Scribus

You can create prints such as leaflets, brochures and newsletters with accurate page formatting and PDF output.

Version 1.6.6 · Open source · Windows · macOS · Linux

Looking for an alternative to Scribus?Compare Adobe InDesign.Compare alternatives

Scribus is a desktop publishing program. You place text and images in frames and determine where parts are on the page. This is suitable for a brochure or association magazine in which fixed formatting is more important than continuous text writing.

You can work with styles, color management and PDF output for printing. The requirements of your printer remain guiding: end, color profiles and embedded fonts must be set appropriately. Prefer writing long texts first in a word processor and use Scribus for the final page format.

Which software suits you?

Compare Scribus with alternatives

For brochures and printed matter, endings, fonts, color management and pdf-export are important. A formatting program gives you more control over pages than a regular word processor. Ask in printing which PDF settings and color profiles the printer expects before choosing an alternative.

Differences between Scribus and Adobe InDesign
Software	What can it do?	Platform and licence
ScribusYou are viewing this app	You create page formatting for brochures, magazines and other printed matter with an open source DTP program. You can set settings for colors, fonts and pdf-export.	Windows, macOS, LinuxOpen source
Adobe InDesignView this alternative	You design publications with extensive functions for typography, styles and multi-page documents. The Adobe subscription and the connection to existing print files are important.	Windows, macOSPaid

Choose an alternative to explore its features, system requirements and download options.

Who is it for?

You want to make a folder, magazine, program booklet or other publication with fixed page formatting.

Getting started

Install the stable Scribus release and make sure that the required fonts are available. Create a document with the right paper size and end.

Privacy

Your formatting files and images can stay local. A PDF may contain document metadata; please check for publication.

Good to know

External images and fonts should remain available when moving a project. Check commercial usage rights of fonts.

Please note

Ask your printer for the desired PDF profile, end and color settings before you export the document permanently.

Advantages

Precise layout with frames Color management and PDF output Open Source

Things to consider

DTP operation requires exercise Not a common word processor Printing requires proper export settings

Download Scribus

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Official download page

Provider’s website · www.scribus.net

Download Scribus

Version history

1.6.6 13 Apr 2026

You get stable version 1.6.6 for publishing.

This version is part of the stable 1.6 series. After updating, check an existing publication and PDF output before submitting a full printing order.

Report a new version

Our verdict

Scribus is a useful choice when you want to control every page of a publication. You can consciously place text, images and white space instead of hoping that a word processor keeps everything in the same place. Especially with recurring printing styles and fixed formats are valuable.

The learning curve is in the DTP approach and the technical preparation. Start with a small document and export an early trial PDF. If necessary, have your printer check it. This prevents you from discovering after a lot of formatting that endings, colors or fonts are not set correctly. For a simple letter Scribus is unnecessarily extended.