--- title: "Microsoft Publisher Software Pricing, Alternatives & More 2026 | Capterra" description: "With the help of Capterra, learn about Microsoft Publisher Software - reviews, pricing plans, popular comparisons to other Content Management products and more." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/233254/Microsoft-Publisher/" page_type: "product" language: "en" --- # Microsoft Publisher Software Review 2026: Features, Integrations, Pros & Cons Last updated on August 27, 2026 Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Description](#description)[Use cases](#use-cases)[Alternatives](#alternatives)[FAQs](#faqs)[Users](#users)[Features](#features)[Pricing](#pricing)[Integrations](#integrations)[Support](#support)[Reviews](#reviews) Microsoft Publisher ## What is Microsoft Publisher? Microsoft Publisher is a desktop publishing solution designed to help businesses generate layouts, manage content and add images. ## What is Microsoft Publisher used for? [Content Management](https://www.capterra.com/content-management-software/)[Document Management](https://www.capterra.com/document-management-software/) Top alternative Featured Overall rating Based on 242 user reviews Reviews sentiment Positive 89% Neutral 9% Negative 2% ### Starting price Free trial not available Capterra Shortlist charts the highest-rated and most popular products... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Do you work for Microsoft Publisher?[Manage this product listing](https://digitalmarkets.gartner.com/get-listed/claim-bx?url=https://www.microsoft.com/&name=Microsoft Publisher) Rating Breakdown 4.4 +− Features4.4 Value for Money4.4 Ease of Use4.4 Customer Service4.3 Rating Breakdown 4.4 Features4.4 Value for Money4.4 Ease of Use4.4 Customer Service4.3 ## Microsoft Publisher Reviewers Verdict Updated August 2026 AI summary - Microsoft Publisher suits small businesses, educators, and marketers needing quick, professional print materials without complex design tools. - Its main advantage is the wide variety of templates for flyers, cards, and newsletters that speed up content creation. - Teams benefit from fast document layout, easy updates, and dependable publishing for everyday marketing and internal needs. - Buyers report negative points such as limited collaboration, basic design options, and a lack of Mac support that may hinder broader use. - It fits best for straightforward print projects but may fall short for advanced design or cross-platform collaboration needs. ## Compare with a popular alternative Capterra selects software alternatives based on relevant features, verified user reviews and user interactions. Placement may be influenced by client status. ### Microsoft Publisher 4.4 (242) VS. [4.7 (9,478)](https://www.capterra.com/p/121506/Docusign/reviews/) Starting Price Contact vendor Starting Price $15 Flat Rate, Per Month Free Trial Free Version Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version Ease Of Use 4.4 (242) Ease Of Use 4.7 (29,108) Value For Money 4.4 (178) Value For Money 4.5 (20,663) Customer Service 4.3 (154) Customer Service 4.5 (18,694) ## Microsoft Publisher alternatives [4.4 (1,022)](https://www.capterra.com/p/123400/revver/reviews/) Starting price $25.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 88% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [4.7 (2,924)](https://www.capterra.com/p/158456/JotForm-4-0/reviews/) Starting price $39.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 96% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [4.6 (6,111)](https://www.capterra.com/p/147657/monday-com/reviews/) Starting price $9.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 94% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars Highest Rated [Google Docs](https://www.capterra.com/p/160756/Google-Docs/) [4.7 (29,185)](https://www.capterra.com/p/160756/Google-Docs/reviews/) Starting price $6.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 97% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/160756/Google-Docs/) [View all alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/233254/Microsoft-Publisher/alternatives/) ## FAQs about Microsoft Publisher Overview ### What problems does Microsoft Publisher solve? Microsoft Publisher solves the challenge of creating print-ready flyers, brochures, newsletters, cards, and other branded materials without advanced design skills or expensive desktop publishing software. Small businesses, schools, libraries, marketers, and administrative teams use it to speed up document layout, template reuse, precise formatting, and handoff to printers. Answer based on 133 reviews Overview ### Which roles and teams benefit most from Microsoft Publisher? Microsoft Publisher is most used by freelancers, small business owners, educators, and administrative teams that need to create polished print and digital materials quickly. Marketing and design-focused users build flyers, brochures, and newsletters, while managers and directors use it to support internal communications, event materials, and branded business documents. Answer based on 241 reviews Overview ### What company size and industries is Microsoft Publisher built for? Microsoft Publisher is built primarily for small businesses, which make up 72% of reviewers, and is used most in Education Management at 10%. It also serves enterprises at 17% and midsize businesses at 11%, with additional use in Computer Software and IT services, often for content management. Answer based on 241 reviews Features and Usability ### What are the key features of Microsoft Publisher? Microsoft Publisher includes core content publishing options, document management, document storage, and full text search, plus collaboration tools. Reviewers most often highlight template creation, an easy-to-learn interface, drag-and-drop document creation, and ready-made layouts for flyers, cards, brochures, newsletters, and other professional publications. Answer based on 85 reviews Integrations ### Which third-party tools and platforms does Microsoft Publisher integrate with? Microsoft Publisher integrates with Microsoft Word, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, OneDrive, Microsoft Outlook, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Canva. Reviewer feedback centers on document creation, file sharing, and Office workflow connections, with the strongest integration mentions tied to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft 365. Answer based on 74 reviews Getting Started and Support ### How easy is it to onboard and train a team on Microsoft Publisher? Microsoft Publisher is generally quick to onboard for basic users, especially teams already familiar with Microsoft Office. Beginners, students, and nontechnical staff often learn simple tasks fast using templates, wizards, documentation, and video tutorials, while users handling complex layouts or professional design work usually need more time and guided practice. Answer based on 54 reviews Features and Usability ### Is Microsoft Publisher good for creating templates and print materials? Microsoft Publisher works well for creating flyers, brochures, newsletters, cards, and other print materials with ready-made templates and easy customization. Small business teams, churches, and office users like the familiar Microsoft-style interface, though advanced designers may find layout options dated, sharing limited, and Mac compatibility a barrier. Answer based on 85 reviews Features and Usability ### How easy is Microsoft Publisher to learn and use? Microsoft Publisher feels easy to learn for people already familiar with Word, PowerPoint, and other Office apps. Small business users, teachers, and office staff often find basic design tasks straightforward, but some users say menus, settings, and less visible tools can feel cumbersome, especially for complex projects or non-Microsoft environments. Answer based on 57 reviews Features and Usability ### What features does Microsoft Publisher offer for design work? Microsoft Publisher offers practical desktop publishing features for brochures, newsletters, flyers, labels, and other marketing materials. Users value templates, drag-and-drop editing, layout guides, typography controls, and workspace flexibility, but many note weaker collaboration, fewer advanced design and media tools, larger file sizes, and limited compatibility outside Microsoft environments. Answer based on 38 reviews ## Who uses Microsoft Publisher? Based on Capterra reviews from the past 4 years Talk to a software expert to get a free software list tailored to your business needs ## Features AI summary Based on 7,227 Content Management reviews Capterra reviewers highlight these as the features buyers value most when comparing content management software: - **Secure Data Storage** (**59%** of reviewers rated this feature as critical) - **Website Management** (**57%**) - **Content Publishing Options** (**42%**) Microsoft Publisher includes **Content Publishing Options**, which supports creating and distributing branded materials. However, it does not offer **Secure Data Storage** or **Website Management**. Instead, it provides **Document Management** (**42%**), which can still help teams organize files and maintain control over business content. These features help businesses manage published materials more efficiently while giving teams a clearer way to store, access, and share documents. Content Publishing Options 4.5 (85) 64.71% of 85 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important It gives you flexible publishing choices, including templates, PDF export, and multiple file formats. Reviewers appreciate the variety of content types and publishing tools, noting it is easy to create, share, and print documents for different platforms and media. Document Management 4.6 (91) 64.84% of 91 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Microsoft Publisher offers you straightforward document management, letting you easily create, save, edit, and organize various document types. Users think it is simple to manage files, customize documents, and export or convert them as needed for different purposes. Full Text Search 4.6 (73) 69.86% of 73 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important With this capability, you can quickly locate and edit specific text within documents, which helps during proofreading and revisions. Reviewers indicate it is essential for making updates, especially when searching for misspelled words or content in different languages. Document Storage 4.6 (73) 68.49% of 73 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Store and organize documents in a centralized system Document Capture 4.4 (57) 66.67% of 57 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Scan, move or upload electronic files within the software's repository Microsoft Publisher 5 features ### All Features - Content Publishing Options: It gives you flexible publishing choices, including templates, PDF export, and multiple file formats. Reviewers appreciate the variety of content types and publishing tools, noting it is easy to create, share, and print documents for different platforms and media. - Document Capture: Scan, move or upload electronic files within the software's repository - Document Management: Microsoft Publisher offers you straightforward document management, letting you easily create, save, edit, and organize various document types. Users think it is simple to manage files, customize documents, and export or convert them as needed for different purposes. - Document Storage: Store and organize documents in a centralized system - Full Text Search: With this capability, you can quickly locate and edit specific text within documents, which helps during proofreading and revisions. Reviewers indicate it is essential for making updates, especially when searching for misspelled words or content in different languages. --- Get Advice We can help you find the software with the features you need. Features 4.4 (242) 4.4 Based on 242 reviews ## Pricing Value for money 4.4 (178) ### Starting price Free trial not available Value for money 4.4 (178) 4.4 Based on 178 reviews ## Integrations [ Microsoft PowerPoint](https://www.capterra.com/p/141633/PowerPoint/)[ Microsoft Word](https://www.capterra.com/p/227146/Microsoft-Word/) Connect with a Capterra advisor for a free 15-minute consultation Get a personalized software list aligned to your business needs with guidance from our expert advisors. Our team has helped 1 million+ businesses like yours find options that fit their needs. ## Support, customer service and training options Customer Service 4.3 (154) Support - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) - Chat Training - In Person - Live Online - Webinars - Documentation - Videos Deployment - Web - Android - iPhone/iPad Typical users - Freelancers - Small businesses - Mid size businesses - Enterprises Customer Service 4.3 (154) 4.3 Based on 154 reviews ## User reviews Overall rating 4.4 Based on 242 reviews Filter by rating 5(137) 4(78) 3(21) 2(5) 1(1) Mentioned topic Sorted by most recent Furkan A. Founder Design ### "The software that helped me discover my creativity" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 0.0 0.0 Likelihood to Recommend 9/10 September 8, 2026 My overall experience with Publisher is much more than just positive. It was an important part of my early creative journey and one of the applications that helped me learn how layouts, typography, images and printed materials could work together. Over the years, I always found it easy to return to because the interface was familiar and the tools were focused on getting things created rather than making the process unnecessarily complicated. For the amount of functionality it offered as part of the Microsoft ecosystem, I always considered the value very good. I rarely needed customer support because most of the tools were understandable on their own, and I did not experience many bugs that seriously interrupted my work. It may no longer be the most modern publishing application, but I will always have a lot of appreciation for it. Pros Microsoft Publisher has a special place for me because it was one of the first tools that really allowed me to express my creativity digitally, around 15 years ago. I created some of my earliest layouts and visual materials with it, and at the time it felt incredibly empowering. Even without professional design experience, I could experiment with text, images, page layouts and templates and actually turn an idea into something printable. The user interface was approachable, the features were practical, and for content creation like brochures, posters, cards and similar materials, it gave me a lot of freedom without a difficult learning curve. Cons Over time, the interface and some of the features started to feel dated compared with newer design platforms. Large or image-heavy projects could occasionally feel less smooth, and modern collaboration features were never really its strongest point. My biggest disappointment now is simply that Publisher is being discontinued. After using and appreciating it for so many years, I would much rather see it modernized than retired. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. Jake L. Global Marketing Manager Civil Engineering ### "Microsoft Publisher- Steady Entry Level Marketing Materials Production" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 3.0 3.0 Likelihood to Recommend 7/10 August 6, 2026 A really steady option in the microsoft suite for a range of marketing materials, easily adopted for small marketing teams Pros Really easy way to produce print materials in house (as a one-person marketing team). Allows custom creation of materials with very little skills training. The interface is quite intuitive and microsoft has resources to help navigate it successfully all built in! Cons Sadly it will be retired in October 2026 so we will have to look to transition to something else. With regards to the specific product, it doesn't work so well on for web-ready content or more advanced vectr image creation etc... but we don't really need it in the current setting. You may have to upgrade if you need something cutting edge. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. EH Eric H. Account manager II Human Resources ### "Great product " 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 July 31, 2026 It's been a great experience and being able to create these great visuals for my marketing campaigns have helped me close many deals. Pros I like being able to make stunning visuals to help with marketing products to my clients and closing deals. Cons The only thing I don't like is that Publisher is being discontinued at the end of this year and I don't have anything to replace it with. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. JK Jonathan K. Chief Marketing Officer Insurance ### "Easy-to-Use Desktop Publishing Software" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 3.0 3.0 Likelihood to Recommend 7/10 July 23, 2026 Overall, my experience with Microsoft Publisher has been very positive. It's an easy-to-use desktop publishing tool that works well for creating flyers, brochures, newsletters, business cards, and other marketing materials. The interface is familiar, especially if you already use other Microsoft Office apps, and the templates help save a lot of time. While it doesn't offer all the advanced features of professional design software, it provides great value and is more than capable for most everyday publishing projects. Pros What I liked most about Microsoft Publisher was how easy it is to create professional-looking documents without needing advanced graphic design skills. The built-in templates, drag-and-drop layout tools, and familiar Microsoft interface make it simple to design flyers, brochures, newsletters, and other marketing materials. It offers a good balance of features and ease of use, especially for small businesses and everyday publishing needs. Cons What I liked least about Microsoft Publisher was that it feels a little outdated compared to newer design software. While it handles basic publishing tasks well, it doesn't have as many advanced design features or collaboration tools as some modern alternatives. It can also slow down a bit when working with larger or more graphics-heavy projects. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. GA Georges Attino C. Journaliste International Multimedia Telecommunications ### "Simple Design for Communication" 3.0 Overall Rating 3.0 3.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 8/10 June 9, 2026 Pros Microsoft Publisher was particularly useful for creating communication materials such as brochures, posters, or flyers. It offered simple templates to use, which made page layout easier. Cons However, its features remain limited compared to more professional software for a professional activity. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. DC Daniel C. Benefits and Compliance Manager Hospital & Health Care ### "Publisher review" 3.0 Overall Rating 3.0 3.0 Ease of Use 2.0 2.0 Features 3.0 3.0 Customer Service 3.0 3.0 Likelihood to Recommend 5/10 May 2, 2026 The layout being similar to Microsoft products is a benefit, but otherwise I think Publisher does not set itself apart the way Word and PowerPoint does. Pros Microspft Publisher has a decent selection of templates that users can choose from in order to design promotional materials. Cons Convering files to PDFs from publisher is not as simple as it is to do so from Word and it hinders editing capabilities. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. FM Fiona M. Clinical Audit Officer Hospital & Health Care ### "Great software with many functions to create documents." 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 April 22, 2026 I have no complaints. I've been using the software for over 20 years and has always been easy to use. Pros It's easy to use to create documents such as posters, notices, newsletters etc. The features are great and user friendly. There is help options if you are unsure how to produce something and the templates are easy to adapt. I have no issues. Cons I believe I read that it was being discontinued which is a great shame. It's been around since I was at school so it's my go to software to use for most things. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. Ann B. Public Information Supervisor Health, Wellness and Fitness ### "Better Options Available--Especially Since Publisher is Being Discontinued" 3.0 Overall Rating 3.0 3.0 Ease of Use 3.0 3.0 Features 2.0 2.0 Customer Service 3.0 3.0 Likelihood to Recommend 1/10 March 26, 2026 It's a little frustrating that I will have to recreate forms I have used for decades because MS Publisher is being discontinued in October 2026. Pros I am familiar with the tools and capabilities of the program and many standard forms I use were created in Publisher. Cons At this point, I can easily do anything--and much, much more--I could do in Publisher in Canva for less cost. Alternatives considered [QuarkXPress](https://www.capterra.com/p/178598/QuarkXPress/) Reasons for choosing Microsoft Publisher Familiar with the product, Microsoft a reputable company. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. KS Kaitlyn S. Executive Director Non-Profit Organization Management ### "Simple to Use" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 3.0 3.0 Likelihood to Recommend 7/10 March 26, 2026 Overall, my experience has been positive. It’s a reliable, easy-to-use tool for creating flyers, newsletters, invitations, and other print materials quickly. While it lacks some modern design features and collaboration tools, it’s efficient for straightforward projects and works well for organizations that need clean, professional layouts without a steep learning curve. Pros I liked how easy it is to create polished flyers, newsletters, and event materials without advanced design skills. The drag-and-drop layout, built-in templates, and simple text/image formatting make it quick to produce professional-looking documents. It’s especially useful for small organizations because it’s straightforward, familiar to anyone using Microsoft Office tools, and great for print-ready layouts. Cons It feels outdated compared to newer design tools, with limited advanced layout and typography options. Collaboration is difficult since files don’t work as smoothly across teams, and compatibility can be an issue when sharing with people who don’t have the software. It’s also not ideal for digital-first design, and exporting for web or social media requires extra steps. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. Joshua O. Instructional Designer Facilities Services ### "Easy tool with limited customization " 3.0 Overall Rating 3.0 3.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 3.0 3.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 6/10 December 1, 2025 Easy to use and a great tool for pushing out quick job aids or reference guides or flyers in a pinch. Pros I like the easy of use. I think publisher makes it easy to create designs and to make modifications and changes to objects Cons It’s not the most versatile or creative. It’s very limited in what it can do with object placements and interactions Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. 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