PubStudio vs PubKeep
Two apps that open Publisher files, side by sideUpdated ~/pubstudio-vs-pubkeep
Short answer: PubStudio opens, edits and prints your .pub files free, for good. PubKeep has no free plan, so after its 7-day trial you need a $149 license. With PubStudio you only pay if you want Pro's extras, from $10 for a month.
No Windows warningWe make PubStudio. Everything here about PubKeep comes from PubKeep's own website, checked November 1, 2026, with links to each page. Prices are in US dollars and can change, so check their site before you buy.
Side by side
| PubStudio | PubKeep | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, for good: open, edit, print and save any publication. Prints and PDFs carry a "Made with PubStudio" line. | No free plan |
| After the trial | Keep using PubStudio Free, or choose Pro | Buy a license to keep using it |
| Price for 1 PC | Free, or Pro at $10 a month or $99 a year | $149 one time, with 1 year of updates |
| In the browser | Free for anyone in Chrome or Edge, on Windows, Mac and Chromebook | A web version at app.pubkeep.com with a license |
| A whole folder of .pub files | Pro converts it on your own PC, with nothing uploaded | An online converter for uploaded files, with packs sold after the first 3 files |
Sources, checked November 1, 2026: pubkeep.com/desktop, pubkeep.com/volume and pubkeep.com and pubkeep.com/convert. For PubStudio: pricing and refunds.
Why people choose PubStudio
- A free plan that doesn't run out. Opening, editing, printing and saving PDFs are free for good, with no account. PubKeep has a 7-day trial, and then you need a license.
- Free in the browser. PubStudio online is free for anyone in Chrome or Edge, on a Mac, a Chromebook or a locked-down work PC.
- A small way to start. One month of Pro is $10, which is enough to convert an old archive or do one big mailing. Then you can go back to Free.
- Whole folders, on your own PC. Pro converts every .pub file in a folder to PDF or Word without uploading anything. PubKeep's online converter takes uploaded files and sells packs after the first 3 (pubkeep.com/convert).
Also in PubStudio
- New designs every month in Pro, on top of more than 100 templates. November's include an Advent Worship Bulletin and a Winter Concert Program.
- Next Issue (Pro) makes the next edition of a newsletter, bulletin or calendar, with the dates moved on and the issue number counted up.
- Mail merge (Pro) for letters, postcards and labels from Excel, CSV, Access or Outlook contacts.
- A Brand Kit and QR codes (Pro), and one Pro license works on its PC and online.
PubStudio is not connected with PubKeep or its makers. Also see PubStudio vs Korva and Publisher alternatives.