The best graphic design software can provide both professional designers and amateurs with the tools they need to create. Below is our ultimate selection of the best graphic design software.
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1. Adobe Photoshop
You probably don’t need us to tell you that Adobe’s Photoshop is the industry-standard software for image editing. The package has long been a household name and just as Illustrator remains the best graphic design software for vector work thanks to its regular updates, Photoshop continues to dominate in image editing.
Adobe Photoshop, the world’s most capable image editing software, includes mind-blowing AI-powered neural filters, automatic sky replacement, and unmatched selection tools, all in a helpful and polished interface.
Platform: Windows, macOS, iPad | Payment model: Subscription
Pros
- Industry standard bitmap editor
- All the tools you’ll need
- AI-powered features
- Tools for mobile and web design
Cons
- Requires subscription
- Premium assets aren’t cheap
2. Adobe Illustrator
If you want the best graphic design software for vector drawing and editing, then really, you’ll want Adobe Illustrator. Regular updates have kept it ahead of growing competition in terms of the range of features and tools, and it also remains the industry-standard software.
Platform: Windows, MacOS, iPad | Payment model: Subscription
Pros
- Recognized as the industry-standard program
- Time-saving AI features
- Good vector and type tools
- Many improvements to existing features
Cons
- Requires a monthly subscription
3. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
CorelDraw is a powerful and capable graphic design app that offers unique tools and collaboration features for creative workflows. It’s now available in two formats: in CorelDRAW Standard, which is marketed to amateur enthusiasts, and CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, which is a larger package of tools aimed at professional designers.
Platform: Windows, MacOS, browser, iPad | Payment model: One-off purchase or subscription
Pros
- Wide range of features
- Now available online and for iPad
- Strong community of users
- Highly customizable interface
- Easy to learn and use
Cons
- No longer the industry standard
- Still more expensive than some newer alternatives
4. Adobe Indesign
This graphic design software is used primarily in the publishing industry because you can design magazines, info sheets, books, posters, interactive PDFs, brochures, etc. with it. With the ‘adjust layout’ option that InDesign provides, you can change the text of your document, and the graphic will adjust accordingly.
Platform: Windows, MacOS, iPad | Payment model: Subscription
Pros
- Graphic designers can efficiently combine graphics and texts for easier streamlining and optimizations of files.
- It allows users to add tags to indexes, keywords, anchor text frames, footnotes, table of contents, and captions with hyperlinks.
- It supports HTML exporting that enables web developers to export clean and simple codes during the implementation of the website’s layout designs. This works great for WordPress sites.
- It can help you eliminate redundant div tags in HTML files along with insignificant content grouping.
- Has the capability of resizing multiple objects and changing the width and height at the same time.
- It is an industry standard for desktop publishing.
Cons
- The less intuitive user interface can make things overwhelming for new users.
- Not positioned for general users. Suitable for enterprise use only.
- Relatively expensive than other similar software available in the market.
- PDF comment integration needs perfection
5. Inkscape
Inkscape is a vector design tool that offers broad file support, extensive text manipulation, and both Bezier and Spiro curve types. It also has an extension model that allows new features to be easily installed, and there are some amazing ones available.
Platform: Windows, Linux, Mac | Payment model: Free
Pros
- Free and full-featured.
- Cross-platform: On Windows, Linux and Mac
- Robust community and extension ecosystem.
Cons
- Can be slow at times
- Interface visuals need a boost
6. Canva
Canva is a highly capable collaborative app for entrepreneurs and small businesses that enables anyone to design, manage, and share branded content, regardless of their creative skills.
Platform: Browser, iOS, Android | Payment model: Free, with subscription for pro version
Pros
- Good for non-designers
- Free to use
- Excellent tools and resources for creating branded content
Cons
- Pro features require subscription
- No video calling, audio calling, or screen sharing capabilities
7. Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is a cheaper alternative to illustrator, specifically aimed at professional designers and how they work, this software can handle a very wide scope of design tasks, including web, branding, concept art, typography and even repeating patterns, as you might need on ceramics, wallpaper or soft furnishings. Affinity Designer is great at handling complex and heavily layered documents with smoothness.
Platform: Windows, MacOS, iPad | Payment model: One-off payment
Pros
- Full-featured and fast
- Intelligently designed UI that feels familiar
- Extremely responsive tool interactions
- Inexpensive, with no subscription required
Cons
- Lacks some advanced features
- No natural perspective grid
8. Sketch
Sketch is a Mac-only graphic design software that mainly focuses on digital design. Sketch is focused on screen design, specifically creating the icons and interface elements for websites and applications.
Platform: MacOS | Payment model: one-off payment
Pros
- Easy to learn
- Regular updates
Cons
- Available on only Mac
