Free and open first

Best Design tools in 2026

Design tools help you create illustrations, presentations, layouts and other visual work. This list is for people choosing software on a budget, from free and open-source options to paid services.

146 apps
Research read 28 Sept 2026
How the order is worked out

1

Inkscape

Free plan Open source ExtensionLinuxMac+1

Inkscape offers vector illustration tools and broad listed file compatibility at no cost. It is a desktop-only option in the listed platforms, with community-provided help and no warranty.

9.3 Free plan Visit site
2

Scribus
by Scribus
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2

Scribus offers page layout, illustration, and print preparation across three desktop platforms at no cost. Its listed capabilities focus on PDF and print output; support options are unconfirmed.

9.2 Free plan Visit site
3

LibreOffice Impress
by LibreOffice Impress
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+5

Impress offers presentation creation, templates, illustration tools, and offline editing at no listed charge. Its lack of real-time collaboration is an important limitation for teams editing together.

9.0 Free plan Visit site
4

Avidemux

Free plan Open source LinuxMacWeb+1

8.5 Free plan Visit site
5

Adobe Creative Cloud
by Adobe Creative Cloud
Free plan WebWindowsMac+2

7.7 Free plan Visit site
6

Figma
by Figma
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2

Figma covers several collaborative product and presentation workflows, with free and paid options. Check Starter's file and page limits and the billing terms for the plan or seat you need.

7.7 Free plan · paid from $12/user/mo (annual) Visit site
7

Krita
by Krita
Free plan AndroidLinuxMac+1

Krita combines painting, animation, color-management, and plugin tools in a free, open-source program. Check the platform and memory requirements, particularly if you need an iPad or iPhone app.

7.7 Free plan Visit site
8

Visme
by Visme
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+3

Choose Visme if you need presentation or illustration design with templates, brand kit tools, and collaboration across web and app platforms.

7.7 Free plan · paid from $12.25/user/mo (annual) Visit site
9

ibisPaint
by ibisPaint
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1

ibisPaint offers a large range of drawing materials alongside manga, animation, and cross-device storage tools. Check the platform-specific plan terms and credit limits when choosing paid features.

7.6 Free plan · paid from $4.49/mo Visit site
10

Recraft
by Recraft
Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+2

Choose Recraft if you need text-to-image generation or image editing with reference images and multiple output formats. The free plan offers a way to start with 30 daily credits.

7.6 Free plan Visit site
11

Picsart
by Picsart
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+3

Picsart offers broad platform coverage with layers, masking, batch work, cloud sync, and AI retouching.

7.6 Free plan · paid from $10.50/mo (annual) Visit site
12

Sketchbook

Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1

Sketchbook offers drawing tools, layers, and stylus support across mobile and desktop platforms. Its PSD compatibility preserves much of a document, but several export changes are worth noting.

7.6 Free plan Visit site
13

Desygner
by Desygner
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+2

7.6 Free plan · paid from $19/user/mo Visit site
14

MediBang Paint
by MediBang Paint
Free plan WindowsMaciPhone+1

MediBang Paint combines illustration and comic-making tools with support for four platforms and several export formats.

7.6 Free plan · paid from 300 JPY/mo Visit site
15

VistaCreate

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

VistaCreate offers a free starting tier for design and social scheduling, with Pro adding team seats and AI image generations.

7.5 Free plan · paid from $10/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
16

MiriCanvas

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Choose MiriCanvas for template-based visual design, AI-assisted presentations, and real-time collaboration across web and mobile.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
17

Lunacy

Free plan APILinuxMac+3

Lunacy combines design tools, built-in assets, and AI features with local-document and private-cloud options.

7.5 Free plan · paid from $4.99/mo Visit site
18

Simplified

Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+2

Choose Simplified if you want presentation design, templates, brand kit controls, and real-time collaboration in a web or mobile app.

7.5 Free plan · paid from $79/mo Visit site
19

Canva Video
by Canva Video
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2

Choose Canva Video if you want video editing alongside templates, presentations, illustrations, and collaboration.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
20

WPS Presentation
by WPS Presentation
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

WPS Presentation combines presentation tools with AI assistance, PDF conversion, and sharing controls across several platforms.

7.5 Free plan · paid from $41.99/user/yr · 3-day trial Visit site
21

Canva
by Canva
Free plan MacWindows

Canva combines a broad set of visual design tools with templates, exports, and collaboration.

7.4 Free plan · 30-day trial Visit site
22

Affinity

Free plan MacWindows

Affinity offers three creative toolsets at no cost for individuals, with desktop availability on Windows and macOS.

7.4 Free plan Visit site
23

PosterMyWall
by PosterMyWall
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

PosterMyWall combines creative tools with social, email, and event marketing features. The Free plan has download and social-account limits; paid plans start at $13 a month.

7.4 Free plan · paid from $13/mo Visit site
24

Microsoft Designer
by Microsoft Designer
Free plan WebiPhoneAndroid

Microsoft Designer combines templates, presentation design, and illustration tools across web and mobile. Compare its free access limits with the higher usage included in its Microsoft 365 plans.

7.4 Free plan · paid from $9.99/user/mo Visit site
25

Wixel

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Wixel combines conversational design generation with image, PDF, and document tools across web and mobile.

7.4 Free plan · paid from $90/yr Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Compare the free plan, paid starting price and free-trial terms before you choose. Review templates, presentation features, illustration capabilities, brand-kit support and collaboration options, and make sure the platforms fit your setup. If code access matters, read the open-source licence.

Questions

Do design tools have free plans?

Yes. Items on this list offer free plans. Check the plan details and limits before choosing.

Can I try a paid design tool before paying?

Free trials are offered by items on this list. Review the trial terms and what happens when it ends.

Do any listed design tools use open-source code?

Open-source code is offered by items on this list. Read the licence before modifying or sharing code.

What platforms are supported by these design tools?

The list covers web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and API options. Check the platform details for the tool you want.

What features can I compare?

You can compare free-plan availability, starting paid price, template libraries, presentation and illustration capabilities, brand kits, real-time teamwork, desktop apps and mobile apps.

Questions

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