Publisher alternative in 2026

. If anyone has suggestions of other ways to protest Microsoft's plan to discontinue Publisher PLEASE let us know.

A large number of posts here are from people (often volunteers) who use Publisher for community and small charity newsletters, flyers and posters as well as people like you who use MS Publisher to produce church newsletters. Perhaps you could all write letters to relevant church newspapers and post on appropriate church social media to bring this issue to their attention. I’d also recommend writing to your local bishops to explain how important Publisher is to local churches and small community groups and charities. If church leaders petition Microsoft to keep Publisher going on the grounds it is a vital social, charitable and faith service, this may hold more sway than individuals like us.

It appears Microsoft wants to push users into using far more complex programs that rely on AI (Artificial Intelligence). What they don’t realise is many of the volunteers who use Publisher to help run various community services are older people who have no desire whatsoever to use AI or start learning new programs. If MS persist in killing Publisher, I can see lots of small community groups, including charities and faith groups, will stop producing newsletters altogether rather than kowtow to AI!

I submitted feedback through Publisher itself not a forum. To do so, open a new Publisher file, click File at the top left and open Feedback with the Windows key + F.

I’ve downloaded and had a look at Scribus but it hasn’t worked for me. None of my cards open correctly and as yet I’ve not worked out how to recreate them, will have to have a play when I have more time. I have however submitted feedback through Publisher begging them to reconsider retiring it completely, it would make more sense for them to allow current users to keep the program with the ability to still open and use their files.

It didn't work with any of my newsletters. Horrible mess.

I think I will wait until mid 2026 to possibly getting a stand alone version of Publisher. I wonder is MS might come up with a change of heart, or at least make a special offer of a free or very cheap version of Publisher to 365 account holders.