Microsoft Publisher Alternatives for Churches and Nonprofits

If you work at a church, school, or small nonprofit, you probably have a complicated relationship with Microsoft Publisher.

It's how you make the weekly bulletin. The monthly newsletter. The event flyers that go up in the hallway. Maybe you've been using the same templates since 2009.

Now Microsoft is ending support for it. Microsoft 365 loses Publisher on October 1, 2026, and support ends entirely on October 13. That's weeks away now, and you're wondering what to do.

Why nonprofits loved Publisher

Publisher hit a sweet spot. More capable than Word for layout. Way cheaper than InDesign. Simple enough that a volunteer with basic computer skills could update the bulletin every week.

The templates were decent. The learning curve was gentle. It just worked.

Now you need to find something else. Here's what's actually worth considering.

But first, let's talk about the thing nobody mentions.

Before you switch tools, convert your existing files

This is the step most "alternatives" articles skip. You've probably got years of bulletins, newsletters, flyers, and event programs sitting in .pub format. Maybe decades. Those files don't just disappear when you switch to Canva or Word.

Before you pick a new tool, you need to deal with what you already have. Convert your .pub archive into formats that actually work everywhere.

PubConvert handles this. Here's the whole process:

  1. Go to pubconvert.com
  2. Drop your .pub file (or files) onto the page
  3. Pick your output format. PDF for archival, Word if you want to keep editing the content.
  4. Click Convert
  5. Download your file

That's it. No signup, no software to install, takes about 10 seconds per file. Previewing your files is free; unlimited conversions are a one-time $49.

If you're sitting on a folder full of old bulletins, PubConvert is the only online converter that handles up to 20 files at once (2GB total). You can work through years of newsletters in a few batches instead of converting one file at a time.

Once your existing files are taken care of, here's what to use going forward.

Option 1: Canva (the popular choice)

Canva has basically replaced Publisher for most small organizations.

The good:

  • Free tier is genuinely useful
  • Templates for everything (bulletins, flyers, newsletters, social media)
  • Works in a browser, nothing to install
  • Easy enough that volunteers can learn it quickly
  • Nonprofit discount available (Canva for Nonprofits is free)

The bad:

  • Requires internet connection
  • Free tier has limits on brand kits and storage
  • Some templates are overused (you'll see the same designs everywhere)
  • Export options are good but not as flexible as desktop software

Best for: Flyers, social media graphics, simple newsletters, event announcements

For many churches and nonprofits, Canva is the answer. It handles 80% of what you used Publisher for, and it's free for registered nonprofits.

Option 2: Microsoft Word + PowerPoint

Microsoft's official position is that Word and PowerPoint can handle most Publisher use cases now. They're not entirely wrong.

Word works for:

  • Text-heavy newsletters
  • Simple bulletins
  • Documents that are mostly words with some images

PowerPoint works for:

  • Flyers and posters
  • Slide-based layouts
  • Anything that needs to be projected anyway

The limitations:

  • Word gets frustrated with complex multi-column layouts
  • Neither handles bleeds and print margins as well as Publisher
  • PowerPoint documents printed as flyers look... like printed slides

If you're already paying for Microsoft 365, this costs nothing extra. For simple stuff, it works.

Option 3: Google Docs and Slides

Same idea as Word/PowerPoint, but free and cloud-based.

Works well for:

  • Collaborative editing (multiple people working on the same bulletin)
  • Organizations that are already using Google Workspace
  • Simple layouts

Doesn't work well for:

  • Complex print layouts
  • Designs that need precise positioning

Google Docs is more limited than Word for layout work. But if you're a Google-first organization, it might be good enough.

Option 4: LibreOffice (free desktop software) - best for editing old files

If you want free software that runs on your computer (not in a browser), LibreOffice is the answer. It's the only free tool that can actually open and edit your existing .pub files.

The good:

  • Completely free - download here
  • Can actually open and edit your old .pub files (not just convert them)
  • Runs offline
  • LibreOffice Draw is the closest free alternative to Publisher for layout work
  • Save as .odg format and you have an editable file going forward

The bad:

  • Interface feels dated
  • Learning curve if you're used to Microsoft
  • Some formatting differences when opening Publisher files
  • Complex layouts may need manual adjustments

LibreOffice is what I'd recommend if you need to open lots of old .pub files and keep editing them. It's also good for organizations with unreliable internet or tight budgets. If you just need to archive files as PDFs, an online converter is faster.

Option 5: Adobe Express (former Spark)

Adobe's free-tier design tool. Similar to Canva in concept.

The good:

  • Adobe's design polish
  • Good templates
  • Free tier available

The bad:

  • Less intuitive than Canva
  • Free tier is more limited
  • Adobe's upselling can be aggressive

Some people prefer Adobe Express to Canva. Worth trying if you find Canva's style too generic.

Option 6: Microsoft Designer

Microsoft's new AI-powered design tool. Part of Microsoft 365.

The good:

  • Included if you already have Microsoft 365
  • AI features help generate designs quickly
  • Templates for social media and marketing materials

The bad:

  • Relatively new, still limited features
  • Not a full Publisher replacement
  • AI-generated designs can look... AI-generated

Microsoft is positioning Designer as the spiritual successor to Publisher. It's not the same thing, but it's worth checking if you're already on Microsoft 365.

What about actual Publisher replacements?

If you need serious desktop publishing software:

  • Affinity Publisher is $70 one-time (no subscription). Closest thing to InDesign at a reasonable price, but there's a real learning curve.
  • Scribus is free and open source. It can open .pub files. The interface is clunky but it's capable.
  • Adobe InDesign is the industry standard, and priced like it ($23/month). Overkill for most church bulletins.

Most small nonprofits don't need these. But if you're doing complex print work (booklets, magazines, annual reports), Affinity Publisher is worth the learning investment.

The practical transition plan

Here's what I'd actually suggest:

1. Convert your old files now. Don't wait for the final weeks before October 13. If you skipped the section above, go drop a .pub file onto pubconvert.com and see how it works. Once you're convinced, batch convert the rest. 20 files at a time, PDF for archival, Word for anything you might edit later.

2. Identify your templates. Which Publisher files do you reuse regularly? Convert those to Word or IDML so you can keep editing them: Word opens in Office and Google Docs, IDML in InDesign and Affinity Publisher. If you'd rather stay on free desktop software, LibreOffice opens .pub files too.

3. Try Canva first. For most church and nonprofit uses, Canva does everything you need. It's free for nonprofits. Give it a month.

4. Fall back to Word/PowerPoint for simple stuff. If you're already in Microsoft 365, you have these. Use them for basic newsletters.

5. Consider Affinity Publisher or LibreOffice if you do complex print work. Affinity is a one-time $70. LibreOffice is free and can actually open your existing .pub files for editing.

The hard truth

Publisher was unique. Nothing else is as simple and capable at that price point.

The transition will take some adjustment. Templates you've used for years will need to be rebuilt. Volunteers will need to learn new software.

But it's doable. Churches and nonprofits have migrated software before. You'll get through this one too.

Start now. Don't wait for the deadline.

Got a folder of old bulletins and newsletters in .pub format? Drop one onto pubconvert.com right now and see how fast it converts. No signup, no install. If it works, come back and batch convert the rest, up to 20 files at a time. The preview is free; unlimited conversions are a one-time $49.