The best graphic design software can make the difference between work that looks professional and an amateur attempt. So whether you're crafting a logo of creating social media content, you need to pick the right tool for your needs.
Right now, there are plenty of options to choose, from Adobe's industry-standard but expensive Creative Suite to emerging alternatives that offer innovative features and more accessible pricing models. In this guide, we explore the top graphic design software available in 2024, evaluating them based on functionality, user experience, learning curve, and value for money.
Illustrator remains the industry-standard graphic design software for creating and editing vectors, from logos to illustrations. Regular updates have kept it ahead of rivals. Read more below
Best raster
2. Adobe Photoshop
Photoshop continues to dominate the profession when it comes to image editing for raster graphics, now boasting impressive AI features like Generative Fill and Expand. Read more below
Value vector
3. Affinity Designer
If you're put off by Illustrator's subscription, we think this is the best alternative with a one-off cost. It doesn't match all of Adobe's most advanced tools, but it's versatile nonetheless. Read more below
Value raster
4. Affinity Photo
Don't want a subscription? Affinity Photo is a powerful, cost-effective alternative to Photoshop that offers professional-grade editing capabilities without the subscription burden. Read more below
Primarily designed for UI/UX designers, product teams, and digital designers, Figma is great for its collaborative tools, which makes it easy for teams to work on a project simultaneously. Read more below
GIMP is the most feature-rich software you'll get for no money. While it's not as powerful as others on this list, it's open source, which means it's constantly being updated and improved. Read more below
The best graphic design software in full
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✅ You work as a professional designer: It's the industry standard, and employers expect you to know it. ✅ You want integrated AI tools: Adobe are adding these to the software all the time.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You're short of cash: It's only available by subscription, and this is expensive. ❌ You only work on iPad: The iOS version of Illustrator isn't the same as the desktop version.
The bottom line
🔎 Adobe Illustrator is the best vector design software we can recommend today. It lets you create everything from illustrations to logos, and has a lot of useful features and shortcuts to help speed up your workflow. ★★★★
What you need to know: Adobe Illustrator remains the industry-standard vector graphics software in 2024. It features regular updates and now includes AI-powered tools through Adobe Firefly. While it has a steep initial learning curve, it offers a pleasant interface once mastered. The latest version includes new features like text-to-vector generation, generative recolouring, improved mockup workflows and a web browser version.
Who it's for: Illustrator is primarily designed for professional graphic designers and illustrators, particularly those working in industry settings where it's the expected standard. Students can access the software with educational pricing, making it accessible for learning. It's essential for vector artists creating logos, illustrations, and other vector graphics, and particularly valuable for those who need to collaborate with other industry professionals.
What it can do: The software enables you to create and edit vector illustrations, logos, and graphics with professional precision. You can create mockups by automatically wrapping designs onto objects, and match fonts with the Retype tool. The online collaboration feature allows work through a browser-based version, while integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps enhances workflow. Advanced features include 3D capabilities, technical drawing tools, pattern creation, and object repetition functions. Its recently added AI capabilities can generate vector graphics from text descriptions and automatically recolour artwork using intelligent suggestions.
Pricing and payment: Illustrator is only available through subscription, costing £32.98 per month or £262.51 per year, which includes Adobe Express and Adobe Firefly. Student discounts are available, but there's no option to buy the software outright. The best strategy is to sign up during promotional offers to secure first-year discounts, though the long-term subscription model makes it more expensive than one-time purchase alternatives.
Should you buy it?: For professionals and industry workers, Illustrator remains an essential purchase as the industry standard. Casual users might find the subscription cost difficult to justify, though existing Creative Cloud subscribers will find it a powerful and versatile addition to their toolkit. While the new AI tools show promise, they're still in development and may produce rough results. However, the regular updates and seamless integration with other Adobe products make it particularly valuable for professional workflows, despite the long-term expense of the subscription model compared to alternatives.
✅ You need industry-standard tools: This is the most widely used professional image editor. ✅ You want cutting-edge AI features: The latest generative tools are powerful and well-implemented.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You're on a tight budget: The subscription model makes it expensive in the long term. ❌ You only need basic photo editing: Simpler, cheaper alternatives exist for basic tasks.
The bottom line
🔎 Adobe Photoshop continues to define professional image editing with its comprehensive toolset and innovative AI features, though the subscription model may deter casual users. ★★★★
What you need to know: Adobe Photoshop remains the industry standard for image editing and digital artwork, continuously evolving since its release 33 years ago. The 2024 version emphasises AI-powered features through Adobe Firefly and Sensei, introducing tools like Generative Fill and Generative Expand. These let you extend images beyond their original boundaries and intelligently fill or remove content with AI assistance.
Who it's for: Photoshop caters to a broad professional audience, including photographers, digital artists, graphic designers and UX designers. It's essential for anyone working in creative industries, from photo retouchers to digital painters. While the learning curve can be steep for beginners, the software remains the go-to choice for professionals who need comprehensive image manipulation capabilities.
What it can do: Beyond basic photo editing, Photoshop offers a vast array of tools for digital painting, 3D modeling and UX design. The latest AI features enable quick background removal, image expansion, and content generation through text prompts. Key features include advanced layer management, professional colour correction, sophisticated selection tools, and extensive filter options. The software can handle everything from basic photo touch-ups to complex digital art creation.
Pricing and payment: Available only through subscription, Photoshop costs approximately $20/month individually or comes as part of the Creative Cloud suite. While the subscription model may be costly for casual users, it ensures regular updates and access to the latest features. Educational pricing is available for students and teachers.
Should you buy it?: For professional creatives, Photoshop remains an essential purchase, particularly given its integration with other Adobe products. The new AI features make it even more powerful, though casual users might find the subscription cost hard to justify.
✅ You don't want a subscription: The one-time payment model offers excellent long-term value. ✅ You need speedy performance: Affinity Designer is fast at handling complex documents.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You need specific Illustrator features: No mesh fill or image tracing capabilities. ❌ You rely on plugins: There's no plugin or scripting support here.
The bottom line
🔎 Affinity Designer offers professional-grade vector design capabilities with exceptional performance and value. While it may lack some specialised features, it more than makes up for this with its speed, stability, and affordable one-time payment model. ★★★★★
What you need to know: Affinity Designer is a powerful vector graphics software that offers a compelling alternative to Adobe Illustrator which is cheap and subscription-free. Released in 2014 by Serif, it's quickly established itself as the main industry rival to Illustrator. It also offers some unique capabilities such asinfinite redos and zoom levels over 1,000,000%.
Who it's for: Affinity Designer is ideal for both professional designers and hobbyists who want professional-grade vector tools without taking out a subscription. It's particularly well-suited for those who work across both vector and raster files, thanks to its interchangeable personas. The software caters to print and digital designers, technical illustrators, and those working on CAD-related documents, while remaining accessible to newcomers.
What it can do: The software provides comprehensive vector editing capabilities with a solid range of tools comparable to Illustrator. It can handle both AI and PSD files, ensuring compatibility with Adobe workflows. Notable features include the ability to switch between vector and pixel personas without changing applications, comprehensive grid and smart snapping options, and advanced brush tools with pressure sensitivity support. The software runs at 60 frames per second and offers exceptional performance when handling complex, layered documents.
Pricing and payment: Affinity Designer is available for a one-time payment of $54.99/£47.99, making it significantly more affordable than subscription-based alternatives. This includes future software updates and is available for both Windows and Mac, with a separate iPad version available. There are no recurring fees or subscription costs.
Should you buy it?: For those seeking a professional-grade vector editor without ongoing subscription costs, Affinity Designer presents excellent value. While it lacks some specific features like mesh fill, object warping, and image tracing, its performance improvements and smooth workflow make it a serious contender in the vector design space.
✅ You want professional editing tools on a budget: Affinity Photo is cheap and subscription-free ✅ You don't like clutter: Affinity Photo's interface is nice and streamlined
Don't buy it if:
❌ You require AI-powered features: Serif aren't going hard on this like Adobe. ❌ You're deeply embedded in Adobe's ecosystem: You can save to Adobe file formats, but that's about it.
The bottom line
🔎 Affinity Photo is a powerful, cost-effective alternative to Photoshop that offers professional-grade editing capabilities without the subscription burden. While it may lack some cutting-edge AI features, its performance, compatibility and feature set make it an excellent choice. ★★★★
What you need to know: Affinity Photo is a powerful alternative to Photoshop. It offers professional-grade photo editing capabilities with a one-time purchase model rather than a subscription. It provides comprehensive photo editing tools, supports PSD files and smart objects, and operates efficiently even on older hardware with minimal system requirements.
Who it's for: Affinity Photo is designed for photographers, digital artists and designers who want professional-grade editing capabilities without ongoing subscription costs. It's particularly suitable for those with older hardware, as it runs smoothly on systems with as little as 2GB RAM. The software appeals to both professional photographers seeking a Photoshop alternative and hobbyists who want powerful editing tools without the premium price tag.
What it can do: The software's architecture revolves around five specialised workspaces called "Personas." The Photo Persona serves as your primary workspace for general editing and layer manipulation, while the Liquify Persona enables sophisticated pixel distortion and advanced retouching. For photographers working with RAW files, the Develop Persona provides comprehensive processing capabilities. Those working with HDR can utilize the Tone Mapping Persona, and the Export Persona facilitates continuous export capabilities for efficient workflow management.
The feature set includes non-destructive editing throughout, advanced brush tools for precise work, and intelligent inpainting for seamless object removal. The sophisticated selection tools and comprehensive adjustment options rival those found in more expensive software. Importantly, Affinity Photo maintains strong PSD file compatibility, making it a viable option for professionals who need to collaborate with Adobe software users.
Pricing and payment: Affinity Photo embraces a straightforward one-time purchase model, with the desktop version priced at $69.99/£69.99 and the iPad version available separately at $18.49. You can also opt for a universal license that bundles all Affinity apps across platforms. There's a 30-day free trial, allowing you to thoroughly test its capabilities before purchase. All updates within major versions are provided free of charge, adding long-term value to the initial investment.
Should you buy it?: Affinity Photo offers a compelling alternative to subscription-based photo editors, particularly for those seeking professional features without ongoing costs. While it may lack some of Adobe's AI-powered features, it compensates with fast performance, efficient workflow tools, and comprehensive editing capabilities.
✅ You work in collaborative design teams: The real-time collaboration features are unmatched. ✅ You need an end-to-end UI design solution: From ideation to handoff, Figma covers the entire process.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You primarily work in print design: There's no CMYK colour support, making it unsuitable for print work. ❌ You need advanced vector illustration tools: Figma lacks the depth of dedicated vector software.
The bottom line
🔎 Figma has revolutionized UI design with its collaborative features and comprehensive toolkit. While not a replacement for traditional vector design software, it's the go-to choice for digital product design teams. ★★★★½
What you need to know: Figma has established itself as the leading UI design tool across all platforms, available on Windows, macOS, and through web browsers. While it can handle vector work, its true strength lies in UI design and prototyping. The platform stands out for its collaborative features and real-time multiplayer editing capabilities. Recent updates have introduced features like dark mode, component properties, variable fonts, and spotlighting for presentations.
Who it's for: Figma is primarily designed for UI/UX designers, product teams, and digital designers who need to collaborate in real-time. It's particularly valuable for teams working remotely or in hybrid environments. While it can be used for basic vector work like logo design, it's best suited for those focusing on digital product design, from wireframing to final UI implementation.
What it can do: The software excels in UI design workflows with features like Auto Layout for creating dynamic, flex-based layouts. Its prototyping capabilities allow for interactive design presentations, while built-in handoff features can translate designs into CSS, iOS, and Android code. The companion tool FigJam provides whiteboarding capabilities for ideation and planning. Notable features include audio conversations for team collaboration, version control with branching and merging, and comprehensive design system documentation tools.
Pricing and payment: Figma offers a freemium model with a generous free tier for individuals. Professional plans add unlimited files, team libraries and audio conversations, while Organisation plans include advanced features like branching and merging. The pricing structure makes it accessible for startups and small teams while offering enterprise-level features for larger organisations.
Should you buy it?: For UI design teams and digital product designers, Figma represents excellent value, particularly given its collaborative features and browser-based accessibility. However, those primarily focused on print design or complex vector illustration might be better served by dedicated vector software.
Read our full Figma review for more details on the software.
✅ You want free software: GIMP is the most feature-rich software you'll get for no money. ✅ You appreciate open-source flexibility: You'll find plenty of opportunities for customisation.
Don't buy it if:
❌You're a total beginner: GIMP has a steep learning curve, and there are simpler graphic design tools to try. ❌ You want to design on the go: There's no mobile or tablet support.
The bottom line
🔎 GIMP is the best free image editor available, offering high-end editing tools without the expense of paid alternatives. While it’s not ideal for every creative task, it’s a strong choice for those willing to invest the time in learning its intricacies. ★★★★½
What you need to know: GIMP, which stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, is a free and open-source graphic design toolkit, which can be used on Windows, macOS and Linux. The program is known for its comprehensive features and highly customisable, modular design, thanks to its open-source nature. GIMP supports most common image formats and allows users to work with advanced tools such as high-bit depth image processing, various image correction filters, customizable brushes, and numerous downloadable plugins. However, the interface can feel outdated and challenging for beginners, with a significant learning curve.
Who it's for: GIMP is ideal for users who need robust software but don't want to spend any money. It’s popular among amateur photographers, hobbyists and students, as well as professional designers who are comfortable navigating complex tools and plugins. GIMP's open-source community provides an extensive array of plugins and support resources, making it a viable option for users willing to invest the time to master it. However, it does lack mobile support.
What it can do: GIMP offers essential photo-editing capabilities like cropping, resizing, exposure correction, and distortion correction. Its high-bit depth support ensures excellent colour accuracy for advanced edits. It also supports vector-based tasks and basic graphic design, though it may not match Adobe Photoshop in ease of use or advanced text and vector capabilities. Users can enhance GIMP's functionality by downloading plugins like RawTherapee (for raw image processing) or Resynthesizer (for content-aware fill), which add versatility.
Pricing and payment: GIMP is entirely free. As an open-source platform, it has no hidden fees or subscription models, making it an economical choice for users who need powerful software without recurring costs.
Should you download it? GIMP is an excellent download for those seeking a capable, free design software with a strong community. Its complexity may deter casual users or those who need simple graphics tools, as it lacks the intuitive interface and user-friendly design of paid software. While it doesn’t offer AI-powered enhancements, GIMP’s wide range of features and customisation potential make it a valuable tool for more experienced users willing to work through its learning curve.
✅ You want perpetual licensing options: It's one of few pro tools offering a one-time purchase option. ✅ You need technical illustration tools: It's particularly strong in technical drawing capabilities.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want simplicity in pricing: The multiple versions and payment options can be confusing. ❌ You need the latest features: The one-time purchase option doesn't include future updates.
The bottom line
🔎 CorelDRAW offers a mature vector design solution with flexible pricing options and strong technical capabilities, though its complex product structure requires careful consideration before purchase. ★★★
What you need to know: CorelDRAW is veteran in the vector graphics space, and continues to evolve. Today you can choose between three versions: Essentials, Standard, and the Graphics Suite. The 2024 version includes AI capabilities through Vector FX integration, new brush packs, and expanded Pantone colour palettes. While no longer the market leader, it maintains a strong presence with regular updates and a flexible approach to licensing.
Who it's for: CorelDRAW caters to a broad spectrum of users through its tiered offerings. Essentials suits casual users with basic design needs, Standard targets enthusiasts and small businesses, while the Graphics Suite serves professional designers. It's particularly popular in technical illustration, and with users who prefer a perpetual license option over subscription-only software.
What it can do: The software provides comprehensive vector editing capabilities with some unique features. The latest version includes AI-powered vector generation through Vector FX, extensive brush customisation options, and professional colour management with Pantone integration. It offers strong technical illustration features and compatibility with 3D CAD files in its Technical Suite version. The software can handle AI, PSD, and PDF files, ensuring compatibility with industry standards.
Pricing and payment: CorelDRAW offers unusual flexibility in its pricing model. You can choose between a one-time purchase (though this limits updates to the current version) or a subscription that includes extra features like cloud storage and the iPad app. The tiered structure (Essentials, Standard, and Graphics Suite) allows you to choose a version that matches your needs and budget.
Should you buy it?: For those seeking flexible pricing options and strong technical illustration capabilities, CorelDRAW remains a viable alternative to Adobe Illustrator. However, the complex pricing structure and feature segmentation requires careful consideration of which version best suits you.
Payment model: Free, with subscription for pro version
Type : Raster editor
Reasons to buy
+
Full design suite
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Loads of elements to use
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Free to use
Reasons to avoid
-
Pro features require subscription
Buy it if
✅ You're not a pro designer: The template-based approach and intuitive interface make design accessible. ✅ You create lots of social media content: The template library and scheduling features streamlines this process.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You're a professional designer: The software lacks the advanced features needed for pro work. ❌ You need offline access: Canva requires an internet connection.
The bottom line
🔎 Canva Pro makes professional-looking design accessible to non-designers, offering excellent value for small teams and businesses needing consistent branded content. It's not suitable for professional designers, though. ★★★★
What you need to know: Canva is the most user-friendly design platform for non-designers in 2024. It offers both free and premium (Pro) versions, with the latter providing extensive features like brand kit management, background removal, and premium assets. While it lacks the advanced capabilities of professional design software, it excels at making design accessible through templates and intuitive tools. The platform works seamlessly across web and mobile devices, requiring only an internet connection.
Who it's for: Canva is primarily designed for non-designers who need to create professional-looking content quickly. This includes small business owners, social media managers, marketers, bloggers, and anyone needing to produce visual content without graphic design expertise. The Pro version particularly suits teams and businesses requiring brand consistency across their materials. It's not intended for professional designers who need advanced vector editing or precise control over their designs.
What it can do: The software enables users to create a wide range of digital and print materials through templates and drag-and-drop functionality. With Canva Pro, users can access over 400,000 templates, 10 million+ premium photos and graphics, and tools like Background Remover and Magic Resize. The Brand Kit feature ensures consistency across designs, while the animation creator adds motion to static content. Youu can schedule social media content directly from the platform and access direct printing services. The platform also includes presentation tools, video editing capabilities, and extensive collaboration features.
Pricing and payment: Canva offers a generous free tier with basic features and 250,000 templates. Canva Pro costs $119.99/£99.99 per year or $12.99/£10.99 monthly for up to five people, making it particularly cost-effective for small teams. The Enterprise plan, at $30/£24 per person monthly, adds advanced team features and unlimited storage. All paid plans include a 30-day free trial, allowing users to test premium features before committing.
Should you buy it?: For non-designers needing to create professional-looking content regularly, Canva Pro offers excellent value, especially for teams. The platform's extensive template library and easy-to-use tools can save significant time and effort. However, professional designers will find it too limiting compared to industry-standard software. The free version is worth trying first to determine if the premium features justify the investment.
Finding the ideal graphic design software for you means considering a range of factors. The first is what you actually want it to do. Assess the specific design tasks you'll be undertaking, such as illustration, photo editing, or layout design, and opt for software that excels in those areas.
Secondly, think about your skill level, as some programs are more user-friendly for beginners, while others offer advanced features for seasoned professionals that newbies may be hopelessly confused by. Take into account the learning curve and available support resources, including tutorials and community forums.
A third factor is your operating system and hardware. Some graphic design software is limited to either Windows, macOS, iOS or Android, so always check this before you decide. Finally, software can be expensive, so it's worth exploring free trial versions before committing to a purchase to ensure it aligns with your workflow and preferences.
Our experts test graphic design software in a way that's both comprehensive and mimics real-world use. Firstly, we assess the user interface for intuitiveness and efficiency, considering how easy it will be for both beginners and advanced users to pick up.
We'll then put functionality and feature sets to the test across common design tasks like illustration, photo editing, and layout design, to ensure it actually works in practice and delivers what it promises. We'll also pay attention to compatibility with various operating systems and hardware configurations; performance, including speed and responsiveness; and the availability of support resources, such as tutorials and customer service.
Whats the difference between vector and raster editors?
Vector and raster editors are two primary types of software used for image creation and manipulation.
Vector images are composed of mathematical equations that define shapes, lines, and curves, allowing for precise scaling without any loss of quality. This makes them ideal for logos, illustrations, typography, and technical drawings.
Raster images, on the other hand, are composed of a grid of pixels, each with its own colour information. This format is better suited for photorealistic images, digital paintings, and image editing. When choosing between the two, consider the image type, intended use, and level of detail required. Often, a combination of both vector and raster elements is necessary for a comprehensive design project.
What software do graphic designers use?
For most working graphic designers, Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite of apps is the standard choice. Its main tools for graphic design are Photoshop (raster image editing), Illustrator (vector image editing), InDesign (desktop publishing) and After Effects (motion design). You can subscribe to the Creative Cloud suite as a whole, or take out a single-app subscription. Either way, you'll also get the Behance portfolio service and access to Adobe Fonts. See our guide to getting a Creative Cloud discount to make sure you find the best price.
For graphic designers on a budget, Affinity's suite of apps provide a close approximation to Adobe's tools, namely Affinity Photo (which rivals Photoshop), Affinity Designer (which rivals Illustator) and Affinity Publisher (which rivals InDesign). There is no equivalent, however, to After Effects.
What's the best graphic design software for beginners?
If you're new to graphic design, there are a number of apps that allow you to get started for free. One of our top recommendations is Canva, a lightweight app for making quick designs in your browser. You don’t need to download anything, and you don’t have to pay either, unless you want to unlock advanced features and extra resources.
While you learn graphic design theory, Canva will allow you to put it into practice. Once you've reached a certain level of expertise, you'll then naturally gravitate towards one of the paid apps on our list to get more sophisticated tools.
Is the best free graphic design software any good?
Logically, most of the best graphic design software has a cost since developing and updating the programs requires investment. If you're working as a professional designer, or hoping to, then you'll almost certainly want to invest in the best graphic design software overall.
That doesn't necessarily mean you need to subscribe to Adobe's Creative Cloud since there are now many competitive subscription-free alternatives, but you're likely to find that agencies and even direct clients may expect you to use Illustrator and Photoshop (some may even have a preference for other software).
However, the best free graphic design software is worth considering if you're just starting out or only need to create occasional design work for personal projects. There are completely free open-source programs like the free vector software SVG Edit and Inkscape and the image-editing software GIMP that may offer you everything you need depending on your requirements. Their interfaces may look a little more rustic but they do the job for a lot of creative tasks.
What computer do I need to run graphic design software?
When it comes to system requirements, it should be possible to run most software for static graphic design on most modern laptops as long as the corresponding operating system is supported. We would recommend ensuring your device has at least 8GB of RAM, and 16GB would be more ideal for the smoothest experience if you work with lots of layers with more fully-featured software like Illustrator or Photoshop.
Software for motion design and 3D design can be more demanding, and in some cases you may require a device with a dedicated GPU for the best experience. For recommendations in terms of hardware, see our pick of the best laptops for graphic design. We also have a guide to the best graphics cards for video editing.
Tom May is an award-winning journalist and editor specialising in design, photography and technology. Author of the Amazon #1 bestseller Great TED Talks: Creativity, published by Pavilion Books, Tom was previously editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine. Today, he is a regular contributor to Creative Bloq and its sister sites Digital Camera World, T3.com and Tech Radar. He also writes for Creative Boom and works on content marketing projects.
