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Graphic design has always been an important part of any business, especially when it comes to branding.
From logos to brochures, websites to social media graphics, graphic design plays a key role in making your brand stand out from the competition.
But creating great graphic design isn’t easy. It requires skill, creativity, and experience. And it takes time.
That’s why many small businesses opt to hire someone who specializes in graphic design instead of trying to figure it out themselves. But hiring a professional designer can get expensive, especially if you want to scale up your graphic design needs.
Fortunately, plenty of free options can help you create beautiful images without breaking the bank. Here are some of the best free graphic design software options available today.
What is Graphic Design Software?
Graphic design software allows designers to create professional-looking graphics using various tools.
Many types of graphic design software are available, including desktop applications, web apps, and cloud-based programs.
Desktop applications are typically installed on a single machine and require much storage space.
Web apps are usually hosted online and accessed through a browser.
Cloud-based programs allow users to access their designs from anywhere.
Graphic design software can create logos, brochures, advertisements, social media posts, and much more.
Free Graphic Design Software Program
Canva
Canva is a free online graphic design platform that lets users easily create professional designs.
Canva is intuitive and easy to use, so anyone can create beautiful graphics without prior experience.
You don’t need to know how to draw or design; just pick one of the pre-designed layouts and add text, photos, shapes, and colors.
Once you’ve finished designing, share your creations via email, social media, or print. You can download additional fonts, clipart, and backgrounds to take things further.
Canva has over 100 million active users who have created over 50 billion images.
You can easily upload photos, clip art, logos, fonts, and shapes to create beautiful designs. Once you’re done designing, you can share your creations online or download them as PNG files.
If you want to get even more creative, you can add text, borders, frames, arrows, and more.
[affcoups id=”10807″]Key Features and benefits:
- Over 100 million active users
- 50 billion images created
- Easy-to-use interface
- Free to use
Compatibility: Web, Android, iOS
Visme
Visme is a free online graphic design platform that lets users create beautiful images, infographics, and presentations.
It has a clean interface and intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, making it easy to start.
Visme is designed to be used by both designers and non-designers alike. It has a library of over 100 templates covering everything from business cards to flyers to social media posts.
You can also import images, videos, and audio files to add visual appeal to your designs.
If you want to take advantage of Visme’s premium features, you’ll need to upgrade to one of the paid plans.
[affcoups id=”10825″]Key Features and benefits:
- Clean interface
- Intuitive drag-and-drop workflow
- Over 100 templates
- Import images, video, and audio
Compatibility: Web
DesignCap
DesignCap is a web-based tool that makes it easy to create professional designs for websites, blogs, social media profiles, business cards, flyers, brochures, presentations, and more.
DesignCap is quick and easy to use, so it’s perfect for those who want to create basic designs without investing too much time into learning Photoshop.
DesignCap has a clean interface that makes it easy to get started without any prior experience. You can easily import images, logos, fonts, and colors using drag-and-drop functionality.
And when you’re ready to start designing, you can simply click through a series of templates to get going.
Once you’ve created your masterpiece, you can share it online or download it as a PDF file.
Check out our top picks for desktop graphic design software if you’re looking for something more advanced than DesignCap.
[affcoups id=”10837″]Key Features and Benefits :
- Clean interface
- Drag-and-drop functionality
- Templates
Compatibility: Web
Vectr
Vectr is a free vector graphics editor designed specifically for designers.
Vectr is built around a concept called “vectorization,” which means users can edit shapes using a series of points instead of pixels.
This approach helps keep files small and reduces file sizes, making them easier to share online.
You don’t need any special skills or experience to get started. Just upload images and start designing.
Vectr will do the rest, letting you add text, shapes, colors, and effects. Once you’re done, share your designs online or download them as PNG files.
Moreover, Vectors are also easily scalable, so they look crisp on any screen size. If you’re looking for something lightweight and easy to use, Vectr is a solid option.
Key Features and benefits:
- Easy-to-use interface
- The free version includes ten templates
- PNG file format
Compatibility: Windows
Krita
Krita is a free, open-source graphics tool designed specifically for digital artists and graphic designers.
It has been around since 2004 and has grown to become one of the most popular free art apps out there.
Krita is a powerful, versatile graphics editor designed specifically for professional artists. It supports layers, masks, paths, gradients, and much more.
Krita is a bit difficult to start, but you’ll be hooked once you do. You can easily import images from various sources, including Photoshop, GIMP, Inkscape, and many others.
Once imported, you can edit them using various filters, effects, and layers.
You can then export those changes back to your original image file.
If you’re looking for a quick way to make basic edits, Krita is perfect. But if you want to dive into advanced editing techniques, look elsewhere.
Key Features and benefits:
- Free, open-source software
- Easy to learn
- Lots of tutorials
Compatibility: Windows 7/8/10, macOS 10.9+
Gravit Designer
Gravit Designer is a free online tool that makes creating professional graphics easy.
You don’t need any experience to get started. Just upload your photos, add text, and select colors.
Gravit Designer will generate a fully editable file ready for print or web. Plenty of templates are available for download if you want to take things further.
And if you’re looking for inspiration, Gravit Designer has a built-in gallery full of beautiful images.
Gravit Designer is designed specifically for beginners just starting with graphic design and who want to learn how to make basic shapes and designs.
Gravit Designer will be right up your alley if you’re already familiar with Photoshop.
Key Features and benefits:
- Free online tool
- Easy to use
- No downloads required
Compatibility: PC
Inkscape
Inkscape is a free vector graphics editor perfect for creating logos, icons, illustrations, and much more.
You can easily import images and export them as SVG files. In fact, it’s so powerful that it earned a spot on our list of the Best Free Graphic Design Programs For Beginners.
Inkscape has many advanced features like layers, paths, and filters.
If you want to learn how to draw, Inkscape is a great way to start. You can easily import images into the program and manipulate them using various tools.
Once you’ve finished digital drawing, you can export your artwork as a PDF file or SVG format.
It also has a built-in web browser so you can preview your designs online before exporting them.
Key Features and benefits:
- Import images and export them as SVGs
- Layers, paths, and filters
- Built-in web browser
Compatibility: Windows
Gimp
The GIMP is a free, open-source image editing tool that has been around since 1995.
Moreover, the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) is one of the most powerful graphics editing programs around.
It was originally designed as a replacement for Photoshop but has grown to be more than just a photo editing application.
GIMP is used for everything from simple edits to complex retouching and compositing. You can use it to edit photos, draw shapes, apply filters, and do almost anything else you can imagine.
If you want to learn how to edit photos, create logos, or do any number of other tasks, GIMP is a must-have tool.
You can download GIMP for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Key Features and benefits:
- Free
- Open Source
- Cross-Platform (Windows, Linux, OS X)
- Supports RAW files
Compatibility: All platforms
DesignWizard
DesignWizard is a free online tool that makes creating professional-looking graphics easy.
You can easily drag and drop images, shapes, colors, fonts, and text boxes onto a canvas to build your designs.
DesignWizard has over 100 templates to get started, but you can always add your own as well.
Once you’re done designing, you can export your files to any format (PDF, JPG, PNG, etc.)
DesignWizard is designed specifically for those who want to learn how to design but don’t necessarily know where to start.
The tool is intuitive and easy to use, making it perfect for beginners.
If you’re looking for something more advanced, check out our guide to the best professional graphic design software.
Key Features and Benefits :
- Easy-to-use interface
- 100+ templates
- Export to PDF, JPEG, PNG, SVG, PSD, GIF, TIFF, HTML, and more
Compatibility: Web, Android, iOS
Blender
Blender is a free, open-source 3D graphics application that has been around since 2005. Moreover, Blender is one of the most powerful 3D modeling programs around.
Blender is used by artists, designers, animators, and engineers alike. You can use Blender to create 2D images, animations, videos, games, and more.
Blenders’ massive library of add-ons means you can do anything with the program.
If you want to make 3D models, animations, games, or simulations, Blender is the way to go.
And since it’s free, nothing stops you from using it to create whatever you want.
Blender supports both Windows and Linux operating systems.
Key Features and benefits:
- Free, open-source software
- Supports Windows and Linux operating systems
- It can be used to create 2D images and animations
Compatibility: Linux, Windows
SketchUp
SketchUp is a 3D modeling tool that makes creating 3D models fast and easy.
You can easily import photos, videos, and other media files into the program.
And once you’ve created your model, you can export it as a .stl file that can be used in any CAD (computer-aided drafting) application.
SketchUp has a built-in camera that allows you to capture images of objects and place them inside the model.
If you want to add more detail to your model, you can use the program’s brush tools to paint over existing parts.
Moreover, if you want to build models for your own personal projects, SketchUp is a fantastic option.
But if you’re looking for a powerful tool for designing websites, logos, and other client graphics, SketchUp isn’t quite what you’re looking for.
That said, SketchUp is still a solid option for those interested in learning how to model objects in 3D space.
Key Features and Benefits :
- Importing media files
- Exporting models as .stl files
- Adding details using brushes
- Paint 3D
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome OS
Pixlr
Pixlr is another free, open-source drawing tool designed for creative professionals and graphic designers.
Pixlr is similar to Gravit in many ways, offering various tools for designing graphics and logos.
But unlike Gravit, Pixlr doesn’t offer any sort of subscription model.
Instead, users must download and install the latest software version each time they want to make changes.
That said, Pixlr is still a solid option for those who don’t mind having to manually update their software.
You can crop, rotate, and adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, exposure, and white balance.
Pixlr has a simple interface that is intuitive and fun to use.
And while there are plenty of similar apps, Pixlr stands out thanks to its ability to import images from Instagram, Facebook, Flickr, Dropbox, and Picasa.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Simple interface
- Fun to use
- Import images from social media sites such as Instagram, Facebook, Flickr
Compatibility: Mac, Windows
Adobe spark
Adobe Spark is a web-based graphic design tool that makes creating professional graphics easy.
Adobe Spark is designed to be used by anyone who wants to create beautiful images without having to learn complicated technical skills.
You don’t need any prior experience to get started either. The software walks you through each step of the way so you can focus on making creative designs.
Adobe Spark is a free alternative to Adobe Illustrator. It supports many of the same features as the paid software version, such as layers, guides, and paths.
It‘s easy to learn and use, making it perfect for beginners who want to start designing right away.
If you’re interested in learning how to design professionally, however, you may want more than what Spark offers.
Adobe Spark is a great option for those just starting with graphic design.
Key Features and benefits:
- Easy-to-use interface
- The free version includes basic editing tools
- No registration required
Compatibility: Windows 10, macOS, ChromeOS, Linux
Lunacy
Lunacy is a free web-based tool that makes creating professional-looking graphics easy.
You don’t need any experience to get started either. Simply drag and drop images onto the canvas and add text.
Lunacy has a variety of templates that will help you create everything from logos to flyers to business cards.
Once you’re done designing, you can export your files as PNG, JPG, PDF, SVG, EPS, PSD, TIFF, GIF, or HTML5.
Lunacy is designed to be used by anyone who wants to make beautiful designs.
It‘s a powerful tool that’s easy to learn and use.
If you want something that’s going to give you the freedom to explore new ideas and techniques, Lunacy is a great option.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Free web-based tool
- Easy to use
- Templates included
Compatibility: Windows
Vecteezy
Vecteezy is a free online graphic design tool that lets users create vector graphics using shapes, text, and images.
Vecteezy is designed to be used by anyone who wants to make something beautiful, whether it’s a logo, website header, or poster.
You don’t need any experience to start designing; just choose one of the pre-made designs or upload your own image.
Once you’ve finished designing, you can share your creation via social media or email.
If you want to add some custom functionality, you can use Vecteezy’s built-in modules.
Further, if you want to learn how to design your own vector graphics, check out our guide to learning how to draw vectors.
Key Features and Benefits :
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Easy to use
- Built-in modules
Compatibility: Web, Android, iOS
Photopea
Photopea is a powerful, easy-to-use, free graphic design software for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Photopea is designed around the concept of “photography first” and lets users easily import photos into their designs.
Once imported, users can edit images using various filters and effects. They can also add text, shapes, and other design elements.
You can add filters, crop, rotate, adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, sharpen, blur, and much more.
Photopea has a simple interface that makes it easy to get started.
There are no tutorials or training required. Just start clicking away!
If you’re looking for a quick way to make basic edits to your photos, Photopea is a great option.
Key Features and Benefits :
- Free photo editing software
- Simple interface
- No tutorial needed
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
Easel.ly
Easel.ly is a free online graphic design platform that lets users build and share beautiful designs.
Easel.ly is designed to be used by anyone who wants to express themselves visually.
You can easily drag and drop images and shapes onto your canvas, then add text, borders, and effects.
Easel.ly gives you full control over your designs, so you don’t have to worry about losing any of your original artwork.
Once you’re done designing, you can export your files as JPEGs, PNGs, PDFs, or SVG.
And if you want to share your creations online, Easel.ly has built-in social media sharing buttons.
Users can create their own websites, blog posts, social media graphics, and more using a variety of pre-designed templates.
If you’re looking for a quick way to create something visual, Easel.ly is worth checking out.
Key Features and benefits:
- Drag and drop interface
- Full control over your designs
- Export to multiple file formats
- Social media sharing buttons
Compatibility: Web, Android, iOS
Genially
Genially is a web-based graphic design tool that makes creating professional graphics easy.
Genially is built around the idea that most people don’t want to spend hours learning how to use Photoshop or InDesign.
Instead, they just want to be able to create professional designs quickly and easily. That’s why Genially focuses on simplicity and ease of use.
You can import images, clip art, and logos from Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
Genially has a library of over 100,000 stock photos and illustrations, so you won’t ever run out of creative inspiration.
And when you’re ready to start designing, you can easily drag and drop elements onto your canvas.
Once your design is down, you can export it as a PNG file, PDF, JPG, SVG, or EPS vector image.
Key Features and Benefits:
- 100,000+ stock photos and illustrations
- Drag and drop interface
- Easy to learn
Compatibility: Mac, Windows
SVGator
SVGator is a free web-based vector graphics tool that makes creating logos, icons, and illustrations easy.
SVGator is one of the most powerful vector drawing programs out there, with a host of features that make it ideal for designing logos, icons, and other visual elements.
You can easily import images into the program, edit them using a variety of filters, and export them back to your browser.
You can easily drag and drop shapes, colors, gradients, and patterns onto the canvas to build your designs.
SVGator has a built-in library of hundreds of ready-to-use elements you can add to your project.
Once you’re done designing, you can export your creations as PNG, JPG, PDF, EPS, SVG, or WebP files.
If you want something easier to learn than Gravit, SVGator is a great option.
Key Features and benefits:
Easy to learn interface
Built-in library of hundreds of ready-to-use shapes, colors, gradients, and patterns
Export to multiple file formats
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
Renderforest
Renderforest is free online design software that lets users create professional designs using a drag & drop editor.
Renderforest is designed to be used by anyone who wants to create graphics for social media posts, websites, presentations, flyers, etc.
You don’t need any prior experience to start designing.
Once you’ve got the hang of things, you can export your designs into various formats like PNG, JPEG, PDF, SVG, PSD, EPS, AI, and TIFF.
Plenty of tutorials and resources are available to help you learn how to use this tool.
Key Features and benefits:
- Simple drag and drop interface
- Easy to share online
- The free version includes 100 design templates
Compatibility: Web, Android, iOS
Designhill Studio
Designhill Studio is a free online graphic design platform designed specifically for small businesses.
It‘s an intuitive drag-and-drop editor that lets users easily build websites, logos, social media graphics, and more.
You don’t need any experience designing before using the site; anyone can learn how to make beautiful designs.
Designhill has a simple interface that makes creating a website quick and painless. You can add images, videos, and social media links to your site and edit them later.
And when you’re done, you’ll be able to preview your site before publishing it live.
If you want to take things a step further, you can export your finished project to HTML, PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and many other formats.
Designhill Studio is a great option for those who want to start building their own website without needing to invest in expensive software.
Key Features and Benefits :
- Simple drag-and-drop interface
- Easy to learn
- Free
Compatibility: PC/Mac, Android, iOS
Infogram
Infogram is a free, online infographic maker designed to make visual storytelling easier than ever before.
Infogram is one of the most powerful free graphic design tools available today. Moreover, Infogram can be used for everything from simple charts to complex diagrams.
They’re easy to create, share, and embed on websites and social media platforms.
You can add interactive elements such as buttons, sliders, maps, and more. And you don’t need any coding skills to get started.
If you want to create infographics, Infogram is a must-have. You don’t need any prior experience to start using Infogram, either.
Visit the site, choose a template, add text, images, and data, and click “go.”
Key Features and Benefits:
- Easy to create
- Share online
- Embed on websites and social media
Compatibility: Web browser
SUMO Paint
SUMO Paint is a free online tool that makes creating graphics easy.
You can import images, shapes, and clipart, then edit them using simple controls.
SUMO Paint has a built-in library of over 100,000 vector icons, so you don’t have to spend money on additional stock art.
Once you’re done editing, you can export your image as a PNG file or upload it to social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and more.
SUMO Paint is built around a clean, intuitive interface and a powerful toolset.
Its basic functionality is similar to Photoshop but lacks many advanced features.
If you want to learn how to use Photoshop, SUMO Paint is a great way to start.
Key Features and benefits:
- Free online tool
- Easy-to-use interface
- Built-in library of over 1 million icons
- Export images as PNG files
- Upload images to social media sites
Compatibility: Mac, Windows
Pablo by Buffer
Pablo is a free online graphic design tool that lets you create beautiful images and graphics using a drag-and-drop interface.
Pablo is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, so you don’t need any prior experience to start designing right away.
And because it’s completely free, there are no limitations on how many designs you can make or how often you can update them.
You can import images, videos, and other media files straight from Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
And you can add custom CSS styles to your site using a visual editor.
Key Features and benefits:
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Import media files from Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive
- Visual editor for adding custom CSS styles
Compatibility: Web
SVG-Edit
SVG-Edit is a simple yet powerful tool for creating vector graphics. You can easily edit shapes, paths, and colors using intuitive controls.
SVG-Edit has built-in tutorials and a library of ready-to-use elements that will save you hours of tedious drawing.
The software supports many file formats, including EPS, AI, PDF, PNG, JPG, GIF, TIFF, PSD, and SVG.
SVG-Edit supports many different types of vector graphics, including paths, shapes, text, and more. Further, SVG-Edit is worth checking out if you’re looking for a powerful vector graphics editor.
Key Features and benefits:
- Intuitive interface
- Easy-to-learn
- Built-in tutorials
- Ready-to-use elements
Compatibility: Windows
Photo Pos Pro
Photo Pos Pro is a free photo editing tool that makes creating professional graphics easy.
You can import photos, videos, and music files and add text, shapes, and effects.
Photo Pos Pro has a simple interface that makes it easy to edit images without learning complex commands.
Once you’re done, you can share your creations online or save them to your computer.
PhotoPos Pro includes everything you need to edit photos, from basic adjustments like cropping and color correction to advanced effects like lens blur, HDR, and panoramas.
If you’re looking for a powerful photo editor, PhotoPos Pro is worth checking out.
Key Features and benefits:
- Import photos, videos, and audio files
- Add text, shapes, and filters
- Save your creations to your computer
- Share your creations online
Compatibility: Windows
RawTherapee
RawTherapee is a free, open-source photo editing software designed specifically for photographers.
It‘s packed with powerful filters and effects, making it ideal for those who want to tweak photos before sharing them online.
RawTherapee supports RAW image files, so users don’t need to convert images into another format first.
And since it’s completely free, there are no strings attached.
RawTherapee is designed to be easy to use and intuitive. It has several advanced features like RAW conversion, lens correction, color grading, and more.
Key Features and Benefits :
- RAW converter
- Lens correction
- Color grading
Compatibility: Windows
VistaCreate
VistaCreate is a free online graphic design software that lets users create professional-looking graphics using a drag-and-drop interface.
VistaCreate is designed to be used by anyone who wants to create something visually appealing, whether it’s a logo, website banner, or social media post.
There are plenty of options for customization, so you can make sure your designs look exactly how you want them to.
You don’t need any prior experience to use VistaCreate, either.
Key Features and benefits:
- Free online graphic design software
- Easy-to-use interface
- Share designs on social media
Compatibility: Web browser
DocHipo
DocHipo is a free online graphic design tool that makes creating professional documents easy.
DocHipo has a simple interface that makes it easy to drag and drop elements onto your page.
You can add text, shapes, images, and videos to complete your document.
DocHIPO supports multiple file formats, including PDF, DOCX, PPT, HTML, SVG, JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, PSD, EPS, AI, and many others.
DocHipo is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, so anyone can make beautiful designs. You don’t need any special skills or training to use DocHipo.
In fact, there are no tutorials or lessons required to learn how to use the tool. Once you start using DocHipo, you’ll make beautiful designs without thinking twice.
Key Features and benefits:
- Free online graphic design software
- Drag and drop interface
- Multiple file formats supported
Compatibility: Web
Snapseed
Snapseed is a powerful photo editing tool designed specifically for photographers.
Snapseed is one of the most popular free graphic design software apps on Google Play because it’s packed with advanced features like layers, filters, and adjustments.
It was originally designed as a way to edit photos online but has grown into a full-fledged image editing platform.
Snapseed gives you access to over 50 filters, effects, and overlays. You can crop, rotate, adjust exposure, sharpen, blur, add vignettes, and apply color adjustments.
All of these changes are saved to your original file, so you don’t lose any quality when you’re done.
If you’re looking for a quick way to edit photos, Snapseed is a great option.
But if you want to learn how to use Photoshop or GIMP, Snapseed isn’t the right app for you.
Key Features and benefits:
- Over 50 filters, effects, overlays, and presets
- Save edits to original files
Compatibility: iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, Kindle Fire
Paint.Net
Paint.NET is a free, cross-platform image editing program designed specifically for digital painters and graphic design skills professionals.
Paint.NET is one of the most powerful graphics programs available today, offering everything from advanced filters to photo retouching.
It’s a simple, intuitive application that makes it easy to edit photos using various filters and effects.
You can crop images, add borders, adjust brightness, contrast, and color balance, and apply special effects.
You’ll be amazed at how much you can do with just a few clicks. If you’re looking for something to replace Photoshop, Paint.NET is a solid option.
You’ll find plenty of tutorials online to help you learn how to use the program.
Key Features and benefits:
- Simple interface
- Easy to learn
- Free
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
Daz 3D
Daz 3D is a free, cross-platform 3D modeling and animation suite.
It includes everything you need to create 3D designs, models, and animations, including a powerful brush engine, advanced materials, and a built-in camera system.
You can import photos, video clips, and music into your scenes and export them as images, movies, or animated GIFs.
If you want to add motion to your designs, Daz 3D supports a variety of animation techniques, including keyframed movement, tweening, and morph targets.
There are plenty of tutorials and resources online to help you learn how to use Daz 3D, so you won’t be left behind once you start using the software.
Today, Daz3D is used by artists, designers, architects, engineers, and students alike.
You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to get started. Just download the software, open it up, and start creating!
Key Features and Benefits :
- The free version includes unlimited projects
- Easy to learn interface
- No registration required
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many great free graphic design software programs available.
Each program has its own strengths and weaknesses, so choosing the program that best suits your needs is important. Hopefully, this article has helped you find the right program.
