Quick answer: Publishing and subscription software falls into three groups: tools that design and publish content (Adobe InDesign, MadCap Flare), tools that turn PDFs into online flipbooks and catalogs (Flipsnack, FlipHTML5, Flip PDF Plus, DCatalog, Joomag, Edition Digital), and tools that sell and manage subscriptions (SimpleCirc for magazines and newspapers, Subbly for subscription stores, WP User Frontend Pro for WordPress memberships). SubHub closed to customers in 2026, and two other products from our original list of 15 no longer fit, so this updated list has 11.
Do you publish both a print and a digital edition? Do you sell print-plus-digital bundles at a discount, and struggle because print and digital subscribers sit in separate systems? Publishing and subscription software automates those business processes: creating the publication, distributing it in print and online, and managing the people who pay for it.
We first published this list in 2020. In October 2026 we checked every product on its vendor’s own website. This version describes each tool from the vendor’s current documentation, removes old prices and unsupported claims, and explains what happened to the products we dropped. We have not tested these products, and nothing here is a paid placement.
How to choose publishing and subscription software
- Work out which job you need done. Designing pages, putting publications online and managing paying subscribers are different jobs. Many publishers use one tool for each.
- For digital editions: check reading on phones, search, analytics, branding, custom domains, access control for paid content and whether readers can download for offline reading.
- For subscriptions: look for print and digital fulfilment, renewal notices, gift and bundle offers, a self-service subscriber portal, and payment gateways that work in your country, including UPI and Indian cards if you sell in India.
- Licence model: most tools are subscriptions; some desktop tools, such as Flip PDF Plus, are sold per computer. Check whether hosting is included or charged extra.
- Exit plan: make sure you can export subscriber lists and publication files if you move to another platform.
The 11 tools at a glance
| Product | Best for | Pricing model (Oct 2026) | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flipsnack | Interactive flipbooks for marketing, sales and internal teams | Free start; paid plans on pricing page | Web, with iOS and Android apps |
| Adobe InDesign (Creative Cloud) | Professional page layout for print and digital | Subscription; free trial offered | Desktop app |
| Flip PDF Plus (FlipBuilder) | Converting PDFs into flipbooks offline | Licence per computer; optional hosting add-on | Windows and Mac |
| Subbly | Brands and agencies building subscription stores | Check vendor site | Hosted ecommerce platform |
| Edition Digital | Digital replicas and interactive editions | Pricing page | Web publishing system |
| WP User Frontend Pro | WordPress sites selling memberships and accepting user posts | Free plugin; paid Pro version | WordPress plugin |
| SimpleCirc | Magazine, newspaper and newsletter circulation | Pricing page; free trial offered | Cloud |
| FlipHTML5 | Online flipbooks from PDFs, slides and templates | Pricing page | Web; downloadable HTML, EXE and Mac app |
| DCatalog | Digital product catalogs and catalog automation | Pricing page; free trial offered | Cloud |
| Joomag | Interactive magazines, proposals and content marketing | Pricing page; demo | Web, with mobile apps |
| MadCap Flare | Technical documentation and training content | Pricing page; free trials offered | Desktop and online |
Design and authoring
Adobe InDesign (Creative Cloud)
Adobe describes InDesign as layout design and desktop publishing software for print and digital work: multipage layouts with detailed typesetting, interactive catalogs and brochures, and advertising graphics. Recent versions add features such as adaptive layouts and AI-assisted copy fitting. InDesign is sold by subscription through Adobe Creative Cloud, either on its own or in a plan with other Adobe apps such as Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere. Our original list had Creative Cloud and InDesign as separate entries and described Creative Cloud as a video editing tool; it is Adobe’s subscription service for all its creative apps, so we have combined them. The old price has been removed.
MadCap Flare
MadCap Software makes tools for technical communicators: Flare for authoring and multi-channel, single-source publishing (on the desktop and online), IXIA CCMS for structured DITA content, Create for learning content, and Syndicate AI for delivering content to websites, systems and AI tools. It suits help centres, product documentation, knowledge bases and training material rather than magazines.
Digital editions, flipbooks and catalogs
Flipsnack
Flipsnack is an online flipbook maker. You upload a PDF or design in its editor, add links, video and other interactive elements, apply your branding, then publish, share and track readership. It is used for catalogs, magazines, brochures, lookbooks, reports and internal documents by marketing, sales, HR, training and education teams, and it has iOS and Android apps. You can start free and upgrade to paid plans.
FlipHTML5
FlipHTML5 converts PDF, PowerPoint, Word and image files into online flipbooks, or builds them from more than 900 templates, with AI tools for text and images. You can share flipbooks as links, embed them on a website or download them as HTML, EXE or Mac app files for offline reading. Other features include a custom domain, built-in statistics with Google Analytics 4, selling books directly and showing Google AdSense ads.
Flip PDF Plus (FlipBuilder)
“Flip PDF” in our original list is now sold as Flip PDF Plus by FlipBuilder. It is desktop software for Windows and Mac that converts PDFs into page-flip ebooks, with batch conversion, templates, branding, a shopping cart for selling ebooks and Google Analytics 4 integration. Output can be published as HTML, a WordPress plug-in, or an EXE or app for offline reading, and FlipBuilder sells an optional hosting service. One licence covers one computer.
DCatalog
DCatalog is a cloud platform for digital catalogs. It turns static PDFs into interactive flipbooks such as catalogs, lookbooks, magazines and guides, and can generate branded catalogs automatically from product data. It also offers a virtual flipbook library, secure documents, order forms and ecommerce integrations. The original article said DCatalog has operated since 2008; we could not confirm that date on its current site.
Joomag
Joomag calls itself a content experience platform for creating and distributing high-design content such as magazines, catalogs, brochures, proposals and reports. It includes a creative studio, an InDesign plugin, email distribution, analytics and access control, with solutions for digital publishing, account-based marketing, sales enablement and internal communication. The original article said Joomag was free and used by more than 500,000 businesses; we could not confirm either claim on Joomag’s current site, so check its pricing page for current plans.
Edition Digital
Edition Digital is a digital publishing system that covers creating, managing, distributing, monetising and analysing digital editions, including interactive magazines and digital replicas of print publications. Its website still presents an “Edition Digital 2022” version, so ask the vendor about current development and support before you commit.
Subscriptions and memberships
SimpleCirc
SimpleCirc is subscription management software for magazine, newspaper, trade publication and newsletter publishers. It handles subscription ordering, renewals and subscriber support, and is aimed at publishers moving away from spreadsheets, outdated software or expensive fulfilment houses. You can try it free.
Subbly
Subbly is a subscription-first ecommerce platform. It now uses an AI agent to build custom subscription stores from a description of your business, and it targets both brands and agencies that build stores for clients. It suits physical subscription boxes and products more than publications. The original article’s company details could not be confirmed on Subbly’s current site and have been removed.
WP User Frontend Pro
WP User Frontend is a WordPress plugin from weDevs that lets users submit posts, register, edit profiles and manage content from the front end of a site, without the WordPress dashboard. The Pro version adds subscriptions, content restriction and membership features. A free version is listed on WordPress.org, where it shows more than 20,000 active installations and a recent update.
Products removed from the original list
- SubHub: SubHub’s website says the membership and subscription platform closed to customers in 2026 after two decades of operation.
- Armatic: armatic.com now redirects to BlueSnap’s accounts receivable automation product. It was a billing and invoicing tool rather than publishing software.
- P2P Publication Management: we could not find an official website for this circulation product in October 2026.
If you sell subscriptions online, our lists of eCommerce software and email marketing software cover the tools for selling and reaching subscribers. For free design work, see our Inkscape review.
Frequently asked questions
What is a flipbook?
A flipbook is an online version of a PDF that shows pages turning like a printed magazine or catalog. Flipbook tools add links, video, search and readership statistics, and some let you sell access or show ads.
What is circulation management?
Circulation management is the business of handling subscribers: taking orders, sending renewal notices, managing addresses for print delivery, granting digital access and reporting on subscriber numbers. SimpleCirc is a dedicated example.
Do I need InDesign to publish a magazine?
No, but it is the industry standard for professional page layout. Smaller publishers often design with simpler tools and use a flipbook platform to publish online.
What happened to SubHub?
SubHub’s website says the platform closed to customers in 2026. Publishers who used it need another membership or subscription platform.
Checked in October 2026 against each vendor’s own website, including Adobe’s InDesign and Creative Cloud pages, FlipBuilder’s Flip PDF Plus page, the WordPress.org plugin listing for WP User Frontend, SubHub’s closure notice and the redirect from armatic.com. Features and plans change often; confirm current details and pricing with the vendor before you buy.
