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Last checked October 29, 2026

Free alternatives to Microsoft Publisher

Publisher is the desktop app people used for flyers, newsletters, labels, and certificates. Microsoft says it will no longer be supported after October 2026. Microsoft 365 subscribers lose the app on or shortly after October 1, 2026. Support for the perpetual version ends on October 13, 2026. After that, a Microsoft 365 subscriber cannot open a .pub file in Publisher. Save a PDF while you still can. Microsoft's support page also names Affinity. Affinity is free for a person and the code is closed.

IndividualsSmall teamsEducatorsPrice checked

What you pay for Microsoft Publisher

Publisher leaves Microsoft 365 on or shortly after October 1, 2026. Support for the perpetual version ends on October 13, 2026.

Microsoft's support page says you can keep using Publisher until October 1, 2026. After that, Microsoft 365 subscribers cannot open or edit .pub files in Publisher. The removal rolls out on or shortly after that date. Support for Office LTSC 2021 and Consumer Office 2021, which include the perpetual Publisher, ends on October 13, 2026. A perpetual copy can still be installed after that date, but it is not supported. Microsoft's page says to save files as PDF before October 1, 2026, and it links a sample PowerShell script for a batch export. The same page says Word or PowerPoint can cover many flyer and label jobs, and that a third-party tool such as Affinity may open a .pub file. Microsoft does not support those tools.

Microsoft Publisher website·Price page

For individuals, small teams, and educators. Its price on file: Publisher leaves Microsoft 365 on or shortly after October 1, 2026. Support for the perpetual version ends on October 13, 2026. It is in the Marketing design group.

How to switch

The closest free app on the checklist is Scribus. Cost and details. Move from Microsoft Publisher to Scribus.

Who can open a .pub file

These scores are from the checklist on this page. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement. We check each app against public docs and price pages.

Scribus is #1 (84). LibreOffice is #2 (68). Inkscape is #3 (46).

Scribus

#1 · Closest

7 of 7 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.

You only get part of: opens a .pub file and labels, envelopes, and certificates.

LibreOffice

#2

7 of 7 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.

You only get part of: multi-page print layout, opens a .pub file, and master pages, and 1 more.

Inkscape

#3

7 of 7 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.

What you give up: opens a .pub file, master pages, and labels, envelopes, and certificates. You only get part of: multi-page print layout.

Where they differ

  • Multi-page print layout

    Worth 10 points. Scribus does all of it. Scribus is a multi-page print layout app. LibreOffice does part of it. Draw can place text boxes and pictures. It is not a full desktop-publishing program. Inkscape does part of it. Inkscape is for one page, such as a poster, not a newsletter.

  • Opens a .pub file

    Worth 10 points. Scribus does part of it. Scribus can import some Publisher files. Open one file and check the layout before you convert a folder. LibreOffice does part of it. Draw can open many .pub files. Text boxes and pictures often move. Inkscape does none of it. Inkscape does not open .pub files.

  • Master pages

    Worth 6 points. Scribus does all of it. Master pages are a core feature. LibreOffice does part of it. Draw has master pages. They are simpler than Publisher. Inkscape does none of it.

  • Labels, envelopes, and certificates

    Worth 6 points. Scribus does part of it. You can build a label sheet. It is not a mail-merge label wizard. LibreOffice does part of it. Writer can print labels and envelopes. Inkscape does none of it. No label or envelope wizard.

Scribus, LibreOffice, and Inkscape do all of these: exports a pdf, mac, windows, and linux, and free for work use.

How close is it?

How this works

A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement. #1 is the closest free app that did not pay us. An ad, when one is sold, is marked and sits after #1. Paying does not change the score. Open source means you can use, change, and share the code. Run it yourself means the app can live on a computer you control.

  1. #1 · ClosestOpen sourceNotes on the review

    Scribus

    Open-source desktop publishing.

    7 of 7 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.

    You only get part of: opens a .pub file and labels, envelopes, and certificates.

    Last checked October 29, 2026 · License: GPL-2.0

    MacWindowsLinux
    Cost and detailsHow to switchWebsite
  2. #2Open sourceNotes on the review

    LibreOffice

    A desktop suite that opens Office files.

    7 of 7 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.

    You only get part of: multi-page print layout, opens a .pub file, and master pages, and 1 more.

    Last checked October 29, 2026 · License: MPL-2.0

    MacWindowsLinux
    Cost and detailsWebsite
  3. #3Open sourceNotes on the review

    Inkscape

    A GPL vector editor for illustrations and logos.

    7 of 7 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.

    What you give up: opens a .pub file, master pages, and labels, envelopes, and certificates. You only get part of: multi-page print layout.

    Last checked October 29, 2026 · License: GPL-2.0

    MacWindowsLinux
    Cost and detailsWebsite

Feature by feature

Full means it does the whole job. Partial means it does some of it. Missing means it does not. Not checked counts as zero. The number under each feature is how much it counts. A bigger number moves the score more.

Scroll sideways to see every app.

Feature comparison. Full, partial, missing, or not checked.
FeatureScribus#1 · 847 of 7 checked featuresLibreOffice#2 · 687 of 7 checked featuresInkscape#3 · 467 of 7 checked features
Multi-page print layoutCounts for 10FullScribus is a multi-page print layout app.PartialDraw can place text boxes and pictures. It is not a full desktop-publishing program.PartialInkscape is for one page, such as a poster, not a newsletter.
Opens a .pub fileCounts for 10PartialScribus can import some Publisher files. Open one file and check the layout before you convert a folder.PartialDraw can open many .pub files. Text boxes and pictures often move.MissingInkscape does not open .pub files.
Exports a PDFCounts for 8FullPDF export is a normal print path.FullExport to PDF is built in.FullIt exports PDF.
Master pagesCounts for 6FullMaster pages are a core feature.PartialDraw has master pages. They are simpler than Publisher.Missing
Labels, envelopes, and certificatesCounts for 6PartialYou can build a label sheet. It is not a mail-merge label wizard.PartialWriter can print labels and envelopes.MissingNo label or envelope wizard.
Mac, Windows, and LinuxCounts for 4FullBuilds exist for Mac, Windows, and Linux.FullMac, Windows, and Linux.FullMac, Windows, and Linux.
Free for work useCounts for 6FullThe license allows work use.FullThe license allows work use.FullThe license allows work use.

What it costs

Scribus

Free plan
The application is free.
They host it
No hosted price on file.
Run it yourself
This app does not run on your own computer. Desktop application.

LibreOffice

Free plan
The desktop apps are free to download.
They host it
No hosted price on file.
Run it yourself
This app does not run on your own computer. The desktop apps are not a server. Collabora Online is the browser version.

Inkscape

Free plan
The application is free.
They host it
No hosted price on file.
Run it yourself
This app does not run on your own computer. Desktop application.

Did you switch?

If you left Microsoft Publisher, tell us if it worked and how long it took. Notes stay private until we approve them. Nothing is shown until at least five are approved.

How did it go?

Closest pair

Move from Microsoft Publisher to Scribus

Save a PDF from Publisher while it still opens, then rebuild the layout in Scribus. A .pub file does not become a finished Scribus document.

Read how to switch

Related alternatives

Marketing design alternatives

Switch guides

Free apps in this group

Questions

What should I do with my Publisher files before October 2026?
Open each .pub file while Publisher still runs and save a PDF. Microsoft's support page says File, Save As, then PDF. If you have many files, that page also points at a sample PowerShell script you can test on a copy of one folder first. Keep the PDF next to the .pub file. A PDF is the copy you can still read after Publisher is gone.
Which free app opens a .pub file?
LibreOffice Draw can open many .pub files. Text boxes and pictures often move, so check the page. Scribus can import some Publisher files. Open one file before you convert a folder. Inkscape does not open .pub files. Use it for a new poster, not to rescue an old file. None of these apps is a perfect copy of Publisher.
What should I use for a flyer, a newsletter, or labels?
Use Scribus for a multi-page newsletter or a print flyer. Use Inkscape for a one-page poster. Use LibreOffice Writer for labels, envelopes, and a simple certificate. Microsoft's own page points at Word and PowerPoint for those jobs if you still pay for Microsoft 365.
Can I still install Publisher after October 2026?
Microsoft says a Microsoft 365 subscription will not include Publisher after October 2026. A perpetual copy can still be installed, and it can still open your files, but support ends on October 13, 2026. Do not count on that copy as a backup plan. Save the PDF now.