Microsoft Publisher is being discontinued
Your .pub files stay on your machine — they won't disappear. But if you rely on Publisher through M365, October 13 is a hard deadline. Full EOL details →
Publisher use cases — what to use instead
Publisher task
Church & school bulletins
Use instead
Publish365 — dedicated bulletin maker with templates
Publisher users built most bulletins in the same repeating format. The bulletin maker uses that same template-driven approach.
Publisher task
Newsletters
Use instead
Publish365 — newsletter templates
Multi-column newsletter layouts that translate directly from Publisher's column grid. Edit in browser, export PDF.
Publisher task
Event flyers
Use instead
Publish365 — flyer templates + raffle ticket maker
Single-page flyers are the easiest Publisher documents to replace. The maker has presets for the most common sizes.
Publisher task
Restaurant menus
Use instead
Publish365 — restaurant menu templates
Two-column and trifold menu layouts that match typical Publisher menu formats.
Publisher task
Funeral programs
Use instead
Publish365 — dedicated funeral program maker
Sensitive layouts with photo zones, order of service, and obituary text. Publisher was the standard tool for these — Publish365 is built as a direct replacement.
Publisher task
Certificates & awards
Use instead
Publish365 — certificate templates
Formal certificate layouts with bordered frames, seal areas, and signature lines — matching the Publisher certificate aesthetic.
Publisher task
Raffle tickets
Use instead
Publish365 — free numbered raffle ticket maker
Auto-numbered, perforated stub tickets as a PDF. Publisher didn't auto-number — this is faster.
Publisher task
Opening existing .pub files
Use instead
Publish365 — .pub file rescue + Scribus / LibreOffice Draw
Upload the .pub, repair anything that shifted in conversion, and continue editing. Or use a free desktop app (Scribus, LibreOffice Draw) for offline editing.
Have .pub files to migrate?
Upload your .pub to Publish365 — we open it, show you a rescue report, and let you edit the result in your browser. Your first file is free.
Open a .pub file freeQuestions
- Is there a direct one-for-one Microsoft Publisher replacement?
- No single product replicates every Publisher feature identically. Publisher users typically have a handful of recurring document types — bulletins, newsletters, flyers. Finding the right tool per task (rather than one universal replacement) is usually the most practical path.
- Can I keep using my Publisher templates after the app is discontinued?
- The template files (.pub format) will still open in LibreOffice Draw, Scribus, Affinity Publisher V3, and Publish365 after Publisher is discontinued. You're not losing the files, just the application.
- What's the best free Publisher replacement?
- For opening .pub files specifically: LibreOffice Draw and Scribus are both free desktop apps with native .pub support. Affinity Publisher V3 is also free since October 2025. For browser-based use, Publish365 is free for your first file.
Related
Publish365 is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.