Best graphics designing tools: The human brain processes image 60,000 times faster than text. The attractive visual can stop you even if the text gets failed. We all know how important it is to design creative visuals to leave imprints in the minds of visitors. Images are an integral part of digitalization.
Whether you are starting a website or promoting your business through social media or finding some other way, you cannot spare visuals. This is one of the best ways to hold a user.
To design attractive visuals, you need to choose a tool that can easily create images for different purposes. We’ve compiled a list of the best graphic designing tools that can be used to make attractive visuals for your social media posts, websites, or emailers. Using these tools, you can adjust the size, text, and font of the image accordingly, and even check out some graphic design examples to inspire your next project.
Before we begin with the list of the best graphic designing tools, let’s just know some graphic designing stats.
Stats on Graphic Designing
Let’s have a glance at some amazing graphic design stats.
- The graphic designers’ industry market size in the US is measured at $16.9 billion in 2024.
- The global Graphic Design Market size was valued at USD 57.5 billion in 2023 and is predicted to reach USD 78.25 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 4.5% from 2024.
- 51% of marketers in B2B sector consider creation of visual asset as their top priority.
- 65% of visual managers love using infographics.
- It is believed only 10% of message retains in the mind if it is not followed by an image.
- 68% of marketers said they are going to use more content in the coming future.
- Social media posts with visual content perform 65% better than those without images.
So, you must have understood how important it is to get visual content. And to get the best visual content you need to choose the best graphic designing tool. So, let’s begin with the list of the best graphic designing tools.
Top key features to Look For in Graphic Design Tools
- Ease of Use: Ensure it has a friendly interface; this means this tool should be easy to use.
- Customization Options: Features that should be provided are templates, font type and size, color, layout etc.
- Collaboration Capabilities: In case the tools are to be used for a team project, always select those that have cloud sharing or collaboration features.
- Platform Compatibility: That is, it must be compatible with operating systems of both desktop and mobile devices.
- Cost-effectiveness: Select a tool that can be afforded and the one that is cost-effective but has so many features to offer.
Quick Review Of our listed Graphics Designing Tools
| Tool Name | Ratings (out of 5) | Best For | Standout Feature |
| Adobe Photoshop | 4.8 | Photo Editing and Retouching | Powerful layer and masking tools |
| Adobe Illustrator | 4.7 | Vector Art and Illustrations | Precise vector editing with customizable brushes |
| Canva | 4.6 | Social Media and Marketing | Drag-and-drop with extensive template library |
| Inkscape | 4.3 | Free Vector Graphics | Advanced path and node editing for vector work |
| Sketch | 4.5 | UI/UX Design | Symbols and reusable components for consistency |
| Pixlr | 4.2 | Quick Edits and Social Media | Web-based with AI-powered background removal |
| CorelDRAW | 4.4 | Print and Logo Design | Advanced color management and layout options |
| Affinity Designer | 4.5 | One-Time Purchase for Vectors | Vector and raster support in one application |
| Gravit Designer | 4.1 | Cross-Platform Vectors | Versatile vector tools with cross-platform access |
| GIMP | 4.0 | Free Photo Editing | Open-source with extensive plugin support |
Best Graphic Designing Tools
1. Adobe Photoshop
Every second graphic designer uses Adobe Photoshop for photo editing purposes. Being one of the most commonly used tools, it has amazing features that include several designs for both mobile phones apps and the web. It is synchronized with Adobe Creative cloud and offers several unique features like face-aware liquify, content-aware crop, synced libraries, cloud documents and many more.
The user interface is beyond amazing. It is customizable and offers workspace layouts that include graphic designing, painting, motion, web and photography. The tool can be used on the desktop as well as mobile phones.
The user interface is simple and the tool can easily edit your pictures in no time. It can edit animation and edit layers. Everything can be customized and you can paint your imagination using this tool.
Pricing:
- Starting at $33.99/month.
Key features:
- Advanced Photo Editing: Offers powerful tools for retouching, color correction, and detailed photo manipulation.
- Layer and Mask Control: Allows complex image compositions with layer blending, masking, and adjustment options.
- AI-Powered Tools: Features like Content-Aware Fill and Sky Replacement use AI to streamline edits.
2. BeFunky
If you want an easy-to-use photo editing tool, look no further than BeFunky. In fact, BeFunky has such a simple interface that you can do complicated graphics functions, like removing backgrounds or adding effects, with a single click.
The many premium photo editing tools BeFunky has to offer are so advanced that just about anyone can replace colors, remove unwanted objects and retouch portraits seamlessly. These tools are perfect for all your content creation needs.
And if you want to create designs from scratch, that’s made possible with their over a million free stock images and thousands of icons and vector graphics.
Pricing:
- The basic is $5.99 per month if billed annually and $11.99 for the month if billed monthly.
Key features:
- Vector-Based Design: Ideal for creating scalable logos, icons, and illustrations without quality loss.
- Artboard Management: Multiple artboards let you work on different parts of a project in one file
- Precise Pen Tool: Allows for highly accurate paths and shapes, essential for illustration and typography.
3. Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign is the first choice of businesses when it comes to graphic designing. Using this tool, you can easily design info sheets, magazines, and you can easily export them in PDF or HTML sheets.
This is one of the easiest graphic designing tools that can be learned with little practice. This is the best way to adjust content and graphics in your desired layout. It has several templates and facilitates automatic resizing and arrangements. You can also share InCopy with other members and work together using this tool.
Pricing:
- Priced from $20.99/mo; the complete Creative Cloud for $52.99 per month.
Key features:
- Easy Drag-and-Drop Interface: Intuitive for beginners, with templates for social media, presentations, and marketing materials.
- Template Library: Thousands of customizable templates for social media, posters, presentations, and more.
- Collaboration Features: Share designs with team members, edit in real-time, and manage brand assets with Canva Pro.
4. Image Upscaler
If you want to upscale images, remove backgrounds, add photo filters, or convert images into AI-cartoonized images, Image Upscaler will do the job. It offers an easy user interface that allows you to convert photos in just a few clicks. The tool can also process videos and convert them into anime, cartoons, and other trendy styles.
Moreover, you can also create AI images from scratch. Type clear instructions, and your AI image will be ready within seconds. This software offers 5 free conversions for your satisfaction; after that, you can buy from their premium packages.
Pricing:
- Started Plan: 50 credits for $6/month or $43/year
- Premium Plan: 500 credits for $25/month or $180/year
- Premium Plus Plan: 1000 credits for $29/month or $208/year
Key features:
- Free and Open-Source: Open to novices and experts and which does not involve any form of subscription.
- Vector Graphics Creation: Develop logo designs, illustrations and graphics for web-based visuals for print, web, or screen media.
- Text and Font Flexibility: Make small adjustments to the letter forms of a typeface regarding the spacing in between them.
5. Inkscape
If you are looking for a tool that can create high-quality graphics for free, Inkscape is the best choice for you. It is one of the best graphic designing tools for beginners who are learning graphic designing. It has features that make it the best choice for small businesses.
The user experience is impressive and being a designer you can easily operate this tool. The tool has several preset filters and you can create graphics with different fonts. You can also create and download ready-made plugins. It is a full-fledged tool that allows you to edit, create and convert vectors.
Pricing:
- The tool can be operated for free.
Key features:
- UI and UX Design Focus: Perfect for web and application design and includes elements specially designed for UI design.
- Symbols and Reusable Components: Keep related designs intact by making reusable items.
- Artboard and Layout Tools: Organise artboards in a responsive and an adaptive manner for different screens.
6. Sketch
The name and the features are equally pleasant. Sketch is counted among the most affordable graphic designing tools. This tool is best known for designing graphics for app, web. The tool offers thousands of templates and works for both iOS and Android.
You can make custom plugins using this tool. You don’t have to spend days learning this tool. The tool is new in the market and there is a scope for growth. But it is a great choice for beginners as you don’t have to spend a lot and you can get amazing features.
It allows sharing through the cloud. You can easily work with your team using this tool.
Pricing:
- Pricing starts at $89 per device.
Key features:
- Web-Based Editing: Available through web browsers and do not have to be downloaded or installed.
- AI-Powered Tools: Rapid background erasure, smart photo optimization, and single touch fine tuning for rapid modifications.
- Template Library: Such as ready-made templates for social networks, ads, banners.
7. Adobe Illustrator
Can you imagine a list of the best graphic designing tools without Adobe Illustrator? Adobe illustrator has a lot to offer. This tool is perfect for illustrative artwork, corporate logos, page layouts, website mockups.
Other graphic designing tools look up to Adobe Illustrator as it allows you to design customized graphics, edit multiple artboards simultaneously, compatible with numerous devices. The best part is its user interface is quite accessible.
You can get more than 90 million images, templates and graphics in the Adobe stock. It has tight integration with other Adobe products.
Pricing:
- Personal use: $9.99 per month
- Enterprise use: $33.99 per month
Key features:
- Vector Illustration Tools: It is suitable for logo design, brochure, and technical illustration.
- Page Layout and Typography: Tools for text productivity with print and digital media advanced text formatting and layout.
- AI-Assisted Tools: Software such as PowerTRACE changes bitmap images into vectors making it more flexible.
8. Pixlr
Pixlr is another commonly used graphic designing tool. This tool can be used on mobile phones, desktops, iOS and Android. If you are looking for a high-quality tool with a simple user interface, Pixlr is the best choice for you.
Most designers use this tool for making social media posts. You can create other images in no time using its simple drag and drop feature. It has a library of templates for ads, create flyers and business cards. It is an affordable tool that offers various editing options.
The tool is used by both beginners as well as established professionals.
Pricing:
- This tool is free.
Key features:
- Single-Payment Model: If you prefer a no-nonsense, professional design solution, Canva is providing it to you ad-free and free of charge.
- Vector and Raster Support: Create vector and raster workspaces without leaving the design process for versatile usage.
- Advanced Grid and Snapping System: We also have the option of creating more customizable grids as well as the snapping feature which makes alignment easier.
9. Canva
Every time a person is looking for a graphic designing tool, he gets a suggestion of using Canva. Canva is one of the most demanded graphic designing tools. Using this tool, you can easily create images, posters, banners, brochures and much more.
You don’t have to worry about the size. The tool allows provides you templates for the platform for which you want to make an image. You can make carousels, social media posts using templates on Canva. If you are not liking those templates, create your own.
It has a simple drag and drops feature making it one of the best graphic designing tools.
Pricing:
- Annually: $119.99 for 5 members
- Monthly: $12.99 for 5 members
- Additional member charges: $60 per year ($5.00/ month)
Key features:
- Cross-Platform Accessibility: Available online and in the form of software for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chrome OS.
- Versatile Vector Tools: The features provided are advance pen tools, Bezigon tools, and the ability to manipulate paths in vector graphics.
- Dashboard and File Management: Very basic layout with file organization functions for dealing with projects.
10. Xara Designer
Xara designer offers advanced features that make it an optimum choice for big businesses. The smooth user interface has made it one of the best graphic designing tools. It is used for web and print design solutions. It is used to create illustrations, design web pages and edit photos.
The tool works fast and has “drag and drop features”. It has cloud capabilities to view and edit documents through a web browser on different devices. The zoom feature allows zooming up to 25,601% to have a closer look.
Pricing:
- Pricing starts at $22 per month.
Key features:
- Free and Open-Source: Is a free software that gives raw editing power like Adobe Photoshop but is absolutely free.
- Customizable Interface: Extremely flexible, it can be augmented with plugins, thus it is possible to adjust it to individual needs.
- Advanced Photo Retouching: Has color correction feature, filters, as well as layers.
How to Choose the Right Tool for Your Needs
1. Identify Your Design Goals and Projects
Start by defining what you need the tool for:
- Types of Projects: Is it for photo editing, vector graphics, website design, social media, poster and flyers or anything that is printed?
- Complexity: What are your needs simple changes or do you need illustrations, animations or 3D designs?
Example: If you are designing social media graphics then tools like Canva or Pixlr are enough to handle your needs.
2. Consider Your Skill Level
Choose a tool that matches your design experience:
- Beginner: Seek easy to understand tools that take a short time to learn, those having templates, interfaces as well as being dragged on interfaces. However, BeFunky and Canva are easy options for newbies.
- Intermediate to Advanced: If you have more experience, there are more control and extra features tools like Adobe photoshop, Corel draw etc.
3. Evaluate Feature Set
Compare tools based on the specific features you need:
- Vector vs. Raster Graphics: To create logos and any graphics that are scalable, it is appropriate to use vector applications such as Adobe Illustrator, or Inkscape. For photo editing, and raster images Adobe Photoshop or GIMP can be used.
- Templates and Assets: If you are in search of templates you can use, look for applications such as Canva or Pixlr with large galleries of templates.
Conclusion
We have curated the list of the best graphic designing tools after a thorough research. No business can survive digitally without a graphic designing tool. Sometimes businesses hire freelancers for graphic designing or they learn for their businesses.
Promoting a business without visual content is like serving a dessert without sugar. This is why you need to choose the right graphic designing tools for your business. Different factors that are to be considered before selecting a graphic designing tool are budget, features, the type of visual content you want, team size.
The tool you choose should serve your purpose effectively. Which graphic designing tool do you think is going to work the best for your business?
FAQs
What are graphic designing tools?
Graphic designing tools are software applications and platforms that allow designers to create visual content, including images, illustrations, layouts, and typography. These tools help streamline the design process, enabling users to produce professional-quality graphics for various purposes, such as marketing, branding, and social media.
Which graphic designing tools are the most popular among professionals?
Some of the most popular graphic designing tools among professionals include Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Canva, and Sketch. Each tool offers unique features tailored to different aspects of graphic design, from photo editing to vector graphics creation.
Can I use graphic designing software for free?
Yes, there are several graphic designing tools available for free or with limited features. Tools like Canva, GIMP, and Inkscape offer robust functionalities without the need for a paid subscription. However, premium versions typically provide more advanced features and resources, which can enhance your design capabilities.
How do I choose the right graphic designing tool for my needs?
Choosing the right graphic designing tool depends on your specific requirements, skill level, and budget. Consider factors such as the type of projects you’ll be working on (e.g., digital illustration, photo editing), your experience with design software, and whether you need collaboration features. Researching user reviews and trying out free trials can also help you make an informed decision.
