7 Best Free Graphic Design Tools to Start Your Design Journey!

As a newcomer graphic designer, investing in expensive software can feel overwhelming, especially if you are on a tight budget. Fortunately, there are some of the best free graphic design tools available that not only cost nothing but are also equally good as paid programs. Let’s dive in and discover which ones are great for your creative toolkit.

Key Takeaways:

• Canva, Adobe Express, and VistaCreate are excellent for easy and quick designs like display ads and presentations.
• GIMP offers powerful photo editing tools for digital artists and photographers.
• Inkscape is ideal for vector design, with strong tools at no cost.
• Krita is a great alternative to Photoshop. It offers features to create stunning digital art.

Also Read: What’s Hot in Design? 10 New Trends in Graphic Design 2025

Top 7 Best Free Graphic Design Tools

These tools can help you create stunning graphic design visuals without spending a cent!

1. Canva

Rating: 4.7/5 by Capterra

Platform: Web-based application, Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS

Canva is often the go-to choice when talking about free graphic design tools. Known for its intuitive interface and rich library of features and assets, it’s a favorite for creating quick designs in various formats. Furthermore, it supports social media schedulers and collaboration tools, making it one of the best tools for graphic designers.

Key Features:

• User-Friendly Editor: Drag-and-drop tools make designing quick and effortless.
• Massive Template & Asset Library: Access over 250,000 templates and 3 million+ stock photos, graphics, and videos for various projects.
• AI-Powered Tools: Smart features, like text-to-image generation and background remover.

2. Figma

Rating: 4.7/5 by Capterra

Platform: Browser-based application, Windows, MacOS, Linux

Among the best free graphic design tools, Figma is superb for various tasks, from graphic design to UI/UX and web design. It’ll be your best partner in every design process, especially collaborating with teams.

Key Features:

• Figma Design: Design and prototype websites with ready-made UI kits.
• FigJam: Collaborate with teams through the digital whiteboard.
• Preset Libraries: A vast collection of pre-made UI kits and templates.

3. Adobe Express

Rating: 4.6/5 by Capterra

Platform: Web-based application, Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS

Adobe Express might not be as well-known as Photoshop or Illustrator, but it offers impressive capabilities. Like Canva, the platform has a simple interface, allowing you to design using customizable templates and ready-to-use assets.

Key Features:

• Sleek editing tools: Its drag-and-drop tools ensure a seamless editing experience.
• A vast library of assets: Free and diverse templates and stock assets.
• Quick actions and add-ons: Additional features, like background remover and QR code generator.
• Adobe Firefly: AI-powered tools for fast and creative artwork generation.

Also Read: 12 Principles of Graphic Design: Let Your Creativity Shine!

4. VistaCreate

Rating: 4.6/5 by Capterra

Platforms: Web-based application, Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS

VistaCreate is a strong alternative to Canva, providing a user-friendly editing experience with customizable templates and design elements. Despite some limitations, it still ranks as one of the best free graphic design tools worth trying.

Key Features:

• Sleek Editing Tools: Drag-and-drop tools for quick design creation.
• Vast Collection of Assets and Templates: 150,000+ templates and stock images.
• Generous Cloud Storage: Up to 10GB of cloud space for your projects.

5. Inkscape

Rating: 4.4/5 by Capterra

Platform: Windows, MacOS, Linux

Inkscape is considered as one of the best free graphic design tools, offering powerful open-source capabilities for creating vector-based designs. Thanks to its sleek interface and robust features, this software empowers you to create stunning designs effortlessly.

Key Features:

• Object Creation: Create vector art using shapes, lines, and text.
• Object Manipulation: Transform, layer, and align objects with ease.
• Path Tools: Edit paths and use shape-building tools for precise designs.

Alos Read: A Kaleidoscope of Bold Color Palettes for Graphic Design

6. Krita

Rating: 4.4/5 by Capterra

Platform: Windows, MacOS, Linux

Krita is well-known as an alternative to Photoshop, offering powerful and versatile tools for graphic designers, illustrators, and even animators. Additionally, it has a smoother and easier interface, which makes it one of the most effective free graphic design tools for beginners.

Key Features:

• Brush collections: 100+ pre-made brushes, with support for importing custom ones.
• Vector feature: Built-in tools for creating clean, scalable vector designs.
• Animation tools: Create simple 2D animations with onion skinning and audio support.

7. GIMP

Rating: 4.4/5 by Capterra

Platform: Windows, MacOS, Linux

GIMP is a competent open-source alternative to Photoshop, providing a range of tools for graphic design tasks such as digital art, layout creation, and image manipulation. Despite having an outdated UI, it is still functional for handling creative design jobs.

Key Features:

• Advanced editing tools: Brushes, layers, and adjustments for detailed editing.
• Photo enhancement tools: Easily boost image quality and resolution.
• Digital retouching tools: Fine-tune details using healing and clone tools.

Also Read: 7 Techno Graphic Design Ideas for Up Close Futuristic Look

Design Like a Pro Without Spending a Dime!

While paid graphic design software is a valuable long-term investment, starting your design journey doesn’t have to be costly. With many of the best free graphic design tools available, you can sharpen your skills and build your portfolio. These tools offer everything you need to begin your creative journey with confidence.As you sharpen your design skills, don’t overlook the power of typography. Explore Zarmatype to find extensive collections of fonts for professional design projects, from bold posters to sleek branding campaigns. With flexible licenses and diverse styles, there’s a font to suit your creative vision.

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