Best Graphic Design Software

What Is Graphic Design Software?

A graphic design software tool allows you to create visual designs such as photos, logos, illustrations, and brochures. These programs are commonly used to produce digital prints as well as online and print marketing materials. Graphic design software can be used to create one-of-a-kind layouts and aid in visual branding. Photographers, printers, advertising experts, and anyone else who wants to create aesthetically appealing graphics will find it useful.

General vector and bitmap graphic editing tools, color management capabilities, preset options, print preparation, and planning tools are all common features of graphic design software. It also has photo editing features like cropping, resizing, image manipulation, special effects, and masking. Some software programs are more specialized than others and include features like animation, 3D effects, website design, and digital publishing.

You can work with numerous layers in graphic design software, making it easier to make modifications later if necessary. This kind of adaptability is especially critical for projects that require several devices, operating systems, and languages. You'll be able to export your graphics in a variety of formats, ensuring that they're ready for usage in any media the project calls for.

Overall, graphic design software is a must-have for everyone who needs to do professional-quality design work. It will provide you with the means to express your creativity and create one-of-a-kind designs. With the correct software, you'll be able to build projects that stand out from the crowd.

List of 10 Best Graphic Design Software for 2025

1. Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a sophisticated vector graphics editor created by Adobe Inc. Designers, artists, and illustrators use it extensively to generate scalable and high-quality artwork for a variety of applications, including logos, icons, drawings, typography, and more.

Features:

• Vector Graphics
• Pen Tool
• Artboards
• Typography
• Brushes and Effects
• Live Trace (Image Trace)
• Creative Cloud Integration
• Precision and Alignment
• Integration with Adobe Stock
• Export Options

Pricing:

Illustrator, which is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud, has a subscription-based price model. Pricing varies depending on the plan and area, but it normally comprises the following subscription tiers:

• Single App Plan: This plan includes access to just Adobe Illustrator.
• All Apps Plan: This package grants access to the whole Adobe Creative Cloud suite, which includes Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and other applications.

2. CorelDRAW

CorelDRAW is a well-known vector graphic design application created and distributed by Corel Corporation. It's commonly used to make illustrations, logos, online graphics, and other sorts of artwork that demand precise and scalable designs. CorelDRAW is available for both Windows and macOS, and it has a variety of capabilities to meet the demands of professional designers, illustrators, and enthusiasts alike.

Features:

• Vector Graphics
• Node Editing
• Interactive Tools
• Layout and Typography
• Color Management
• Image Editing
• Export and File Compatibility
• Template Library

Pricing:

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is accessible via subscription-based licensing, with pricing varying depending on plan and area. Corel typically provides monthly and annual plans.

3. Canva

Canva is a web-based graphic design tool that allows users to generate a variety of visual content such as social media graphics, posters, flyers, presentations, infographics, and more. It was launched in 2012 and has risen to prominence because to its user-friendly interface and extensive library of design templates and components.

Features:

• Drag-and-Drop Design
• Design Templates
• Photo Library
• Customizable Elements
• Collaboration
• Print and Share
• Animations and Video
• Brand Kit
• Background Remover
• Resizing for Different Platforms

Pricing:

Canva has several price options, including a free plan with limited access to premium products. The following are the premium plans that enable additional features:

• Canva Pro: When invoiced annually, this package normally costs roughly $12.95 per month. It gives you access to a larger library of premium pictures, more asset storage, team collaboration tools, and other advanced creative tools.
• Canva Enterprise: The Enterprise plan is designed for larger companies and organizations. Pricing varies depending on the number of users and specific requirements, so it's better to get a unique price from the Canvas sales team.

4. Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is Adobe Inc.'s powerful and industry-leading raster graphics editing software. Designers, photographers, and digital artists use it extensively to modify and improve photos, generate graphics, and create spectacular visual effects. Photoshop includes a plethora of tools and capabilities that allow users to edit and create artwork with accuracy and creativity.

Features:

• Layers
• Selection Tools
• Image Retouching
• Filters and Effects
• Brushes and Painting
• Text Tools
• 3D Editing
• Smart Objects
• Content-Aware Scale
• Camera Raw
• Integration with Creative Cloud

Pricing:

Adobe Photoshop is normally available as part of Adobe's Creative Cloud solutions on a subscription basis. Pricing varies depending on your area and the plan you select. Options frequently include:

1. Photography Plan: This package caters to photographers by including Photoshop and Lightroom. Depending on the package and any active specials, it was priced between $9.99 and $19.99 per month.
2. Single App Plan: If you only require Photoshop, you could sign up for the Single App Plan, which costs about $20.99 per month.
3. All Apps Plan: Adobe also has an All Apps Plan, which gives you access to the whole Creative Cloud suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and others. This plan cost about $49.99 per month.

5. QuarkXPress

QuarkXPress is a professional desktop publishing software that enables users to produce and design print and digital media. For many years, it has been a popular tool in the publishing industry, offering a variety of features and capabilities for creating high-quality layouts for magazines, brochures, newspapers, books, posters, and interactive digital publications.

Features:

• Page Layout and Design
• Typography Control
• Image and Graphic Handling
• Responsive Design
• Vector Graphics
• Tables and Charts
• Automation and Productivity
• Integration and Compatibility
• Collaboration
• Digital Publishing

Pricing:

Pricing for QuarkXPress varies depending on the version (perpetual or subscription) and license choices.

6. Mega Creator

Mega Creator is a complete software application that assists creators, designers, and artists in the creation and management of numerous sorts of digital content. It promises to simplify the creative process, making it easier for users to realize their visions and share them with the rest of the world.

Features:

• Graphic Design Tools
• Video Editing Suite
• Animation Capabilities
• Social Media Integration
• Collaboration Tools
• Asset Library
• Export and Publishing Options

Pricing:

For $89, you may create designs using a drag-and-drop collection of high-quality graphics.

7. GIMP

GIMP (GNU Picture Manipulation Program) is a raster graphics editor that is free and open-source. It is extensively used for picture editing, retouching, and creating artwork. It is compatible with a variety of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Features:

• Image Editing
• Layers and Masks
• Selection Tools
• Customizable Interface
• Extensibility
• Text Editing
• Digital Painting
• File Format Support
• HDR Editing
• Animation

Pricing:

GIMP is free and open-source software.

8. Affinity Designer

Serif, a UK-based software business, created Affinity Designer, a professional-grade vector graphics editor. It is well-known for its robust capabilities and user-friendly interface, which make it a favorite choice among designers, illustrators, and painters. Affinity Designer is available for both the Mac and Windows operating systems.

Features:

• Vector Graphics
• Artboards
• Comprehensive Toolset
• Non-Destructive Editing
• Pixel Persona
• Advanced Typography
• Live Effects and Blending Modes
• Seamless Integration
• Export Options
• Responsive Design

Pricing:

Both the macOS and Windows editions of Affinity Designer have a one-time purchase price of around $49.99 USD. When opposed to the subscription-based model employed by certain other design tools, this pricing plan provides a more cost-effective solution.

9. Lunacy

Icons8 created the graphics design software Lunacy. It is built exclusively for Windows users and is a capable alternative to popular design tools such as Adobe Illustrator. Because the software is primarily developed for vector drawings and illustrations, it is ideal for graphic designers, illustrators, and other creative workers.

Features:

• Vector Editing
• Sketch Compatibility
• Symbol Libraries
• Cloud Integration
• Version Control
• Offline Mode
• Real-time
• Support for Multiple Formats

Pricing:

Lunacy provided free and premium plans. The free plan gave you access to the majority of the functions, while the paid version, termed "Lunacy Pro," gave you access to more features and perks.

10. Autodesk Maya

Autodesk Maya is a robust 3D computer graphics application that can be used to create spectacular visual effects, animations, and virtual environments. It's frequently used in a variety of industries, including film, television, video games, and architectural visualization. Maya provides artists and designers with a wide range of tools and skills to help them realize their creative dreams.
Features:

• Modeling
• Animation
• Texturing and Shading
• Rendering
• Dynamics and Simulations
• Character Rigging
• Scripting and Customization
• Pipeline Integration

Pricing:

Maya licensing options from Autodesk include monthly, yearly, and multi-year subscriptions. The precise price depends on your region and the membership package you select. Furthermore, Autodesk occasionally gives discounts to students, educators, and certain regions.

Because software pricing can fluctuate, I recommend checking the official Autodesk website or contacting their sales staff for the most up-to-date pricing information on Maya.

Top Reasons Why Businesses Need Graphic Design Software?

1. Graphic design software enables users to generate professional-quality images more quickly and efficiently than traditional approaches.

2. It allows organizations to establish a strong visual identity and branding by ensuring uniformity across all design materials.

3. Computer-generated pictures are typically more aesthetically pleasant and can assist firms in standing out in a crowded market.

4. Design software may assist organizations in rapidly and easily creating a wide range of designs, saving significant time and resources.

5. Users can use powerful image-editing tools to improve and rearrange photos to create more visually appealing designs.

6. Vector graphics programs that are easy to use, such as Adobe Illustrator, allow users to create and edit logos and branding elements with greater precision.

7. Graphic design software provides greater control and flexibility over design elements and presentation format.

8. Use desktop publishing tools to swiftly create professional-looking layout designs.

9. Use graphic design templates to automate time-consuming procedures.

10. Create marketing materials such as flyers, brochures, and presentations more quickly.

11. Create corporate branding packages quickly and easily.

12. Rebrand current logos or designs to provide brand consistency throughout all design materials.

13. Professional designers can produce mock-up designs using design software so that clients can easily visualize concepts.

14. Save money by foregoing manual design and printing.

15. Design software gives business owners the tools they need to produce compelling visuals for effective marketing and promotional efforts.

What Are the Top Key Features of Graphic Design Software?

Top Graphic Design Software Features:

• Image Manipulation: The ability to modify existing images and generate new ones using tools like cloning, layering, masking, and vector drawing.

• Text Design: Options for generating typefaces and altering fonts, allow designers to create one-of-a-kind typography for their projects.

• Layout and Composition: Options for designers to use grids, work with layers and objects, and draw shapes and symbols.

• Color Adjustment: The ability to adjust and maintain a comprehensive color palette for your projects.

• Export Formats: Export designs in a variety of file formats for web or print use.

• Photo Editing: Powerful capabilities for editing images for web or print use.

• Page Element Arrangement: The ability to arrange, stack, and resize page elements.

• Vector Graphics: The ability to design with vectors and modify them.

• 3D Design: The ability to export 3D models and textures for web or print use.

• File Sharing: Applications that allow you to effortlessly share projects in various formats with clients or other designers.

What Are the Top Benefits of Graphic Design Software?

• Enhanced Efficiency: Graphic design software accelerates the design process by providing templates, user-friendly interfaces, and internet-based resource libraries. This enables users to devote their time and energy to generating visually stunning things rather than wasting time manually creating images.

• Better Quality: Graphic design software frequently employs clever algorithms to produce higher-quality pictures. This allows users to produce more professional-looking designs in less time.

• Enhanced Creativity: Graphic design software encourages users to think creatively by allowing them to experiment with different color combinations, textures, shapes, and other elements. This helps them to push the boundaries of their design abilities and produce truly one-of-a-kind graphics.

• Simple to Learn and Use: Graphic design software is generally simple to learn and use. Furthermore, user interfaces are usually simple and uncomplicated. This allows new users to quickly learn how to utilize the software.

• Low Cost: Most graphic design software is inexpensive when compared to traditional print materials and other promotional strategies. Users can get more bang for their buck while simultaneously saving money.

What Are the Steps to Choose the Right Graphic Design Tools?

1. Establish your budget. The cost of graphic design software might vary greatly, so you should evaluate how much you are ready to commit upfront.

2. Think about the qualities you require. Different software will provide various tools and features; therefore, assess which features are required for the projects you need to produce.

3. Investigate the various software solutions. There are numerous graphic design software packages available, so study reviews, consult specialists, or check forums for user input to pick the best one for you.

4. Compare the software's features. After reviewing the features of various software programs, compare them to see which one best matches your requirements.

5. Put the software through its paces. Many software packages include free trials or demos, so take advantage of them to thoroughly assess the ease of use, functionality, and compatibility for your tasks.

6. Complete your order. After testing and investigating, select and purchase the program that best meets your needs and budget.

What Are the Types of Graphic Design Software for Different Industries?

Graphic design software for many sectors is available in a variety of formats. It is critical to select the appropriate software for your project because each type of software is specialized and created for specific functions. Vector graphics software, digital art software, 3D graphics software, page layout and desktop publishing software, and picture and image editing software are the most common types of software used in graphic design across sectors.

Vector graphics software, which allows artists to produce visuals made of points, lines, curves, forms, and text, is generally used for logo design and illustration. Adobe Illustrator, Serif DrawPlus, and CorelDRAW are all popular software products in this industry.

Professional digital artwork and designs, such as illustrations, logos, and background artwork, can be created using digital art software. Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, and ArtRage are popular software packages for this type of graphic design work.

To build 3D models for animations and video games, 3D graphics software is employed. Popular 3D graphics software products include Autodesk Maya, MAXON Cinema 4D, and Autodesk 3ds Max.

Documents such as brochures, periodicals, newspapers, and flyers are created using page layout and desktop publishing software. Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress, and Adobe PageMaker are all popular applications for this type of work.

To improve, modify, and edit digital photos and images, photo and image editing software is utilized. Adobe Photoshop, Corel PaintShop Pro, and GIMP are popular software packages for this type of graphic design work.

What Are the Technology Trends for Best Graphic Design Software?

The utilization of Adobe Creative Suite products is one of the most prominent technology trends for the finest Graphic Design Software. Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, and Acrobat Pro are all included in this bundle. These apps let designers produce attractive graphics and layouts for websites, brochures, and other applications. The usage of vector-based programs, such as CorelDraw or Macromedia FreeHand, is another popular trend.

These tools enable designers to make use of vector graphics' precision and scalability, making it simple to create complex images and designs that can be scaled to any size. Finally, 3D modeling and animation software, such as Autodesk 3ds Max, is gaining popularity in the graphic design sector. This software enables designers to produce extraordinary depth and realism in 3D animations and simulations that may be used to create marketing images or interactive experiences.

What Are the Deployment Options for Graphic Design Software?

Graphic Design Software deployment possibilities include employing online/cloud-based solutions, installing the software locally on a personal machine, renting subscription-based services, or using the designer's own gear and software. Users can view their design files from any internet-connected device using online/cloud-based solutions. Installing the software locally on a personal machine creates a physical link between the artist and their work, granting complete control over the software.

Subscription-based services, such as frequent software updates and technical support, may be used to gain access to features that are only available through these offerings. Designers may also choose to use their own software, which may include a combination of desktop and laptop computers, various types of graphic tablets, specialized software, and more.