Software for creating, producing, modifying, or converting graphic images. Includes both bitmap and vector editing programs. Software titles are reviewed based on their overall performance and ease of use to determine an application’s rating in a given category. This rating should be considered a relative value when comparing ratings between different applications. Applications that have the same overall rating could have very different levels of functionality because the specific capabilities vary greatly from program to program.
Graphic Design Software is a set of tools and technologies targeted to support graphic design. Graphic design is basically the visual art that involves the responsibility of shaping human perceptions by generating skills of conceptualization, presentation, and communication. In this regard, tools and technologies can be viewed as devices that help designers generate ideas, analyze their structure and improve means of presentation.
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.
Gravit Designer
The best free vector editor overall
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Browser, Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOSTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Decent set of tools+Works with AI and Sketch files+Desktop and online
REASONS TO AVOID
-Free version has limitations
From the people behind Corel Draw, Gravit Designer is the free best graphic design software you’ll find today.
Even if it doesn’t have the mass appeal of Illustrator or Affinity Designer, Gravit Designer has a clean and intuitive interface and should easily cope with most design jobs, from icon design and prototyping to vector illustration and animation.Advertisement
You can use Gravit Designer online or download a copy to your computer. Note that you automatically start out on a (free) trial of Gravit Designer Pro when you sign up, and once your trial is over, you transition to the free version, but lose the Pro features – unless you pay for a subscription.
However, Gravit Designer’s free version is still excellent. You can export files as PDF, SVG or bitmap, and you access your work wherever you are via the Gravit Cloud. See the full comparison between the Pro and free versions here.
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 knowledge
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.
Affinity Photo
The best Photoshop alternative that’s subscription-free
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Windows, macOSTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Fantastic value+Strong set of features+Great Photoshop compatibility
REASONS TO AVOID
-Lacks Photoshop’s heavyweight features
If the cost of Photoshop’s too much for you then the closest alternative is Affinity Photo. Available for a (low) one-off payment for the desktop app, and a separate payment for the iPad app, it packs in a whole lot of features and top-end performance. Advertisement
It has all the photo retouching tools you’re likely to need, as well as advanced painting tools with a huge library of brushes. And it’ll import and export PSD files and even smart objects. As with all Affinity apps, users get updates for free, and that includes the latest one in August (1.10), which brought greater layer blending efficiency while retaining a non-destructive workflow.
RawTherapee
Fix your photos with this free and open source app
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Windows, macOS, LinuxTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Good photo editor+Batch processing tools+Great RAW support
REASONS TO AVOID
-Not updated since Feb 2020Advertisement
RawTherapee is an excellent way to fix up your photos. You can use it to correct distortion, boost colours, recover details and much more. This free, open-source software also speeds up your workflow by allowing you to batch process images. Plus you can also send images to other software, such as GIMP.
Pixlr
Free image editor that’s quick and easy to use in the browser
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Browser, iOS, AndroidTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Three versions+Great, focused tools+Now works in browser
REASONS TO AVOID
-Advanced options require subscription
Pixlr is a powerful suite of online services that work in the browser and via iOS and Android apps. Pixlr X is a quick and easy photo editing tool and ideal for giving your work a quick boost with one-click edits and artistic effects. Pixlr E is a more substantial image editing app with a collection of useful editing tools. Pixlr BG is an AI-powered tool designed to remove the backgrounds from photos.
They’re all free to use. Plus you get advanced tools, along with extra overlays, stickers and even a stock library, with the subscription options.
GIMP
As close to Photoshop as you can get for free
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Windows, macOS, LinuxTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Vast set of tools+Capable of excellent results
REASONS TO AVOID
-Eccentric front end-It’s called GIMPAdvertisement
Even the best free graphic design software doesn’t really come close to Photoshop’s abilities. But GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) comes the closest. By default, it’s nowhere near as pleasant to use as Photoshop, but it’s easy to update it to a more Adobe-style feel. And once you get into it, you’ll find a powerful toolset.
The team that oversees development has worked hard to ensure compatibility, so you’ll be able to work with all the popular file formats without any trouble at all. And you’ll find a very capable file manager built in, along similar lines to Adobe’s Bridge.
Canva
Best for: Social media graphics
Platforms: Mac, Windows, Android, iOS
Canva launched in 2013 and has since become a very popular online design and publishing tool. In fact, this is the software that Team Clark uses to create a lot of the graphics we post on social media!
Canva offers a free version that includes everything you’ll need to start designing. With it, you’ll get access to more than 250,000 free templates and more than 100 design types including social media posts, presentations, letters and more. You’ll also be able to use hundreds of thousands of free photos and graphics, collaborate on projects with members of your team and save your work with 5GB of free Cloud storage.
You can create a free account to begin using Canva online directly in your web browser. You can also download the desktop app for your Mac or Windows device. Canva also offers highly-rated apps on The App Store and Google Play for your iOS or Android device.
Inkscape
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.
Adobe Photoshop.
Adobe Photoshop is synonymous with photo editing for graphic designers. It is one of the most popular photo editing software tools in the market in a robust package that offers excellent graphic design capabilities.
Key Features:
- Design Tools: Offers a lot of design tools for both mobile apps and web
- Creative Cloud: Its active synchronization with Adobe Creative Cloud offers a lot of unique features, including Content-Aware Crop, Face-Aware Liquify, Artboards, the Design Space view, synced libraries, a glyph panel, Cloud Documents, touch, and stylus input support, among others.
- User Interface: Adobe is continuously working on delivering a more customizable user interface. It offers several targeted workspace layouts, including Graphic and Web, Motion, 3D, Painting, and Photography, Designer can also create your own custom layout of panels and windows.
- Open-Source GIMP Software: If you don’t want to pay a dime, then you can download and install this software for free. Consider installing it on a powerful machine to avoid lag and other performance issues.
Pros:
- It offers a complimentary mobile application
- Its slick user interface offers a lot of assistance for easy use
- Got a rich set of typography and drawing tools
- Comes loaded with 3D design capabilities
- Offers a library and photo management with Adobe Creative Cloud
- Efficient file transfer between different programs
- Multiple design tools come with responsive graphics
- Ability to edit animation and video layers
- Users can define the size of the canvas, create custom brushes, work in 3D, isolate elements from backgrounds, among others.
Cons:
- Adobe now offers Photoshop along with the subscription of Creative Cloud. The recurring payment turns out to be more costly, and people who want to buy software forever don’t have the option to buy a perpetual license
- A plethora of features might overwhelm a new user
- Offers lessor support for raster and vector images like SVG files
Conclusion
Graphic design software is a fun, fast and easy software that provides you with everything you need to create stunning graphics.