Free and open first

Best Designing Solutions in 2026

29 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.

8.9 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.

8.6 Free plan Visit site
3

Adobe Express Video
by Adobe Express Video
Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+4

7.7 Free plan · 30-day trial Visit site
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photopea
by Photopea
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+4

7.2 Free plan Visit site
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

Pitch
by Pitch
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+3

7.1 Free plan · paid from €10/user/mo (annual) Visit site
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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