10 Best Graphic Design Software [Free and Paid]

Whether you’re a newbie designer, a well-versed professional, or simply a non-designer looking to create some simple graphics, you’ll need reliable graphic design software. ‍

Graphic design programs offer powerful tools, such as a drag-and-drop editing dashboard, free stock templates, font customizations, and the power of AI, that help you create stunning graphic designs in minutes.

There are various free graphic design software out there, which can be a great asset, regardless of your skill level - for example, Canva, Krita, or Gimp.

However, if you want advanced features like AI art generation and premium design templates, you can choose paid graphic design software like CorelDRAW Graphics Suite or Adobe Illustrator.

So, want to know more about what software do graphic designers use? Let’s jump into the article.

What are the best free graphic design software?

Some of the below-mentioned software are completely free, while some offer free plans with limitations. You can try any of these free graphic design software or graphic programs with free plans and then move on to the paid plans if needed. 

Canva

While some designers criticize Canva for its template-oriented and simplistic approach, it remains widely popular as one of the best free graphic platforms. 

Canva is extremely useful for non-designers. Its free templates library offers thousands of assets for various projects, such as social media posts, business cards, invitations, logos, and posters. 

Why use Canva?

Canva offers a wide range of social media templates, which you can simply select, customize, and go live within minutes.

Canva pricing

Canva has various plans, including a free version with limited features and three paid plans.

• Free: $0/year
• Pro: $14.99/month or $119.99/year
• Teams: $120/year for the first five people. For additional users, contact their sales team.

Canva also offers two 100% free plans for schools and teachers.

Krita

Krita is one of the best digital art software programs, and it offers all of its functionalities for free. This is one of the best graphic design software for beginners because it's free and simple to learn.

Krita offers powerful tools for photo editing, illustrations, and digital painting. Krita also allows animation at no cost, making it a great free alternative for paid tools like Clip Studio and Photoshop. 

Why use Krita?

Even though Krita is open source, it provides 100+ brush selections, 9 brush engines, and supports industry-standard file formats.

Krita pricing

Free to use.

Gimp

Gimp is one of the most popular free software for graphic design, and rightly so. This photo-editing program works on any OS, making it incredibly versatile. 

In contrast, GIMP’s main paid competitor, Photoshop, is only available for Windows and Mac OS. Gimp has a similar interface to Photoshop, which makes it easy to use, especially if you’ve used Photoshop before.

Why use GIMP?

You can extend GIMP’s functionalities with its plugins. It excels in tasks like photo retouching, image composition, transcoding between file formats, and specialized graphic endeavors.

GIMP pricing

Free to use.

Inkscape

Inkscape is a free graphics editing software that offers vector-based editing with node customization, various filters and effects, and a tool for object creation.

Inkscape allows users to create and manipulate vector graphics using tools such as pens, pencils, shapes, and text. Its supportive community of users contributes tutorials, tips, and resources to help others learn and improve their skills.

Why use Inkscape?

Inkscape provides designers with powerful and flexible tools for creating high-quality vector graphics, making it a valuable addition to any designer's toolkit.

Inkscape pricing

Free to use.

Blender

Blender is a versatile program that can help you create anything from 3D models, photo edits, and simulation to fully rendered animation.

Blender has great features and tools for animators, VFX artists, or anyone in video editing. It can export your projects in various file formats, making it extremely valuable for different projects.

Why use Blender?

Blender has a great sculpting tool that allows you to create stunning objects you can later animate. 

Blender pricing

Free to use

What is the best software for graphic design? [Paid]

If you want advanced features to level up your graphic design, you must use advanced graphic design software. 

These are some of the best graphic design software that offer powerful features like AI-generated graphic design, font suggestions based on design, and even data analysis for personalized designs.

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is widely regarded as the best image editing and design tool. Renowned for its comprehensive feature set, it excels in photo editing, digital painting, and graphic design. 

Mastering Photoshop will enable you to use other Adobe products easily, such as Adobe Spark, Illustrator, or InDesign.

Why use Adobe Photoshop?

Adobe Photoshop is one of the most popular digital art software for its extensive image manipulation tools.

Adobe Photoshop pricing

You can buy Adobe Photoshop separately for $20.99/€19.97 per month or as part of Creative Cloud All Apps for $29.99/month.

Rebelle 7

Rebelle 7 is an award-winning online painting software that allows you to create hyper-realistic digital art with its intuitive interface and real-world painting experience.

The Pro version has exclusive additions, including a unique Metallic Material Layers system and an advanced brush engine with over 250 brushes.

Why use Rebelle 7?

Rebelle 7’s realistic drawing experience and a one-time fee for lifetime access make it one of the most affordable graphic design software programs.

Rebelle 7 pricing

Rebelle comes in two versions.

• Rebelle 7 - $89.99
• Rebelle 7 Pro - $149.99

You can even buy some applications for added functionalities.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2024 is a versatile graphic design software suitable for professionals, businesses, and hobbyists. It offers powerful tools for vector illustration, page layout, image editing, and font management. 

Additionally, features like CAPTURE for screen capture and CorelDRAW.app for browser-based design and collaboration enhance its usability. With tools like AfterShot HDR for photo enhancement, it caters to diverse design needs.

Why use CorelDRAW?

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite streamlines your design workflow, allowing you to produce unique illustrations, logos, signage, and more. Whether on Windows or Mac, CorelDRAW.app lets you design on the go.

CorelDRAW pricing

• Annual Plan: For $22.42/month, you get the latest version, exclusive cloud features, and more.
• One-Time Purchase: Pay $549.00 to own the 2024 version forever.
• Subscription for Business: Subscribe for $39/month or buy it once for $549.00.

You can even try CorelDRAW for free with its 15-day free trial.

Figma

Figma is a web app, which means you can run it from your browser (or download the desktop app). If you need affordable (or free) and user-friendly web design software, then definitely check out Figma. 

From user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design to website and app prototyping, Figma enables real-time collaborative design and prototyping.

Why use Figma?

Figma’s powerful design functionalities have made it an industry standard for creating websites, user interfaces, and graphic design. 

Figma pricing

Figma offers a free plan called Started. However, you’re limited to 3 files, so you’ll probably need one of the 3 paid options:

• Professional: $12/mo
• Organization: $45/mo
• Enterprise: $75/mo

 Affinity Photo

Affinity Photo is a versatile raster graphics editor available on iOS, macOS, and Windows. It offers advanced features like non-destructive RAW development and a Live Mesh Warp filter. 

While it lacks some of Photoshop's features, many users consider Affinity Photo an affordable Photoshop alternative since it excels in image rendering, metadata editing, and HDR merging.

Why use Affinity Photo?

Affinity Photo is your best bet if you’re looking for an affordable Photoshop alternative with just as powerful features.

Affinity Photo pricing

Affinity Photo offers you platform-wise plans:

• Windows - $69.99
• macOS - $69.99
• iPad - $18.49

You can even purchase a Universal Licence for $164.99, covering all platforms.

Conclusion

When choosing graphic design software, consider your project type and skill level. For animation and video editing, try free options like Canva or Blender. Beginners should start with simpler programs and gradually challenge themselves. 

While DIY design can be time-consuming, consider your company's needs; ManyPixels offers a subscription for all graphic design projects. With affordable monthly flat-fee plans and a talented team, we can design anything from logos to websites for you.

Book a free demo call, and let’s get started.