Bulk convert Publisher files to PDF and Word

To bulk convert Publisher files, zip the folder (or drag the folder itself) onto the box below. PubRescue finds every .pub file inside, including in subfolders, converts each one to PDF and editable Word, and gives you back one ZIP with the same folder structure. Up to 5000 files and 500 MB per upload, previews of every file free, one-time price from $9 with no subscription.

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

Options

Built for archives, not single files

Most online converters handle one file at a time, with size limits and a download link per file. That's fine for one flyer, but not for a school office with a decade of newsletters or a church with every weekly bulletin since 2005. PubRescue was built for that situation:

Step by step

  1. Gather the files. Copy all .pub files into one folder. It's fine if they're spread across subfolders.
  2. Zip it (optional). On Windows, right-click the folder and choose Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder, or Compress on a Mac. Zipping makes uploads more reliable. You can also drag the folder itself.
  3. Upload. Drop the ZIP or folder onto the box above. Each upload can be up to 500 MB and 5000 files. For bigger archives, split them into several ZIPs, for example one per year.
  4. Watch progress. The page shows how many files are done. You can keep the tab open; the link in your address bar brings you back to the same upload if you close it.
  5. Unlock and download. The page suggests the plan that fits your file count. Pay once, then download one ZIP of all PDFs and Word files (or PDFs only, or Word only).

Pricing for bulk conversion

No subscription, no per-file fees. For archives above 500 files, or when several people need to upload, the Organization plan converts your files first, gives you a 30-day pass code for more uploads and comes with an invoice from Lemon Squeezy.

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

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.

Bulk conversion compared

FeaturePubRescueZamzarGeneric free converters
Bulk upload (ZIP or folders)Yes, up to 5000 files in one uploadFiles are uploaded individually (a paid plan allows several at a time)Varies, often one at a time
Keeps folder structureYes, one ZIP back with your foldersNot documentedVaries
Editable Word (DOCX)Yes, re-typeset like Publisher doesPUB to DOC (older Word format) is offeredVaries
PricingOne-time, from $9, no subscriptionSubscription, from $12 per monthVaries
Free tierPreviews of all files; first 3 PDFs and 1 Word file per upload; 500 MB per upload2 files per day, 3 MB per fileVaries

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.

Quality you can check

Bulk conversion only makes sense if you can trust the output. Our converter handles the problems that commonly break Publisher layouts in other tools: stories flowing across linked columns, fixed-size text boxes, text wrapping around pictures and missing Microsoft fonts (replaced with metric-compatible alternatives). WordArt and very old Publisher 98/2000 files are the hardest cases and can differ from the original, which is why previews are free for every file and problem files are flagged.

Privacy for organizations

Archives often contain names, phone numbers and addresses of members, parents or customers. We treat uploads accordingly: files are used only to produce your PDFs and Word files, every upload lives at a random private link, and everything is deleted automatically (24 hours after a free upload, 7 days after a purchase). We keep originals only if you tick the opt-in box. Payments are handled by Lemon Squeezy, so we never see card details. See the privacy policy.

Frequently asked questions

How many .pub files can I convert at once?
Up to 5000 files or 500 MB per upload. You can make as many uploads as you need; the Organization pass code covers all of them for 30 days.
How long does a bulk conversion take?
Most files take a few seconds each (PDF plus Word), and several are processed in parallel. A few hundred files usually finish within an hour; Organization uploads go first in the queue.
Do I need to rename my files?
No. Each PDF and Word file gets the same name and folder path as the original .pub file.
What happens to files that can't be converted?
They are listed as failed with a reason, and the rest of the batch continues. You don't pay for failed files in any special way, and if most of an upload fails we refund you.
Can I get an invoice for my organization?
Yes. Lemon Squeezy, our payment provider and merchant of record, emails a receipt and can generate an invoice with your organization's name, address and tax ID.
Do you keep a copy of my archive?
No. All files are deleted automatically on the schedule above, unless you explicitly tick the box that lets us keep your originals to improve the converter.