Should You Switch From Publisher to LibreOffice?
Short answer: if you want a free, offline replacement that can actually open your old .pub files, LibreOffice is the closest thing to a direct swap — though it takes two of its apps to do what Publisher did in one.
LibreOffice is the closest thing to a direct Publisher swap
It can actually open your .pub files
LibreOffice Draw uses an open-source library built specifically to read Publisher files — no PDF export step required, though it's worth testing a complex layout first.
It's free, permanently, for everyone
No free tier limits, no Pro upsell. LibreOffice is open-source and stays free no matter how you use it.
It splits across two apps, not one
Draw handles layout and design, Writer handles mail merge. Publisher did both jobs in a single program.
The interface will feel older than Canva's
LibreOffice looks and works more like traditional desktop software — closer to classic Office than a modern web app.
LibreOffice vs. Microsoft Publisher at a glance
| Feature | Microsoft Publisher | LibreOffice |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Included with Microsoft 365 (until Oct 1, 2026) | Free, always — no paid tier at all |
| Opens your old .pub files | Yes — it's native | Yes, via Draw — test complex layouts first |
| Mail merge | Yes | Yes, in Writer (labels, letters, envelopes) |
| Works offline | Yes | Yes — fully offline desktop app |
| Learning curve | Familiar if you already know Office | Moderate — familiar layout, split across 2 apps |
| Best for | Precise print layouts, mail merge | Reopening old .pub files, free mail merge, offline work |
| Templates | Built-in, dated style | Smaller built-in library than Canva |
| Team collaboration | File-sharing only | File-sharing only — no real-time co-editing |
What you gain and give up by switching to LibreOffice
What you'll like about LibreOffice
- Genuinely free forever — no company can put it behind a paywall
- Opens your old .pub files directly, without a PDF export step
- Full mail merge in Writer — letters, labels, and envelopes
- Fully offline — no internet connection required to work
- Open-source, so it can't be discontinued out from under you
Where you'll notice the trade-offs
- Complex Publisher layouts or unusual fonts may not transfer perfectly into Draw
- The interface feels more dated next to Canva's modern editor
- Layout and mail merge live in two separate apps, not one
- Smaller, older template library than Canva
- No real-time collaboration for teams editing together
The right call, by situation
You have old bulletins or newsletters to keep editing
LibreOffice Draw opens .pub files directly, so your existing archive doesn't need to be rebuilt from scratch.
See the Bulletin GuideYou send personalized mailings
Pledge letters, member mailings, and mailing labels all run through Writer's mail merge, free of charge.
See the Newsletter GuideYou want the easiest fresh start for new documents
If you're not attached to your old files and just want the fastest, friendliest editor, Canva's modern interface will feel easier day one.
Compare CanvaYou want zero cost, forever, with no account required
No sign-up, no subscription, no upsell — just download it and it's yours to keep using.
See the Retirement KitLibreOffice and Publisher questions people actually ask
Can LibreOffice actually open my Publisher (.pub) files?
Yes — through LibreOffice Draw, using an open-source library built specifically to read the Publisher format. It's a real advantage over Canva, which can't open .pub files at all.
Complex layouts, unusual fonts, or heavy design elements may not transfer perfectly, so open one representative file first and check it over before converting your whole archive.
Is LibreOffice really free, or is there a catch?
It's genuinely free, forever. LibreOffice is open-source, with no company selling a paid tier and no feature locked behind a paywall.
Does LibreOffice do mail merge like Publisher does?
Yes — LibreOffice Writer includes a full mail merge wizard for form letters, mailing labels, and envelopes. The one difference from Publisher: your layout work happens in Draw, while the merge itself happens in Writer, so a mail-merge project touches two apps instead of one.
Can I save my LibreOffice file back to .pub format?
No — LibreOffice can open a .pub file but can't save back to that format. Save a final copy as PDF, or keep working in ODT/ODG (LibreOffice's own format) for anything you'll continue editing.
Is LibreOffice harder to learn than Canva?
For most people, a little, yes — its interface is closer to classic desktop Office than a modern drag-and-drop web app. It's the better fit when a free, offline, one-time transition matters most; Canva is usually faster to pick up if ease-of-use is the priority.
Still deciding between LibreOffice and Canva?
The Publisher Retirement Kit walks through the decision for your specific files and project types — no guessing required.
Get the Retirement Kit