Struggling to find the best graphic design tool for beginners?
This is your chance to find the right tool that suits all your needs.
In this blog post, you will see the best 10 graphic design tools for beginners along with their features, pros, cons, pricing, and much more.
Also, you can easily compare all these tools using the comparison table which you’ll find towards the end.
Let’s dig in!
10 Best Graphic Design Tools for Beginners
1. Canva
Canva is a freemium online graphic design platform with a lot of tools that enable budding graphic designers to create compelling visual designs for various purposes and platforms.
With a massive library of pre-designed templates, icons, and illustrations, this tool is highly intuitive and easy to use.
Key Features
- Extensive library of free templates
- No prerequisites required
- User-friendly drag-and-drop features
- Easy to share, collaborate, and download
- Basic features are available for free
Pros
- Little to no learning curve
- Suitable for beginners
- Offers multiple language support
- A mobile app is also available
- Offers AI tools
- 5GB of cloud storage for free
- Supports multiple platforms
Cons
- Access to limited templates with the free plan
- Do not have advanced design capabilities
- Limited options for export and download
- Only allows you to modify and use the pre-set templates
Pricing
Canva is available for free. To get advanced features, you need to subscribe to any of the four types of plans in Canva designed for individuals and teams: Canva Free, Canva Pro, Canva Teams, and Canva Enterprise.
Separate pricing is offered for users from the education sector.
Rating
2. Visme
Visme is another graphic design tool for beginners, quite similar to Canva, with a lot of pre-set templates suitable for infographics, social media content, and presentations.
Additionally, Visme helps you create compelling charts and graphs enabling excellent data visualization.
Key Features
- Free pre-made templates for multiple platforms and uses
- Impeccable data visualization tools
- Easy team collaboration via comments
- Offers high-quality stock photos and videos
- Advanced keyword search option
- Available on popular platforms
Pros
- Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
- A free version is available
- Access to a plethora of templates, images, and design assets
- Permits collaboration
- Seamless data visualization
- Can create better interactive and animated infographics
- Supports various format file download
- Allows integration into other tools
Cons
- Pre-set templates are not advanced
- The paid version is comparatively costly
- The free version has only limited templates
- Comparatively steeper learning curve
Pricing
Like Canva, Visme is also free. However, you need a subscription to get all the features. Visme offers four pricing plans called; basic, starter, pro, and enterprise.
The basic version is available for free. However, if you need access to advanced features and support, you will have to purchase the paid version.
Rating
G2: 4.6/5
Capterra: 4.5/5
Also Read : What Does A Graphic Designer Do: Job Overview & Analysis
3. Inkscape
Inkscape is a suitable graphic design tool for beginners who want to explore vector graphics. This is an apt alternative to Adobe Illustrator, which most find difficult to master.
You can use this free software to create logos, illustrations, and icons using vector shapes and paths. Unlike tools like Canva or Visme, this software gives you complete control over designs.
Key Features
- Free and open-source platform
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux
- Easy-to-use interface
- Impressive vector graphics editing
- Large online community and tutorials
Pros
- Available for free
- Powerful vector editing capabilities
- Allows customization
- Permits add-ons and plugin integration
- Impeccable text tools and drawing control
- Supports multiple file formats
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Confusing and outdated interface
- Not an intuitive platform
Pricing
This is a free, open-source software that you can download from the website.
Rating
4. GIMP
For aspiring graphic designers who are looking for a free alternative to Adobe Photoshop, GIMP or GNU Image Manipulation Program is all you need.
It is a free, open-source software you can easily install and utilize for photo editing and manipulation.
Key Features
- Free, open-source platform
- High-quality image manipulation
- Gives complete control and power to artists
- The framework supports multiple languages
- Allows seamless integration
- Versatile and compatible tool for digital image manipulation
Pros
- Get it for free
- Enables basic to advanced editing
- Wide range of tools
- Compatible with multiple platforms
- Flexible and customizable
- Supports add-ons
- Community support and tutorials
Cons
- Not an intuitive interface
- Considerable learning curve
- Outdated UI
- Poor text handling features
Pricing
GIMP is completely free to use. You can download the software from the official website.
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5. CorelDraw
CorelDraw is a robust graphic design software widely known for its precision and versatility. With a range of toolsets and features this software is a suitable option for budding designers as well as experts in the field.
Key Features
- Impressive vector graphics editing and illustration tools
- Extensive design assets library
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- Renowned curve-handling tools
- Basic photo editing capabilities
- Widely used in the sign-making industry
- Supports popular platforms
Pros
- Precise vector tools
- User-friendly interface
- Exceptional Bezier curve tools for more control
- Cost-effective
- Versatile toolset
- Strong community support and resources
Cons
- Takes considerable time to master the tool
- Allows fewer plugins and integrations
- Limited options for customization
- Less focus on photo editing
- Only a 15-day free trial is available, no free version
Pricing
There are three different pricing categories: for individuals, for business, and for education. You can easily choose an apt version from it.
Rating
G2: 4.3/5
Capterra: 4.5/5
Read More: Graphic Designer Salary In 2024: Based On Roles, Skills, & Experience
6. Design Wizard
Design Wizard is an ideal graphic design tool for beginners, and it has a range of features that are available for free.
This online graphic design tool has a vast library of pre-designed templates that you can use for different social media platforms. Plus it supports video editing.
Key Features
- User-friendly interface
- Extensive library of social media templates
- Video editing tools are available in paid plans
- Graphic design tools are available for free
- Support various formats for export and sharing
- Easily integrates with popular stock image platforms
- Available on multiple platforms
Pros
- Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
- Dra-and-drop features
- Seamless stock photo integration
- Allows collaboration
- Unique video features
- Cross-platform support
Cons
- Advanced features are only available in paid plans
- Limited functionality compared to advanced design software
- Basic customization options
- Premium plans are not affordable
Pricing
There are two pricing plans for Design Wizard. The basic plan is free and the Pro plan with all the features, is available for a free trial.
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7. Krita
Krita is the best free graphic design tool for beginners who are interested in digital painting and animation. This platform has a robust set of tools that you can use to create stunning illustrations, concept art, comics, and animations.
Key Features
- Free and open-source platform
- Customizable brush engine
- Efficient layer management system
- Supports color profiles for accurate color production
- Offers basic animation capabilities
- Allows Python scripting for automation
- Impressive resource management
Pros
- Available for free
- User-friendly interface
- Compatible with several platforms
- Regularly updated software
- Strong community support
- Powerful and customizable tools
- Allows layer-based editing without damaging the original image
Cons
- Steeper learning curve
- Limited support for add-ons and plugins
- More focus on painting
- Limited graphic design features
Pricing
Krita is entirely free to download and use. You don’t have to pay any subscription fees nor do they have hidden costs.
Rating
8. Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is the industry-standard raster graphics editor. It is a powerful software with exceptional image editing and manipulation capabilities.
Whether you are a professional in photography, graphic design, or digital art, this is your go-to tool to create stunning visuals.
Key Features
- Comprehensive image editing tools for color correction, retouching, and restoration
- Flexible layer system
- Precise selection tools
- Advanced masking techniques
- A vast library of filters and effects
- Options for automation and batch processing for repetitive tasks
- Basic 3D modeling and rendering capabilities
- Easy integration with Abobe Creative Cloud
Pros
- Widely recognized and used by professionals
- Offers a vast array of tools for image manipulation
- Delivers exceptional image quality
- Supports third-party plugins
- Large and active user community to provide support
- Lots of resources and tutorials
- Offers high file format compatibility
Cons
- Difficult to master
- You need an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription to use the software
- Monthly subscription-based model
- Focus on raster graphics
- Expensive
- Resource intensive
Pricing
Adobe Photoshop is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. There are different plans available based on individual or team needs.
Rating
G2: 4.6/5
Capterra: 4.8/5
Also Read: How To Become A UI/UX Designer In 2024: The Ultimate Guide
9. Lunacy
Lunacy is a comparatively new graphic design software that offers a free model and delivers exceptional results. This graphic design tool for beginners is a good choice for UI/UX design, web design, and other graphic design tasks.
Key Features
- Enables to create and edit vector-based designs
- Pre-designed UI kit library
- Real-time collaboration opportunities
- AI-driven features for image enhancement
- Available on multiple platforms
- Compatible with Sketch and Figma
Pros
- Available for free
- Works offline as well
- Easy to learn
- Numerous tools for various design tasks
- Works well on different operating systems
- AI-powered features are present
- Easy collaboration
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface
Cons
- Relatively new software
- Allows limited plugins
- Occasional bugs and stability issues
Pricing
You can use Lunacy for free. There are no hidden fees or subscription requirements. However, you will have to get a subscription for additional features.
Rating
10. Vectr
Vectr is a free online graphic design tool apt for beginners. Its simple and accessible interface is both user-friendly and intuitive.
With a lot of features and collaboration functionality, this tool is a cost-effective solution for beginners as well as intermediate designers.
Key Features
- Focuses on creating and editing vector-based designs
- Offers basic shapes and text formatting options
- Allows real-time collaboration
- Cloud-based
Pros
- Free to use
- Simple and interesting interface
- Access designs from any device
- Enables easy teamwork
- Not resource-intensive
Cons
- Has limited features
- Requires an internet connection to use
- You need a subscription to unlock extensive features and remove ads
- Limited control over design elements
- Do not have advanced design capabilities
- Smaller community support
Pricing
Vectr is entirely free to use for both personal and commercial projects. To remove ads and to get extensive access to all the features like cloud storage, you will need a subscription.
Rating
G2: 4.4/5
Capterra: 4.4/5
Overall Comparison
Now let’s do a side-by-side comparison of all top graphic design tools for beginners to get a better understanding:
Key Takeaways
Choosing a suitable tool is crucial to develop and advance in any field. Therefore, find the best graphic design tool for beginners from this list weighing your requirements and knowledge.
If you ever feel like you can’t do this alone and need help, then check out our practical course for aspiring graphic designers right here. Get the right guidance at the right time and become a sought-after designer with us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Which is a basic tool for graphic design?
Canva and Visme are basic tools for graphic design that are perfect for beginners and do not require much technical knowledge. Additionally, they are both user-friendly with free templates and drag-and-drop functionalities.
How do I start learning graphic design?
You can start learning graphic design initially using free online resources and tools. With practice and an understanding of design principles like color theory, you will be able to develop your skills.
Can I learn graphic design by myself?
Yes, there are graphic designers who are self-taught. However, it is beneficial to get formal education to ease the learning process and get ample guidance at the right time.
Is graphic design hard?
The difficulty depends on your goals in learning graphic design. It takes time to master design software but you can learn basic principles and theories with ease.
What software is used for graphic design?
There are a lot of software programs that you can use for graphic design. Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign are popular options among designers.
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