Designing an eye-catching brochure requires not only creativity but also the right software tools to bring your ideas to life. Whether you’re a professional designer or a small business owner trying to market your products or services, having the right design software can make a significant difference. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best software tools for designing brochures, detailing their features and suitability so you can choose the one that best meets your needs.
Thanks to modern technology, there’s a wide range of brochure design tools available—some are professional-grade platforms used by designers worldwide, while others are more beginner-friendly with drag-and-drop functionalities.
1. Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign is widely regarded as the industry standard for print design and layout. Used by professional graphic designers across the globe, it provides powerful tools specifically tailored for multi-page design projects, including brochures.
- Precision layout control that’s ideal for aligning text and images perfectly.
- Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud allowing seamless use with Photoshop and Illustrator.
- Extensive templates and typography options, ideal for customizable brochure design.
Despite its powerful features, Adobe InDesign can be intimidating for beginners and is available only via subscription. However, if you’re looking for full control and a professional finish, it’s hard to beat.
2. Canva
For those who prefer a more intuitive, user-friendly solution, Canva is a fantastic option. It’s a web-based design tool that doesn’t require a long learning curve. Popular among marketers and small business owners, Canva offers a wide variety of pre-designed brochure templates.
- Drag-and-drop functionality, perfect for users without a design background.
- Cloud-based access, allowing you to work from any device.
- Free and premium content, including images, fonts, and graphics.
While it’s not as customizable as InDesign, Canva is great for quick and visually appealing brochures, especially for digital distribution.
3. Affinity Publisher
Affinity Publisher is an impressive alternative to costly Adobe products. Created by Serif, it offers many of the layout and typography tools you’d expect from a high-end desktop publishing software—at a one-time cost.
- Master pages for consistency across multi-page layouts.
- Advanced typography and image editing tools.
- Integration with Affinity’s Suite: Designer and Photo.
It’s a compelling option for freelancers and small businesses trying to avoid monthly subscriptions without sacrificing professional-quality tools.
4. Adobe Illustrator
While typically used for vector graphics, Adobe Illustrator is another great tool for designing brochures—especially one-page layouts like tri-fold or bi-fold designs.
- Precise vector design capabilities for clean, scalable brochure layouts.
- Custom typography and graphic design tools.
- High compatibility with print processes.
Although Illustrator is not as layout-focused as InDesign, it excels if your brochure is more illustration-heavy or graphically intensive.
5. Microsoft Publisher
For Windows users who may already have access to Microsoft Office, Microsoft Publisher can be a handy brochure design tool. While not as advanced as some other options, it offers sufficient functionality for basic brochure layouts.
- Pre-built templates targeted at small business needs.
- Simple layout tools suitable for beginners.
- Quick integration with other Microsoft Office tools.
This tool is particularly useful for internal documents, event brochures, or community newsletters where professional design is less crucial.
6. Lucidpress (now Marq)
Lucidpress—recently rebranded as Marq—is an online design tool focused on creating branded content. It offers both free and premium plans and is heavily used in business environments for maintaining consistent visual branding across printed and digital materials.
- Lockable templates to keep brand elements intact.
- Collaborative features for team-based design projects.
- Custom data integration, great for personalized marketing brochures.
Marq is perfect for marketers and enterprise users who need brand consistency and ease of collaboration.
Conclusion
Choosing the right software to design brochures ultimately depends on your requirements, budget, and design skill level. If you need professional-grade tools, Adobe InDesign and Affinity Publisher are standout choices. For quick and easy designs, Canva and Microsoft Publisher are great picks. And if you’re somewhere in the middle, looking for a balance of features and usability, Lucidpress might be what you need.
Whatever your choice, the key is to select a tool that aligns with your goals and helps you create brochures that attract, inform, and inspire your audience.