I understand that they focus on print media, but I need a program that works with online publications as well. The combination of the two makes it easy to learn new tools and quickly grasp some of the more difficult functions.Ĭompatible with Interactive Features: I was surprised that not all layout and design programs I tested had the option to add buttons, links, poll questions, and other interactive elements.

Here are some of the factors I looked at that helped guide me through the review process.Įase of Use: I like software with video tutorials and an active online community. They all have the tools I needed to replace Microsoft Publisher.

Try Adobe InDesign for Free! Quick Guide: The 3 Best Free Microsoft Publisher Alternatives in 2023 # What I Look for in a Free Publisher Alternative #Īfter testing over a dozen different programs, I narrowed my list of alternatives to the best five. Best of all, you can get it now free for 7 days, with no long-term committment – so you can create your layouts and evaluate the software. It’s a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud, making it compatible with the other Adobe design apps. It is an easy-to-use program with templates for personal and professional projects, excellent typography tools, and comprehensive editing tools. Therefore, I included some programs that have a free trial, provided you can export or publish your project before the trial ends.Īdobe InDesign was above the rest. Some of the common issues I found were that programs claimed to be free but all templates were locked behind a paywall, they slowed down my computer so much I couldn’t get any work done, and in some cases, my antivirus blocked the download. It didn’t take long to see that the truly free tools aren’t very good. I tested more than a dozen layout and design tools, searching for free alternatives that can easily handle complex layout, design, and publishing tasks.

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