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# Microsoft Publisher vs The Print Shop Comparison - What are their main differences?

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Microsoft PublisherThe Print Shop[+ Add Product](#)

Pricing

**Microsoft Publisher**
No pricing available

**The Print Shop**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Perceived Cost

**Microsoft Publisher**
$$$$$

**The Print Shop**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**Microsoft Publisher**
7%

**The Print Shop**
Not enough reviews yet

Uncover valuable pricing insights from real user feedback to improve your shopping experience.
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Time to Implement

**Microsoft Publisher** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**The Print Shop** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

Return on Investment

**Microsoft Publisher** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**The Print Shop** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Pros & Cons**
from reviews

**Microsoft Publisher**

Ease of Use (4)

Layout Design (3)

Design Limitations (1)

Export Issues (1)

**The Print Shop**
Not enough data

Integrations

**Microsoft Publisher**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_033aa224b72b00b72e8860e4e6401efc/microsoft-excel.png "Product Avatar Image")

Microsoft Excel

](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-excel/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_c989113cd8c8cb88da7510f7c1edba01/microsoft-powerpoint.png "Product Avatar Image")

Microsoft PowerPoint

](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-powerpoint/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-publisher/integrations)

**The Print Shop**
Not enough data

**Ratings**
from reviews

Meets Requirements

**Microsoft Publisher**

**8.7** /10

Based on 900 responses

**The Print Shop**

**8.3** /10

Based on 20 responses

Ease of Use

**Microsoft Publisher**

**8.8** /10

Based on 909 responses

**The Print Shop**

**8.9** /10

Based on 21 responses

Ease of Setup

**Microsoft Publisher**

**9.1** /10

Based on 95 responses

**The Print Shop**

**8.8** /10

Based on 7 responses

Ease of Admin

**Microsoft Publisher**

**9.0** /10

Based on 75 responses

**The Print Shop**

**9.3** /10

Based on 7 responses

Quality of Support

**Microsoft Publisher**

**8.4** /10

Based on 645 responses

**The Print Shop**

**7.4** /10

Based on 16 responses

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**Microsoft Publisher**

**8.5** /10

Based on 61 responses

**The Print Shop**

**8.3** /10

Based on 8 responses

Product Direction (% positive)

**Microsoft Publisher**

**7.2** /10

Based on 891 responses

**The Print Shop**

**7.1** /10

Based on 20 responses

**Features**
ratings from reviews

Desktop Publishing

**8.4** /10

Based on 93 responses

Not enough data

User Insights

**Reviewers' Company Size**

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
47.6%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
26.1%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
26.4%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
47.6%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
26.1%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
26.4%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
40.7%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
44.4%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
14.8%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
40.7%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
44.4%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
14.8%

**Reviewers' Industry**

[![Microsoft Publisher](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487566696/microsoft-publisher.svg "Microsoft Publisher")](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-publisher/reviews)
Microsoft Publisher

Higher Education
9.2%

Non-Profit Organization Management
6.4%

Education Management
5.6%

Information Technology and Services
3.5%

Religious Institutions
3.3%

Other
72.1%

[![The Print Shop](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_b8879979dd8bcde705155ea6e704c95e/the-print-shop.gif "The Print Shop")](https://www.g2.com/products/the-print-shop/reviews)
The Print Shop

Entertainment
11.1%

Higher Education
11.1%

Marketing and Advertising
7.4%

Information Technology and Services
7.4%

Graphic Design
7.4%

Other
55.6%

Alternatives

**Microsoft Publisher Alternatives**

 ![Canva](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/020885d89318f0483f6222194b3ee8ff/canva.svg "Canva")

[
Canva
](/products/canva/reviews)

 ![Adobe InDesign](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/3d7c53016c4b03a215effcee925d9426/adobe-indesign.svg "Adobe InDesign")

[
Adobe InDesign
](/products/adobe-indesign/reviews)

 ![QuarkXPress](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/e9d03741af0835f41772cea348da7ec8/quarkxpress.svg "QuarkXPress")

[
Quark
](/products/quarkxpress/reviews)

 ![Marq](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/abb487ca5af273cbfa07ec0f39becb35/charles-thayne-capital-marq.svg "Marq")

[
Marq
](/products/charles-thayne-capital-marq/reviews)

**The Print Shop Alternatives**

 ![Adobe InDesign](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/3d7c53016c4b03a215effcee925d9426/adobe-indesign.svg "Adobe InDesign")

[
Adobe InDesign
](/products/adobe-indesign/reviews)

 ![Print Artist Gold Edition](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_5ee6974f244cadbdc4c68b2673134c16/print-artist-gold-edition.png "Print Artist Gold Edition")

[
Print Artist Gold Edition
](/products/print-artist-gold-edition/reviews)

 ![Canva](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/020885d89318f0483f6222194b3ee8ff/canva.svg "Canva")

[
Canva
](/products/canva/reviews)

 ![iStudio Publisher](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_ae39b935ea0b3f28af97ceb9f3f674fc/istudio-publisher.png "iStudio Publisher")

[
iStudio Publisher
](/products/istudio-publisher/reviews)

## Microsoft Publisher vs The Print Shop FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between Microsoft Publisher vs The Print Shop?

Microsoft Publisher stands out for its higher G2 rating, broader review base, and stronger support scores compared to The Print Shop.

| [Microsoft Publisher](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-publisher/reviews) | [The Print Shop](https://www.g2.com/products/the-print-shop/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.3/5 (1008 reviews) | 3.9/5 (28 reviews) |
| Small-Business | Mid-Market |
| 9.1 | 8.8 |
| 8.4 | 7.4 |
| Ease of Use (4 all-time mentions) | — |

### How do the pricing models of Microsoft Publisher and The Print Shop compare?

Microsoft Publisher is rated as the stronger value on price and cost satisfaction compared to The Print Shop.

- **Microsoft Publisher:** Reviewers highlight its affordability and value, especially as part of the Microsoft Office suite, with several noting cost savings for small projects and internal publishing.
- **The Print Shop:** Reviewers describe it as expensive for its feature set, with some noting that it is worth the money for creative options but wishing for lower prices on newer versions.
- **Switching reasons:** Recent reviewers mention moving to Microsoft Publisher for its lower cost and integration with other Microsoft products.

### What are the best alternatives to Microsoft Publisher and The Print Shop?

The top three alternatives to Microsoft Publisher and The Print Shop are Canva, Adobe InDesign, and Quark.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Microsoft Publisher](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-publisher/reviews) | 4.3/5 (1008 reviews) | Small-Business | Affordable as part of Office suite | Ease of Use (4 all-time mentions) |
| [The Print Shop](https://www.g2.com/products/the-print-shop/reviews) | 3.9/5 (28 reviews) | Mid-Market | Expensive for feature set | Creative options, easy to use |
| [Canva](https://www.g2.com/products/canva/reviews) | 4.7/5 (7657 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Extensive templates and intuitive design |
| [Adobe InDesign](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-indesign/reviews) | 4.6/5 (3439 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Professional-grade publishing features |
| [Quark](https://www.g2.com/products/quarkxpress/reviews) | 4.0/5 (304 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Advanced layout and publishing tools |

### Which Desktop Publishing features should I prioritize when comparing Microsoft Publisher and The Print Shop?

Buyers should prioritize ease of use, layout design, template variety, integration capabilities, and support quality when comparing Microsoft Publisher and The Print Shop.

- **Ease of Use:** Microsoft Publisher (8.8), The Print Shop (8.9); Publisher has 4 all-time mentions for ease of use.
- **Layout Design:** Microsoft Publisher has 3 all-time mentions for layout design; The Print Shop is frequently praised for creative options and templates in recent reviews.
- **Template Variety:** Microsoft Publisher is noted for built-in templates; The Print Shop is highlighted for its large selection of templates and creative options.
- **Integration Capabilities:** Microsoft Publisher is cited for integration with other Microsoft products; The Print Shop has no recent integration mentions.
- **Support Quality:** Microsoft Publisher (8.4), The Print Shop (7.4); reviewers note Publisher's support as a differentiator.

### What are the pros and cons of Microsoft Publisher vs The Print Shop?

Microsoft Publisher's headline strength is ease of use and integration with Microsoft products, while The Print Shop is praised for creative templates and simplicity.

- **Microsoft Publisher strengths:** Ease of use (4 all-time mentions), layout design (3 all-time mentions), intuitive interface (2 all-time mentions), strong integration with Microsoft Office, and cost savings for small projects.
- **Microsoft Publisher trade-offs:** Limited advanced features (1 all-time mention), dated interface, restrictive file compatibility, and lack of modern collaboration tools.
- **The Print Shop strengths:** Creative options, large template selection, easy for beginners, and praised for making professional-looking cards and flyers quickly.
- **The Print Shop trade-offs:** Expensive for its feature set, limited advanced design tools, and less awareness among users.

### Is Microsoft Publisher or The Print Shop better for small businesses?

Microsoft Publisher is the better fit for small businesses, supported by its largest segment and positive small-business reviewer sentiment.

- **Microsoft Publisher:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers consistently highlight its affordability, ease of use, and value for small-scale publishing needs.
- **The Print Shop:** Largest segment is Mid-Market; reviewers note its creative options but mention higher costs and limited advanced features for small business needs.

### Which Desktop Publishing platform has better integrations?

Microsoft Publisher and The Print Shop are at parity for integrations, with reviewers only citing Microsoft Publisher's integration with other Microsoft products.

- **Microsoft Publisher:** Reviewers mention integration with Microsoft Office, Excel, and SharePoint in recent reviews.
- **The Print Shop:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations.

### How do Microsoft Publisher and The Print Shop compare on customer support?

Microsoft Publisher has a higher Quality of Support score (8.4 vs 7.4), indicating a material advantage over The Print Shop.

- **Microsoft Publisher:** Reviewers describe support as generally reliable, with several noting the availability of support resources and positive experiences, though some mention outdated or slow support in recent reviews.
- **The Print Shop:** Reviewers report mixed experiences, with some praising quick and helpful responses, but others citing limited or poor support, especially for complex issues.

### Which is easier to implement, Microsoft Publisher or The Print Shop?

Microsoft Publisher scores higher on Ease of Setup (9.1 vs 8.8), indicating it is easier to implement than The Print Shop.

- **Microsoft Publisher:** Reviewers consistently describe setup as quick and straightforward, often highlighting the familiar Microsoft interface and minimal configuration required.
- **The Print Shop:** Reviewers note that setup is generally easy, with step-by-step instructions, but some mention longer installation times and occasional challenges for new users.

## Microsoft Publisher vs The Print Shop

When assessing the two solutions, reviewers found The Print Shop easier to use and administer. However, reviewers preferred the ease of set up, and doing business with Microsoft Publisher overall.

- Reviewers felt that Microsoft Publisher meets the needs of their business better than The Print Shop.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that Microsoft Publisher is the preferred option.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of Microsoft Publisher over The Print Shop.