Looking for a free Publisher download? Here's the honest answer.

Every free Publisher alternative — honest facts

Questions

Is there a free download of Microsoft Publisher?

No. Publisher was never offered as a free standalone download. It was included only in paid Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Premium plans. Publisher is now discontinued — no paid or free download path exists from Microsoft. Sites offering 'free Publisher downloads' are distributing old, unsafe, unofficial copies.

Was Microsoft Publisher ever free?

No. Publisher was a paid product throughout its entire history. It was bundled with paid Office suites and later with paid Microsoft 365 Business subscriptions. It was never offered as freeware, a free trial, or a free standalone download. The closest it came to 'free' was being included with certain M365 Business plans — which are themselves paid subscriptions.

Is Affinity Publisher 2 free?

Yes, since October 2025. Canva acquired Serif (the makers of Affinity products) and made all Affinity apps — including Affinity Publisher 2 — completely free. It is a professional-grade desktop publishing app for Mac, Windows, and iPad. Key caveat: it cannot open .pub files natively. For existing Publisher files, use LibreOffice Draw or Publish365 — then design in Affinity for new work.

What is the best free Publisher alternative?

For opening .pub files: LibreOffice Draw (free desktop, Mac/Win/Linux, opens .pub natively) or Publish365 (free to start, browser-based, opens .pub). For new document creation without .pub files: Affinity Publisher 2 (free since Oct 2025, native Mac/Win/iPad) or Publish365 (browser-based, 200+ templates, free to start). All are actively maintained and officially distributed.

Does LibreOffice Draw open .pub files for free?

Yes. LibreOffice Draw includes the libmspub engine which opens Microsoft Publisher .pub files natively. The download is free from libreoffice.org. It runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux (including Apple Silicon Macs). It is the best free desktop option for editing existing Publisher files.

Can I get Publisher free through Microsoft 365?

No longer — and not as a free tier. Publisher was included in paid M365 Business Standard and Premium plans. As of 2026, Microsoft is removing Publisher from all M365 plans. All M365 subscribers permanently lose Publisher on October 13, 2026. No M365 plan going forward includes Publisher — at any price tier.

Are the Publisher downloads on download sites free and safe?

They are often listed as 'free' but they are not safe. Sites like Softonic and Filerox distribute old, unofficial, unsupported Publisher versions — not current Microsoft software. These copies have received no security updates for years and may contain bundled software or be modified from the original. The only safe, free path to working with Publisher files is through LibreOffice Draw, Scribus, or Publish365.

What free tool should I use instead of Publisher for church bulletins and newsletters?

Publish365 has 200+ Publisher-style templates for exactly these use cases — church bulletins, newsletters, event flyers, memorial programs, certificates, and more. It's browser-based, free to start, and was purpose-built as a Publisher replacement for churches, schools, and nonprofits. LibreOffice Draw is the best free desktop option if you prefer a downloadable app.