Never seek out expensive graphic design software and applications. There are always free alternatives. This article is meant to be a starting point for those wanting to learn about free graphic design software downloads and best free app to create graphics.
Are you looking for some good free graphic design software to create amazing visual compositions? Is your PC running just a little slow and the idea of installing new software makes you cringe? Are you wondering if there are any free graphic design programs, or maybe even some free software to create graphics out there that might help speed things up a little? Well you’ve come to the right place!
Vectr
FixThePhoto editors’ choice
Pros
- Cross-platform and browser versions
- Intuitive, easy to use interface
- Easy project sharing
- WordPress integration
Cons
- Not found
This is a graphic design free software for creating different projects – from t-shirt prints to full-fledged graphics for websites. Vectr has a simple and intuitive interface, allows you to export created files in real-time.
Also, this software provides functionality for exchanging the information between different devices, which makes it convenient for team design.
Their website tells you several times that it’s not difficult to use and the developers can help you any time and with any question.
The Vectr’s learning curve is low. That’s why if you can’t afford to buy more expensive vector programs, this will be a great option for you to start.
It’s very simple to find various tutorials using Vectr software as there are about 30 of them on their website. You can use this software both online and via download. As for your work, it will be automatically saved and synched.
Canva
The best program for quick edits
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. Editors’ Rating (5/5)
Web / iOS / Android | Read Canva Review USE CANVA FOR FREE Pros
- Access from any computers and devices
- Thousands of templates
- Easy to use
Cons
- Requires fast Internet
Canva has 10 million users and provides universal tools using which you can design anything you want, including email headers, presentations and infographics for blogs. The design of their website is very intuitive and beginner-friendly. It also has a drag-and-drop function and high-quality free graphic templates.
This software is a popular option for non-designers at a last resort because it works well with graphics. If you are going to work with simple graphics, this is the best free online graphic design software. It’s wonderful if you want to make something fast and do not have much time to acquire professional skills.
Visme
The largest library of visual assets
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. Editors’ Rating (4/5) USE VISME FOR FREE Pros
- Lots of templates
- Saves color palettes
- Suitable for teamwork
- Can create animation and videos
- Integrates with other apps
Cons
- More expensive than competitors
Visme is an online tool for branding and creating visual assets such as charts, slideshows, storyboards, and even social media ad units. You can cope with such a variety of tasks thanks to an extensive stock library of graphic resources. Visme focuses on brand aesthetics and has features to preserve color palettes, images, videos and other assets of your brand/company.
In addition to classic presentations, you can create short videos and animations with transitions. The software offers numerous templates and allows you to add text or select the transition you want.
One of the most important innovations is the possibility to work as a team on the same file. You can draw up a special plan and develop a report or diagram of your business for your design team.
Visme integrates with many applications so that you can retrieve assets and data that you already store somewhere. What I really like is the possibility to download and share a file from a view-only link, inviting people to leave comments and annotations on the file.
Gravit Designer
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Best for: Corel users
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS
Gravit Designer is a great free resource for building graphics. It’s owned by the same company as Corel Draw, so if you’re a fan of Corel digital design products, Gravit Designer is definitely worth checking out. While there’s a “PRO” version of the software available for $49 annually, the free version of Gravit Designer should have everything you’ll need to create quality graphics. Plus, you can try the PRO version for free when you first sign up. Just select the free trial period for PRO.
Gravit Designer works online, but you can also download a desktop version of the software. You’ll just have to be connected to the internet to use it for free. When you first get started, you’ll be prompted to create a free account using your email address, name and a password. You won’t have to enter any payment information to use the free version of the software or to try out a trial version of the PRO software.
With the free version of Gravit Designer, you’ll get 500MB of Cloud storage and the ability to export PDF files. Unfortunately, the free version of the software doesn’t allow you to work offline, it doesn’t include touchscreen support or advanced export options, and you can’t see your projects’ version history.
Inkscape
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Best for: Professional quality vector graphics
Platforms: Linux, Windows, macOS
According to Inkscape’s website, the software was created for designers of all kinds including those in marketing and branding, engineering/CAD, web graphics, cartooning and for individual uses. You can get started by downloading the software to your Linux, Windows or macOS device.
When I first downloaded Inkscape, the interface reminded me of Microsoft Paint. This made it really intuitive to use, and all of the features are available for free. According to the website, those features include object creation, object manipulation, fill and stroke features, operations on paths, text support, rendering and a variety of file formats.
There are tons of resources available on Inkscape’s website under the “Learn” tab including an FAQ section, tutorials, books/manuals and a guide to how to use Inkscape for animation. Users also have access to Inkscape’s community which includes user support and discussions in the form of chat, forums and more.
GIMP
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Best for: Free Photoshop alternative
Platforms: GNU/Linux, OS X, Windows
If you’re looking for a free alternative to Photoshop, GIMP is a graphic design software worth checking out. While you can’t use the software online, it can be downloaded to Linux, OS X or Windows computers.
GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It’s a free software that was designed for photo retouching, image composition and image authoring, according to the website. The interface is really similar to Adobe’s Photoshop, so if you’re already familiar with the tools and shortcuts, using GIMP will be easy.
You can get started by checking out the tutorials online which include beginner basics, photo editing tips, painting guides and more. If you’re ready to try out the software yourself, you can download it here.
Conclusion:
You’re looking to create some graphics or artwork, but you don’t want to pay out any money to do it. It’s understandable if you feel that way as software is expensive and most of us need to make every dollar stretch as far as possible. Skillshare is a popular site which offers high-quality video tutorials on how to do a variety of skills. For example, if you wanted to learn how to trade stocks there are some great videos where professionals teach you the skills.