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Best Designing Solutions in 2026

Designing Solutions tools help create visual work, layouts, illustrations, videos, wireframes and prototypes. This category is for people choosing software for design tasks on a budget.

  1. 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.

    8.9 Free plan Visit site
  2. 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.

    8.6 Free plan Visit site
  3. 3

    Adobe Express Video

    by Adobe Express Video
    Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+4
    7.7 Free plan · 30-day trial Visit site
  4. 4

    Adobe Photoshop

    by Adobe Photoshop
    Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2

    Photoshop brings detailed image editing, compositing, and generative tools together across several platforms.

    7.6 7-day trial Visit site
  5. 5

    Figma Slides

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

    Figma Slides combines presentation creation with team collaboration, audience engagement, and connections to other Figma tools.

    7.4 Free plan · paid from $3/user/mo Visit site
  6. 6

    Affinity

    Free plan MacWindows

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

    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  7. 7

    Framer

    by Framer
    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

    Framer combines visual site creation with CMS, collaboration, and managed hosting. The free plan uses a Framer domain, while custom domains require a paid plan; code export is not offered.

    7.3 Free plan · paid from $10/mo (annual) Visit site
  8. 8

    Canva

    by Canva
    Free plan MacWindows

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

    7.2 Free plan · 30-day trial Visit site
  9. 9

    GIMP

    by GIMP
    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    GIMP combines photo editing, artwork creation, and scripting tools in a free multi-platform program. Check the stated platform requirements and RAW support limitation against your needs.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  10. 10

    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.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  11. 11

    Photopea

    by Photopea
    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+4
    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  12. 12

    Moqups

    Free plan APIExtensionWeb

    Moqups brings several design and collaboration activities into one browser-based workspace.

    7.1 Free plan · paid from $7/user/mo (annual) Visit site
  13. 13

    Pitch

    by Pitch
    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+3
    7.1 Free plan · paid from €10/user/mo (annual) Visit site
  14. 14

    Penpot

    Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

    Choose Penpot for collaborative design, prototyping, design systems, and developer code inspection, especially when self-hosting matters. Look elsewhere if a desktop app is required.

    7.0 Free plan · paid from $7/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
  15. 15

    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.

    7.0 Free plan Visit site
  16. 16

    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.

    7.0 Free plan · paid from $12.25/user/mo (annual) Visit site
  17. 17

    Figma Buzz

    Free plan Web

    Choose Figma Buzz if your team needs a shared web workspace for branded assets, with spreadsheet-based bulk creation and multi-editing.

    6.9 Free plan Visit site
  18. 18

    Proto.io

    by Proto.io
    Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

    Proto.io combines interactive prototyping, asset libraries, and sharing in a browser-based tool. The free plan has tight project, screen, and storage limits; paid monthly plans start at $29 a month.

    6.9 Free plan · 15-day trial Visit site
  19. 19

    Adobe Illustrator

    by Adobe Illustrator
    Free trial iPhoneMacWeb+1

    Illustrator covers detailed vector drawing, typography, pattern, recoloring, and AI-assisted creation across desktop, mobile, and web access.

    6.6 7-day trial Visit site
  20. 20

    Adobe InDesign

    Free trial APIMacSelf-hosted+1

    Choose InDesign for desktop page layout when you need its range of publishing formats, typography controls, and Adobe app integrations.

    6.5 7-day trial Visit site
  21. 21

    Clip Studio Paint

    by Clip Studio Paint
    Free trial AndroidiPhoneMac+2

    Clip Studio Paint offers drawing, comic, and animation tools across desktop and mobile platforms.

    6.4 From $0.99/user/mo Visit site
  22. 22

    Axure RP

    by Axure RP
    Free trial Mac

    Axure RP combines interactive prototyping with adaptive views and Cloud sharing. Compare Pro and Team based on whether you need team collaboration features.

    6.0 From $29/user/mo · 30-day trial Visit site
  23. 23

    Corel Painter

    Free trial MacWindows

    Corel Painter offers extensive brush, composition, photo-art, and tablet support across Windows and macOS.

    6.0 30-day trial Visit site
  24. 24

    Balsamiq Wireframes

    by Balsamiq Wireframes
    Paid MacWebWindows

    Balsamiq Wireframes combines wireframing, prototyping, collaboration, and handoff across web and desktop platforms. Its three paid tiers differ mainly by project capacity and monthly AI credits.

    5.8 From $16/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
  25. 25

    Sketch

    Free trial iPhoneMacWeb

    Sketch covers product design from interface creation through prototyping and developer handoff, with web and iOS access for review and preview.

    5.8 From $12/user/mo (annual) · 30-day trial 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-from price, trial terms and licence. Check primary design type, collaboration, prototyping, vector editing, templates, cloud storage and supported platforms such as macOS, Windows, web, iOS, Android and API access.

Questions

Which platforms can these design tools support?

Supported platforms listed for this category include macOS, Windows, web, iOS, Android and API access. Check the platform field for the tool you are considering.

Are free plans available?

Yes. Affinity and Figma Buzz list free plans. Check the plan details and compare them with your project needs.

Do tools offer free trials?

Trial periods vary. Adobe InDesign lists a 7-day trial, and Corel Painter lists a 30-day trial.

What design features can I compare?

The comparison covers primary design type, real-time collaboration, interactive prototyping, vector editing, templates included and cloud storage.

Does a free plan mean the code is open source?

No. Free access and open-source code are separate. Check the licence when code access or modification matters.

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