Comparison
Publisher Conversion vs. Markzware Publisher2ID
Both convert Microsoft Publisher .pub files to layout formats. Here's what's different.
The biggest difference
Publisher2ID requires Adobe InDesign (~$22/month). Publisher Conversion does not — you upload files in a browser and receive output by email.
| Publisher Conversion | Markzware Publisher2ID | |
|---|---|---|
| Requires InDesign | No — browser-based | Yes — InDesign required (~$22/mo) |
| Output formats | PDF + IDML | InDesign (.indd) via the plugin |
| Works in Affinity Publisher | Yes — IDML opens natively | Only if you export IDML from InDesign |
| Conversion method | Real Publisher automation | Third-party parser plugin |
| Batch processing | Yes — upload up to 2,000 files | One file at a time |
| Pricing | $5/file, volume discounts from $3/file | ~$299 plugin licence + InDesign subscription |
| Pasteboard content | Preserved | Varies |
| No software to install | Yes | No — requires InDesign + plugin install |
| Partial refund if file fails | Yes — automatic | N/A |
Publisher Conversion is better if you…
- ✓Don't have Adobe InDesign (or don't want to pay for it)
- ✓Have more than a handful of files to convert
- ✓Want to migrate to Affinity Publisher 2
- ✓Need to convert files without installing any software
- ✓Are a church, school, nonprofit, or small business with a batch of legacy files
Publisher2ID may be better if you…
- →Already use Adobe InDesign professionally
- →Convert only occasional one-off files
- →Need to keep files entirely within an InDesign workflow
- →Prefer a local plugin over an upload-based service
Cost in context
Markzware Publisher2ID costs around $299 for the plugin licence. To use it you also need Adobe InDesign, which costs approximately $22/month (or $264/year). For someone without InDesign, the real cost of converting one file with Publisher2ID is $563 in year one.
Publisher Conversion charges $5/file with no software or subscription required. For 100 files at the volume discount rate, the cost is $400 — with no ongoing commitment.
Convert my files →
$5/file · PDF + IDML · No subscription · See volume pricing