If you produce your church bulletin or weekly newsletter in Microsoft Publisher, you already know the clock is ticking. Publisher is scheduled to retire in October 2026, which means it is time to plan your next move - before the deadline arrives. The good news is that several excellent alternatives exist, and some of them may already be sitting in tools you use every day.
This article walks through practical options at three budget levels: free, low-cost, and full-featured paid solutions.
Why Publisher is going away
Microsoft announced that Publisher will reach end of support in October 2026. After that date, the application will no longer receive security updates or technical support. While it may still run on your computer for some time, continuing to rely on it carries risk. More importantly, files created in Publisher do not translate cleanly into other formats, which can make sharing them by email or online frustrating for recipients who do not have Publisher installed.
The transition is actually an opportunity. Many of the tools available today are easier to use than Publisher, work on any device, and make it simple to both print and email your bulletin or newsletter from the same file.
What to look for in a replacement tool
Before choosing a tool, consider these key questions:
• Can I print a clean, formatted version for Sunday morning?
• Can I export or share it easily by email?
• Is it easy enough for volunteers or support staff to use?
• Does it work with what we already use, such as REALM or another church communication software?
• Are templates available so I am not starting from scratch?
Free options
Canva (free tier)
Canva (www.canva.com) is one of the most popular design tools for non-designers, and the free plan is genuinely useful for church communications work. It includes hundreds of templates for bulletins, newsletters, flyers, and announcements.
Strengths:
• Drag-and-drop interface that is easy to learn
• Exports to PDF for both print and email sharing
• Works in any web browser on any device
• Free templates that can be customized to match your church's branding
• Canva for Nonprofits offers eligible organizations a free upgrade to Canva Pro
Considerations:
• Some premium templates and assets require a paid upgrade; the free plan has occasional limitations on stock images and fonts
Microsoft Word or Google Docs
Do not overlook the tools you likely already have. Microsoft Word, included with Microsoft 365, and Google Docs (free at docs.google.com) can both handle bulletin and newsletter layouts using columns, text boxes, and tables. They are familiar, widely supported, and print cleanly.
Best for:
• Churches that prefer a familiar word-processing environment
• Simple text-heavy bulletins that do not require complex graphic layouts
• Sharing files across a team using Google Drive
Lucidpress / Marq (free tier)
Marq (formerly Lucidpress, at www.marq.com) is a browser-based layout tool with a free tier. It functions much like Publisher - you can create multi-column layouts, add images, and export to PDF for print or email.
• Closest in feel to Publisher for users comfortable with desktop publishing
• Nonprofit pricing discounts available
• Free plan has some document and export limitations
Low-cost options (under $20/month)
Canva Pro
Canva Pro (approximately $15/month or $120/year per person) unlocks a significantly expanded template library, the background remover, brand kit tools for consistent colors and fonts, and the ability to resize designs across formats instantly. For a church secretary producing bulletins, newsletters, and announcements on a regular schedule, the upgrade is often worth the cost.
Note: United Methodist churches and related ministries may qualify for Canva for Nonprofits, which provides Canva Pro features at no charge. Visit canva.com/canva-for-nonprofits to apply.
Microsoft 365 (if not already in use)
Microsoft 365 plans for nonprofits start at no charge for qualifying organizations through Microsoft's nonprofit program. Even the standard personal plan runs approximately $7/month. It includes Word, PowerPoint, and Publisher (through October 2026), plus OneDrive for file sharing.
Many churches that used Publisher are already in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, which means they may be one template away from continuing their current workflow in Word.
Adobe Express
Adobe Express (adobe.com/express) has a free tier and a premium plan around $9.99/month. It offers church-friendly templates for bulletins, flyers, and social media graphics, and exports cleanly to PDF. If your church also creates social content, it is a tool that covers multiple communication needs.
Full-featured options (no budget limit)
Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign is the professional standard for print layout and design. At approximately $22.99/month as a standalone app, it is the most powerful option on this list and can produce print-quality bulletins and newsletters. It has a steeper learning curve than the other tools mentioned here, but if your church has a communications volunteer or staff member with design experience, it is an excellent long-term investment.
Affinity Publisher 2
Affinity Publisher 2 (affinity.serif.com) is a one-time purchase at approximately $69.99 with no subscription required. It is a serious desktop publishing application with a layout style very similar to InDesign. For churches that want professional-quality output without a recurring monthly fee, this is an outstanding value.
Suggested next steps
• Try Canva's free tier first. Create a bulletin using one of their church or newsletter templates. Most users are productive within an hour.
• Check your nonprofit eligibility. Both Canva and Microsoft offer significant discounts or free plans for qualifying religious and nonprofit organizations.
• Export to PDF as your standard format. A PDF file prints cleanly, looks the same on every device, and can be shared by email or posted online without layout problems.
• Make the switch before October 2026. Give yourself time to learn the new tool, rebuild your templates, and train any volunteers who help with production.
References
Adobe Express for individuals and teams. https://www.adobe.com/express/
Adobe InDesign pricing. https://www.adobe.com/products/indesign.html
for nonprofits. https://www.canva.com/canva-for-nonprofits/
Canva Pro pricing. https://www.canva.com/pricing/
Google Docs. https://docs.google.com
Marq (formerly Lucidpress). https://www.marq.com
Microsoft 365 for nonprofits. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/nonprofit
Microsoft Publisher end of support. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/publisher
Affinity Publisher 2. https://affinity.serif.com/publisher/
With over 20 years of experience across various media outlets, Renee McNeill has guided brands in crafting and executing effective strategies for both internal marketing and public-facing campaigns. As a specialist in social media and e-marketing, Renee is passionate about empowering churches worldwide to enhance their communications and marketing efforts.Renee is the producer of the MyCom brand, and can be reached at [email protected].
This article was creating with assistance from AI - to learn more about how AI can assist your church, click here.