By Shelby Putnam Tupper
Publication Date: 2026-10-01 12:40:00
Long live Publisher. Microsoft is officially winding down support for the Windows graphic design app that’s been a staple for the last 35 years. Beloved for its simplicity and effectiveness, it was always up to the task of creating brochures, documents, flyers, newsletters, and simple ads.
Here’s what’s happening:
If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you will lose access on Oct. 1. You will no longer be able to open or edit your Publisher files using Microsoft Publisher.
If you have a non-subscription version of the app, such as Publisher 2021, you can technically still use it after support ends on Oct. 13, but without the prospect of any future security updates.
As such, now is the time to find an alternative. I’ve worked with many graphic design apps professionally over the years, and the ones I pick out below are the best alternatives to Publisher. Whether you want an app that’s just as simple or one that introduces more advanced creative tools, you…
