Mag+
Interactive mobile app creation platform for design-driven digital magazine publishers
Best for small and mid-market publishers.
Summary review · Last verified Oct 19, 2026 · Scored on 10 criteria · Vendors can't pay for scores
Research by Vahe Arabian · Scored and edited by the SODP team
Key facts
- Score
- 3.6 / 5
- Tier
- Fair Fit
- Pricing model
- Custom pricing; contact the vendor for…
- Type
- Mobile magazine app
- Hosting
- SaaS
- Publishers using it
- 4
- HQ
- New York, United States
- Headcount
- 38
At a glance
- Mag+ scores 3.6/5 (Fair Fit) in Benchmark Grid's independent mobile magazine apps benchmark, assessed on 10 published criteria.
- It is built for small and mid-market publishers.
- Strongest on Content management & publishing workflow (4.6) and Monetisation (4.2); weakest on App store compliance & updates (2.0).
- Pricing: Custom pricing; contact the vendor for a quote (mag+ Designd and mag+ Now).
- 4 publishers in our tracking use Mag+, from ads.txt files, page code and public case studies.
- Scores last verified 19 Oct 2026. Vendors cannot pay for a score or a position.
Summary
Editor's update, July 2026: 19 Oct 2026 accuracy audit: pricing corrected to quote-only; removed invented AI conversion feature; integrations score raised for Subscriptions API; TCO re-scored.
Mag+ empowers designers to transform Adobe InDesign layouts into interactive mobile applications for iOS and Android, focusing on small and mid-market publishers.
Mag+ is a specialized digital publishing ecosystem designed to bridge the gap between traditional print design and modern mobile distribution. By leveraging an Adobe InDesign plugin, it allows design teams to create high-fidelity, interactive magazine apps without requiring deep coding knowledge. It primarily serves small to mid-market magazine publishers who prioritize visual storytelling and brand consistency across mobile devices.
The platform's strengths lie in its seamless workflow for existing InDesign users and its comprehensive set of interactive features, including HTML5 support and multimedia integration. Publishers benefit from automated push notifications and built-in monetization tools like paywalls and subscription management. The mag+ Now product adds a multichannel CMS for websites, microsites and apps.
However, Mag+ faces challenges regarding its learning curve, particularly for users attempting to master its more advanced interactive capabilities. While the publishing process is fast, some users report limited customization options outside the standard framework and occasional technical issues. Additionally, both products are quote-only, so costs are not visible up front.
Score breakdown
3.6 = 0.45 × 3.40 capability + 0.40 × 4.50 publisher fit + 0.15 × 1.70 cost
Σ (criterion rating × weight) across 10 criteria · scale 1 (poor) → 5 (excellent)
The platform supports offline reading and interactive multimedia, but lacks evidence of specific accessibility compliance features.
14% of capability · What we check: Reflowable reading, offline access, search and accessibility.
The system offers robust native support for subscriptions and paywall management integrated directly into the app experience.
14% of capability · What we check: In-app purchases, subscriptions and advertising.
The Adobe InDesign plugin provides a best-in-class workflow for designers to convert print layouts into interactive digital issues.
12% of capability · What we check: Tools to build and publish issues and articles to the app.
Mag+ supports in-app store subscriptions plus an Access Control feature and Subscription API, so readers can log in with subscriptions you sell yourself.
10% of capability · What we check: Connects app access to existing print and web subscriptions.
The tool successfully provides a unified no-code app building approach for both iOS and Android platforms.
10% of capability · What we check: iOS, Android, tablets and web.
Integrated engagement and behavioral analytics provide standard insights into reader activity within the app.
10% of capability · What we check: Readership, engagement and sales reporting.
Automated push notification management is included to help publishers drive reader engagement and retention.
8% of capability · What we check: Push notifications and features that bring readers back.
Both products include a Subscriptions API and access control, and Designd lists integrations, though specific third-party connectors are not itemised publicly.
8% of capability · What we check: Connections to CMS, identity and subscription systems.
Mag+ offers paid Managed App Submission and Managed App Update services, but its FAQ still lists iOS 9 support and it publishes no record of keeping up with OS releases.
8% of capability · What we check: Keeps apps current with store rules and OS releases.
Standard cloud security measures are present, but there is no evidence of specific enterprise-grade security or privacy compliance features.
6% of capability · What we check: Data protection, consent and content security.
Mag+ scores 3.6/5 in Benchmark Grid's independent Best Mobile Magazine Apps benchmark (benchmarkgrid.com/best-mobile-magazine-apps/mag, verified Oct 19, 2026)
Strengths & limitations
Strengths
- User-friendly interface for creating content
- Fast publishing process
- Good customer support
- Comprehensive features for digital publishing
- Flexible monetization options
Limitations
- Limited customization options
- No published pricing; both products are quote-only
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Occasional technical issues
- Not suitable for all types of content
Who uses it
Detected from site code, ads.txt records and published case studies — not from the vendor's own customer list. 3 confirmed, 1 seen in a single source.
By publisher size
By content vertical
Publishers running Mag+4
- OutsideEnterprise· Sports
- Incisive MediaMid-market· Business
- Scrawl MagazineSMB· Arts & Entertainment
- Kandy MagazineSolo· Arts & Entertainment· reported
Cost of ownership
Pricing
Custom pricing; contact the vendor for a quote (mag+ Designd and mag+ Now).
Pricing unclear for your setup? — we'll make the introduction. Free, and it never affects the score.
Cost data sourced from vendor pricing pages and community signals. Vendors may dispute any factor.
What users say
Users praise the platform's innovative design capabilities and efficient publishing workflow, though some note moderate ease of use, inconsistent customer support, and significant costs for long-term implementation.
Sources: Trade press 44% · Blog 40% · Capterra 4% · G2 4% · Podcast 4%
Most discussed
Recent quotes
"Powerful software for app design and easy to use"
Positive·G2·3mo ago
"Winning consumer, design and tech industry praise, the company says Popular Science+ has earned more than $400,000 in sales on the iPad to date"
Positive·Trade press·15y ago·via MediaPost
"Mag+ is one of the most innovative tools that we came across in a long time."
Positive·Blog·8y ago·via DigiStreet Media
"Mag+ is an efficient and affordable digital publishing platform to create apps for tablet devices straight from InDesign."
Positive·Podcast
"I have the Saris mag+ and I enjoy it."
Positive·Reddit
25 mentions from 6 independent sources, each read and scored by our analyser. Mentions we could not tie to a real user, and those flagged as promotional, are excluded. Sentiment is opinion, and is independent of the verified publisher adoptions shown above.
The company behind Mag+
Company facts come from an independent business-data record rather than the vendor's own site.
- Employees
- 38
- Headquarters
- New York, United States
- Ownership
- Privately Held
Compare Mag+
The head-to-heads publishers look at most, then the closest contests in the same benchmark.
FAQ
How is Mag+ scored?
Mag+ scores 3.6 out of 5 in Benchmark Grid's independent Best Mobile Magazine Apps benchmark. The overall figure blends capability (45%), publisher fit (40%) and cost of ownership (15%). Capability is itself a weighted average of 10 criteria; the heaviest are reader experience (14%), monetisation (14%) and content management & publishing workflow (12%). Vendors cannot pay for a score.
What size publisher is Mag+ built for?
Mag+ is built for small and local publishers and mid-market publishers. That is the vendor's own stated target, and it is one of the inputs to our publisher-fit score — a platform that suits a national newsroom often carries more operational load than a small one can absorb.
What does Mag+ cost?
Custom pricing; contact the vendor for a quote (mag+ Designd and mag+ Now). Our cost-of-ownership score is 1.7/5, which weighs pricing transparency, entry cost, implementation cost, hidden-fee risk and ongoing cost. Ask the vendor for a written first-year figure that includes implementation before you commit.
Who uses Mag+?
We have evidenced 4 publishers running Mag+. Adoptions are detected from site code, ads.txt records and published case studies rather than taken from the vendor's own customer list, and each one is listed on this page.
Can Mag+ pay for a better score?
No. Scores come from our editorial review of the product's documentation, demos and public evidence. A vendor can claim this listing or request a re-review, but nothing they buy changes a score or a position.
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