Best Adobe PageMaker Alternatives in 2025
Looking for alternatives to Adobe PageMaker? In this comparison, we take a closer look at Adobe PageMaker alongside similar software solutions including Adobe PageMaker, Adobe Illustrator CS3 (Mac), Presto! PageManager, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator CC, Nero CoverDesigner, PDF-Creator and FreePDF.
Our detailed comparison table highlights key features, pricing, and performance of these leading solutions, empowering you to make an informed decision. Whether you're seeking robust functionality, user-friendly design, or cost-effective alternatives, explore how Adobe PageMaker, Adobe Illustrator CS3 (Mac), Presto! PageManager, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator CC, Nero CoverDesigner, PDF-Creator and FreePDF stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.
Type of Software
 Adobe PageMaker
|
Desktop publishing software |
 Adobe Illustrator CS3 (Mac)
|
Vector graphics editor |
 Presto! PageManager
|
Document management software |
 Adobe InDesign
|
Desktop publishing software application |
 Adobe Illustrator CC
|
Vector graphics editor |
 Nero CoverDesigner
|
Design software for CD/DVD covers and inserts |
 PDF-Creator
|
PDF creation and conversion software |
 FreePDF
|
Free PDF creation and basic editing software |
Platform Compatibility
|
Adobe PageMaker
|
Windows and Macintosh (older versions with limited compatibility on modern OS) |
|
Adobe Illustrator CS3 (Mac)
|
Mac OS, limited compatibility issues, outdated version |
|
Presto! PageManager
|
Windows (Windows 10 and earlier), desktop and laptop computers, mobile app version available |
|
Adobe InDesign
|
Requires Windows or Mac OS, heavy system requirements (64-bit multi-core Intel processor recommended) |
|
Adobe Illustrator CC
|
Windows, Mac OS, mobile versions for iOS and Android devices |
|
Nero CoverDesigner
|
Windows operating systems, some support for Mac systems |
|
PDF-Creator
|
Windows operating systems including Vista and XP |
|
FreePDF
|
Most Windows operating systems including Windows 7 |
Key Features
|
Adobe PageMaker
|
Precise layout tools, professional-quality print publications, integration with Adobe Creative Suite |
|
Adobe Illustrator CS3 (Mac)
|
Advanced drawing and typography tools, multiple artboards, enhanced color management |
|
Presto! PageManager
|
Document organization and search functions, OCR technology, password protection, editing tools for PDFs |
|
Adobe InDesign
|
Advanced collaboration features, extensive layout options for print and digital media, built-in PDF export, supports multiple languages and scripts |
|
Adobe Illustrator CC
|
Powerful vector graphic design tools, advanced typography, seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud apps, supports multiple artboards and file formats |
|
Nero CoverDesigner
|
User-friendly interface with many design templates for CDs/DVDs, basic editing tools, supports multiple image formats and batch printing |
|
PDF-Creator
|
Batch PDF conversion, document optimization features, digital signatures and encryption support, compatible with multiple file formats including Excel and PowerPoint |
|
FreePDF
|
Free to use with no watermarks or ads, basic PDF editing and conversion capabilities, user-friendly interface but limited advanced options |
Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.
This quick comparison shows how Adobe PageMaker stacks up against Adobe PageMaker, Adobe Illustrator CS3 (Mac), Presto! PageManager, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator CC, Nero CoverDesigner, PDF-Creator and FreePDF in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.
Size
|
Adobe PageMaker
|
|
|
Adobe Illustrator CS3 (Mac)
|
|
|
Presto! PageManager
|
|
|
Adobe InDesign
|
|
|
Adobe Illustrator CC
|
|
|
Nero CoverDesigner
|
|
|
PDF-Creator
|
2.3MB |
|
FreePDF
|
License
|
Adobe PageMaker
|
Commercial |
|
Adobe Illustrator CS3 (Mac)
|
Commercial |
|
Presto! PageManager
|
Freeware |
|
Adobe InDesign
|
Shareware |
|
Adobe Illustrator CC
|
Shareware |
|
Nero CoverDesigner
|
Shareware |
|
PDF-Creator
|
Demo |
|
FreePDF
|
Freeware |