The finest graphic design software is essential for professional graphic designers and anybody else who wants to create high-quality designs for various purposes, including branding. Fortunately, we now have many excellent tools for generating digital strategy, ranging from general-purpose software packages to devices tailored to certain types of design work.

As you might guess, most of the top graphic design software is not without a price tag. Creating, maintaining, and updating robust tools like this takes a significant amount of time and effort. However, while the most excellent free graphic design software has come a long way, it can still not match the depth of features provided by professional products. While you will almost certainly want to spend money on professional software if you work in, or plan to work in, graphic design, the best free graphic design software has its place as well, especially if you are only interested in designing occasional pieces for personal projects that do not justify spending money on a more comprehensive software package.

Free graphic design software is also beneficial for those who wish to dabble in the field but aren’t quite ready to commit to the time and effort required to master more complicated tools. Following is a guide that will evaluate both the best graphic design software overall and the best free graphic design software based on the experiences of our reviewers with the applications. Please read it carefully. In this guide, we’ve separated it into sections for different types of tools, ranging from the best vector software to the best image editing software, the best 3D software, and the best software for data visualization.

In each situation, we’ve analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of each software to assist you in selecting the most appropriate one for you. Our reviewers have spent considerable time investigating and testing each piece of software’s characteristics to determine how well they perform in usability, power and function, compatibility and resource utilization, and value for money. We’ve also included links to more in-depth reviews of many products to demonstrate a thorough examination.

See the questions section at the end of this article for advice on selecting the most appropriate graphic design software for your needs and budget. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for design inspiration, look at our selection of the top graphic design books on Amazon. Also, visit our guides to the best digital painting software and video editing applications for more software options for various tasks and uses.

Best Graphic Design Software of 2022

01. Adobe Illustrator(Paid)

It is unnecessary to search any further than Adobe Illustrator if you are looking for the best graphic design software available for vector sketching and editing. It is still the industry standard software because it provides the most comprehensive set of tools and capabilities for vector editing. Illustrator is a graphics program compatible with PCs, Macs, and even iPads. It lets you design everything from illustrations to logos with complete creative freedom while also providing a plethora of tools and shortcuts to help you get more done in a shorter amount of time.

Illustrator is a component of Adobe Creative Cloud. To use it, you’ll need to subscribe to either the Illustrator-only subscription or Adobe’s full suite of creative software, including Photoshop, InDesign, and many other tools. The advantage of using a subscription model is that you will immediately receive the most recent versions of your program. The negative is that it is somewhat expensive; however, Adobe gives regular and student discounts.

Specifications

Platform: Windows, macOS

Payment model: Subscription

Reasons To Buy

• Industry-standard toolset
• Time-saving AI features
• Top vector and type tools

Reasons To Avoid

• Requires subscription

02. Adobe Photoshop(Paid)

Photoshop, developed by Adobe, is the industry-standard software for image editing, and you probably don’t need us to tell you that. Photoshop has long been recognized as a household name. Just as Illustrator is the most excellent graphic design software for vector work due to its continuous updates, Photoshop is the best image editing software available. It is capable of much more than just picture manipulation, including anything from photo enhancement to digital drawing and painting, 3D modelling, and user interface design. There are many features, and Adobe has been introducing sophisticated artificial intelligence technologies under the Adobe Sensei label, allowing you to remove backgrounds in seconds with a handful of clicks.

Like Illustrator, you’ll need a subscription. Still, suppose you’re a professional designer. In that case, a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud is nearly a requirement, as it grants you access to Adobe products such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, among others. As with all Creative Cloud tools, you’ll receive free upgrades regularly. The most recent upgrade, version 23.0, was released in October 2021 and included automated selections on hover, sharing documents for commenting, and improved integration with Illustrator, among other features.

Specifications

Platform: Windows, macOS, iPad

Reasons To Buy

• Industry-standard bitmap editor
• All the tools you’ll need
• AI-powered features

Reasons To Avoid

• Requires subscription

3. Affinity Designer(Paid)

Serif’s Affinity Designer is an excellent option if Adobe’s subscription model is too expensive. Affinity Designer, the best graphic design software accessible for a one-time fee, has grown in popularity as it adds more and more capabilities. It is now on par with Adobe Illustrator in terms of functionality. It includes some features not available in Illustrator, such as unlimited redos and zooming to one million percent or more.

If your coworkers or clients use Adobe’s software, you won’t have to worry about Affinity Designer not being compatible with their files. Affinity Designer works with both Illustrator AI and Photoshop PSD files. You’ll likely find Affinity Designer to be far faster than Adobe Illustrator. The most incredible thing is that you just have to make a single financial commitment, and it is a modest one at that. There are no membership costs, but you will still receive software updates as part of the package.

Specifications

Platform: Windows, macOS

Payment model: One-off payment

Reasons To Buy

• Great value
• Lots of useful tools
• Good Illustrator compatibility

Reasons To Avoid

• Lacks some advanced features

4. Sketch(Paid)

Suppose you’re looking for the best graphic design software specifically designed for user interface design, prototyping, and icon creation. You might want to try Sketch – provided you’re working on a Mac, of course. While it lacks the depth of applications such as Adobe Illustrator or Affinity Designer, Sketch delivers all you need for UI design. It is easier to use if you only use it for that specific purpose (for UI design). A simple interface that makes it simple to get started also provides a wide range of functionality if you require them, courtesy of an extensive library of plugins.

In 2021, a significant overhaul of the program was completed, with the addition of new features aimed at improving collaborative productivity. Examples include that developers can now view, inspect, and measure your Sketch drawings from any browser running on any OS system, all for free.

Specifications

Platform: macOS

Payment model: one-off payment

Reasons To Buy

• Good for UI and icons
• Easy to learn

Reasons To Avoid

• Mac-only
• Lacks Illustrator’s depth

5.CorelDRAW

CorelDRAW, which was first released in 1989 and has since lost some of its appeal to Adobe Illustrator, continues to have a devoted following. The 2021 edition of the software includes some significant enhancements. Since 2019, a Mac version of the program has been offered, helping widen the appeal of a package that now includes many of Illustrator’s features at somewhat more modest pricing than the Windows version. You also have greater freedom regarding payment options since you may pick between a one-time payment and a recurring subscription.

How does CorelDraw fall behind the competition for top-notch graphic design software? It’s difficult to choose between CorelDRAW and Illustrator as the ‘superior’ tool in this situation. The functions on each are extensive, but the user interfaces are vastly different. The fact remains that, while some CorelDRAW users claim that it is simpler to use than Illustrator, the fact remains that Illustrator is an industry-standard program, and you will be asked to use it in many positions.

We are importing and exporting AI and PDF files to and from CorelDRAW. Choosing one over the other is primarily a matter of personal preference regarding the interface and workflow involved. If you haven’t tried either before and have the time, we recommend joining up for a free trial to see how they compare.

Specifications

Platform: Windows, Mac

Payment model: One-off purchase or subscription

Reasons To Buy

• Feature-rich
• Strong community of users

Reasons To Avoid

• No longer the industry standard
• Still expensive

05. Creative Cloud Express

Adobe Creative Cloud Express (formerly known as Adobe Spark) is the newest member of the Adobe family. It represents the company’s attempt to compete with low-cost entry-level graphic design software such as Canva and Picsart. It was previously known as Adobe Spark. It is available online and is a mobile app for iOS and Android devices. It consolidates the basic photo/video editing features and the Asset library from across Adobe’s portfolio of apps into a convenient one-stop-shop.

The best part is that the program is entirely free to download and use indefinitely — except for a few essential tools. For $9.99 / £10.10 per month or $99.99 / £101.15 a year, you can upgrade to a premium CC express account, unlocking even more features and benefits. The premium version is available for a free 30-day trial period, allowing you to get a feel for it before making a purchase.

Specifications

Platform: Browser and mobile app

Payment model: Free and subscription

Reasons To Buy

• Very intuitive interface
• Huge library of images and assets
• Free-forever plan

Reasons To Avoid

• Occasional bugs/lag issues
• Missing some shortcuts
• No guides/margins

6. Gravit Designer(Paid)

Gravit Designer, developed by the same team that created Corel Draw, is the best free graphic design software designed particularly for vectors. It has a simple interface to handle various design tasks, from icon design and prototyping to vector drawing and animation. With the free version, you may export files as PDF, SVG, or bitmap, and you can access your work from any location thanks to the Gravit Cloud service.
Gravit Designer is available online and as a download for your personal computer. It is important to note that you are automatically enrolled in a free trial when you sign up for Gravit Designer Pro. Once your trial has expired, you will be re-enrolled in the free version, but you will lose access to the Pro features until you purchase a subscription.

Specifications

Platform: Browser, Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS

Payment model: Free, with a subscription for the pro version

Reasons To Buy

• Decent set of tools
• Works with AI and Sketch files
• Desktop and online

Reasons To Avoid

• Free version has limitations

7. Vecteezy(Free)

Vecteezy is a free vector editor that runs in your browser. It enables you to work with ready-made vectors that you can edit to meet your specific requirements or to create your drawings from the ground up. In any case, it’s simple to use and has several useful features, such as advanced transformations and keyboard shortcuts, that make it worthwhile. If you subscribe to the Pro edition, you will access additional tools and resources.

Specifications

Platform: browser

Payment model: free, with a subscription for the pro version

Reasons to buy

• Easy to use
• Good vector tools
• Many elements to work with

Reasons to avoid

• Account required to save work

8. Vectr

Vectr is the most excellent free graphic design software for teams that want to collaborate on projects. Additionally, it comes with a comprehensive range of live collaboration and synchronization features and vector tools, filters, shadows, and typefaces. These make it simple to collaborate with coworkers or clients, allowing them to see what you’re doing and provide input on your work in real-time.

Specifications

Platform: browser, windows, Linux, chrome os

Payment model: free

Reasons to buy

• Helpful tutorials
• Browser and desktop versions
• Great collaboration tools

Reasons to avoid

• Lacks some advanced features

9. SVG-Edit

SVG-Edit is a vector-based application that allows you to edit and generate SVG files using a standard vector toolkit. There is no need to download anything because the software operates directly in your web browser. It isn’t the most extensive vector application, but it isn’t essential to be so. It’ll do just fine for simple vectors or even slightly more complicated ones if you don’t need much information.

Specifications

Platform: Browser

Payment Model: Free

Reasons To Buy

• Good Vector Capabilities
• Intuitive Interface

Reasons To Avoid

• Short On Advanced Tools
• Needs Some Code Knowledge

10. Inkscape

Free Vector Software With Good Svg Integration

Specifications

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux

Payment Model: Free

Reasons To Buy

• Great Svg Integration
• Plenty Of Advanced Features
• Regular Updates

Reasons To Avoid

• Can Be Slow

11. VectorStyler

VectorStyler is a relative newbie for the most excellent vector software available today. Initially only available on Mac, it is also available for Windows users to download. There is a large selection of scalable vector brushes available and the inclusion of various features that are not available in other alternatives to Adobe Illustrator, such as a form builder, a blending tool, and a pattern tool.

Besides opening and importing Illustrator files, it also allows you to import AI brush collections, build vector brushes from artwork, and dynamically link brush content to editable artwork.
The user interface is pretty simple to grasp, and tools such as the warp choices are highly intuitive. VectorStyler is, on the other hand, double the price of Affinity Designer, which we rated as the best non-subscription vector software. We found several of the unique filters and tools to be very interesting, but at $95, VectorStyler is more than twice the price of Affinity Designer.

There are some tools that Affinity Designer does not have, so it’s worth thinking about if you require them. However, we have found that it is typically feasible to find a workaround for most problems.

Another disadvantage is that, in contrast to Adobe Illustrator and Affinity Designer, you do not have access to a larger ecosystem that allows you to transition between multiple apps fast and effortlessly (with Affinity, you have that in Affinity Photo, Publisher, and Designer). While VectorStyle is capable of a great deal, it lacks the pixel-based features seen in Affinity and Photoshop, among other things. There is also no iPad app, a disadvantage for graphic designers who work on the go or with a stylus, as with Illustrator and Affinity Designer.

Specifications

Platform: Windows, macOS

Payment model: one-off payment

Reasons to buy

• Large range of vector brushes
• Intuitive, easy-to-use interface
• Has some tools that affinity designer lacks

Reasons to avoid

• More expensive than competing options with a one-off payment
• No broader ecosystem or iPad app

12. Affinity Photo

Again, if you don’t want to pay the monthly fee associated with a membership, Serif’s Affinity series is your best bet. With Affinity Photo, you can get all of the photo retouching tools you need, advanced painting tools, and an extensive library of brushes for a reasonable one-time fee for desktop and iPad apps. It is a close match for most of Photoshop’s features, and it has all of the photo retouching tools most people need and an extensive library of brushes. PSD files and smart objects can be imported and exported as layered PSD files. Users are entitled to free software updates, with the most recent major overhaul occurring in August (1.10), which improved the efficiency of layer blending.

Specifications

Platform: Windows, macOS

Payment model: one-off payment

Reasons to buy

• Fantastic value
• Strong set of features
• Great photoshop compatibility

Reasons to avoid

• Lacks photoshop’s heavyweight features

14. Procreate

It is now possible to download Photoshop and affinity photos for the iPad. However, if all you require is a set of sketching tools and not a slew of design-related extras, procreate is likely to be the most appropriate graphic design software for your needs. It’s no secret that Procreate has a stellar reputation in the art world, and for a good reason. The quick shape is among the many valuable tools which automatically create ideal forms every time you draw with it and streamlines, transforming your rough strokes into smooth curves. You can also use paint to apply filters directly to your canvas.

Specifications

Platform: iPad

Payment model: one-off payment

Reasons to buy

• Excellent price
• Amazing painting tools
• Impressive performance

Reasons to avoid

• Not a complete design package

15. Gimp

Even the most advanced free graphic design software can’t compete with Photoshop’s features and capabilities. However, despite its unappealing moniker, the gimp (gnu image modification application) is a competent program. The interface is a little clumsy in its default configuration, but it is simple to change it to have a more Adobe-like feel. In any case, gimp is a robust design tool that can be used in various ways. You’ll be able to deal with all of the most popular file formats with no problems whatsoever. You’ll also find a pretty capable file manager built-in, modeled after Adobe’s Bridge. For more information, please see our complete gimp review.

Specifications

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux

Payment model: free

Reasons to buy

• Vast set of tools
• Capable of excellent results

Reasons to avoid

• Eccentric front end
• It’s called gimp

16. Krita

A screenshot of the resize tool in Canva, which is considered one of the best free graphic design software solutions available.

Specifications

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux

Payment model: free

Reasons to buy

• Designed for artists and illustrators
• Excellent painting tools
• Good for pattern creation

Reasons to avoid

• Not much support

17. Canva

Canva is one of the most excellent free graphic design software programs available for image editing. We discovered that it is straightforward to make quick adjustments to photographs, such as cropping and resizing them and adding filters, frames, text, and effects. Everything can be completed in the browser or through a mobile application, and there are no limitations to the image-altering capabilities of the free edition; for example, no watermarks are placed.

Furthermore, Canva is much more than an image editor; it is also a fully-featured graphic design application with a color palette tool, font combination picker, picture collage maker, and other features. An infographic maker is even available on the site (see our guide to the best infographic makers for more options there). Canva is a relatively impressive free app, even if it doesn’t have relatively equal capabilities to photoshop in terms of features. For the complete experience, you can access it through your browser; however, most of its capabilities are also available for Android and iOS devices.

The commercial edition, canvas pro, has several additional capabilities worth exploring. When we reviewed it, we liked canvas pro’s brand kit, which we thought was a helpful feature for small businesses to use to stay on-brand across their designs. It allows you to set pre-set brand fonts, logos, colors, and pre-designed templates, which could be helpful for small businesses to use to stay on-brand across their designs. We also found the resize and background removal tools user-friendly, making them ideal for folks with little or no previous familiarity with design software. For additional information, please see our entire Canva review.

Specifications

Platform: browser, ios, android

Payment model: free, with a subscription for the pro version

Reasons to buy

• Full design suite
• Loads of elements to use
• Free to use

Reasons to avoid

• Pro features require a subscription

18. Rawtherapee

Rawtherapee is a free, open-source software program that makes it simple to correct your images with a few clicks. Although it is not a full-featured image editing program, it can be used to correct distortion, boost colors, recover details, and perform various other tasks. It can also make your workflow more efficient by allowing you to process photographs in batches. You can also transfer pictures to third-party software, such as gimp, for processing (number 21 below).

Specifications

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux

Payment model: free

Reasons to buy

• Good photo editor
• Batch processing tools
• Great raw support

Reasons to avoid

• Not updated since Feb 2020

19. Photo pos pro

Photo pos pro is a straightforward application ideal for amateurs and enthusiasts seeking a quick approach to alter their photographs. This free software has a very user-friendly design and a comprehensive help system to get you up and to run quickly and efficiently. With many extensions and plugins available, it may be used for image improvement and editing, but it can also be used for more advanced approaches.

Formed in 1999, Krita is a free and open-source painting application that has been around for a long time. It is widely used in the visual effects business and among concept designers, illustrators, and matte and texture painters. It is well-known for its extensive range of brushes and brush stabilizers used to smooth out broken lines. In addition, if you wish to make further customizations, there are numerous plugins available, ranging from advanced filters to painting helpers that assist with perspective work. When we examined the most recent version, 5.0, we discovered that it has received much praise for its stability and does not consume as many resources as previous versions. Please visit our complete Krita review and our Krita instructional for additional information.

Specifications

Platform: windows

Payment Model: free (premium version has a one-off cost)

Reasons to buy

• User-friendly
• Good for photo-editing
• Lots of plugins available

Reasons to avoid

• Not for general image-making

20. Pixlr

Pixlr is a collection of three programs that may be accessed via the web and iOS and Android apps. You do not need to register to use them, and you can begin using them immediately.

Pixlr x is a picture editing tool that is quick and simple to use. It is excellent for giving your work a rapid boost with one-click editing and artistic effects. Pixlr e is a more comprehensive image editing application that includes a variety of helpful editing capabilities. Pixlr bg is an artificial intelligence-powered tool for removing backgrounds from photographs.
They couldn’t be much simpler to operate. The only disadvantage of using the free version is that you will be subjected to intrusive advertisements and a six-second delay when downloading your work. Memberships remove these, providing you with advanced tools, additional overlays, stickers, and a stock library.

Specifications

Platform: browser, ios, android

Payment model: free, with a subscription for advanced features

Reasons to buy

• Three versions
• Great, focused tools
• Now works in the browser

Reasons to avoid

• Advanced options require a subscription

21. Paint.net

Paint.net began as an upgraded version of the paint application that came pre-installed with early versions of Windows. And while that may not give you much reason to be optimistic, it is somewhat capable. For starters, it’s simple to use, and it comes with a variety of effects that let you quickly create faux perspective, mix and push pixels about the canvas, tile and repeat selections, and more.

Specifications

Platform: windows

Payment model: free

Reasons to buy

• Good free photo editor
• Some useful painting tools
• Regular updates

Reasons to avoid

• Lacking advanced features

22. Sumo paint

Sumo Paint is a browser-based image editor that includes all of the specific tools you’d expect to see in a desktop image editor like Photoshop. This group of devices, which is available from a floating toolbar, consists of brushes and pencils, shapes, text, cloning, and gradients. An upgraded professional edition is available for a monthly subscription fee, and sumo also provides other online tools, such as a photo editor and a 3D editor.

Specifications

Platform: browser

Payment model: free, with a subscription for the pro version

Reasons to buy

• Fully-fledged web app
• Plenty of tools and brushes
• Easy to use

Reasons to avoid

• The downloadable version requires a subscription

Conclusion

Searching for the best graphic design software that fulfils all of your needs can be time-consuming.
To make the best option possible, it is critical to consider a few key considerations, which include the following:

• Budget – Determine whether you can afford a paid tool and whether paying a monthly fee for graphic design software is a viable option based on your financial situation. Make your decision by balancing the functionality that open-source tools provide against the unique selling points (USPs) that premium tools offer.
• Regarding features, opt for a high-end program like Adobe Photoshop only if you often create complicated vector designs. Aside from that, free software programs such as Inkscape are more than adequate for managing simple editing tasks.
• Collaboration — If your work style requires regular collaboration, search for a graphic design platform with cloud-based collaboration and file-sharing capabilities to facilitate smooth collaboration and file sharing.

Thinking about these considerations can assist you in making the best option possible with the least amount of uncertainty.