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.
Rating
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.
Rating
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:
Graphic Design Tools For Beginners
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.
