Serif launches Affinity Publisher open beta for Windows desktop

Serif is adding to its stable of desktop apps today, launching the open beta version of Affinity Publisher for desktop PCs. Aiming to provide professional publishing tools similar to Adobe's InDesign and Microsoft's entry-level Publisher, Affinity Publisher joins a lineup that already includes Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer.

Publisher includes tools to build layouts for documents for the web and print, including things like brochures, flyers, and presentations.

Because this is a beta version, Serif warns that there will be bugs and the app may look unpolished, recommending that it it not be used for any production work at the moment. Features will be added as Serif iterates on Publisher over the coming months, and you can contribute feedback at the Publisher forums. The app will also eventually feature "deep integration" with Affinity Designer and Photo once they've received updates to work with Publisher.

For now, Affinity Publisher is available for anyone to try in beta form for free.

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl.