A Venngage alternative:
eight structures, not a catalogue

A large template library is a real asset and browsing one is a legitimate way to start. This page is about what you gain and lose by giving that up — laid out both ways, including the parts that do not favour us.

The catalogue model

Hundreds of finished designs to browse. You find one you like and make it yours.

What it gives you

  • You can see what good looks like before you commit to anything
  • Style is decided visually, which is how a lot of people prefer to work
  • Strong when the design is doing more of the work than the data is
  • Excellent for one-off pieces where you want something distinctive

What it costs you

  • Browsing is a real time cost, and it grows with the size of the library
  • It is easy to pick a shape your content does not fit, then bend the content
  • Two people on the same team pick different designs, so a set never quite matches
  • The template is filled in by hand, every time

The structure model

Eight structures, one chosen from what your content is doing, filled in from your source.

What it gives you

  • No browsing — the decision is made from the material rather than from thumbnails
  • The first draft arrives already populated with your figures
  • A brand kit makes every piece match without anyone coordinating
  • The second and third sheet are as fast as the first

What it costs you

  • Nothing to browse, which some people genuinely miss
  • Less visual variety — the sheets are recognisably a family
  • A ceiling on bespoke design, past which you export SVG and finish elsewhere
  • It cannot rescue thin content; a sheet with nothing to say still says nothing

Which model suits which job

Which approach suits which kind of infographic work
The jobBetter served by
A one-off piece where style matters more than dataCatalogue
A monthly report that has to look identical each timeStructure
A long document you need summarisedStructure
A poster where you want a distinctive lookCatalogue
A set of six sheets for one campaignStructure
You are not sure what the sheet should say yetNeither — write the sentence first

Questions

How many templates do you have?

Eight structures rather than hundreds of designs: statistics, timeline, process, comparison, report, list, breakdown and social. Each covers a thing content does, and the right one can be chosen for you.

Is a smaller library not a downside?

It is a genuine trade. You lose variety and gain speed and consistency. If variety is what you are shopping for, a catalogue tool is the better answer and this page will not pretend otherwise.

Can I still choose the layout myself?

Yes — pick a structure directly, or ask for a different one after seeing the first draft.

Can I make my sheets look distinct from everyone else’s?

Through a brand kit: your colours, typeface and logo. The structure stays recognisable, the same way a well-designed report series is recognisable.

What about charts?

Bars, lines, donuts, progress meters, comparisons and timelines, chosen from the shape of your data rather than from a menu.

Is there a free plan?

Yes, no card required, with every structure and shape available on it.

Venngage is a trademark of its owner and we are not affiliated with them. This page compares two general approaches rather than specific features or prices, which change — check their own site for current details.

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