10 Best Apps for Graphic Designers (Free + Paid)

In today’s digital age, graphic designers need powerful tools that offer flexibility, functionality, and innovation. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your design journey, having the right apps can significantly enhance your creative workflow and output quality. The digital design landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with new applications emerging regularly that cater to various aspects of the design process – from sketching and illustration to typography and mockups.

This comprehensive guide explores the top graphic design apps available, including both free and paid options. We’ve considered factors such as user interface, feature set, learning curve, platform availability, and value for money to provide you with a well-rounded selection that can meet diverse design needs. Each app on this list has been chosen for its unique strengths and practical applications in professional design workflows.

1. Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator remains the industry standard for vector graphics design and has maintained its position as a cornerstone application for professional designers worldwide.

With its powerful vector editing capabilities, Illustrator gives you unparalleled control over shapes, paths, and typography. Its integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps creates a seamless workflow for designers working across multiple platforms and projects.

The software’s precision and versatility make it ideal for logo design, typography, illustrations, and brand identity development. Recent updates have focused on improving performance, enhancing collaboration features, and expanding its already impressive toolset to accommodate emerging design trends and techniques.

Key Features:

• Vector Precision: Create infinitely scalable artwork with industry-leading vector tools
• Advanced Typography: Comprehensive text formatting and custom font creation
• Powerful Shape Building: Precise path editing and shape manipulation tools
• Pattern Creation: Tools for creating and editing seamless patterns
• Effects Library: Vast collection of effects and styles for creative expression
• Cloud Integration: Seamless syncing across devices with Creative Cloud
• Collaborative Workflows: Share and edit designs with team members in real-time
• Artboard Management: Multiple artboards for different versions of designs

App Store: Download for iPad
Play Store: Download for Android

2. Figma

Figma has revolutionized the design industry with its cloud-based approach and collaborative features, making it a favorite among design teams and individual creators alike. As a comprehensive design platform accessible through any modern web browser, Figma eliminates traditional software barriers and enables real-time collaboration regardless of geographic location.

Its intuitive interface bridges the gap between UI/UX design and prototyping, allowing designers to create interactive prototypes that closely mimic the final product.

The platform’s component-based design system promotes consistency across projects while maintaining flexibility for customization. Figma’s browser-based nature means you can access your projects from virtually any device with internet connectivity, making it an incredibly versatile tool for the modern designer.

Key Features:

• Real-time Collaboration: Multiple designers can work on the same file simultaneously
• Component Libraries: Create reusable design components for consistent UI
• Interactive Prototyping: Build clickable prototypes with transitions and animations
• Auto Layout: Responsive layouts that adapt to content changes
• Version History: Track changes and revert to previous versions when needed
• Developer Handoff: Generate code snippets and specifications for developers
• Plugin Ecosystem: Extend functionality with community-created plugins
• Design Systems: Tools for maintaining consistent design language across projects

Play Store: Download for Android
App Store: Download for iPad

3. Procreate

Procreate has emerged as one of the most powerful and intuitive digital illustration apps specifically designed for iPad users.

This powerhouse application combines professional-grade features with an accessible interface that appeals to artists of all skill levels. Behind its seemingly simple exterior lies a sophisticated engine that delivers exceptional performance, allowing for complex illustrations with hundreds of layers.

Procreate’s brushes mimic traditional media with remarkable accuracy, from the texture of charcoal to the flow of watercolors.

The app’s commitment to regular updates means new features and refinements are constantly being added, keeping it at the cutting edge of digital art creation. For illustrators and designers who prefer a natural drawing experience, Procreate offers the perfect balance of digital convenience and traditional art feel.

Key Features:

• Extensive Brush Library: Over 200 customizable brushes plus the ability to create your own
• Advanced Layer System: Work with multiple layers including adjustment layers and layer masks
• Time-lapse Recording: Automatically records your creative process for sharing
• QuickShape: Create perfect geometric shapes that can be adjusted and manipulated
• Text Tool: Add and customize typography in your illustrations
• Selection Tools: Precise selection and transformation tools
• Gesture Controls: Intuitive shortcuts for common actions
• Export Options: Export in various formats including PSD with layers intact

App Store: Download for iPad

4. Canva

Canva has transformed the graphic design landscape by making design accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical expertise or training.

This versatile platform bridges the gap between professional design software and user-friendly tools, offering an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that simplifies the creation of various design assets.

What sets Canva apart is its vast library of templates, covering everything from social media posts and presentations to business cards and marketing materials. The platform constantly evolves to meet contemporary design needs, recently expanding its functionality to include video editing, website creation, and data visualization tools.

For small businesses, marketers, and non-designers who need professional-looking graphics without the learning curve of traditional design software, Canva provides an efficient and cost-effective solution.

Key Features:

• Template Library: Thousands of customizable templates for various design purposes
• Stock Media: Integrated access to millions of photos, videos, and graphics
• Brand Kit: Store brand colors, logos, and fonts for consistent branding
• Collaboration Tools: Team sharing and editing capabilities
• Magic Resize: Automatically resize designs for different platforms and purposes
• Background Remover: One-click background removal for images
• Animation Effects: Add simple animations to elements in your designs
• Publishing Integration: Direct publishing to social media platforms

App Store: Download for iOS
Play Store: Download for Android

5. Affinity Designer

Affinity Designer has carved out a significant niche in the graphic design software market as a powerful alternative to subscription-based vector editing tools. This professional-grade application offers an impressive feature set that rivals industry standards while maintaining a one-time purchase pricing model that appeals to independent designers and small studios.

Affinity Designer excels in providing a seamless workflow between vector and raster design elements, allowing designers to combine different techniques within a single document.

The software is built from the ground up for modern computing, delivering exceptional performance even when handling complex designs with numerous layers and effects.

With its precise toolset and intuitive interface, Affinity Designer provides everything needed for creating logos, icons, UI designs, typography, and illustrations without the ongoing financial commitment of subscription services.

Key Features:

• Persona System: Switch between Vector, Pixel, and Export personas for different tasks
• Non-destructive Operations: Apply effects and adjustments without altering original artwork
• Advanced Vector Tools: Comprehensive path editing and manipulation capabilities
• Infinite Artboards: Create multiple designs within a single document
• Symbols: Create reusable elements that update across your design when edited
• Constraints: Set responsive design rules for different screen sizes
• 1,000,000%+ Zoom: Extreme precision for detailed work
• File Compatibility: Open and export to various industry-standard formats

App Store: Download for iPad

Other Useful Apps –

• Top Travel Apps for Budget Flights & Hotel Deals
• The Best Apps for Book Lovers & Audiophiles
• Top Note-Taking Apps Every Student Should Try

6. Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop continues to be the definitive image editing and manipulation software with capabilities that extend far beyond photo retouching. This versatile powerhouse serves as a crucial tool for graphic designers working with raster graphics, digital painting, compositing, and photo manipulation.

Photoshop’s layered editing approach has become the industry standard, allowing for non-destructive workflows that maintain the integrity of original assets.

Recent versions have incorporated AI-powered features through Adobe Sensei, automating tedious tasks and opening new creative possibilities. The integration with Adobe’s Creative Cloud ecosystem enables seamless file sharing and consistent experiences across multiple devices.

Despite new competitors emerging in the market, Photoshop’s continuous innovation and comprehensive toolset ensure it remains an essential application in professional design workflows.

Key Features:

• Advanced Layer Management: Sophisticated layer controls with groups, masks, and effects
• Smart Objects: Non-destructive editing of placed images and vector graphics
• Content-Aware Tools: Intelligent filling and patching for seamless editing
• Neural Filters: AI-powered creative and restoration tools
• Advanced Selection Tools: Precise selection methods for complex image manipulation
• Extensive Brush System: Customizable brushes for digital painting and retouching
• 3D Integration: Create and edit 3D elements within your 2D designs
• Automation: Actions and batch processing for repetitive tasks

App Store: Download for iPad
Play Store: Download for Android

7. Sketch

Sketch pioneered the modern UI/UX design tool category and continues to be a favorite among digital product designers, particularly those in the Apple ecosystem.

This vector-based design platform focuses exclusively on creating user interfaces and digital experiences, with features specifically tailored for screen-based design. Sketch’s emphasis on simplicity and efficiency makes it particularly effective for wireframing, prototyping, and creating design systems.

The software’s extensive plugin ecosystem allows designers to extend its functionality to meet specific workflow needs, from animation tools to developer handoff solutions.

While originally a macOS-exclusive application, Sketch has expanded its collaboration capabilities with cloud-based features that allow team members on any platform to view, comment on, and interact with designs through web browsers.

Key Features:

• Vector Editing: Create precise, resolution-independent designs
• Symbols and Libraries: Reusable components that update across all instances
• Prototyping: Build interactive prototypes to demonstrate user flows
• Smart Layout: Create responsive designs that adapt to different content
• Cloud Collaboration: Share designs and collect feedback online
• Plugin Ecosystem: Extend functionality with third-party plugins
• Export Presets: Quickly export assets in various formats and resolutions
• Data Population: Test designs with realistic data

Apple: Available for macOS only
Web App: Browser-based collaboration

8. Blender

Blender has evolved from a niche 3D application to a comprehensive creative suite that offers exceptional value for graphic designers looking to incorporate 3D elements into their work.

As a free, open-source platform, Blender provides professional-grade tools for modeling, sculpting, texturing, and rendering without financial barriers to entry. Its capabilities extend beyond traditional 3D modeling to include animation, compositing, motion tracking, and even video editing.

Recent versions have introduced significant interface improvements and workflow enhancements that make the software more accessible to newcomers while maintaining the depth required by professionals.

For graphic designers, Blender opens up new creative possibilities such as 3D typography, product visualization, architectural rendering, and creating unique graphical elements that stand out in a predominantly 2D design landscape.

The software’s active community continuously develops new features and learning resources, making it a constantly evolving tool.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive 3D Modeling: Tools for creating complex 3D objects and scenes
• Sculpting: Digital clay modeling with various brushes and tools
• Materials and Texturing: Create realistic or stylized surface appearances
• Animation System: Keyframe animation with rigging and physics simulation
• Rendering Engines: Multiple built-in rendering options including Cycles and Eevee
• Compositing Node Editor: Layer and combine elements with effects
• Grease Pencil: 2D animation and drawing directly in 3D space
• Python Scripting: Automate tasks and create custom tools

Desktop: Download for Windows, macOS, and Linux

9. Krita

Krita stands out as one of the most capable free and open-source digital painting applications available today, developed by artists for artists.

This powerful software focuses primarily on digital painting and illustration, offering features that rival many premium alternatives. Krita’s development is guided by direct input from its user community, ensuring that the tools meet real-world creative needs rather than theoretical use cases.

The application provides an exceptional painting experience with natural media simulation, customizable brushes, and a well-designed interface that puts creative tools front and center. For graphic designers who incorporate illustration or digital painting into their workflow, Krita offers a professional-grade solution without financial investment.

The software is particularly noteworthy for its excellent support for drawing tablets and pressure sensitivity, creating a responsive and natural drawing experience.

Key Features:

• Brush Engine: Advanced brush customization with over 100 brush presets
• OpenGL Canvas: Smooth, responsive painting experience
• Layer Management: Comprehensive layer system with group layers and masks
• Brush Stabilizers: Tools to help create smooth lines and reduce hand tremor
• Animation Tools: Frame-by-frame animation capabilities
• Resource Management: Organize brushes, patterns, and gradients
• PSD Support: Open and save Photoshop documents with layer preservation
• Color Management: Professional color spaces and HDR painting

App Store: Download for iOS
Play Store: Download for Android

10. Pixelmator Pro

Pixelmator Pro has established itself as a powerful yet accessible image editing and graphic design application specifically optimized for the macOS ecosystem.

This elegant software strikes an impressive balance between professional capabilities and user-friendly design, making sophisticated editing techniques available to creators of all skill levels.

Pixelmator Pro leverages Apple’s latest technologies to deliver exceptional performance and integration with macOS features like Split View and Versions.

The application combines raster editing with basic vector tools, providing a versatile environment for various design tasks without overwhelming users with excessive complexity.

For graphic designers working in the Apple ecosystem who need professional image editing capabilities without the learning curve or subscription cost of more complex alternatives, Pixelmator Pro offers an elegant and efficient solution with native performance on both Intel and Apple Silicon processors.

Key Features:

• Machine Learning Enhancements: AI-powered tools for selections, upscaling, and more
• Non-destructive Editing: Adjustments and effects that preserve original images
• Vector Tools: Create and edit vector shapes alongside pixel-based content
• Typography: Comprehensive text formatting and effects
• Layer Styles: Apply combinations of effects with presets or custom configurations
• RAW Processing: Native editing of RAW photo files
• Color Adjustments: Professional color correction and grading tools
• Effects Browser: Library of filters and effects with live previews

App Store: Download for macOS
iPad: Download Pixelmator for iPad

Choosing the Right App for Your Design Needs

Selecting the ideal graphic design app depends on several factors, including your specific needs, budget, and the platforms you work with. Consider these aspects when making your choice:

Type of Design Work

• Vector Design: Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer, or Sketch
• Photo Editing: Adobe Photoshop, Pixelmator Pro, or Affinity Photo
• UI/UX Design: Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD
• Digital Illustration: Procreate, Krita, or Photoshop
• 3D Graphics: Blender or Cinema 4D
• Quick Marketing Materials: Canva or Adobe Express

Budget Considerations

• Free Options: Canva (free tier), Krita, Blender
• One-time Purchase: Affinity Designer, Pixelmator Pro, Procreate
• Subscription-based: Adobe Creative Cloud apps, Figma (premium features)

Platform Compatibility

Before committing to software, ensure it works on your preferred devices. Some apps like Procreate are iPad-exclusive, while others like Sketch only work on macOS.

Conclusion

When choosing your ideal design app, consider not only the features and cost but also how the software fits into your broader workflow. Many designers find that using a combination of specialized tools yields the best results, with each application handling the aspects of design it does best.

By mastering the right set of graphic design applications for your specific needs, you’ll be well-equipped to bring your creative vision to life with efficiency and professional polish. Remember that while the tools are important, they’re ultimately vehicles for your creativity – invest time in learning their capabilities thoroughly to make the most of what modern design software has to offer.

What graphic design apps do you use in your workflow? Are there any emerging tools you’re excited about? Share your experiences in the comments below!