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Comparison

The best Microsoft Publisher alternatives in 2026

Microsoft Publisher has been retired. Here's an honest look at what to use instead, and the one question most comparisons skip: what happens to the .pub files you already have?

Short version: if you have existing Publisher files, start with a tool that can open them, such as Free Pub Editor. For new designs, Canva suits quick social posts and stock images, and Affinity suits professional print work. Word works for simple flyers if you already have it.

At a glance

ToolPriceOpens .pub files?Best for
Free Pub EditorFreeYes, editableExisting Publisher files; flyers, newsletters, certificates
CanvaFree, paid plansNoSocial media graphics, quick designs from templates
Affinity (by Canva)FreeNoProfessional layout and print design
ScribusFree, open sourceBasic importPrint layout for people happy to learn a complex tool
LibreOffice DrawFree, open sourceYes, with layout changesOpening old files on a desktop computer
Microsoft WordMicrosoft 365NoSimple flyers and letters
Microsoft DesignerFree, paid featuresNoAI-generated graphics

Free Pub Editor

Built specifically for people moving on from Publisher. It opens .pub files from Publisher 2002 onwards with their text boxes, pictures, shapes, colours and master pages, and lets you keep editing them in the browser. It feels familiar to Publisher users: rulers in millimetres, margin guides, snapping and a red marker when text overflows its box. Files are read on your own device and never uploaded, which matters for school and church newsletters.

Choose it if: you have a folder of old .pub files, or you want something that works like Publisher did. Skip it if: you need a big stock photo library or team collaboration.

Canva

Canva is the most popular online design tool, with a huge template and stock image library. It's quick for posters and social posts. It can't open .pub files, and its free plan locks some elements behind a subscription.

Affinity

Affinity (formerly Affinity Publisher, now part of Canva and free) is a professional desktop app for magazines, books and print work. It's powerful but has a steeper learning curve than Publisher, and it doesn't import .pub files.

Scribus

A long-running free and open-source layout program with strong print features. Its interface is dated and takes time to learn. It has a basic .pub importer, built on the same libmspub library as LibreOffice, but expect to tidy imported files.

LibreOffice Draw

LibreOffice is a free office suite whose Draw app can import .pub files. It's a large desktop install, and imported files often need tidying, but it's a useful second option for older files.

Microsoft Word and PowerPoint

Microsoft's own suggestion. Fine for simple flyers if you already pay for Microsoft 365, but awkward for multi-column newsletters and precise layouts, and neither opens .pub files.

What to do with your existing .pub files

Whatever you choose for new work, rescue your old files now while it's easy:

  1. Open each important file in Free Pub Editor.
  2. Export a PDF for your records, and save an editable copy.
  3. Keep the original .pub files too, in case you need them later.

See converting .pub to PDF for detailed steps.

Common questions

What is the best free alternative to Microsoft Publisher?
If you have existing .pub files, Free Pub Editor, because it opens them and keeps them editable in your browser. For brand-new designs with lots of stock images, Canva's free plan is popular. For professional print work, Affinity is free and powerful but has a learning curve.
Can Canva open Publisher files?
No. Canva can't import .pub files. You would need to rebuild each design, or open the file somewhere else and export it as a PDF or images first.
What does Microsoft recommend instead of Publisher?
Microsoft suggests Word and PowerPoint for new work, with templates from Microsoft Create,, and saving existing publications as PDF or Word files. Those apps can't open .pub files themselves, so you need Publisher, or a tool that reads the format, to convert them.
Is there a Publisher alternative for Mac?
Yes. Free Pub Editor runs in Safari or Chrome on a Mac, and Affinity, Canva, Scribus and LibreOffice all have Mac versions. Publisher itself was never available for Mac.

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