Publisher alternative in 2026

Scribus is a free open source DTP that has been around a long time.

LibreOffice is another freebie alternative for Office and you can open .pub files in Draw.

I would suggest you look at Affinity Publisher from the old Serif company.

https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/publisher/

I think they still offer a free trial and purchase price is only $70. It runs on a PC, a MAC and an iPad. It is where I wish MSFT had taken Publisher.

Serif has always been a small innovative company and I would even bet that they will develop the ability to open Pub files by the time MSFT officially dumps Publisher. Or maybe Scribus will...

DavidF

Hello Sophia,

Do you work with Microsoft? I have been using Publisher for over 20 years and it's so easy to use to creative annual reports, newsletters, manuals etc.

Canva is good but not user friendly to creative boxes, InDesign is expensive and has a learning curve. I hope Microsoft can create a Publisher equivalent. Why is it being retired anyway? Now I will have hundred of Publisher documents that I can't covert into anything else.

Thank you.

Amanda

Dear Amanda Wilkinson,

Good day!!

I understand your concern but as per official Microsoft KB, currently there is no any particular application replacing the Publisher app but Microsoft is exploring the modern ways to achieve common Publisher scenarios and they will release the detailed blog when there is any update.

Moreover, I suggest you add your valuable feedback in the Publisher application (Open the Publisher app> Feedback at the bottom left> Send a Suggestion) which is the best place to share our ideas and improve the Microsoft products.

In addition, I will keep this thread open so that MVPs and experts in this community can share their ideas on this scenario.

Appreciate your patience and understanding. Have a great day!!

Best Regards,

Sophia