TL;DR: You can open .pub files without Publisher using (1) PubViewer — free online, (2) LibreOffice Draw — free desktop app, (3) Google Drive — free with Google account, (4) CloudConvert/Zamzar — online converters, or (5) ask for a PDF export. Publisher is being retired in 2026, so these alternatives will only become more important.

Method 1: Use PubViewer (Free, No Installation)

The quickest way to open a PUB file is with our free online tool, PubViewer. It runs entirely on our server using LibreOffice Draw — the same engine used by major conversion services — so you don't need to install anything.

Steps:

  1. Open PubViewer in your browser
  2. Drag and drop your .pub file onto the upload zone (or click Browse Files)
  3. Click "View PUB File"
  4. Your file is converted to PDF instantly — view, zoom, and download or print

Best for: Quick one-off conversions, no software to install, works on any device (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android). Files are auto-deleted within 2 minutes for privacy.

Try it now → PubViewer — Free Online PUB to PDF Converter

Method 2: LibreOffice Draw (Free Desktop App)

LibreOffice Draw is a free, open-source vector graphics editor that can open and edit PUB files. It's available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Steps:

  1. Download and install LibreOffice (free)
  2. Open LibreOffice Draw
  3. Go to File → Open, select your .pub file
  4. View, edit, or export as PDF (File → Export As → Export as PDF)

Best for: Users who need to open PUB files regularly, want to edit the content, or prefer a desktop application. LibreOffice also supports saving back to PUB format.

Method 3: Google Drive (Free with Google Account)

If you have a Google account, Google Drive can convert PUB files to its native format for viewing right in your browser.

Steps:

  1. Upload your .pub file to Google Drive
  2. Right-click the file and select "Open with" → "Google Docs"
  3. Google will convert the PUB file to a Google Doc for viewing
  4. You can then download as PDF, DOCX, or other formats

Best for: Users who already use Google Workspace. Note that complex layouts with shapes and embedded graphics may not render perfectly.

Note: Google Drive's PUB conversion quality varies. Simple text-based publications work well, but files with complex layouts, custom fonts, or WMF graphics may lose formatting. For maximum fidelity, use PubViewer or LibreOffice Draw.

Method 4: Online Conversion Services

Services like CloudConvert and Zamzar can convert PUB files to PDF, SVG, or other formats. These are useful if you need the file in a specific output format.

CloudConvert:

  1. Visit cloudconvert.com/pub-to-pdf
  2. Upload your .pub file
  3. Select output format (PDF, SVG, etc.)
  4. Click Convert, then download the result

Best for: One-off conversions where you don't mind uploading to a third-party server. Note that free tiers have file size limits and conversion queues.

Method 5: Ask for a PDF Export

If the sender still has access to Microsoft Publisher, the simplest solution is to ask them to export the file as PDF before sending it.

In Publisher, go to File → Export → Create PDF/XPS Document. This preserves all formatting, fonts (as PDF can embed them), and layout. PDF is universally readable on any device without special software.

Best for: Preventing the issue in the first place. If you regularly receive PUB files from the same source, asking them to send PDFs instead saves everyone time.

Quick comparison: Which method is right for you? PubViewer is the fastest (no installation, instant conversion). LibreOffice is best for regular use. Google Drive works if you're already in Google's ecosystem. Online converters excel at format-specific output. And asking for PDF is often the simplest long-term solution.