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Publisher is still a Windows-only desktop publishing software perfect for designing and publishing.
Microsoft has not introduced any Mac version, and hence, you will not find any official version of the software for macOS. But can you still use the Microsoft publisher for Mac?
Key Takeaways:
- Microsoft Publisher is not available for Mac and Microsoft currently has no plans to develop a Mac version.
- Good alternatives for Mac include Apple Pages, Adobe InDesign, Scribus, and Swift Publisher.
- Apple Pages is free and offers easy integration with Apple products.
- Adobe InDesign is the industry standard but expensive.
- Scribus is a free, open-source option suitable for complex layouts.
- Swift Publisher is an affordable, user-friendly choice with templates.
- For basic needs, Apple Pages or Scribus should suffice. Adobe InDesign is best for professional use.
Well, a lot of users have downloaded the software using Boot Camp or by installing Parallels desktop that can run any Windows software easily on Mac.
But this isn’t convenient and takes up huge resources. Rather, you can try out multiple alternatives for Microsoft Publisher that are equally good and highly compatible with Mac.
In this guide, we will be listing down some of the alternatives to download on Mac.
Microsoft Publisher for Mac – Possible?
Currently, Microsoft Publisher is only available for Windows users. You will not get any downloaded link or software from Microsoft for Mac just yet.
However, you can try out some of the best alternatives to Microsoft Publisher that are not only free to use but have everything you need to design and create documents.
If you are very keen on using Microsoft Publishers on your Mac, you can download it on your Boot Camp drive.
Best Microsoft Alternatives for Mac in 2024
Here is an extensive list of all the software that you can use on your Mac instead of Microsoft Publisher. Let’s look at this list in detail and learn more about each of these software.
1. Apple Pages
One of the best alternatives to Microsoft Publisher is Apple Pages. It is Apple’s answer for Microsoft Office and its tools. It is part of the iWork productivity suite, which also includes Numbers (for spreadsheets) and Keynote (for presentations). Pages is designed primarily for macOS but is also available as a mobile app for iOS devices.
Features:
- User Friendly: The Pages app is highly intuitive and has a clean interface, making it easy for beginners to start and learn along the way.
- Real-time Collaboration: If you have iCloud enabled on all your Apple devices, you can sync the progress and projects across the devices.
- Compatibility: Pages supports the import and export of Microsoft Word documents, making it easy to work with users who use Word as their primary word processing software.
- Templates: You can access hundreds of pre-designed templates for documents such as letters, reports, resumes, brochures, and more. You can even create your own template if and when needed.
Pros
- Free for Mac and iOS Users
- Seamless integration with other Apple products and iCloud
- Cross-platform compatibility with Microsoft Word.
- User-friendly and easy to learn.
Cons
- It may not have as many advanced features as some professional desktop publishing software.
2. Adobe InDesign
Another one of my favorite and highly powerful software is Adobe InDesign. It is a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, making it an industry-standard tool for graphic designers, publishers, and marketing professionals.
Whether it’s designing a magazine, creating a book, or preparing materials for print and digital distribution, InDesign has consistently proven itself to be a versatile and powerful tool for years now.
Features
- Layout Flexibility: The Page Layout flexibility is a major feature of InDesign. From setting up grids and guides for precise alignment to creating complex multi-column layouts, this software does it all.
- Precision Typography: InDesign provides advanced typographic controls, including support for OpenType fonts, kerning, tracking, and character styles. You will need all of these to create stunning and professional-looking documents.
- Integration with Adobe CC: Adobe InDesign is part of Adobe Suite and works seamlessly with other software, such as Photoshop and Illustrator, making this an exceptional combination.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: It is available for both macOS and Windows users, enabling cross-platform collaboration.
Pros
- Industry-standard software for professional desktop publishing.
- Strong pre-press and printing features.
- You can create interactive documents such as PDFs and e-books
- Offers precise image manipulation and integration
Cons
- It can be expensive in the long run
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
3. Scribus
If you are looking for free software with an extensive array of features compared to Microsoft Publisher, Scribus is what you need. I’ve been using Scribus for several years, and it has consistently proven to be a versatile and capable tool for creating a wide range of publications.
Features
- Free and Open Source: This is open-source software, i.e., it is free to use and can be freely distributed. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals and organizations looking to reduce software costs.
- Versatile Page Layout: Scribus has a massive list of page layout tools that allow you to create magazines, brochures, flyers, and more.
- Interactive PDFs: Similar to InDesign, you can also create interactive documents using Scribus with hyperlinks and multimedia elements, making it suitable for digital publications.
- Compatibility: This software is compatible with multiple operating systems, including macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Pros
- Free to use
- Suitable for complex layouts and professional projects.
- Highly compatible across all operating systems
- Supports extensive Export options.
Cons
- Not the best for Graphic Designing or Illustration
- User Interface requires a learning curve for new users
4. Swift Publisher
You will love Swift Publisher and everything it has to offer. There are 100’s of templates and layouts available for you to create masterpieces. It is a user-friendly desktop publishing application that I’ve relied on as a cost-effective alternative to Microsoft Publisher.
Swift Publisher has consistently proven to be handy whether you are looking for eye-catching flyers for an event, designing brochures for a small business, or producing newsletters for a community group.
Features
- User Interface: The User Interface is straightforward and doesn’t overwhelm, making it ideal for users who want to dive into their projects without a steep learning curve.
- Template Library: Swift Publisher has a vast collection of templates that is available for everyone. It covers a broad range of document types, from event posters to restaurant menus.
- Affordable: This software is budget-friendly, making it an ideal option for all Mac users. Whether you are an individual or a small business, it will not put a hole in your pockets.
- Image Editing: You can excel in image editing using this software. You can crop, resize, and adjust images right within the application. It’s not Photoshop, but it’s more than sufficient for typical desktop publishing tasks.
Pros
- Affordable and budget-friendly
- Includes a variety of templates and design tools.
- Perfect for creating brochures, flyers, and newsletters.
- Exceptionally User-Friendly
Cons
- Limited Advanced Features
Why is Microsoft Publisher not available for Mac?
Microsoft has still not introduced the Microsoft Publisher version for Mac. The reason behind this is that developing a codebase for Mac requires a whole process and time, and the tech giant is currently not looking to invest money into this since there isn’t a huge market for the same.
Multiple Mac users have already been using pre-installed software and may not look to Publisher anytime soon. Hence, we can only wait and hope for this software to be available soon.
Conclusion
Which alternative did you choose? All of these are my personal favorites that I have used all my life. To make it easy for you to choose, we have kept the list short and comprehensive.
Start with free software and make the best use of it before you can switch to a paid app such as InDesign app, as they have a steeping curve and make it difficult for beginners to learn.
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