Disclosure: We are reader-supported. If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small commission. Learn More.
In the world of graphic design, there is a plethora of software, apps, and tools available to help you create stunning visuals. Whether you’re a professional designer or just starting out, it’s essential to know the pros and cons of the most popular options. In this blog post, we will introduce you to 13 popular illustration and graphic tools, including Canva, CorelDraw, PIXLR, GIMP, Inkscape, Krita, Vectr, Paint.NET, Piskel, Blender, FireAlpaca, Photopea, and Adobe Express. We will discuss their features, pros, and cons to help you make an informed decision on which tool is best suited for your needs.
1. Canva
Features:
- Free-to-use online graphic design tool.
- Create social media posts, presentations, posters, videos, logos, and more.
- Thousands of templates for endless creative possibilities.
- Thousands of templates for endless creative possibilities.
- Inbuilt photo and video maker.
- Collaborate with others live in the same design.
Pros:
- User-friendly image editor.
- Offers a wide range of design tools and millions of bundled graphics, photos, and videos.
- Affordable graphic design tool.
- Free-to-use online graphic design tool.
- Collaborate with others live in the same design.
Cons:
- Limited range of output formats.
- Projects exported from Canva can’t be easily edited by professional graphic designers in other tools.
- No phone support available for the tool.
- Limited customization options compared to more advanced graphic design tools.
- Some features are only available with a paid subscription.
2. CorelDraw
Features:
- Professional vector graphics editor.
- Supports advanced features such as mesh fills, transparencies, and color management.
- Offers a wide range of design tools, including layout, typography, and photo editing.
- Compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems.
- Offers a free trial version.
Pros:
- Professional vector graphics editor.
- Supports advanced features such as mesh fills, transparencies, and color management.
- Offers a wide range of design tools, including layout, typography, and photo editing.
- Compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems.
- Offers a free trial version.
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other graphic design tools.
- Steep learning curve for beginners.
- Requires a powerful computer to run smoothly.
- Limited support for non-vector graphics.
- No collaboration features.
3. PIXLR
Features:
- Free online photo editor.
- Offers a variety of editing tools, including cropping, resizing, and color correction.
- Supports layers and masks for advanced editing.
- Available as a mobile app for iOS and Android devices.
- Offers a premium version with additional features.
Pros:
- It is free.
- Offers a variety of editing tools, including cropping, resizing, and color correction.
- Supports layers and masks for advanced editing.
- Available as a mobile app for iOS and Android devices.
- Offers a premium version with additional features.
Cons:
- Limited customization options compared to more advanced graphic design tools.
- Limited support for non-photo graphics.
- Some features are only available with a paid subscription.
- Interface can be overwhelming for beginners.
- No collaboration features.
4. GIMP
Features:
- Free and open-source image editor
- Offers a wide range of editing tools, including layers, masks, and filters.
- Supports advanced features such as color correction and image retouching.
- Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- Offers a customizable interface with support for plugins.
Pros:
- Free and open-source image editor.
- Offers a wide range of editing tools, including layers, masks, and filters.
- Supports advanced features such as color correction and image retouching.
- Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- Offers a customizable interface with support for plugins.
Cons:
- Steep learning curve for beginners.
- Interface can be overwhelming for some users.
- Limited support for non-photo graphics.
- No collaboration features.
- Some features are not as advanced as those in other graphic design tools.
5. INKSCAPE
Features:
- Free and open-source vector graphics editor.
- Offers a wide range of design tools, including drawing, text, and shape tools.
- Supports advanced features such as gradients, patterns, and clones.
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- Offers a customizable interface with support for extensions.
Pros:
- Free and open-source vector graphics editor.
- Offers a wide range of design tools, including drawing, text, and shape tools.
- Supports advanced features such as gradients, patterns, and clones.
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- Offers a customizable interface with support for extensions.
Cons:
- Limited support for non-vector graphics.
- Steep learning curve for beginners.
- Interface can be overwhelming for some users.
- No collaboration features.
- Some features are not as advanced as those in other graphic design tools.
6. KRITA
Features:
- Free and open-source digital painting software.
- Offers a wide range of brushes and tools for painting and drawing.
- Supports layers and masks for advanced editing.
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- Offers a customizable interface with support for plugins.
Pros:
- Free and open-source digital painting software.
- Offers a wide range of brushes and tools for painting and drawing.
- Supports layers and masks for advanced editing.
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- Offers a customizable interface with support for plugins.
Cons:
- Limited support for non-painting graphics.
- Steep learning curve for beginners.
- Interface can be overwhelming for some users.
- No collaboration features.
- Some features are not as advanced as those in other graphic design tools.
7. VECTR
Features:
- Free vector graphics editor.
- Offers a simple and intuitive interface for creating designs.
- Supports real-time collaboration with others.
- Available as a desktop app for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- Offers a web app for online editing.
Pros:
- Free vector graphics editor.
- Offers a simple and intuitive interface for creating designs.
- Supports real-time collaboration with others.
- Available as a desktop app for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- Offers a web app for online editing.
Cons:
- Limited support for non-vector graphics.
- Limited customization options compared to more advanced graphic design tools.
- Some features are not as advanced as those in other graphic design tools.
- Interface can be overwhelming for some users.
- No support for plugins.
8. Paint.net
Features:
- Free image and photo editing software for Windows.
- Offers a wide range of editing tools, including layers, filters, and effects.
- Supports plugins for additional features.
- Offers a customizable interface with support for multiple tabs.
- Offers a user-friendly interface for beginners.
Pros:
- Free image and photo editing software for Windows.
- Offers a wide range of editing tools, including layers, filters, and effects.
- Supports plugins for additional features.
- Offers a customizable interface with support for multiple tabs.
- Offers a user-friendly interface for beginners.
Cons:
- Limited support for non-photo graphics.
- No support for Mac or Linux operating systems.
- No collaboration features.
- Some features are not as advanced as those in other graphic design tools.
- Interface can be overwhelming for some users.
9. PISKEL
Features:
- Free online pixel art and animation editor.
- Offers a wide range of drawing tools for creating pixel art and animations.
- Supports layers and frames for advanced editing.
- Available as a desktop app for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- Offers a customizable interface with support for keyboard shortcuts.
Pros:
- Free online pixel art and animation editor.
- Offers a wide range of drawing tools for creating pixel art and animations.
- Supports layers and frames for advanced editing.
- Available as a desktop app for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- Offers a customizable interface with support for keyboard shortcuts.
Cons:
- Limited support for non-pixel graphics
- Limited customization options compared to more advanced graphic design tools.
- No collaboration features.
- Some features are not as advanced as those in other graphic design tools.
- Interface can be overwhelming for some users.
10. Blender
Features:
- Free and open-source 3D creation software.
- Offers a wide range of tools for modeling, animation, and rendering.
- Supports advanced features such as physics simulation and particle systems.
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- Offers a customizable interface with support for plugins and scripting.
Pros:
- Free and open-source 3D creation software.
- Offers a wide range of tools for modeling, animation, and rendering.
- Supports advanced features such as physics simulation and particle systems.
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- Offers a customizable interface with support for plugins and scripting.
Cons:
- Steep learning curve for beginners.
- Interface can be overwhelming for some users.
- Limited support for 2D graphics.
- No collaboration features.
- Some features are not as advanced as those in other graphic design tools.
11. FireAlpaca
Features:
- Free digital painting and drawing software.
- Offers a wide range of brushes and tools for painting and drawing.
- Supports layers and masks for advanced editing.
- Compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems.
- Offers a customizable interface with support for keyboard shortcuts.
Pros:
- Free digital painting and drawing software.
- Offers a wide range of brushes and tools for painting and drawing.
- Supports layers and masks for advanced editing.
- Compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems.
- Offers a customizable interface with support for keyboard shortcuts.
Cons:
- Limited support for non-painting graphics.
- Limited customization options compared to more advanced graphic design tools.
- No collaboration features.
- Some features are not as advanced as those in other graphic design tools.
- Interface can be overwhelming for some users.
12. Photopea
Features:
- Free online photo editor.
- Offers a wide range of editing tools, including layers, filters, and effects.
- Supports advanced features such as color correction and image retouching.
- Compatible with most web browsers.
- Offers a user-friendly interface similar to Adobe Photoshop.
Pros:
- Free online photo editor.
- Offers a wide range of editing tools, including layers, filters, and effects.
- Supports both vector and raster graphics.
- No registration or payment required.
- Offers a user-friendly interface similar to Adobe Photoshop.
Cons:
- Limited support for non-photo graphics.
- Some features require a premium subscription.
- Interface can be overwhelming for beginners.
13. Adobe Express
Features:
- Free mobile app for photo editing.
- Offers a wide range of editing tools, including cropping, resizing, and color correction.
- Supports filters and effects for creative editing.
- Available for iOS and Android devices.
- Offers a user-friendly interface for beginners.
Pros:
- Free mobile app for photo editing.
- Offers a wide range of editing tools, including cropping, resizing, and color correction.
- Supports filters and effects for creative editing.
- Available for iOS and Android devices.
- Offers a user-friendly interface for beginners.
Cons:
- Limited support for non-photo graphics.
- Some features require a paid subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Limited customization options compared to more advanced graphic design tools.
- Interface can be overwhelming for some users.
- No collaboration features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best graphic design software for beginners?
Canva and PIXLR are both great options for beginners due to their user-friendly interfaces and affordable pricing plans.
What is the best graphic design software for print design?
CorelDraw and GIMP are both great options for print design due to their advanced vector and photo editing capabilities.
What is the best graphic design software for digital art?
KRITA and FireAlpaca are both great options for digital art due to their advanced digital painting capabilities.
What is the best free graphic design software?
GIMP, INKSCAPE, KRITA, VECTR, and PAINT.NET are all great free options for graphic design.
What is the best paid graphic design software?
Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw are both great paid options for graphic design due to their advanced vector editing capabilities.
What is the best graphic design software for photo editing?
PIXLR, GIMP, and Photopea are all great options for photo editing due to their wide range of photo editing tools.
What is the best graphic design software for creating animations?
PISKEL and Blender are both great options for creating animations due to their advanced pixel art and 3D modeling capabilities.
What is the best graphic design software for creating logos and icons?
VECTR and Adobe Illustrator are both great options for creating logos and icons due to their advanced vector editing capabilities.
What is the best graphic design software for collaboration?
Canva and PIXLR both offer good collaboration options, allowing multiple users to work on the same design.
What is the best graphic design software for mobile devices?
Adobe Express is a great option for mobile devices due to its user-friendly interface and wide range of photo editing tools.
Final Thoughts
Graphic design software is vital for designers and artists to produce attractive images. There are several tools accessible, each with its own strengths and disadvantages. Because of its sophisticated vector editing capabilities and extensive feature set, Adobe Illustrator is a popular option among professionals. Canva is an excellent choice for novices owing to its simple interface and extensive library of themes. GIMP and Inkscape are free and open-source alternatives to Adobe Illustrator, but they have a higher learning curve. Krita and FireAlpaca are wonderful for digital painting and animation, while Blender is a strong 3D modeling program.
It is critical to evaluate features, simplicity of usage, performance, affordability, and availability while selecting the finest graphic design software. Many commercial graphic design software programs provide a free trial period to help customers get a better understanding of the product. It is also critical to experiment with several tools in order to identify the one that best meets your demands.
Technology has advanced significantly, and software is now intuitive and assists users in more effectively expressing their ideas. A decent AI graphic design tool allows you to produce and edit artwork from any platform or device with ease. Some solutions allow you to quickly alter or update your designs, allowing you to reuse your material across numerous media and distribute it on the fly.
Finally, the tool selected is determined by the project’s unique demands as well as the user’s ability level. It is critical to experiment with several tools in order to discover the one that best meets your demands. The greatest graphic design software is one that allows you to express your creativity in an efficient and effective manner.
