Are you looking for graphic design software to create beautiful graphics for your website, blog, or social media posts? If so, you’ll want to check out some of the best graphic design tools out there. These tools can help you create stunning visuals that will capture your audience’s attention.
Below are seventeen of the best graphic design tools that you can use to create beautiful visuals:
- Adobe Photoshop
- Sketch
- Figma
- Adobe Illustrator
- Affinity Designer
- GIMP
- Inkscape
- Adobe XD
- PaintTool SAI
- Krita
- Blender
- OpenToonz
- Clip Studio Paint
1. Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is undoubtedly the most popular graphic design software on the market today, used by professionals across the globe for everything from photo editing to web design and digital art. It’s a complex beast of a program, with hundreds of features and tools to learn, but once you get to grips with it there’s almost nothing you can’t do with it.
Pros:
- Adobe Photoshop is a widely used program for creating and editing images.
- It has a wide variety of features that can be used to create and edit any type of image.
- It can be used for both professional and personal projects.
Cons:
- The program can be complex and difficult to learn for beginners.
- Some of the features can be overwhelming for new users.
- The program can be expensive to purchase.
Pricing: Adobe Photoshop starts at $9.99/month
2. Sketch
If you’re looking for a more lightweight (and cheaper) alternative to Photoshop, Sketch is well worth checking out. It’s primarily used for interface design and user experience (UX) work, but it can be used for other vector illustrations and digital art.
Pros:
- Sketch is easy to use and can be learned quickly
- Sketch has a wide variety of features and tools
- Sketch is updated often and has a large user base
Cons:
- Sketch is not as widely used as other design programs
- Sketch is not as intuitive as other design programs
Pricing: Sketch starts at $9 per month
3. Figma
Figma is another excellent alternative to Adobe’s design software and is particularly well suited to collaborative working thanks to its real-time editing features. It’s also free to use if you’re working on personal projects.
Pros:
- Figma is easy to use and can be learned quickly.
- It has a variety of features that make it a powerful design tool.
- The interface is clean and user-friendly.
- Figma files are easy to share and collaborate on.
Cons:
- The learning curve may be too steep for some users.
- There is no mobile app yet, so design work must be done on a computer.
Pricing: Has a lifetime free package. The premium package starts from $12 per month
4. Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard vector drawing program – perfect for everything from detailed illustrations to logos, typography, and icons. Like Photoshop, it’s an incredibly complex program with a steep learning curve, but once you get to grips with the basics, you’ll be able to create just about anything you can imagine.
Pros:
- A very versatile tool that can be used for a variety of projects
- Provides precise control and accuracy when creating designs
- Creates clean, professional designs that look polished
Cons:
- Can be difficult to learn how to use it effectively at first
- Can be time-consuming to create detailed designs.
Pricing: Adobe Illustrator starts at $20.99/month and has a 7- day free trial
5. Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is a great alternative to Illustrator and is particularly well suited to graphic designers who are making the switch from Adobe Creative Suite. It’s packed with features and tools and comes with a one-time purchase price tag rather than a subscription.
Pros:
- Affinity Designer is a vector-based design tool, which means that designs are resolution-independent and can be scaled up or down without losing quality. This is especially important for logos and other graphics that may need to be used in different sizes or formats.
- Affinity Designer offers various features and tools, including vector drawing, raster editing, typography, and animation. This makes it a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of design projects.
- The user interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it quick and easy to learn how to use the tool.
Cons:
- Affinity Designer is not as widely used as some other design tools, so there may be less support available if you experience any problems.
- Some features (such as 3D rendering) are not as advanced as those other design tools offer.
Pricing: Affinity Designer is available for a one-time purchase of $54.99 on Mac and Windows devices and $19.99 on iPads
6. GIMP
GIMP is a fantastic free alternative to Photoshop, offering many features and tools. It can be used for everything from photo editing to web design and is constantly being updated with new features.
Pros:
- GIMP is free and open source
- GIMP is very versatile and can be used for a wide variety of tasks
- GIMP has a large user base and many online resources available
- GIMP is easy to learn and use
Cons:
- GIMP is not as powerful as some other design tools available
Pricing: GIMP is free to download and use.
7. Inkscape
Inkscape is another excellent free vector drawing program that’s perfect for illustrations, logos, and icons. It has a bit of a learning curve, but once you get to grips with it you’ll be able to create some truly stunning artwork.
Pros:
- Inkscape is a free and open-source software
- It is a cross-platform so that it can be used on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux
- It has a wide variety of features that can be used for vector illustration and animation
- The community that surrounds Inkscape is very active and supportive
Cons:
- There can be a bit of a learning curve when using Inkscape
Pricing: Inkscape is free to download and use.
8. Adobe XD
Adobe XD is a relatively new vector drawing program from Adobe and is primarily aimed at interface and UX designers. It’s packed with features and tools and is constantly being updated with new ones.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Intuitive design
- Great for creating graphics and designs
- Lots of features and tools to choose from
- Can be used for both professional and personal projects
- Affordable pricing
Cons:
- Limited file format support
- No animation or video features
Pricing: Adobe XD starts at $9.99/month and has a 7- day free trial
9. PaintTool SAI
PaintTool SAI is a popular paint program that’s often used by digital artists. It has a fairly simple interface, making it easy to start, but it still has all the features and tools you need to create complex artworks.
Pros:
- PaintTool SAI is a very versatile graphics design tool that can be used for various purposes.
- It is easy to use, even for people who are not experienced in graphic design.
- The results are often high quality, making it a good choice for professional work.
Cons:
- The price tag is a bit higher than some other options.
- It can be challenging to learn all of the features of the software.
Pricing: PaintTool SAI is available for $52 on Windows and Mac devices.
10. Krita
Krita is a free painting program that’s perfect for digital artists. It offers a wide range of brushes and tools and is constantly being updated with new features.
Pros:
- Krita is a very versatile tool that can be used for various purposes, such as graphics design, photo editing, and comic book illustration.
- It has many features, including brushes, layers, and filters.
- The interface is easy to use and intuitive.
Cons:
- Krita is not as well known as some of the other graphics design tools available on the market.
Pricing: Krita is free to download and use.
11. Blender
Blender is a free 3D modelling and animation program that’s incredibly powerful and versatile. It can be used for everything from creating 3D models and animations to video editing and game development.
Pros:
- Blender is a powerful graphic design tool that can create high-quality 3D designs and animations.
- It is free and open source so that it can be used by anyone without any licensing fees.
- It has a large user community, so online support is available if you need it.
Cons:
- The learning curve can be quite steep, especially for beginners.
- The software can be quite complex and difficult to use, especially for beginners.
Pricing: Blender is free to download and use.
12. OpenToonz
OpenToonz is a free 2D animation program perfect for both traditional hand-drawn and digital animations. It offers a wide range of features and tools and is constantly being updated with new ones.
Pros:
- OpenToonz is a completely free graphics design tool.
- It has various features and capabilities that allow for a high degree of customization and flexibility in designing graphics.
- It is easy to use, even for beginners.
Cons:
- The software can be slow to load and run on some systems.
- There can be a steep learning curve for users unfamiliar with graphic design tools.
Pricing: OpenToonz is free to download and use.
13. Clip Studio Paint
Clip Studio Paint is a popular painting program that’s often used by manga artists and comic book creators. It offers a wide range of brushes and tools, as well as the ability to create your own custom brushes.
Pros:
- Clip Studio Paint is a very versatile graphics design tool that can be used for various purposes.
- It is easy to use and has a wide range of features.
- The software is constantly being updated, so users always have access to the latest tools and features.
Cons:
- The software can be a bit expensive, depending on your purchase version.
- Some of the more advanced features can be difficult to learn and use.
Pricing: Clip Studio Paint is available in three different versions: Standard ($49.99), Pro ($219), and Ex ($116).
Career as a Graphic Design Software Expert
Graphic design software is necessary for anyone pursuing a career in graphic design. These programs allow designers to create high-quality graphics and artwork for various purposes. With the right software, you can create stunning visuals that will grab attention and get your work noticed.
If you’re interested in becoming a graphic designer, it’s important to understand the different types of software available. In this guide, we’ve provided an overview of some of the market’s best graphic design software options. We’ve also included information on pricing, features, and pros and cons for each program.
How Do you Choose Graphics Design Software?
When choosing graphics design software, you should keep a few key criteria in mind. First, consider what type of graphic design you’ll be doing. If you’re mostly going to be working with photos, then you’ll need software that has strong photo editing capabilities. On the other hand, if you plan on doing more vector-based designs, then you’ll need software that has powerful vector drawing tools.
Another important criterion is the ease of use. If you’re not already familiar with graphic design software, then you’ll want to choose something relatively easy to learn and use. Otherwise, you may get frustrated with the software and give up on your project altogether.
Finally, consider the price. Some graphics design software can be quite expensive, so you’ll need to decide if the features and tools offered are worth the price tag. Fortunately, there are also a number of free and open source options available, so you don’t necessarily have to break the bank to get started with graphic design.
In Summary
A wide range of graphic design software is available on the market, each with its unique set of features and capabilities. When choosing the best graphic design software for your needs, it’s important to consider what type of designs you’ll create, how much experience you have, and your budget.
If you’re just starting out, there are plenty of free or low-cost options available that can still produce high-quality results. However, if you need more advanced features or plan on doing professional work, you may need to invest in a more expensive program. Whichever route you choose, with a little practice and patience, you’ll be creating stunning graphics in no time!