Discover over 30 graphic design apps to help you illustrate, design, animate, and more. Here, we present a full graphic design software list where you can find everything you need for your creative endeavors. There are premium and free design apps you can use. (Written prices are correct at the time of publishing.)
Interested in including your program for graphic design on the list? Email collaboration@envato.com. Or visit tutsplus.com/advertise for more sponsored content opportunities.
Watch the video version of this premium and free graphic design software list on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:
A
ArtRage
ArtRage by Ambient Design 80 USD for Windows/Mac
ArtRage is a digital art program that specializes in digital painting tools and resources that mimic traditional art. From oil paint on canvas to watercolor and pencils, you can smear, mix, and blend with this graphic designing software, just like the real thing.
Animatron Studio
Animatron Studio by Animatron Inc From Free for Windows/Mac/Linux
Animation Studio is an online animation maker perfect for creating online advertisements, including banner ads and short videos. It's a graphic design software free download with drag-and-drop UI that makes it great for beginner animators.
B
Boxy SVG
Boxy SVG by Jarosław Foksa From 9.99 USD/year for Windows/Mac/Linux
Boxy SVG is an SVG file editor aimed at both beginner and professional web designers and developers. With a minimal and well-thought-out UI, Boxy SVG aims to create a streamlined SVG editor where the image takes center stage. It's a good graphic designer software to try.
Blender
Blender by The Blender Foundation Free for Windows/Mac/Linux
Blender is a free graphic design software for 3D computer graphics used for creating animated films, visual effects, and video games. It supports the entire 3D pipeline, from modeling to animation and finally rendering.
C
CorelDRAW
CorelDRAW by Corel Corporation 249.00 USD/year for Windows/Mac
CorelDRAW is a program for graphic design. It's an editor for vector illustration, photo editing, and typography. It’s a suite of several programs that has everything you need for both you and any collaborators.
Clip Studio Paint
Clip Studio Paint by CELSYS Inc From 49.99 USD for Windows/Mac
Clip Studio Paint is a piece of graphic designing software used for the digital creation of comics, digital art, and 2D animation. It’s a favorite amongst digital painters for its painting-focused user interface and natural brush feel.
D
(Affinity) Designer
Affinity Designer by Serif From 18.49 USD for Windows/Mac
Affinity Designer is a graphic designer software suite that's becoming a favorite among professionals for creating print projects, logos, icons, UI designs, and much more. Affinity Designer strips back the UI, ditches the bloat and gimmicks, and gives you a completely streamlined graphic designing experience.
39 Awesome Affinity Designer Textures, Assets, & Resources (Free & Premium!)
25+ Best Free Affinity Designer Brushes (& Affinity Designer Tutorials!)
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve by Blackmagic Design Free for PC/Mac/Linux
DaVinci Resolve is a design program for free that offers color correction and video editing, and that you can also use to create and combine visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production. This makes it one of the world’s first all-in-one video editing software packages that is 100% Hollywood used and approved.
E
Envato Elements
Envato Elements by Envato From 16.50 USD/mo for PC/Mac/Linux
Envato Elements is a one-stop shop for all your graphic design needs. Get unlimited downloads of graphics, photos, and fonts. Millions of creative digital assets, all with simple commercial licensing, and just one monthly fee.
F
FireAlpaca
FireAlpaca by PGN Inc Free for PC/Mac
FireAlpaca is a free design app for digital painting. It boasts fast rendering times and an easy-to-understand UI. And the best part? They are very vocal about how they will be free forever!
G
GIMP
GIMP by GIMP Team Free for PC/Mac/Linux
GIMP is an open-source free graphic art software and image editor that’s been around for a whopping 25 years and is still getting active updates. Both artist and graphic-designer-friendly, GIMP has a whole library of third-party programs, so you can customize your workspace to your exact needs.
H
HitFilm Express
HitFilm Express by FXhome Limited Free for PC/Mac
HitFilm Express is a free video editor with a slew of professional-grade editing tools. It's perfect for everyone, including film students, gamers, and YouTubers—even if you’ve just started your journey into video editing. It's a complete graphic design software free download.
I
InDesign
InDesign by Adobe From 20.99 USD/mo for PC/Mac
InDesign is the industry-leading layout and page design software for both print and digital media. Create and publish books, magazines, posters, and more, all while taking advantage of Adobe’s other integrated services. It's one of the ultimate graphic designing software applications.
Illustrator
Illustrator by Adobe From 19.99 USD/mo for PC/Mac
Illustrator is another popular piece of graphic designer software. It's the industry standard when it comes to vector graphics software. From digital art to mobile graphics and of course web UI, Illustrator is used worldwide, and for good reason.
Adobe Illustrator Tips and Tricks: A to Z of the Best Hacks!
How to Create a Pastel Gradient Background
Inkscape
Inkscape Free for PC/Mac/Linux
Inkscape is an open-source and free vector-based app that has all of the tools a professional illustrator or web designer might need, at the best price: free! Easy to use, with tons of learning resources, this professional free graphic design software is beginner-friendly.
K
Krita
Krita Free for PC/Mac/Linux
Krita is a painting open-source and design program for free. Aimed at concept artists, matte painters, and comic artists, Krita has tons of online learning resources that are all also free.
L
Lucidpress
Lucidpress by LPS Holdco From 10 USD/mo for PC/Mac/Linux
Lucidpress is an online branded content creator full of easy-to-use graphic design templates and a user-friendly UI. As it’s browser-based, it works on all computers, is super lightweight, and is quick to use. It's a great piece of graphic designing software.
Luminar Neo
Luminar Neo by Skylum From 9.95/mo USD for PC/Mac
Luminar Neo is a photo editing program that is fully powered by artificial intelligence. Since this graphic designer software is powered by AI, it’s incredibly easy to learn as a beginner, while still being powerful enough for professionals to use. Instantly retouch photos or manipulate photos with just a few clicks.
M
MyPaint
MyPaint Free for PC/Mac/Linux
MyPaint is a free painting program that focuses on creating a simple interface with no distraction, and a brush feel that mimics real brushstrokes. This free designer software gives you everything you need and none of what you don’t!
MediBang
MediBang by MediBang Inc Free for PC/Mac
MediBang is a drawing app that's specialized for comic and manga artists. This free graphic art software is available for PC, iPad, iPhone, and Android devices, so you can draw anywhere at any time.
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Natron
Natron Free for PC/Mac/Linux
Natron is an open-source video compositing software package for VFX and motion graphics. The graphic design software free download includes multi-layer rotoscoping, various keying tools, and powerful rendering for fast production times.
O
OpenToonz
OpenToonz by Dwango Free for PC/Mac/Linux
OpenToonz is a free drawing program aimed at 2D animators. The design program for free is the open-source version of Toonz, which has been used by animation company Studio Ghibli.
P
Placeit
Placeit by Envato From 9.99 USD/mo for PC/Mac/Linux
Placeit is an online and easy-to-use tool for branding content and mockup graphics. There are thousands of templates to choose from, including logos, videos, flyers, and more—all of which are completely customizable in your browser.
(Adobe) Photoshop
Photoshop by Adobe From $20.99/mo for PC/Mac
Photoshop is a world-leading program in photo editing and retouching. Few photo editors can go toe to toe with Photoshop thanks to its extensive user-created library of free and premium brushes, actions, and other resources.
Procreate
Procreate by Savage 12.99 USD for Mac
Procreate is a well-loved digital painting app for the iPad and other Apple devices. Create sketches, full illustrations, and even animations from anywhere, thanks to this exclusive mobile program for graphic design.
(Affinity) Publisher
Affinity Publisher by Serif From 18.49 USD for PC/Mac
Affinity Publisher is a professional publishing software program used to compose books, magazines, website mockups, and more. With a smooth and intuitive UI, this graphic designing software is fast becoming a favorite in the publishing industry.
A to Z of Affinity Publisher: Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
How to Design a Postcard Template in Affinity Publisher
(Affinity) Photo
(Affinity) Photo by Serif From 18.49 USD for PC/Mac
Affinity Photo is a photo editing software well known for its speed and power. This program for graphic design can be used for photo compositing, retouching, and illustrations, and it's the only fully featured photo editor that is on Mac, Windows, and iOS.
A to Z of Affinity Photo: Tips, Tricks, and Hacks!
How to Remove an Object in a Photo in Affinity Photo
Pixelmator Pro
Pixelmator Pro by Pixelmator Team 49.99 USD for Mac
Pixelmator is a photo editing app created exclusively for the iPad. This graphic designing software is fully featured and is ideal for both photo retouching and color grading.
PaintTool SAI
PaintTool SAI by SYSTEMAX Inc 50 USD for PC/Mac/Linux
PaintTool SAI is a lightweight painting program that is simple and easy to learn. It aims to make digital painting quicker and more enjoyable, with zero lag and top tear anti-aliasing.
Pixlr
Pixlr by Inmagine From Free for PC/Mac
Pixlr is a browser-based photo editor that has both easy-to-use templates and AI-powered tools. If you are a premium user, you can even use this free designer software offline with their desktop version.
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QuarkXPress
QuarkXPress by Quark Software Inc From 259 USD/year for PC/Mac
QuarkXPress is an all-in-one program with easy photo editing, illustration, and web layout tools. You can also seamlessly transition from web to mobile publication for easy application designing.
R
RawTherapee
RawTherapee by RawTherapee Team Free for PC/Mac/Linux
RawTherapee is a RAW image processing program. Cross-platform and free, this free graphic art software aimed at both new enthusiasts and long-time professionals, with all the tools and settings you need to edit your RAW files.
Rebelle
Rebelle by Escape Motions 149.99 USD for PC/Mac
Rebelle is a digital painting program that brings traditional supplies to your computer. The graphic design software free download offers realistic interaction between oil paints and watercolor, without sacrificing performance or speed.
S
Sketch
Sketch, Sketch B.V 10 USD/mo for Mac
Sketch is an online UI and graphic designing program. With real-time collaboration and being so easy to use, it’s the ideal tool for team and group work.
Sketchbook
Sketchbook 19.99 USD
Sketchbook is a drawing and painting program aimed at designers, architects, and concept artists. It has a simple UI, ideal for tablets and on-the-go sketching.
T
Toon Boom
Toon Boom Harmony From 29.99/month USD for PC/Mac
Toon Boom is an award-winning pack of programs aimed at 2D animators. Used by professionals worldwide, Toon Boom is an industry standard that excels in animation, storyboarding, and end production.
V
Vectr
Vectr by Inmagin Free for PC/Mac/Linux
Vectr is a free, cross-platform, vector graphics software package that is easy to use thanks to having a number of free templates. The design program for free aims to simplify the graphic design process, letting you focus on what matters most: the designs.
Vecteezy
Vecteezy by Eezy Inc From Free for PC/Mac/Linux
Vecteezy is a resource site that specializes in vector art but also has a large library of photo and stock video content. It contains a mixture of both free and premium content, with professional-level quality to help you get your project done faster.
Conclusion
And that is our A to Z premium and free graphic design software list!
Did we miss a few? Interested in including your software on the list? Email seo-outreach@envato.com to be added. Or visit tutsplus.com/advertise for more sponsored content opportunities.
Envato Elements
Looking for assets to use in your designs and illustrations? Try Envato Elements. Get unlimited downloads of design assets, templates, and fonts. Millions of creative digital assets, with simple commercial licensing, and you can cancel any time.
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