QuarkXPress Reviews

QuarkXPress

4.3 (88)
QuarkXPress is the world's most powerful page layout and dig

Overall rating

4.3 /5
(88)
Value for Money
3.7/5
Features
4.1/5
Ease of Use
4.1/5
Customer Support
3.7/5

81%
recommended this app
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88 Reviews

Verified Reviewer
Overall rating
  • Industry: Design
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support
  • Likelihood to recommend 9.0 /10

I've used this product for years and love the ease of designing with it.

Reviewed on 5/6/2018

I can create my design projects just the way I want them to be because it offers many options and...

I can create my design projects just the way I want them to be because it offers many options and is easy to use.

Pros

The many options it offers for layout, working with type and images. I love the Collect for Output, get's everything in one place. Resizing pages when needed, the gradations, the HTML options are great. I have found Quark much easier to use than InDesign.

Cons

I'd have to say the cost, it's expensive for a stand-alone product. Because of the high price I am very slow to upgrade to newer version. Which makes for a bigger learning curve when I do upgrade.

Simon
Overall rating
  • Industry: Graphic Design
  • Company size: Self Employed
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

Still number one in my opinion

Reviewed on 15/3/2019

Having used Quark since version 3, (that's early 90's on a IIx) I've grown up with it. Does pretty...

Having used Quark since version 3, (that's early 90's on a IIx) I've grown up with it. Does pretty much everything I need it to do as a final platform for print. It's ease of use and the fact they haven't diddled around too much with its core functionality is a blessing. Never had any problems with getting work printed using Quark. Over the years I've used multiple platforms, individually and combined, in designing specifically for print. Have used Indesign. It's OK, but see no reason to change. Try to avoid subscription software these days. Now use Affinity Photo and Draw in place of Adobe stuff which quark works with without issue.

Pros

Does everything I need it to do in design for print.
Accurate, fast, reliable and a very powerful bit of kit and that's all that matters in my book.

Cons

Not many. The tables function could be a bit more friendly regarding basic editing.
Updates are a bit expensive for the frequency which they offer them.
I miss the little alien, they could bring that back, a little bit of stress relief I miss!

Ale
Overall rating
  • Industry: Newspapers
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Weekly for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support
  • Likelihood to recommend 5.0 /10

We use it this product for years but we have to switch

Reviewed on 25/2/2019

Amazing we use it for years, but we have to change to more modern product can solve the current...

Amazing we use it for years, but we have to change to more modern product can solve the current workflow of digital/print media

Pros

Quarkxpress was the standart for printing. we really love it, we use it for make books, and magazines. Is relative easy to use (not easy but kind that) and get results.

If you go for make prints books, is amazing... but if you work in print and digital media... well is gonna be a pain.

Cons

The big issue is QuarkXPress dont adapt to the "new standards", like make books for prints and digitals with all the formats (epub, kdp, and other) for all the markets.

So you have remake the book for digital, other products save that more time because offer a solution to that problem

Also the pricing is very expensive, they should try to find another model

In the last 5-10 years they lost the market because of that. I hope QuarkXPress get it because we love it

Stan
Overall rating
  • Industry: Health, Wellness & Fitness
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support
  • Likelihood to recommend 0.0 /10

Rip-off

Reviewed on 1/7/2022

Awful. Do not do business with them.

Awful. Do not do business with them.

Pros

I've used Quark for decades and I'm familiar with it. It works well for page layout. Everyone uses InDesign now but I was a Quark diehard until now.

Cons

Quark 2018, which I bought on the App Store, crashed every 10-15 minutes. When I upgraded the OS, it wouldn't open. The Quark person explained that it's not compatible with Monterey. I literally had the software for three months but Quark would not give me a credit on an upgrade.

Response from Quark Software

Hi.

QuarkXPress 2018 is supported on:
MacOS 10.13 (High Sierra),
MacOS 10.12 (Sierra),
Mac OS X 10.11 (El Capitan),
Windows 10 (64 bit),
Windows 8.1 (64-bit) and
Windows 7 (64-bit)

However, if you would like to upgrade to latest QuarkXPress 2022 which is compatible on Monterey, we can extend Upgrade discounts. Please reach us at [email protected] to avail the offer.

Verified Reviewer
Overall rating
  • Industry: Education Management
  • Company size: 51–200 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

Great to Use for Marketing Materials!

Reviewed on 29/7/2019

Pros

I used this software regularly at my previous job, and really enjoyed it. I was able to create beautiful advertisements for print, fairly easily. I was able to teach myself how to use it also. When it comes to design software, this is user friendly.

Cons

It is kind of outdated. These days, people tend to look for Adobe software proficiency. It is a great stepping stone to Adobe.

Chris
Overall rating
  • Industry: Higher Education
  • Company size: 501–1,000 Employees
  • Used for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Ease of Use
  • Likelihood to recommend 7.0 /10

Used to be my page layout go-to, but has become an every-now-and-then instead

Reviewed on 16/3/2018

Until Adobe InDesign overtook the market, Quark was the king of layout software. If it weren't for...

Until Adobe InDesign overtook the market, Quark was the king of layout software. If it weren't for InDesign within Adobe Creative Cloud, Quark would still be perfectly acceptable and user-friendly to meet layout and desktop publishing needs.

Pros

I like the fairly straight-forward interface and ease of use after you familiarize yourselves with a few tutorials and hands-on layout projects. Improvements and updates throughout the years have allowed Quark to still have a foothold in layout software, despite the Adobe InDesign market takeover. Being a subscription based service is a plus, since I don't find myself needing to use Quark as often as I used to.

Cons

The features and functionality simply haven't been able to match or overtake InDesign's capabilities. Doesn't work as seamlessly with Photoshop and Illustrator the way InDesign does.

Verified Reviewer
Overall rating
  • Industry: Newspapers
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Ease of Use
  • Likelihood to recommend 9.0 /10

Great product

Reviewed on 19/2/2019

Pros

QuarkXPress is a great tool to have. Our company uses it for page design and it was easy to learn and master. We also recently used it for a book design.

Cons

It will sometimes lock up and close out on its own, losing any unsaved changes. It can be very frustrating. It happens on several computers, so we're not sure if it is our server or the program causing the issue.

Verified Reviewer
Overall rating
  • Industry: Publishing
  • Company size: 201–500 Employees
  • Used Weekly for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Ease of Use
  • Likelihood to recommend 8.0 /10

QuarkXPress is great!

Reviewed on 6/3/2019

Pros

It's intuitive and easy to use. Even a beginner should be able to easily design in this once you have been using it for an hour or two. Even better, you don't need a subscription for it! I have used Quark and Adobe InDesign and prefer Quark.

Cons

I don't have any complaints, I think it's a matter of what you were trained on: Quark vs InDesign.

Julian
Overall rating
  • Used Weekly for 1+ year
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support

Does what it says on the Tin and more

Reviewed on 8/11/2017

Pros

Ease of use, simplistic when you get used to the software, Great features for extended use, Really like this software

Cons

Not too many Cons really, when it does what I want it to do. Maybe the price, but then for so many features - These things cost money

Amanda
Overall rating
  • Industry: Design
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 6-12 months
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Ease of Use
  • Likelihood to recommend 7.0 /10

Good, but I prefer alternatives.

Reviewed on 3/10/2019

Quark is a decent layout program, however I will say I prefer using InDesign.

Quark is a decent layout program, however I will say I prefer using InDesign.

Pros

The software overall was easy enough to learn. I feel like most things were pretty intuitive.

Cons

There were some limitations on the software. Certain features or tools that I would want to use that I couldn't. Or at least, I couldn't figure out how to if they were an option.

Robin
Overall rating
  • Industry: Graphic Design
  • Company size: Self Employed
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

If Quark were a man, I'd marry him.

Reviewed on 31/7/2019

I have used Quark for everything from business card design to websites. I especially like using it...

I have used Quark for everything from business card design to websites. I especially like using it for layout on coffee table books.

Pros

I love everything about QuarkXPress. I've been using Quark since 1990 and also taught Quark for a few years. There is an elegance to the way Quark works that is missing in other page layout software. It was set up by graphic designers for graphic designers. Even though I own Adobe Creative Suite, I prefer to use Quark for print and web projects.

Cons

There is nothing that I dislike about Quark. Even if I run into a snag or problem I am able to find a solution easily with the Quark HELP feature or on their website.

Meshell
Overall rating
  • Industry: Publishing
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

Quark after using InDesign for about ten years

Reviewed on 30/10/2019

Laying out ads and pages for our newspaper is very easy in Quark.

Laying out ads and pages for our newspaper is very easy in Quark.

Pros

Very easy to transition to after using InDesign for about ten years. Layout is very easy. The keyboard shortcuts are easy to learn as well.

Cons

There are times that files imported from Illustrator do some strange things when you export the Quark file to a pdf.

Scott
Overall rating
  • Industry: Printing
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support
  • Likelihood to recommend 3.0 /10

QuarkXpress

Reviewed on 30/3/2021

Overall I would say over the past 20 years since using a number of different software. QuarkXPress...

Overall I would say over the past 20 years since using a number of different software. QuarkXPress has come a long way in its functionality. I will say they continued to make it easier to use for the software that it is but never up to the standards of adobe.

Pros

I am going, to be honest. We as a printing company need to use QuarkXpress only a few times when a customer is the one that uses the software. If we need to open their native file then we use it. I honestly cannot say there is anything I like most.

Cons

I would say I don't like the functionality of this software. It has never been as good as adobe and I'm not saying this because adobe is the top design software.

Alexis
Overall rating
  • Industry: Retail
  • Company size: 501–1,000 Employees
  • Used for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Ease of Use
  • Likelihood to recommend 5.0 /10

Great for Layouts if this is your only program

Reviewed on 9/10/2020

If you are simply doing layout, Quark is the way to go; however, if you need to incorporate images,...

If you are simply doing layout, Quark is the way to go; however, if you need to incorporate images, links, etc. then stick with Adobe Creative Cloud and InDesign so you are not paying for two software formats.

Pros

Quark is absolutely fantastic for multipage spread layouts or any multipage project that requires standard margins, guides, templates etc.

Cons

If you are a fan of Adobe for your art work and work as a graphic designer it's just much simpler to use Adobe's InDesign as it ties in with all the Adobe programs.

Jodi
Overall rating
  • Industry: Design
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Likelihood to recommend 5.0 /10

Quark is fine, but InDesign is better

Reviewed on 6/5/2021

I use Quark occasionally, when a client only works in Quark. I find it feels antiquated compared to...

I use Quark occasionally, when a client only works in Quark. I find it feels antiquated compared to Adobe Creative Suite.

Pros

I don't really see any features that beat out InDesign. This used to be the industry standard, but less and less do my clients use Quark. Only in publishing and they are moving away from that.

Cons

It's not the standard and converting files to InDesign is not always seamless. Quark is outdated in my opinion.

Abdiel
Overall rating
  • Used Daily for 6-12 months
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

My first software for diagraming magazines

Reviewed on 8/6/2018

Pros

Easy to use, multiple options to export and make impressive presentations such as HTML5, very complete and elegant typography tool, compatibility with other similar programs.

Cons

I can not open INDD extension files, I must ask the sender to export the files in an IDML extension, it is a bit inconvenient but nothing impossible.

Jose
Overall rating
  • Industry: Health, Wellness & Fitness
  • Company size: 51–200 Employees
  • Used Weekly for 1+ year
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support
  • Likelihood to recommend 6.0 /10

Simple to use and ton of features

Reviewed on 31/1/2018

Saves a ton of time

Saves a ton of time

Pros

Another reviewer Chadsey really nailed all the pros and cons of this software. It's great that it is subscription based and anytime you need help with something, their customer support is quick to help.

Cons

I think once a new update comes out, the owners of the previous version should get to upgrade for free or at the very least at a significant discount. Not knowing when the new version will come out can prevent you from buying the current version.

Yuliya
Overall rating
  • Industry: Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
  • Company size: 501–1,000 Employees
  • Used for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support
  • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

Professional software

Reviewed on 20/8/2018

Pros

The best part of the QuarkXPress is the variety of different functions that will allow user to work on either small of big scale publishing project. I used it for 4 page marketing booklets and over hundred pages product catalogues. Love it.

Cons

You have to wait before it will run, the software is huge.

Rex
Overall rating
  • Industry: Computer & Network Security
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support
  • Likelihood to recommend 8.0 /10

Great Software for any kind of Publishing!

Reviewed on 12/10/2019

Good! Highly recomend for anyone publishing on a regualar basis. Software is easy to use if you...

Good! Highly recomend for anyone publishing on a regualar basis. Software is easy to use if you have used other professional publishing software.

Pros

QuarkXPress is very easy to use if you have used Adobe InDesign or CorelDraw. The user interface has a good flow and everything can be spreadout with multiple monitors. Using it for publishing booklets was easy and the printer had no issues with the files.

Cons

Costs are a lttle steap for what I use it for. Would like more customization of the user interface. Overall no cons that would deter from considering for those that publish to the web or print on a regular basis.

JoAnne
Overall rating
  • Used for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support

Eclipsed by Adobe InDesign

Reviewed on 27/4/2018

Pros

I have to say the big bonus of Quark XPress is that it does not rely on a subscription model like Adobe InDesign.

Cons

Not every printer will support Quark XPress due to the ascendancy of Adobe's InDesign. Necessary to check in advance if your files can be used.

Verified Reviewer
Overall rating
  • Industry: Professional Training & Coaching
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Ease of Use
  • Likelihood to recommend 6.0 /10

Quirky Quark

Reviewed on 13/5/2019

Pros

Robust page layout platform, lots of features and very versatile.

Cons

EXPENSIVE and not friendly with any other software. Import from other formats can be virtually impossible.

Verified Reviewer
Overall rating
  • Industry: Internet
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Value for Money
  • Ease of Use
  • Customer Support
  • Likelihood to recommend 5.0 /10

Great program but kinda quirky

Reviewed on 11/6/2018

Pros

First, it does things for graphics other software does not for layering. I use this at home as a personal user. It is useful for some things , and can create nice imaging with good layout and details.

Cons

I like it but it has quirks and issues. I did have to call customer care once and it was a mixed bag at best.
However both export and compatibility are sometimes spotty with it.

Rebeka
Overall rating
  • Industry: Nonprofit Organisation Management
  • Company size: 51–200 Employees
  • Used Monthly for 2+ years
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Ease of Use
  • Likelihood to recommend 9.0 /10

Quark XPress

Reviewed on 1/2/2019

Pros

I love Quark for layout purposes. It's easy (for me) to use and I have been using it for years. The functionality is basic but very user friendly to create complex and sophisticated designs.

Cons

Since it doesn't seem to be in the industry standard anymore (sadly) it's hard to use daily because the updates do not come through.

Hammy
Overall rating
  • Industry: Design
  • Company size: 501–1,000 Employees
  • Used for 1+ year
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Ease of Use
  • Likelihood to recommend 5.0 /10

Decent design program

Reviewed on 30/10/2018

Pros

The thing I liked the most about this software was the ease of use.

Cons

Overall, I prefer other design programs like Illustrator, even Canva.

Hayden
Overall rating
  • Industry: Media Production
  • Company size: Self Employed
  • Used Monthly for 1+ year
  • Review Source

Overall rating

  • Ease of Use
  • Likelihood to recommend 4.0 /10

It's been a while since I used it

Reviewed on 31/3/2022

It's been a while since I used Quark, I am currently using InDesign or Affinity Publisher, but I...

It's been a while since I used Quark, I am currently using InDesign or Affinity Publisher, but I had a quite good time using it when the company that I worked with preferred Quark. Sorry for the short review.

Pros

It was fairly simple to migrate to this software when the company needed.

Cons

Probably not the industry standard anymore.

Response from Quark Software

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.