# Scribus review (2026): is it any good? > Free open-source desktop publishing and page layout program Checked Nov 13, 2026 ยท graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA. Scribus is a page layout program for print and PDF work, such as magazines, brochures and forms. It stores documents in an open XML format, supports CMYK and spot colors, and exports PDF/X files for commercial printers. It is free and open source. - **Category:** Writing Tools - **Made by:** The Scribus Team (since 2001) - **Website:** https://www.scribus.net - **Runs on:** Windows, macOS, Linux - **Who should skip it:** Skip it if you want to write long text in it: it is a layout tool, not a word processor. - **Facts last checked:** Nov 13, 2026 ## Pricing As of Nov 13, 2026, Scribus is free to use. - **Pricing model:** Free - **Free plan:** None. - **Free trial:** None listed. | Plan | Price | What you get | | --- | --- | --- | | Scribus | $0 | Free and open source; the stable release is 1.6.7 and a development line is also offered. | Read from https://www.scribus.net/downloads/ on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Scribus before buying. ## Key features - **Print-ready PDF export:** Exports PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3 and PDF/X-4 for commercial printing, plus PDFs for screen use and forms. - **Color management:** Handles RGB, CMYK, LAB, spectral and spot colors, ships with about 200 palettes and can simulate color blindness. - **Open XML file format:** Documents are stored as readable XML, so a damaged file can be inspected and repaired in a text editor. - **Python scripting:** A scripting engine based on Python automates layout tasks; PDF forms can also use JavaScript. - **Vector drawing and import:** Includes vector drawing tools and many import and export filters for graphics and document types. ## Good for - Newsletters, brochures and booklets that go to a print shop - People who want an open file format for layout work ## Worth knowing - It is a layout tool, not a word processor, so long text is usually written elsewhere and placed in frames. - The downloads page lists source archives and installers; check it for the build for your system. ## ToolGPA grades **GPA: 2.8 out of 4**, graded Nov 13, 2026. Scribus is a free desktop publishing program for Windows, Mac and Linux that exports print-ready PDFs with colour management. It lays out text rather than helping you write it, so long text is usually written elsewhere, and it takes time to learn. - **Value for money: A.** Free to download and run, against a category median of $9.75 a month. - **Free plan and trial: A.** Free outright: a program anyone can download, with no paid tier or trial. - **Features: C.** Print PDF export, colour management, scripting and vector drawing. The listing says it is a layout tool, not a word processor, so writing happens elsewhere. - **Ease of use: C.** No store rating on record. Page layout in frames has a learning curve. - **Platforms and integrations: C.** A computer program only, on Windows, Mac and Linux. No web, phone or integrations listed. These are ToolGPA's own grades. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Scribus's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. ## Where it stands among writing tools - Scribus's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 95 of the 136 other writing tools we grade, and level with 23. - It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 108 of 136) and worst on features (C, above 2). - Scribus has no paid plan. - On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price. The category's chart of price against score: https://toolgpa.com/charts/writing ## Keep it, or make your own? **Keep it.** Scribus is free, so making your own would save you nothing. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.8 is higher than 95 of the 136 other writing tools we grade. - You could make: Documents: an app builder makes this well. - You could not: Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other. A judgement by ToolGPA from this listing, by rules that are the same for every tool. Nothing was built to test it. **Tags:** Open source, Documents ## Alternatives - [LibreOffice Writer](https://toolgpa.com/tools/libreoffice-writer): Free, open-source word processor for Windows, macOS and Linux. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/libreoffice-writer-vs-scribus) - [Microsoft Word](https://toolgpa.com/tools/microsoft-word): Word processor sold with Microsoft 365, free in the browser. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/microsoft-word-vs-scribus) - [Typst](https://toolgpa.com/tools/typst): Markup-based typesetting system with a collaborative web app. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/scribus-vs-typst) - [Atticus](https://toolgpa.com/tools/atticus): Book writing and formatting app for ebooks and print. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/atticus-vs-scribus) ## Sources The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026: - https://www.scribus.net - https://www.scribus.net/downloads/ - https://www.scribus.net/about/ Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/scribus Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).