PressLishMicrosoft Publisher alternatives compared: PressLish, Canva, Word, LibreOffice, Affinity
If you have existing .pub files, the main question is whether an alternative can open and edit them. PressLish opens and edits .pub files and works like Publisher. LibreOffice Draw opens them but layouts often shift. Canva, Word and Affinity cannot open .pub files, so publications must be rebuilt or converted through PDF.
Free for 9 days, no card needed. Windows 10 and 11; Mac version coming soon.
| Opens .pub | Edit the Publisher way | Mail merge | Offline | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PressLish | Yes | Yes | Yes, including catalogue merge and picture fields | Yes | $60 once |
| Keep Publisher 2016–2021 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No longer sold; no updates after Oct 2026 |
| LibreOffice Draw | Yes, layouts often shift | Partly | No | Yes | Free |
| Microsoft Word | No (via PDF, layout may change) | No | Yes | Yes | Microsoft 365 subscription |
| Canva | No | Partly, rebuild by hand | Bulk create | No, web | Free and paid plans |
| Affinity | No | Yes, professional tool | Yes (data merge) | Yes | Free with a Canva account |
Based on each product's public information in October 2026. Corrections welcome at presslish-help@enricx.com.
Which to choose
- You have years of .pub files you still edit: PressLish, or Publisher 2021 on the computer where it is installed.
- You only need to read old files: export them to PDF (PressLish does this in bulk).
- You are starting fresh online with a team: Canva.
- You are a design professional: Affinity.
Questions
Which Publisher alternative can open .pub files?
PressLish opens and edits .pub files. LibreOffice Draw can open many of them, but layouts often shift. Canva, Word and Affinity cannot open .pub files.
Can Canva open Publisher files?
No. Canva cannot import .pub files; publications have to be rebuilt in Canva or brought in as PDF or pictures.
Is LibreOffice a good Publisher replacement?
LibreOffice Draw is free and opens many .pub files, but pages often look different and it works quite differently from Publisher.
Free for 9 days, no card needed. Windows 10 and 11; Mac version coming soon.
More guides
- How to open a .pub file without Microsoft Publisher
- Microsoft Publisher is retiring in October 2026: what to do with your files
- A Microsoft Publisher alternative that opens your .pub files
- Convert a Publisher (.pub) file to PDF, Word or pictures
- Mail merge and labels without Microsoft Publisher
- PressLish for churches: keep your bulletins and newsletters after Publisher
- PressLish for schools: newsletters, certificates and notices after Publisher
- PressLish for clubs, community groups and families