Best Software for 2025 is now live!

Compare Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Publisher

Save
    Log in to your account
    to save comparisons,
    products and more.
At a Glance
Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign
Star Rating
(3,406)4.6 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (58.1% of reviews)
Information
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about Adobe InDesign
Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Publisher
Star Rating
(991)4.3 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (47.4% of reviews)
Information
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about Microsoft Publisher
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
  • Users report that Adobe InDesign excels in its layout editor, receiving a score of 9.1, which reviewers mention allows for more precise control over design elements compared to Microsoft Publisher's score of 8.7.
  • Reviewers mention that Adobe InDesign offers superior publishing formats with a score of 9.1, making it a preferred choice for professional publishing, while Microsoft Publisher, with a score of 8.6, is seen as more limited in this area.
  • G2 users highlight that Adobe InDesign's asset library, scoring 8.1, is robust but not as user-friendly as Microsoft Publisher's asset management, which received a score of 8.0, indicating a slight edge in ease of use for Publisher.
  • Users on G2 report that Adobe InDesign's mobile access is significantly lacking, with a score of 5.8, while Microsoft Publisher shines in this area with a score of 7.3, making it more accessible for users on the go.
  • Reviewers mention that Adobe InDesign's saved preferences feature, scoring 8.8, allows for a more streamlined workflow, whereas Microsoft Publisher's score of 8.7 indicates it is slightly less efficient in this regard.
  • Users say that while both products have a good quality of support, Adobe InDesign's score of 8.2 is slightly lower than Microsoft Publisher's 8.4, suggesting that users may find more responsive assistance with Publisher.
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
Adobe InDesign
No pricing available
Microsoft Publisher
No pricing available
Free Trial
Adobe InDesign
No trial information available
Microsoft Publisher
No trial information available
Ratings
Meets Requirements
9.3
3,103
8.7
885
Ease of Use
8.0
3,113
8.8
893
Ease of Setup
8.8
348
9.1
78
Ease of Admin
8.6
303
9.0
74
Quality of Support
8.2
2,386
8.4
634
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
8.8
275
8.5
60
Product Direction (% positive)
8.6
3,070
7.2
880
Features by Category
8.2
1,249
8.4
495
Design
8.4
159
8.8
69
9.1
175
8.7
70
9.1
191
8.6
67
8.8
182
8.7
65
8.1
156
8.3
60
8.1
157
8.0
65
Platform Additional Functionality
5.9
105
7.3
43
8.0
124
8.8
56
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign
Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Publisher
Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Publisher are categorized as Desktop Publishing
Unique Categories
Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign has no unique categories
Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Publisher has no unique categories
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
58.1%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
27.0%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
14.9%
Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Publisher
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
47.4%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
25.9%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
26.7%
Reviewers' Industry
Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign
Design
11.7%
Graphic Design
11.4%
Marketing and Advertising
11.1%
Higher Education
5.4%
Architecture & Planning
3.9%
Other
56.6%
Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Publisher
Higher Education
9.1%
Non-Profit Organization Management
6.4%
Education Management
5.7%
Information Technology and Services
3.4%
Hospital & Health Care
3.2%
Other
72.2%
Most Helpful Reviews
Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Jon J.
JJ
Jon J.
Verified User in Computer Software

InDesign is very type minded. Every typographical setting/option you can think of in terms of editorial design is available to you. For editorial layouts, brochures, and other printed material that requires a large amount of copy, InDesign is the tool of...

Most Helpful Critical Review
Lena H.
LH
Lena H.
Verified User in Design

The interface is very old looking and in general the program is not user friendly for beginners. The tools are not exactly intuitive and can be improved. Or maybe descriptions on how to use the tool and what it does can be integrated into the program...

Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Publisher
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Alejandro Z.
AZ
Alejandro Z.
Verified User in Executive Office

Publisher is a program that has a simple interface that makes it easy to use, inclusive for people who have no knowledge of the subject in graphic design, is created for the preparation of calendars, brochures, diplomas, newsletters, resumes, signs,...

Most Helpful Critical Review
Verified User
G
Verified User in Design

Not much range to customize each design according to various uses

Alternatives
Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign Alternatives
Canva
Canva
Add Canva
QuarkXPress
Quark
Add QuarkXPress
Marq
Marq
Add Marq
Affinity Publisher
Affinity Publisher
Add Affinity Publisher
Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Publisher Alternatives
Canva
Canva
Add Canva
QuarkXPress
Quark
Add QuarkXPress
Marq
Marq
Add Marq
Affinity Publisher
Affinity Publisher
Add Affinity Publisher
Discussions
Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign Discussions
What other things do use Indesign for, besides designing a catalog.
7 comments
DG
In addition to using Indesign for catalogs, I use it for flyers, brochures and even web banners. I used to design web ads primarily with Photoshop, but I...Read more
Is InDesign part of Adobe Creative Suite?
4 comments
Jemm B.
JB
Certainly! Please provide the text in the Unknown Language that you would like translated into English.Read more
Will you allow users to edit images later on within InDesign
3 comments
Michele M.
MM
I'm not sure which version you are using, but I am several versions back. The version I am using is CS5.5 which does not allow you to edit an image much...Read more
Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Publisher Discussions
What is the best way to design a business card using Microsoft Publisher?
5 comments
Tom C.
TC
- Google - abc - https://www.google.comRead more
How do you download new new templates to use on publisher?
2 comments
Jade C.
JC
There is not a specific update or download for adding templates to Publisher, all new content is managed by an ondemand system. With internet access,...Read more
how to use microsoft publisher
1 comment
Chalice W.
CW
At my office, I have used this program to make templates for our advertisements. Whether we are creating print publications or facebook ads, it helps to have...Read more