One of the oldest UK software developers, Xara has been developing software since 1981.
From Wordwise, one of the earliest microcomputer word processors, to Xara Xtreme, the world's fastest, and many believe the world's best drawing and illustration software, Xara has developed a wide range of products covering the whole realm of publishing software. Xara has pioneered many technologies taken for granted nowadays. From developing the world's first check-as-you-type spell checker, to award winning desk-top-publishing software, to the first drawing software to provide real-time anti-aliasing and transparency control, Xara continues to innovate and develop leading edge technical solutions.
Xara has been involved in the Internet from the very beginning. Xara Networks, a subsidiary of the Xara Group, was a pioneer Internet provider in the mid 1990s (subsequently sold, no longer part of the Xara Group). Another early development was Xara Online, which provided online Web Service based web graphic and photo effect add-ons. Today Xara does most of its business via the Internet and has millions of online customers, worldwide.
Xara's first Windows illustration software, Xara Studio, was licensed to Corel and distributed for many years as CorelXARA. Now back under Xara control this product has been enhanced and relaunched and is now sold in two versions, Xara Photo & Graphic Designer and Xara Designer Pro.
Xara is headquartered in the historic house, Gaddesden Place, in the UK, north of London. Click here for a photo of Gaddesden Place.
In January 2007 Xara was acquired by MAGIX AG, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary. MAGIX is a leading international provider of high-quality software, online services and digital contents for multimedia communications. Since 1993, MAGIX has been developing leading technologies for creation, editing, management and presentation of photos and graphics, videos and music. Internationally, MAGIX operates from branches in the USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands. The product range is targeted towards laymen and professionals alike and goes beyond the PC range to include seamlessly integrated online and mobile applications.
According to its retail sales figures, MAGIX leads in the multimedia software sector in the most important European markets, and is one of the most successful competitors in the USA. Sixteen years of market presence as well as one thousand awards worldwide testify to the company's power of innovation.
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| Xara Group Timeline |
| 1980's: |
Becomes largest developer of BBC, Acorn, Atari and Archimedes software |
| 1991: |
Starts development of first Windows software in anticipation of 32-bit Windows (to be Windows95) |
| 1994: |
Launches Xara Studio |
| 1994: |
Signs marketing deal with Corel: Xara Studio relaunched as CorelXARA |
| 1995: |
Launches xara.com |
| 1995: |
Founds new company, Xara Networks, one of the first ISPs in the UK and soon a major backbone provider to UK corporates and other ISPs |
| 1996: |
Launches Xara Webster |
| 1997: |
Begins online sales and launches Xara3D |
| 1998: |
Sells Xara Networks to ITG (now part of Pipex) |
| 1998: |
Launches Webstyle |
| 1999: |
Investment/Technology sharing agreements with Zyris PLC to develop Zy Modules |
| 2000: |
End of Corel agreement. CorelXARA has new beginning as Xara Xtreme |
| 2001: |
Purchase of ZyModules from Zyris PLC, starts new division, Xara Online, developing Web Service based online services |
| 2002: |
Launches Xara Online Connectable Data Modules |
| 2002: |
Launches first Ready Made Apps from Xara Online |
| 2002: |
Launches Menu Maker |
| 2003: |
Launches Xara ScreenMaker |
| 2006: |
First Open Source project and launches Xara Xtreme Pro |
| 2007: |
Acquired by MAGIX AG and launches first products under the Magix brands in Europe |
| 2011: |
Releases 3D Maker 7 |
| 2013: |
Releases Designer Pro X9, Page & Layout Designer 9, Photo & Graphic Designer 9, Web Designer 9 and Web Designer 9 Premium |
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