [17] https://www.vhs-diepholz.de/fileadmin/diepholz_vhs/pdf/prog_1_24.pdf
  [18] https://marketsplash.com/beste-indesign-alternativen/
  [19] https://www.omt.de/online-marketing-tools/rezensionen/
  [20] https://www.computerwissen.de/software/office/scribus/

The following 30 most important points compare Affinity Publisher and VivaDesigner:

In order to create a comprehensive comparison between “Affinity Publisher” and “VivaDesigner”, we consider the aspects of features, ease of use, platforms, support, use cases, teamwork and compatibility. These aspects are based on the information obtained from the sources listed at the end of the article.

Platform Support

• • • VivaDesigner offers broad platform support, including Windows, Mac, Linux and a web-based version[1][2].
    • Affinity Publisher is mainly optimized for Windows, Mac and iPad, with limited web support[3].

User friendliness

• • VivaDesigner is recommended for both professionals and beginners, thanks to its intuitive user interface and AI-based features[2].
  • Affinity Publisher is aimed more at professional users and may have a learning curve for beginners[3].

Features

• • VivaDesigner offers comprehensive layout, typesetting and illustration functions for professional publishing projects[2].
  • Affinity Publisher focuses mainly on DTP functions and offers fewer illustration tools[3].

Teamwork

• • VivaDesigner supports team collaboration through desktop and web versions, which is attractive for companies[2].
  • Affinity Publisher offers limited team features and focuses more on individual users[3].

Use cases

• • VivaDesigner is suitable for a variety of publishing projects such as books, magazines, marketing materials and more[2].
  • Affinity Publisher is ideal for print projects such as books, brochures and layouts, but less optimized for digital publishing[3].

Support and customer service

• • VivaDesigner offers direct mail or phone contact with the developers for quick problem solving[2].
  • Affinity Publisher provides support mainly through online resources and community forums[3].

Compatibility and integration

• • VivaDesigner can edit InDesign documents directly in the web browser and can be integrated into other applications[2].
  • Affinity Publisher integrates seamlessly with other Affinity products, but offers less compatibility with non-Affinity software[3].

  Pricing models

  • VivaDesigner offers both free and paid versions with one-time payments[2].
  • Affinity Publisher requires a one-time payment with no subscription option[3].

Design and layout options

• • VivaDesigner offers extensive design and layout options for professional publishing projects[2].
  • Affinity Publisher offers powerful layout features but fewer illustration tools than VivaDesigner[3].

Accessibility and mobility

• • VivaDesigner offers desktop and web versions for maximum flexibility[2].
  • Affinity Publisher is optimized for desktop and iPad, but does not offer full web support[3].

Customization

• • VivaDesigner is open to suggestions for improvement from users, which are often implemented quickly[2].
  • Affinity Publisher offers customization options, but less direct interaction with developers[3].

Professional use

• • VivaDesigner is particularly suitable for professional users who plan intensive use[2].
  • Affinity Publisher is aimed at professional users, but may offer less depth of functionality[3].

License costs

• • VivaDesigner offers a cost-effective solution with no monthly fees[2].
  • Affinity Publisher requires a one-time payment, which can be cheap or expensive depending on your needs[3].

Document Management

• • VivaDesigner offers innovative concepts for document management and work processes[2].
  • Affinity Publisher focuses more on the creation of individual designs than on document management[3].

Offline support

• • VivaDesigner offers offline support through the desktop version[2].
  • Affinity Publisher is mainly optimized for offline use on desktop and iPad[3].

Extensibility and customization

• • VivaDesigner offers high extensibility and customization for specific requirements[2].
  • Affinity Publisher offers customization options, but possibly less flexibility than VivaDesigner[3].

Language support

• • VivaDesigner supports a variety of languages in a single application[2].
  • Affinity Publisher offers multilingual support, but details are unclear[3].

Customer support

• • VivaDesigner offers direct contact with developers for quick problem resolution[2].
  • Affinity Publisher offers mainly online support and community forums[3].

Price-performance ratio

• • VivaDesigner offers good value for money with unique payment options[2].
  • Affinity Publisher requires a one-time payment, which can be cheap or expensive depending on your needs[3].

Design flexibility

• • VivaDesigner offers comprehensive design and layout options for a wide range of projects[2].
  • Affinity Publisher focuses more on print projects than digital publishing[3].

Professional publishing options

• • VivaDesigner is particularly suitable for professional publishing tasks[2].
  • Affinity Publisher is powerful but possibly less focused on publishing than VivaDesigner[3].

Integration with other applications

• • VivaDesigner can be integrated with other applications such as Nextcloud[2].
  • Affinity Publisher integrates seamlessly with other Affinity products[3].

Access control and brand control

• • VivaDesigner offers comprehensive options for access control and brand control[2].
  • Affinity Publisher offers branding options, but possibly less extensive than VivaDesigner[3].

Customization for specific workflows

• • VivaDesigner offers high customizability to specific workflows[2].
  • Affinity Publisher offers customization options, but details are unclear[3].

License options

1. • VivaDesigner offers flexible license options such as free, purchased or rented[2].
   • Affinity Publisher requires a one-time payment with no subscription option[3].

Document import and export

• • VivaDesigner can edit and export InDesign documents directly in the web browser[2].
  • Affinity Publisher offers import and export functions, but less compatibility with InDesign[3].

Collaboration and sharing

• • VivaDesigner supports teamwork through InDesign import and desktop/web editing[2].
  • Affinity Publisher offers limited team features[3].

Customer-specific requirements

• • VivaDesigner is open to customer-specific requirements and suggestions for improvement[2].
  • Affinity Publisher offers customization options but less direct interaction with developers[3].

Learning curve

• • VivaDesigner is described as user-friendly and suitable for beginners[2].
  • Affinity Publisher is aimed more at experienced users and may have a learning curve[3].

Innovative concept

• • VivaDesigner is described as an innovative concept for layout and typesetting[2].
  • Affinity Publisher offers powerful DTP features but possibly less innovative concepts[3].

Sources/Citations:

[1] https://www.capterra.com.de/compare/110533/1056296/webplus-x4/vs/vivadesigner
[2] https://www.getapp.co.uk/compare/2035531/2069864/webplus-x4/vs/vivadesigner
[3] https://affinity.serif.com/de/publisher/
[4] https://www.resourcespace.com/blog/best-adobe-indesign-alternatives
[5] https://www.getapp.de/compare/2035531/2069864/webplus-x4/vs/vivadesigner