The best digital magazine examples share three qualities: editorial structure that guides readers, rich media used purposefully, and responsive design that adapts to any screen.
Digital magazines have moved far beyond PDF flipbooks. The most effective ones combine editorial storytelling with interactive design — video, scroll animations, embedded media — to create reading experiences that hold attention. Whether you're publishing for customers, members, or industry peers, the format offers something print never could: measurable engagement and design that works on any device.
Here are 8 examples across industries that show what a modern digital magazine looks like — and what makes each one work.
What is a digital magazine?
A digital magazine is an online publication designed natively for the web, using responsive layouts, multimedia, and interactive navigation instead of static PDFs or print replicas.
Unlike flipbooks that simply convert print pages into a scrollable format, digital magazines take advantage of what the web offers: embedded video, scroll-triggered animations, adaptive layouts, and measurable reader behaviour. They can look like traditional page-flip publications, or they can function more like content hubs with article-based navigation.
What defines a magazine isn't the format — it's the editorial structure. A curated collection of articles, features, and visual stories, published on a regular cadence. The digital version simply removes the constraints of paper — though creating a digital magazine still requires choosing the right platform.
What makes a great digital magazine?
Three qualities separate forgettable publications from ones readers actually finish:
Editorial structure that guides readers. Great digital magazines have clear navigation — a table of contents, defined sections, articles that stand alone but connect thematically. Readers should know where they are and how to find what interests them.
Rich media used purposefully. Video, animation, and interactive elements should enhance the story, not distract from it. The best magazines integrate media seamlessly — visual storytelling that unfolds as you scroll, a data visualisation that reveals on hover, an image gallery that invites exploration.
Responsive design that adapts. A digital magazine must work on any device without losing the experience. Layouts should reflow intelligently, navigation should remain accessible, and media should load quickly. Platforms like Maglr make this kind of scrollytelling achievable without custom development.
Corporate and customer magazine examples
Corporate magazines serve a dual purpose: they inform existing customers and position the brand as a thought leader. These two examples show how global organisations use digital magazines to strengthen customer relationships.
1. Deutsche Post DHL — Customer Magazine
Deutsche Post DHL, one of the world's largest logistics companies, publishes a recurring customer magazine to keep clients informed about services, innovations, and industry trends. The publication balances corporate updates with practical content that adds value beyond the brand message.
What makes it work: The magazine uses a horizontal page-flip navigation that feels familiar to readers accustomed to print, while adding interactivity that print can't match. Embedded video segments break up text-heavy sections, and a persistent navigation bar lets readers jump between articles without losing their place. The layout adapts cleanly to mobile, maintaining readability on smaller screens. Created with Maglr.
2. Porsche — Christophorus Magazine
Christophorus is Porsche's customer magazine, published since 1952 and now available as a fully digital experience. The online edition covers motorsport, product launches, brand heritage, and lifestyle content — all presented with the visual polish you'd expect from a luxury automotive brand.
What makes it work: The magazine takes a content-hub approach: a homepage grid links to individual long-form articles, each designed as a standalone reading experience. High-resolution photography dominates, with generous whitespace and restrained typography letting the imagery breathe. Video integrations and scroll-triggered reveals add motion without overwhelming the editorial content. The format works because Porsche treats its digital magazine as an extension of its brand experience, not a PDF replica.
Member and lifestyle magazine examples
Member organisations and lifestyle brands use magazines to deepen engagement with their communities. These publications go beyond news updates — they offer inspiration, storytelling, and a sense of belonging.
3. ANWB — Kampioen Magazine
ANWB is the largest membership organisation in the Netherlands, with over 5 million members. Kampioen is their flagship magazine — a mix of travel inspiration, mobility tips, and member benefits. The digital edition brings the print publication to life with interactive destination guides and embedded media.
What makes it work: Each issue features interactive articles built as scrollytelling pages within the broader magazine structure. A destination guide might include an interactive map, a photo gallery with hotspots, and embedded video — all triggered by scroll. The table of contents uses thumbnail previews, making it easy to scan and jump to sections of interest. Navigation feels intuitive even for readers unfamiliar with digital magazines. Created with Maglr.
4. Badrutt's Palace — Tower Revue Magazine
Badrutt's Palace Hotel in St. Moritz has published Tower Revue for over a century. The digital edition serves high-net-worth guests and prospective visitors with luxury lifestyle content — fashion, gastronomy, art, and behind-the-scenes stories from the hotel.
What makes it work: Tower Revue uses an article-hub format: a homepage grid presents the current edition's features, each linking to a dedicated article page. The design mirrors the hotel's brand identity — elegant typography, restrained colour palette, generous use of editorial photography. Rather than mimicking a print magazine, it embraces web conventions while maintaining the editorial sensibility of a luxury publication. The result feels premium without being inaccessible.
B2B and trade magazine examples
B2B magazines serve specialised audiences — industry professionals, stakeholders, association members. The best ones balance thought leadership with practical utility, positioning the publisher as an authority in their sector.
5. ICL Group — The Green Times
ICL Group is a global leader in specialty minerals and fertilisers. The Green Times is their recurring magazine covering sustainable agriculture, innovation in plant nutrition, and industry insights. It targets agricultural professionals, distributors, and partners.
What makes it work: The magazine uses a vertical scroll format with clear section breaks, making it easy to consume on both desktop and mobile. Infographics and data visualisations appear throughout, turning complex agricultural science into digestible visuals. Scroll-triggered animations pace the reading experience, revealing content progressively rather than overwhelming readers with dense pages. The design feels modern without sacrificing professionalism. Created with Maglr.
6. Canso — Airspace Magazine
Canso is the global voice of air traffic management, representing air navigation service providers worldwide. Airspace Magazine is their flagship publication, covering regulatory developments, technology trends, and operational best practices for aviation professionals.
What makes it work: The magazine balances long-form articles with shorter news updates, using a clear visual hierarchy to distinguish between content types. Navigation is persistent, allowing readers to browse the table of contents at any point. Interactive elements — expandable sections, embedded video interviews, clickable diagrams — add depth without cluttering the layout. The design respects the professional audience while pushing beyond what a typical industry PDF would offer. Created with Maglr.
Independent editorial magazine examples
Some of the most innovative digital magazines come from independent publishers and foundations. Without legacy print constraints, they've built formats native to the web — prioritising immersive storytelling and reader experience over traditional conventions.
7. Emergence Magazine
Emergence Magazine is an award-winning publication from the Kalliopeia Foundation, exploring the intersections of ecology, culture, and spirituality. It features essays, films, photo stories, and multimedia experiences — all available free online, with an annual print edition for collectors.
What makes it work: Emergence treats each piece as a designed experience. Essays include ambient audio. Photo stories use scroll-triggered reveals. Films are presented with theatrical framing, not embedded as afterthoughts. The homepage functions as an editorial gateway, with featured content rotating and a clear archive structure beneath. Navigation is minimal, putting content first. The magazine has won multiple Webby Awards — proof that editorial ambition and web-native design can coexist.
8. Quanta Magazine
Quanta Magazine covers fundamental research in mathematics, physics, computer science, and biology. Funded by the Simons Foundation, it's become one of the most respected science publications online — known for making complex ideas accessible without dumbing them down.
What makes it work: This piece uses a 3D globe as an interactive table of contents — the globe transforms as you scroll, serving as both visual narrative and navigation. Each section links to deeper articles, making it an entry point for a series rather than a standalone read. Custom illustrations and scroll-triggered animations explain abstract concepts visually. It's a masterclass in using design to serve comprehension.
What these examples teach us
Digital magazines are not flipbooks. The best examples here are built natively for the web — responsive, interactive, measurable. Flipbook conversions preserve print layouts but miss the opportunity to design for screens.
Navigation is editorial design. How readers move through your magazine matters as much as the content. Persistent tables of contents, clear section breaks, and intuitive wayfinding keep readers oriented.
Format should match purpose. A luxury hotel works as an article hub. A member organisation benefits from interactive guides. A B2B publication needs hierarchy and polish. There's no single right format — only the one that serves your audience.
Interactivity earns attention. Embedded video, scroll-triggered animations, expandable sections — these aren't gimmicks. Used purposefully, they increase time on page and make complex content digestible. Platforms like Maglr make these techniques accessible without custom development.
Start building
Ready to create a digital magazine that people actually want to read? Browse more in our inspiration gallery or request a demo to see how Maglr can help.
