Microsoft officially discontinued Microsoft Publisher in October 2023, leaving many long-time users searching for the best way forward. As one of the few desktop publishing software options bundled with Microsoft Office, the fate of MS Publisher has caused confusion among small businesses, educators, and home users who relied on its simple interface for creating newsletters, brochures, and flyers.
If you’re wondering what to do with .pub files or looking for MS Publisher counterparts in 2025, this guide will help you transition smoothly to more modern tools for your newsletter design and desktop publishing needs.
Why Was Microsoft Publisher Discontinued?
Microsoft decided to retire Publisher due to its declining popularity and the company’s shift towards cloud-based, AI-powered tools. While Publisher served users for over 30 years, it lacked advanced features, cloud collaboration, and AI integration — features that are now standard in most design software.
Instead of investing in updating Publisher, Microsoft is pushing Microsoft Designer — a web-based tool that uses AI to automatically create social media posts, newsletters, and promotional graphics.
👉 Learn more about Microsoft Designer here.
What to Do with .PUB Files After Microsoft Publisher Discontinued?
If you have old .pub files, don’t panic — there are several ways to access and convert your Publisher documents:
- Microsoft Publisher 2021 or Older Versions: You can still open .pub files with standalone versions of MS Publisher if you purchased Office 2021 or earlier.
- Convert to PDF: Use free online tools like Zamzar to convert .pub files into PDF or other editable formats.
- LibreOffice Draw: LibreOffice, a free open-source office suite, can open .pub files and let you edit them directly.
- Affinity Publisher (Paid Alternative): Import PDF versions of your .pub files into Affinity Publisher to edit them with more advanced layout tools.
Top MS Publisher Counterparts in 2025
Here are some of the best alternatives to MS Publisher for both basic and professional desktop publishing:
| Software | Best For | Price | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Designer | Newsletters & Social Media | Free (with MS 365) | Web-Based |
| Canva | Social Media, Flyers | Free/Paid | Web & Mobile |
| Adobe InDesign | Professional Publishing | Paid | Windows, Mac |
| Affinity Publisher | Affordable InDesign Alternative | One-Time Purchase | Windows, Mac |
| Scribus | Open-Source Publishing | Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |
👉 Try Affinity Publisher here.
How to Create a Newsletter with Microsoft Designer
Microsoft wants Publisher users to move towards Microsoft Designer for basic desktop publishing tasks like newsletter design. Here’s how to create a newsletter with the new tool:
- Go to Microsoft Designer.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account.
- Choose a Newsletter Template or type a text prompt like “Monthly Business Newsletter for March”.
- Customize your design by adding text, images, and logos.
- Download your newsletter as a PDF or share it via email.
Microsoft Designer is perfect for simple, one-page newsletters but lacks the multi-page layout features that Publisher offered.
Should You Switch to Microsoft Designer?
While Microsoft Designer is a promising tool, it’s not a direct replacement for MS Publisher. If you need full control over layout and multi-page documents, software like Affinity Publisher or Adobe InDesign will give you better results.
However, for users who only need quick social media graphics, flyers, or simple newsletters — Microsoft Designer is the best free replacement.
Final Thoughts: The Fate of MS Publisher
With Microsoft Publisher discontinued, it’s time to embrace modern, cloud-based tools that offer more flexibility, collaboration, and AI-powered design. While the transition may feel overwhelming, there are plenty of MS Publisher counterparts that can handle everything from newsletters to marketing materials.
If you’re still holding onto Publisher files, make sure to convert them to PDF or editable formats before they become obsolete.