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Scribus

scribus.net

Free plan Open source WindowsmacOSLinuxAPISelf-hosted
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Spec score 9.0 #20 of 146 in Design tools

What it is

Scribus is free, open-source desktop publishing software for professional page layout. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with downloads for each platform. Its print workflow supports press-ready output, color separations, CMYK and spot colors, ICC color management, and PDF creation. Scribus also includes illustration tools and a template library. The Windows directory lists 32-bit and 64-bit installers; macOS downloads include Intel and arm64 DMG files; Linux provides an x86_64 AppImage and source archives. The project listing names advanced end users, education, and desktop users as intended audiences. It identifies C++ and Python as programming languages and Qt as a user interface. The release directory includes detached signature files for source archives and Windows packages. Files in the 1.6.4 directory are dated April 20, 2025. Scribus is listed at free. No named third-party integrations are identified, and support options could not be confirmed.

Spec sheet

What it does
Scribus is a desktop publishing application for arranging text, images and graphics into precise print or PDF layouts.Read 14 Oct 2026 · linuxjournal.com
Intended users
The project listing names advanced end users, education, and desktop users among its intended audiences.Read 11 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Platforms
Creative Bloq lists Scribus for Windows, Mac and Linux.Read 14 Oct 2026 · creativebloq.com
Free plan
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
Integrations
GetApp user reviews mention GIMP, Adobe InDesign, Canva, Inkscape, Photoshop and Acrobat in Scribus workflows.Read 14 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Security
The listed release directory includes detached signature files for source archives and Windows packages.Read 11 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Support
The official Scribus site could not be accessed during research, so its support options could not be confirmed.Read 11 Oct 2026 · scribus.net
License
The main program is GPL version 2 or later; portions also use LGPL, 3-clause BSD, MIT and public-domain terms.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Founded
2001Read 23 Sep 2026 · scribus.net
API listing
GetApp shows the API feature with zero user ratings, and no hosted web API is identified on that listing.Read 14 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Color management
The software supports RGB, CMYK and spot colors with ICC color management and color-blindness simulation.Read 14 Oct 2026 · trustradius.com
Complex scripts
The project repository lists right-to-left, bidirectional and Indic-language support, OpenType features and more than 500 languages.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Current package
Homebrew lists Scribus 1.6.6 and provides macOS application and Linux AppImage artifacts.Read 14 Oct 2026 · formulae.brew.sh
Desktop app
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
Documentation and support
The project exposes a wiki, manuals, mailing lists, forums, bug tracker and IRC channel through its repository links.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Early team size
A 2001 project profile reported 12 active Scribus members.Read 14 Oct 2026 · linux-magazine.com
Extensibility
The source tree contains plugin projects, scripting documentation, a bug tracker, mailing lists, forums and public SVN links.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
File import
The development readme lists importers for Microsoft Publisher, Visio, DOCX, Open Raster, QuarkXPress, RTF, XPS, XPress Tags and other formats.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Illustration tools
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
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.Read 14 Oct 2026 · creativebloq.com
Limit: color assets and formats
A G2 reviewer reports missing Pantone swatches, limited color profiles, no EPS opening and imperfect complex AI-file rendering.Read 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: interface
G2 reviewers commonly describe the interface as dated, basic or clunky and ask for modernization and dark mode.Read 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: learning curve
G2 reviewers say users must learn the correct procedures and that centralized learning material is lacking.Read 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: missing polish and templates
Reviewers report fewer page and style customization options than commercial tools and request more built-in templates.Read 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: stability
One G2 reviewer reports repeated crashes in the internal editor, while another reports multiple crashes during use.Read 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Linux downloads
The download directory lists a Linux x86_64 AppImage and source archives.Read 11 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
macOS downloads
The download directory lists Intel and arm64 DMG files.Read 11 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Maker identity
The source copyright identifies Franz Schmid and other contributors collectively as the Scribus Team rather than a conventional software company.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Master pages
A G2 reviewer reports using master pages to apply consistent layouts across multipage documents.Read 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
PDF output
The development documentation lists PDF/X-4, PDF 1.6, PDF forms, PDF 3D annotations and font embedding support.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Praise: cross-platform access
Reviewers repeatedly value that Scribus runs on Linux as well as Windows and macOS.Read 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Praise: price and capability
G2 reviewers repeatedly praise Scribus as free, open source and capable of professional multipage print work without Adobe licensing costs.Read 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Praise: print production
Reviewers highlight CMYK handling, PDF creation, master pages and print-ready output as major strengths.Read 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Preflight
A G2 reviewer highlights the Preflight tool for detecting document problems before output.Read 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Press-ready PDF
Scribus produces high-quality press PDFs and supports the PDF/X-3 standard.Read 14 Oct 2026 · linuxjournal.com
Primary users
The project describes its audience as hobbyist and professional desktop-publishing users.Read 14 Oct 2026 · linux-magazine.com
Print output
It supports press-ready output, color separations, CMYK and spot colors, ICC color management, and PDF creation.Read 11 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Project origin
The project began with code written on December 6, 2000 and its first official release in March 2001.Read 14 Oct 2026 · linux-magazine.com
Python scripting
Scribus includes a Python scripting engine that can automate tasks such as table-of-contents and barcode generation.Read 14 Oct 2026 · scribus-scripter.readthedocs.io
Rating on G2
4.1 out of 5 from 27 reviewsRead 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on GetApp
4.4 out of 5 from 19 reviewsRead 14 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Rating on TrustRadius
7 out of 10 from 1 reviewRead 14 Oct 2026 · trustradius.com
Release files
The 1.6.4 directory contains release files dated April 20, 2025.Read 11 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Release news
The Scribus community announced version 1.6.3 on January 8, 2025.Read 14 Oct 2026 · forums.scribus.net
Scripting documentation
The Scripter2 documentation provides a dedicated Python scripting reference, including PDF-generation APIs.Read 14 Oct 2026 · scribus-scripter.readthedocs.io
Self-hosting
Because the source and build files are public and the application is desktop software, organizations can compile and run it locally.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
System requirements
Homebrew's current cask supports macOS versions from Big Sur through Tahoe and Linux x86_64 AppImage packages.Read 14 Oct 2026 · formulae.brew.sh
Technology
The project listing identifies C++ and Python as programming languages and Qt as one of its user interfaces.Read 11 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Typography
Scribus provides text frames, linked text flow, kerning controls, layers and precise object positioning.Read 14 Oct 2026 · linuxjournal.com
Windows downloads
The download directory lists 32-bit and 64-bit Windows installers.Read 11 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net

Plans and prices

Free Free Desktop publishing software · free version · no paid subscription shown Read 14 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Scribus Free Open-source desktop publishing software · Windows, macOS and Linux downloads Read 11 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net

Every Scribus plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free open-source desktop publishing software
  • Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
  • Supports CMYK, spot colors, and ICC management
  • Creates press-ready output and PDFs
  • Includes illustration tools and templates

Limits

  • Support options could not be confirmed
  • No named third-party integrations are identified
  • Windows downloads include separate 32-bit and 64-bit installers

Who it suits

It suits desktop publishers, advanced end users, educators, and desktop users needing page-layout and print-color controls. It is also appropriate for users who want open-source software on Linux, macOS, or Windows.

Verdict

Scribus provides a cross-platform, open-source page-layout workflow with detailed print production controls and multiple download formats. Its documented strengths are desktop publishing and color-managed output; support availability and external integrations are unspecified.

Where Specifiction places it

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