PubRescue
The whole archive in one ZIP
Drop a folder or ZIP of up to 5000 files. One ZIP comes back, folders kept, every file as PDF and Word.
Convert Publisher files to PDF and Word, the whole archive at once, in bulk
Turn .pub files into PDFs and editable Word documents, one file or thousands in a single upload, without Publisher installed.
Convert your .pub files
Drop .pub files, a folder or a ZIP here
PDF + editable Word · No signup · First 3 files free
Up to 500 MB and 5000 files per upload · Free uploads deleted after 24 h, paid after 7 days · Previews of every page are free
Word files (.docx) open in Word 2010 and newer, LibreOffice and Google Docs. Each page keeps the original look as a background image with the text in editable text boxes on top, so you can change the text and keep the design. Click a thumbnail to see every page.
- Files are deleted automatically (24 h free, 7 days paid)
- Money back within 14 days if the paid conversion doesn't work for you
- Made for archives of hundreds of files, not one flyer at a time
Same file, three results
Most free online converters open .pub files with a generic importer: text runs over pictures, captions pile up, lines spill out of their boxes. PubRescue lays the text out again the way Publisher does. Below is the same page of a Publisher brochure template.
Text overlaps the picture and the caption is printed on top of the paragraph
Text wraps around the picture, caption in place, same line breaks as Publisher
Publisher's own PDF, for reference
Certificate template: free converter · PubRescue · Publisher. On our test set of 7 Publisher files, PubRescue puts 94% of words within 1 mm of where Publisher prints them; a typical free converter, 18%.
Why PubRescue
Editable Word that looks like the original
Each page keeps its look; the text sits in editable text boxes on top. Opens in Word 2010 and newer.
Pay once, no subscription
From $9 to $99, nothing renews. Previews and the first 3 files are free, so you pay after you've seen the result.
Built for Publisher only
Linked text boxes, wrap around pictures, metric-compatible fonts: text is re-typeset like Publisher does, so the result is very close to the original.
PubRescue vs other converters
| Feature | PubRescue | Zamzar | Generic free converters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk upload (ZIP or folders) | Yes, up to 5000 files in one upload | Files are uploaded individually (a paid plan allows several at a time) | Varies, often one at a time |
| Keeps folder structure | Yes, one ZIP back with your folders | Not documented | Varies |
| Editable Word (DOCX) | Yes, re-typeset like Publisher does | PUB to DOC (older Word format) is offered | Varies |
| Pricing | One-time, from $9, no subscription | Subscription, from $12 per month | Varies |
| Free tier | Previews of all files; first 3 PDFs and 1 Word file per upload; 500 MB per upload | 2 files per day, 3 MB per file | Varies |
Zamzar figures are taken from zamzar.com and may change; check their site for current terms. "Generic free converters" vary too much to summarize. We only list what is factual.
How it works
- Upload .pub files, a whole folder, or a ZIP of your archive. We find every Publisher file inside, including in subfolders.
- Check the free preview of every file. Files that need a closer look are marked, so you know what to check before paying.
- Download the first 3 PDFs and 1 Word file free, or pay once and get everything as one ZIP with PDF and DOCX side by side.
Who it's for
Churches and parishes
Every weekly bulletin since the office got Publisher, converted in one go and still readable for the next secretary.
Schools and PTAs
Newsletters, certificates and event flyers: keep the archive as PDF and reuse this year's designs in Word.
Clubs and nonprofits
Flyers, programs and membership forms made by volunteers over the years, rescued before nobody can open them.
Small businesses and print shops
Menus, brochures and price lists that customers still send as .pub: convert them without hunting for a Publisher license.
Pricing
Upload first, pay only if you like the result. We suggest the plan that fits your file count after the upload. Full pricing details.
Free
$0
- Previews of every page of every file
- First 3 PDFs and 1 Word file per upload
- No signup, no card
Starter
$9 one time
- Up to 20 files in one upload
- PDF and editable Word (DOCX)
- One ZIP, folder structure kept
- Results stay downloadable for 7 days
Most popular
Archive
$29 one time
- Up to 500 files in one ZIP
- PDF and editable Word (DOCX)
- Folder structure kept
- Results re-downloadable for 7 days
Organization
$99 one time
- Up to 5000 files per upload
- PDF and editable Word (DOCX)
- Priority in the conversion queue
- 30-day pass code for several uploads
- Download link stays 7 days
- Receipt/invoice with company details (issued by Lemon Squeezy)
One-time payments, no subscription, nothing renews. The plan is applied to the upload you choose it for; Organization also gives you a 30-day pass code for more uploads. Payments and receipts are handled by Lemon Squeezy, our merchant of record, which also charges and remits sales tax and VAT. Not happy? See the refund policy: if the paid conversion doesn't work for you, write to us within 14 days and we refund you.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to my files?
They are used only to produce your PDFs and Word files. Each upload lives at a random link that only you know. Free uploads are deleted automatically 24 hours after upload; paid uploads stay downloadable for 7 days and are then deleted. We never keep your originals unless you tick the optional "Keep my files" box. See the privacy policy.
Which Publisher versions are supported?
Files saved by Publisher 98, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and Microsoft 365. Files from Publisher 2002 and later are read with our own reader; older 98/2000 files go through a generic importer and are marked "reduced accuracy" in the results so you know to check them.
What about fonts?
Publisher documents usually use fonts that came with Microsoft Office. We don't have those fonts, so we use metric-compatible replacements: letters look slightly different, but they have the same widths, so lines break in the same places and columns stay the same length. The PDF embeds the replacement fonts; the Word file names them, so if you have the original fonts installed, Word uses them.
How faithful is the Word output?
Each page keeps the exact look as a background picture, and the text sits on top in editable text boxes at the original positions, with the original font sizes and styles. You can edit any text and keep the layout. It is not a reflowable Word document: stories don't flow from one column to the next inside Word, and pictures are part of the page background rather than separate objects. Word 2010 or newer is required; LibreOffice and Google Docs also open it.
Does it work on a Mac, Chromebook or phone?
Yes. Everything runs on our servers; you only need a browser. Publisher never existed for Mac, so this is also the simplest way to open .pub files on one.
Can I get a refund?
Yes. Previews and the first 3 files are free so you can check the quality first. If a paid conversion still doesn't work for you (most files fail or are unusable), email us within 14 days with your order number and we refund the full amount. Details in the refund policy.
I have thousands of files. How do I upload them?
Zip the folder (or drag the folder itself) and upload it. One upload can hold up to 5000 files and 500 MB; for more, split the archive by year. Folder structure is kept inside the ZIP you download. The Organization plan adds a 30-day pass code so several uploads are covered by one payment, and its uploads are converted first.
Is this GDPR-compliant? Where are the files processed?
Files are processed only to deliver the conversion you asked for and are deleted automatically on the schedule above. We don't sell or share them and we don't use them to train anything unless you explicitly opt in. The server location and your rights are described in the privacy policy. Payments go through Lemon Squeezy, which acts as merchant of record and handles VAT.
Can I convert just one file for free?
Yes. Upload it, check the preview and download the PDF and the Word file: the first 3 PDFs and the first Word file of every upload are free, no signup.
Is PubRescue a Microsoft product?
No. PubRescue is an independent service and is not affiliated with Microsoft. Microsoft retired Publisher in October 2026; we exist so your .pub files don't retire with it.