13+ Best Graphic Design Software [Reviewed and Ranked]
Canva
#1|Beginners and non-designers.
CorelDraw
#2|Professional designers.
Adobe Creative Cloud
#3|All levels.
Graphic design is a popular and lucrative career field that involves creating visual content for various mediums, including print materials, websites, social media, and more.
In order to be successful in this field, it’s important to have access to the right tools and resources.
In this guide, we’ll be reviewing the best graphic design software available on the market today.
What Is The Best Graphic Design Software?
Here are my picks of the best graphic design software.
1. Canva
Canva is a popular graphic design software that is designed for beginners and non-designers.
It features a simple drag-and-drop interface and a wide range of templates and pre-designed elements that make it easy to create professional-quality designs.
Benefits of using Canva
- Easy to use for beginners and non-designers.
- Wide range of templates and pre-designed elements.
- Affordable pricing options.
- A strong community of users for support and resources.
Pros
- Easy to use for beginners and non-designers.
- Wide range of templates and pre-designed elements.
- Affordable pricing options.
Cons
- Limited in terms of advanced design capabilities.
- Some features may only be available with a paid subscription.
Getting started with Canva
To get started with Canva, you’ll need to sign up for an account. There is a free version available, as well as paid subscription options with additional features.
Once you’ve signed up, you can start using the software to create designs. Canva offers a variety of tutorials and resources to help you get started.
2. CorelDRAW Graphics Software
CorelDRAW Graphics is a comprehensive graphic design software that is suitable for both beginners and professionals.
It features a wide range of tools and features, including illustration, layout, and photo editing capabilities.
Benefits of using CorelDRAW Graphics
- Comprehensive software, suitable for both beginners and professionals.
- Wide range of tools and features, including illustration, layout, and photo editing capabilities.
- A strong community of users for support and resources.
Pros
- Comprehensive software, suitable for both beginners and professionals.
- Wide range of tools and features, including illustration, layout, and photo editing capabilities.
Cons
- Some advanced features may require a paid subscription.
- May not have as many templates and pre-designed elements as other software.
Getting started with CorelDRAW Graphics
To get started with CorelDRAW Graphics, you’ll need to purchase a license from their website.
Once you’ve downloaded and installed the software on your computer, you can start using it to create designs. CorelDRAW Graphics offers a variety of tutorials and resources to help you get started.
3. Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Creative Cloud is a comprehensive suite of graphic design software that includes everything you need to create professional-quality designs.
It includes popular programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as well as newer tools like Adobe XD and Adobe Spark.
Benefits of using Adobe Creative Cloud
- Wide range of tools for various design needs.
- Industry-standard software used by professionals.
- Regular updates and new features added.
- A strong community of users for support and resources.
Pros
- A comprehensive suite of tools for various design needs.
- Industry-standard software used by professionals.
- Regular updates and new features added.
Cons
- Expensive subscription pricing model.
- Some tools may have a steep learning curve for beginners.
Getting started with Adobe Creative Cloud
To get started with Adobe Creative Cloud, you’ll need to sign up for a subscription. There are various pricing plans available, including a discounted plan for students and teachers.
Once you’ve signed up, you can download and install the software on your computer. Adobe also offers online tutorials and resources to help you get started with the various programs.
4. Gravit Designer
Gravit Designer is a powerful graphic design software that is available for free. It features a wide range of tools and features that make it suitable for both beginners and professionals.
Benefits of using Gravit Designer
- Free to use.
- Wide range of tools and features.
- A strong community of users for support and resources.
Pros
- Free to use.
- Wide range of tools and features.
Cons
- Some advanced features may require a paid subscription.
- May not have as many templates and pre-designed elements as other software.
Getting started with Gravit Designer
To get started with Gravit Designer, you can download the software for free from their website. Once you’ve installed it on your computer, you can start using it to create designs.
Gravit Designer offers a variety of tutorials and resources to help you get started.
5. Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is a popular graphic design software that is known for its powerful image editing and manipulation capabilities.
It is widely used by professionals in the design industry and is a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of tools.
Benefits of using Adobe Photoshop
- Powerful image editing and manipulation capabilities.
- Widely used by professionals in the design industry.
- Part of the comprehensive Adobe Creative Cloud suite of tools.
- Regular updates and new features added.
Pros
- Powerful image editing and manipulation capabilities.
- Widely used by professionals in the design industry.
- Part of the comprehensive Adobe Creative Cloud suite of tools.
Cons
- Expensive subscription pricing model.
- Some features may have a steep learning curve for beginners.
Getting started with Adobe Photoshop
To get started with Adobe Photoshop, you’ll need to sign up for a subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud.
There are various pricing plans available, including a discounted plan for students and teachers. Once you’ve signed up, you can download and install Photoshop on your computer. Adobe also offers online tutorials and resources to help you get started with the software.
6. Sketch
The sketch is a popular graphic design software that is specifically designed for web and app design. It features a wide range of tools and features that make it suitable for both beginners and professionals.
Benefits of using Sketch
- Specifically designed for web and app design.
- Wide range of tools and features.
- A strong community of users for support and resources.
Pros
- Specifically designed for web and app design.
- Wide range of tools and features.
Cons
- Only available for Mac users.
- Some advanced features may require a paid subscription.
Getting started with Sketch
To get started with Sketch, you’ll need to purchase a license from their website. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the software on your Mac, you can start using it to create designs.
Sketch offers a variety of tutorials and resources to help you get started.
7. Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is a popular vector graphic design software that is widely used by professionals in the design industry. It is a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of tools and is known for its powerful illustration and design capabilities.
Benefits of using Adobe Illustrator
- Widely used by professionals in the design industry.
- Powerful illustration and design capabilities.
- Part of the comprehensive Adobe Creative Cloud suite of tools.
- Regular updates and new features added.
Pros
- Widely used by professionals in the design industry.
- Powerful illustration and design capabilities.
- Part of the comprehensive Adobe Creative Cloud suite of tools.
Cons
- Expensive subscription pricing model.
- Some features may have a steep learning curve for beginners.
Getting started with Adobe Illustrator
To get started with Adobe Illustrator, you’ll need to sign up for a subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud. There are various pricing plans available, including a discounted plan for students and teachers. Once you’ve signed up, you can download and install Illustrator on your computer.
Adobe also offers online tutorials and resources to help you get started with the software.
8. Lunacy
Lunacy is a graphic design software that is specifically designed for creating designs for Windows-based platforms. It is free software that is known for its simplicity and ease of use.
Benefits of using Lunacy
- Specifically designed for creating designs for Windows-based platforms.
- Free to use.
- Simple and easy to use.
Pros
- Specifically designed for creating designs for Windows-based platforms.
- Free to use.
- Simple and easy to use.
Cons
- Limited in terms of advanced design capabilities.
- May not have as many templates and pre-designed elements as other software.
Getting started with Lunacy
To get started with Lunacy, you can download the software for free from their website. Once you’ve installed it on your computer, you can start using it to create designs.
Lunacy offers a variety of tutorials and resources to help you get started.
9. Mega Creator
Mega Creator is a graphic design software that is specifically designed for creating designs for mobile devices.
It features a wide range of tools and features that make it suitable for both beginners and professionals.
Benefits of using Mega Creator
- Specifically designed for creating designs for mobile devices.
- Wide range of tools and features.
- A strong community of users for support and resources.
Pros
- Specifically designed for creating designs for mobile devices.
- Wide range of tools and features.
Cons
- May not have as many templates and pre-designed elements as other software.
- Some advanced features may require a paid subscription.
Getting started with Mega Creator
To get started with Mega Creator, you’ll need to purchase a license from their website. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the software on your computer, you can start using it to create designs.
Mega Creator offers a variety of tutorials and resources to help you get started.
10. Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is a powerful graphic design software that is known for its professional-grade features and tools. It is available for both Mac and Windows users and is a popular alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
Benefits of using Affinity Designer
- Professional-grade features and tools.
- Available for both Mac and Windows users.
- A popular alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
- Affordable one-time purchase pricing model.
Pros
- Professional-grade features and tools.
- Available for both Mac and Windows users.
- A popular alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
- Affordable one-time purchase pricing model.
Cons
- Some features may have a steep learning curve for beginners.
- Limited in terms of advanced design capabilities compared to some other software.
Getting started with Affinity Designer
To get started with Affinity Designer, you’ll need to purchase a license from their website. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the software on your computer, you can start using it to create designs.
Affinity Designer offers a variety of tutorials and resources to help you get started.
11. Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign is a professional-grade graphic design software that is used for creating print materials, such as magazines, books, and brochures.
It is a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of tools and is known for its powerful layout and design capabilities.
Benefits of using Adobe InDesign
- Professional-grade software used for creating print materials.
- Part of the comprehensive Adobe Creative Cloud suite of tools.
- Powerful layout and design capabilities.
- Regular updates and new features added.
Pros
- Professional-grade software used for creating print materials.
- Part of the comprehensive Adobe Creative Cloud suite of tools.
- Powerful layout and design capabilities.
Cons
- Expensive subscription pricing model.
- Some features may have a steep learning curve for beginners.
Getting started with Adobe InDesign
To get started with Adobe InDesign, you’ll need to sign up for a subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud. There are various pricing plans available, including a discounted plan for students and teachers.
Once you’ve signed up, you can download and install InDesign on your computer. Adobe also offers online tutorials and resources to help you get started with the software.
12. Eagle PCB
Eagle is a graphic design software that is specifically designed for creating designs for PCB (printed circuit board) layouts. It is a powerful software that is suitable for both beginners and professionals.
Benefits of using Eagle
- Specifically designed for creating designs for PCB layouts.
- Powerful software, suitable for both beginners and professionals.
- A strong community of users for support and resources.
Pros
- Specifically designed for creating designs for PCB layouts.
- Powerful software, suitable for both beginners and professionals.
Cons
- May not have as many templates and pre-designed elements as other software.
- Some advanced features may require a paid subscription.
Getting started with Eagle
To get started with Eagle, you’ll need to purchase a license from their website. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the software on your computer, you can start using it to create designs.
Eagle offers a variety of tutorials and resources to help you get started.
13. Desygner
Desygner is a powerful graphic design software that is suitable for both beginners and professionals. It features a wide range of tools and features, including illustration, layout, and photo editing capabilities.
Benefits of using Desygner
- Powerful software, suitable for both beginners and professionals.
- Wide range of tools and features, including illustration, layout, and photo editing capabilities.
- A strong community of users for support and resources.
Pros
- Powerful software, suitable for both beginners and professionals.
- Wide range of tools and features, including illustration, layout, and photo editing capabilities.
Cons
- Some advanced features may require a paid subscription.
- May not have as many templates and pre-designed elements as other software.
Getting started with Desygner
To get started with Desygner, you’ll need to purchase a license from their website. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the software on your computer, you can start using it to create designs.
Desygner offers a variety of tutorials and resources to help you get started.
14. GIMP
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open-source graphic design software that is suitable for both beginners and professionals.
It features a wide range of tools and features, including illustration, layout, and photo editing capabilities.
Benefits of using GIMP
- Free, open-source software suitable for both beginners and professionals.
- Wide range of tools and features, including illustration, layout, and photo editing capabilities.
- A strong community of users for support and resources.
Pros
- Free, open-source software suitable for both beginners and professionals.
- Wide range of tools and features, including illustration, layout, and photo editing capabilities.
Cons
- May not have as many templates and pre-designed elements as other software.
- Some advanced features may be limited compared to other software.
Getting started with GIMP
To get started with GIMP, you can download the software for free from their website. Once you’ve installed it on your computer, you can start using it to create designs.
GIMP offers a variety of tutorials and resources to help you get started.
What Are The Key Features To Look For in Graphic Design Software?
Some key features to look for in graphic design software include:
- Wide range of tools and features
- Industry-standard software used by professionals
- Regular updates and new features added
- A strong community of users for support and resources
- Affordable pricing options (for those on a budget)
- It’s important to consider your specific design needs and choose software that has the tools and features you need.
Frequently asked questions about graphic design software
Canva is a great option for beginners, as it has a simple drag-and-drop interface and a wide range of templates and pre-designed elements. It’s also affordable, with both a free version and paid subscription options. Gravit Designer is another good option, as it is free to use and has a wide range of tools and features.
Adobe Creative Cloud is the industry-standard software used by professionals in the graphic design field. It includes a wide range of tools for various design needs and is regularly updated with new features. It’s worth noting that it does have a subscription pricing model, so it may not be the most budget-friendly option for everyone.
While a degree in graphic design can certainly be helpful, it is not necessarily required to use graphic design software. There are many self-taught graphic designers who have learned through online tutorials, courses, and hands-on experience. It’s important to have a strong understanding of design principles and be willing to put in the time to learn and practice using the software.
Conclusion
There are many great graphic design software options available on the market, each with its own unique benefits and features.
Adobe Creative Cloud is a comprehensive suite of tools that are used by professionals in the industry.
Canva is a great option for beginners and non-designers, with a simple drag-and-drop interface and a wide range of templates and pre-designed elements.
Gravit Designer is a free software with a wide range of tools and features, making it suitable for both beginners and professionals.
When choosing a graphic design software, it’s important to consider your specific design needs and budget, as well as the key features and benefits of each option.
