Microsoft Publisher Alternatives for Windows

There are many alternatives to Microsoft Publisher for Windows and since it's discontinued a lot of people are looking for a replacement. The best Windows alternative is Scribus, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Microsoft Publisher and 17 are available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Windows alternatives to Microsoft Publisher are LibreOffice - Draw, Adobe InDesign, Affinity Publisher and QuarkXPress.

filter to find the best alternatives

Microsoft Publisher alternatives are mainly Desktop Publishers, but if you're looking for Vector Graphic Apps or Graphic Design Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Free, Linux, Desktop Publishing, Online and Mac. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Microsoft Publisher.
More about Microsoft Publisher
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Microsoft Publisher alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Scribus icon

    Scribus

     411 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Open-source desktop publishing software offering flexible layouts and typesetting, professional image setting, CMYK support, interactive PDFs, vector tools, and wide format support, perfect for creating newspapers, brochures, and more on Mac, Windows, Linux, and BSD.

    26 Scribus alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Oracle Solaris
    • Flatpak
    Scribus screenshot 1
     
    |
    4
    120
    Comments about Scribus as an Alternative to Microsoft Publisher
    RemovedUser
    Negative
    1

    Publisher only hints at using layers when you move objects in front of or behind other objects. The menus in Scribus aren't comparable or intuitive, and I can't for the life of me figure out how to edit images inside the image frame scribus, which Publisher lets you do.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    2

    It's nothing like publisher: it's very inflexible, the contrary of the drag-and-drop apps nowadays. Not fluent to work with even for texts, not at all for images. The use feels like 20 years back-in-time. In the very past, it will have been really nice, but now it's extremely outdated.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    wyrazik
    Positive
    -2

    Scribus gives full control over the DTP process

    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    Microsoft Publisher Icon
    Scribus icon

    • Most users think Scribus is a great Microsoft Publisher alternative.

    • Scribus is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Microsoft Publisher.

    • Scribus is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Microsoft Publisher.

    • Scribus is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Publisher is Paid and Proprietary
    • Scribus is Lightweight and Privacy focusedMicrosoft Publisher is not according to our users
  2. LibreOffice - Draw icon

    LibreOffice - Draw

     311 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Draw lets you produce anything from a quick sketch to a complex plan, and gives you the means to communicate with graphics and diagrams. With a maximum page size of 300cm by 300cm, Draw is a an excellent package for producing technical drawings, general posters, and much else.

    97 LibreOffice - Draw alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    LibreOffice - Draw screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    Comments about LibreOffice - Draw as an Alternative to Microsoft Publisher
    Richie Scassellati
    Positive
    1

    When I saw LibreOffice Draw, the first thing I thought of was it being the alternative to Microsoft Publisher. It's nice to use as an alternative.

    Guest
    Negative
    1

    It is more of an alternative to Visio than publisher it is not a Dekstop publishing software Use Scribus for that purpose

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Publisher Icon
    LibreOffice - Draw icon

    • Most users think LibreOffice - Draw is a great Microsoft Publisher alternative.

    • LibreOffice - Draw is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Publisher is Paid and Proprietary
    • LibreOffice - Draw is Lightweight and Privacy focusedMicrosoft Publisher is not according to our users
  4. Adobe InDesign icon

    Adobe InDesign

     148 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Industry-leading software for creating professional layouts, suitable for both print and digital designs, with advanced typographic controls, interactive PDF capabilities, and seamless integration within the Adobe Creative Suite.

    57 Adobe InDesign alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Adobe InDesign screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    32
    Comments about Adobe InDesign as an Alternative to Microsoft Publisher
    McFood
    Positive
    0

    It's a lot to learn, but follow a youtube tutorial for the kind of thing you want to make, and you'll be using paragraph and character styles in no time.

    Microsoft Publisher Icon
    Adobe InDesign icon

    • Most users think Adobe InDesign is a great Microsoft Publisher alternative.

    • Adobe InDesign is the most popular commercial alternative to Microsoft Publisher.

    • Adobe InDesign is Paid and ProprietaryMicrosoft Publisher is also Paid and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    IDMarkz icon
    IDMarkz

    IDMarkz standalone app lets you preview, export & open Adobe InDesign documents in many other file formats & apps. Export InDesign to QuarkXPress, Affinity Publisher, older InDesign versions, Acrobat, Illustrator, IDML, P...

    https://markzware.com
    Learn More
  6. Affinity Publisher icon

    Affinity Publisher

     86 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Affinity's professional desktop publishing software offers seamless integration with the Affinity suite, live document views, cloud collaboration, and advanced typography tools, providing users a flexible editing experience with support for large files, preflight tools, customizable UI color management features.

    26 Affinity Publisher alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPad
    Affinity Publisher screenshot 1
     
    |
    7

    • Almost everyone thinks Affinity Publisher is a great Microsoft Publisher alternative.

    • Affinity Publisher is the most popular iPad alternative to Microsoft Publisher.

    • Affinity Publisher is Paid and ProprietaryMicrosoft Publisher is also Paid and Proprietary
  7. QuarkXPress icon

    QuarkXPress

     26 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Page layout tool for print and digital publishing featuring graphics editing, rich illustration support, image correction, responsive design conversion, native object handling, content automation, synchronized updates, and flexible workflow for creative projects.

    22 QuarkXPress alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    QuarkXPress screenshot 1
     
  8. VivaDesigner icon

    VivaDesigner

     9 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    This economically priced high end DTP program is extremely powerful and still very easy to use. With its innovative concepts, you can decisively improve your working processes and document management. With VivaDesigner, all collaborations between end customers, corporations and...

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    VivaDesigner screenshot 1
     
  10. Adobe FrameMaker icon

    Adobe FrameMaker

     9 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    A desktop publishing (DTP) and word processing application that is popular for large documents.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Adobe FrameMaker screenshot 1
     
  11. 365Layouts.com icon

    365Layouts.com

     3 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    365Layouts is building an online drag and drop design platform to help small business owners create advertising materials with our free design templates.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    365Layouts.com screenshot 1
     
  12. PrintMaster icon

    PrintMaster

     1 like
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Plan, create and share amazing custom-tailored designs with PrintMaster. Whether you are capturing a memory or adding a splash of creativity to your life, PrintMaster has everything you need and more. From greeting cards, to invitations and party supplies, to scrapbooks and...

    3 PrintMaster alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    PrintMaster screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    10
    Comments about PrintMaster as an Alternative to Microsoft Publisher
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Similar to Office Publisher.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    It was the only one provides all the things I'm looking for

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Publisher Icon
    PrintMaster icon

    • Most users think PrintMaster is a great Microsoft Publisher alternative.

    • PrintMaster is Paid and ProprietaryMicrosoft Publisher is also Paid and Proprietary
  13. Omegadoc Designer icon

    Omegadoc Designer

     Like
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    A DTP app that stands out with: 1 - One click export of fixed-layout eBooks in two popular formats: EPUB3 and Amazon KF8 (Mobi) formats. 2 - Styling modeled after CSS3. 3 - Superior multiple-page viewing capability. 4. Intuitive and easy to use UI.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Omegadoc Designer screenshot 1
     
  14. pagination.com icon

    pagination.com

     1 like
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Pagination lets you connect data from any source with custom InDesign layouts, and automatically create beautiful catalogs and price lists.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
     
  15. RagTime icon

    RagTime

     2 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    RagTime is both a traditional Office and DTP layout application. Like an office application, RagTime contains a powerful word processor, a sophisticated spreadsheet, and a tool for slide shows. It supports picture handling and creates business graphics.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    RagTime screenshot 1
     
12 of 17 Microsoft Publisher alternatives