Brandwave

Scribus vs Xara:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Scribus had more branded searches than Xara among desktop publishing software in New Zealand. Scribus had about 320 branded searches, while Xara had 210. Scribus made up 22.2% of all desktop publishing software searches we track, and Xara accounted for 14.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about desktop publishing software, Scribus appeared in all five answers and Xara in none.

Among desktop publishing software in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Scribus, about 52% more searches than Xara

Scribus 320 searchesXara 210 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Scribus, mentioned in every answer we collected

Scribus in 5 of 5Xara in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Scribus, the only one of the two named

Scribus first in 5Xara never named

Follow Scribus vs Xara and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top desktop publishing software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Scribus appeared in all five answers. Xara did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Adobe InDesign1st
  2. Affinity2nd
  3. Scribus3rd
  4. Marq4th
  5. QuarkXPress5th
  6. Swift Publisher6th
  7. Xara–
  8. VivaDesigner–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Adobe InDesign5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Affinity5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Scribus5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Marq2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • QuarkXPress1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Swift Publisher1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Xara0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • VivaDesigner0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about desktop publishing software

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Scribus or Xara more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Scribus and Xara by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight desktop publishing software we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Scribus and Xara among desktop publishing software in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Scribus, Xara. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthAdobe InDesignAffinityScribusXaraQuarkXPressMarqSwift PublisherVivaDesigner
Oct 202529.5%44%13%10.5%2%0%0.5%0.5%
Nov 202517.6%58.6%11.7%9.5%1.8%0%0.45%0.45%
Dec 202520.6%46.8%13.5%16.7%0.79%0%0.79%0.79%
Jan 202622.1%40.7%17.9%14.5%2.8%0.69%0.69%0.69%
Feb 202639.3%26%17.3%14%2%0%0.67%0.67%
Mar 202642.4%22.9%15.3%15.3%2.4%0%1.2%0.59%
Apr 202631.6%25.7%17.1%21.1%2.6%0.66%0.66%0.66%
May 202635.8%23.9%15.7%19.4%3%0.75%0.75%0.75%
Jun 202631.8%31.8%13.9%17.2%2.6%0.66%1.3%0.66%
Jul 202632.9%26.7%17.8%17.8%2.7%0.68%0.68%0.68%
Aug 202636.4%19.8%24.1%16%2.5%0%0.62%0.62%
Sep 202633.3%27.1%22.2%14.6%2.8%0%0%0%

How has the Scribus and Xara comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 4 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Xara took it in December 2025, Scribus took it in January 2026, Xara took it in April 2026, Scribus took it in August 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Scribus’ share of searches among desktop publishing software in New Zealand moved from 13% to 22.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 260 to 320.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Xara’s share of searches among desktop publishing software in New Zealand moved from 10.5% to 14.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 210.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand desktop publishing software in September 2026?

3 changes

  1. In September 2026, Affinity overtook Scribus to rank 2nd among desktop publishing software in New Zealand, with 27.1% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Scribus lost share of searches among desktop publishing software in New Zealand, from 24.1% to 22.2%.

  3. In September 2026, Xara lost share of searches among desktop publishing software in New Zealand, from 16% to 14.6%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Scribus’ and Xara’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Scribus

1 branded search term

  • scribus

Xara

1 branded search term

  • xara

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among desktop publishing software

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

Start free