Scribus vs Vellum
Scribus
scribus.net
Vellum
vellum.pubSide by side
| Figure | Scribus | Vellum |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · Desktop Publishing Software | 8.4 (#7) | 7.1 (#26) |
| Print output | It supports press-ready output, color separations, CMYK and spot colors, ICC color management, and PDF creation. | Vellum Press can create paperback and hardcover print editions with automatic margins, page numbers, headers, and footers. |
| Security | The listed release directory includes detached signature files for source archives and Windows packages. | Vellum says it uses secure encryption when transmitting information and does not sell personal information to third parties. |
| Support | The official Scribus site could not be accessed during research, so its support options could not be confirmed. | The maker offers help pages and a contact option for questions. |
Plans
In their own words
Scribus
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.