The Free Graphic Design Apps create a sense that there is a software package with which you can create graphics without any need for professional training, yet the description creates a desire to know more about what software is involved.
If you are looking to get into graphic design, then this collection of free graphic design apps is sure to help. This list features some of the best free graphics design apps that offer professional level design capabilities on your mobile device. The programs range from photo editing applications to vector drawing applications, all of which can be downloaded without charge.
Klex
If you want to create great-looking graphics at speed, Klex is the platform to do it on. This design tool hasn’t been designed with professional designers in mind, therefore for all you design novices out there, this is a great place to start.
You can choose from a wide variety of existing templates as well as a plethora of design tools, effects and fillers. There’s then a choice of fonts if you want to add text to your designs alongside some fab customisation options too.
To dip your toe into the design world, Klex is a great tool to mess around with and we can guarantee that you’ll surprise yourself with the quality of the results you produce.
Easelly
Easelly is another online infographic design tool. Users have access to thousands of images and infographic templates and can also have one of Easelly’s designers create a design for them.
There are even articles and webinars created to inspire users to make beautiful designs. Easelly is perfect for teachers, students and business owners who need to take complex information and turn it into an easy-to-follow format.
Easelly also has various premium plans for students, individuals and businesses.
Snappa
As the name suggests, Snappa allows users to easily create online graphics for social media, blogs and ads in no time at all.
Snappa also allows users to choose from thousands of pre-made templates, fonts, vectors and stock photos. This online design tool also allows users to resize photos for various social media platforms.
Additionally, Snappa allows users to upgrade to a premium version of the program and has different prices for individuals and teams.
Pixlr
If you’re looking to use photos within your new app, Pixlr enables you to edit and play around with its various effects, overlays and borders. It is an app available on both iOS and Android, so you can upload any photos directly from your phone.
This photo editing tool has over 600 effects to choose from to add to your photos, as well as being able to do everything else you’d expect from a photo editor such as cropping, resizing, whitening and removing the increasingly common red eye.
If you’ve used Photoshop to work on photos in the past, you’ll soon get to grips with Pixlr as its interface is very similar and arguably more straightforward to use.
BeFunky
BeFunky is a great online design tool if you are looking for a photo editing platform with a range of graphics, frames, effects and textures.
If you’re looking for a platform that can easily edit photos, create engaging graphic designs and photo collages, then BeFunky has all of the tools you need.
BeFunky also has a variety of tutorials and inspiration for users to learn design tips and make the most out of the platform.
There is also an option for users to have access to BeFunky Plus, which starts at $4.99.
Gravit Designer
A great choice for designing splash screens and vector graphics for your new app, Gravit Designer is clean and easy to use, with an interface that will adjust to exactly how you need to use it.
There is a great choice of tools for you to take advantage of, including a knife tool, blending modes and much more that will go a long way in helping you to create stunning vector graphics that will perfectly complement your new app.
This free graphic design tool is well worth playing around with as you get to grips with the many different elements to it, however, with a little investment in time you can make the most of all that the software has to offer.
Vectr
Vectr is another free graphics software that allows users to easily create high-quality vector graphics.
Additionally, Vectr’s design tools allow users to create blur-free logos, website mockups and presentations.
Another great feature of Vectr is that it allows for team collaborations so that designers can work on designs and projects together.
Coolars
Coolars is another design tool that allows users to create their own perfect colour palette or be inspired by thousands of other colour schemes.
If you have no idea what your colour scheme should be, Coolars will give you recommendations and access to their HEX codes.
This colour scheme design tool is also used by well-known companies like Walt Disney, Netflix, Dropbox and Apple, to name but a few.
Unsplash
Unsplash is a website that is dedicated to sharing free stock photos under the Unsplash licence.
Users looking for high-quality stock photos can go onto the Unsplash website and search through and download images by over 207,000 contributing photographers.
On the Unsplash website, you can also find professional photographers in your area that are available for hire.
Adobe Ilustrator
The best graphic design software for vector editing
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Windows, macOSTODAY’S BEST DEALSAdobe IllustratorUS$20.99/mthVISIT SITEat Adobe
REASONS TO BUY
+Industry-standard toolset+Time-saving AI features+Top vector and type tools
REASONS TO AVOID
-Requires subscription
If you’re working with vectors, Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard. First released in 1987, it allows you to create everything from simple logos and icons to detailed, multi-layered artwork.
Since October 2020, there’s been an accompanying iPad app. That means that you can also start work on a project on your iPad to get all the basics in place, then transfer your work to the desktop for fine-tuning.
Illustrator requires a Creative Cloud subscription, which may put some people off. But as a business expense, it’s a fair amount to pay. Plus, because it’s subscription-based software, you’ll get all the latest updates for free. Since July, for instance, Illustrator now allows you to rotate your view of the canvas.
Sketch
The best vector editing software for Mac
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: macOSTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Good for UI and icons+Easy to learn
REASONS TO AVOID
-Mac-only-Lacks Illustrator’s depthAdvertisement
Finding the best graphic design software is about finding the right tool for your needs. Illustrator and Affinity Designer might be overkill if you’re just interested in UI design, prototyping or making icons. In which case Sketch may suit you much better (as long as you use a Mac, as it’s not available for Windows).
Sketch features a streamlined set of tools that are easy to get to grips with than more full-featured design apps. And if you need to design a website rather than create detailed vector illustrations, it’s a great fit.
Vecteezy
The best free vector editor for beginners
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: BrowserTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Easy to use+Good vector tools+Many elements to work with
REASONS TO AVOID
-Account required to save work
Need a painless way to get started with vectors? Vecteezy is a free, in-browser vector editor. Work with ready-made vectors that you can customise to suit your needs, or build your own designs from the ground up. Either way, this tool is easy to use and has some nice features such as advanced transformations and keyboard shortcuts. Signing up for the Pro version, meanwhile, gets you a bunch more tools and resources.
SVG-Edit
The best free vector editor for quick SVG jobs
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: BrowserTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Good vector capabilities+Intuitive interface
REASONS TO AVOID
-Short on advanced tools-Needs some code knowledgeAdvertisement
Based in the browser, SVG-Edit lets you edit and create SVG files using a standard vector toolset. It’s not the most sophisticated of vector apps, but it doesn’t really need to be. For simple vectors, or even slightly more detailed ones, it’ll do the job just fine.
Infinite Design
Created by developer Sean Brakefield, Infinite Design is a vector graphics apps for Android that lets you create designs using your tablet or smartphone.
If you want to try before you buy, the free version includes an infinite canvas, infinite layers and an infinite undo and redo system (hence the name), layer options such as split, merge, flip and duplicate and five symmetry tools, the ability to import images to the canvas and add special effects and a path editing and pen tool for precise control.
Without paying for the full version, you’ll be able to save your work as a JPEG, but the full version will give you the ability to save images as PNG, PSD or SVG, and is ad-free.
Sketchbook
Created by Autodesk, Sketchbook is free to download painting and drawing application that can help you achieve simple tasks like sketching out ideas to more complex undertakings that involve layers and intricate brushes.
The tools aren’t as comprehensive as those found in the Sketchbook Pro app, which is available as an in-app purchase after downloading the free Sketchbook app here, but will do the trick for most designers who need a tool for moments of inspiration while out and about.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to get into graphic design this list is for you. These free graphics design apps can transform your mobile device into a professional level design tool. There are applications that allow you to edit photos and others that allow you to create your own vector drawings. With these tools in hand, it’s easy to create stunning designs.