For designers who want to create without breaking the bank, we’ve got good news—there are plenty of free, web-based options that are easy to use. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for cost-effective solutions to your design needs, these tools offer powerful functionality without the hefty price tag. From vector editing to photo manipulation, this list of free graphic design software is perfect for creatives who want professional results on a budget. Best of all, Noun Project’s icons and photos are simple to integrate with each platform to ensure your designs make a visual impact. You can drag and drop icons from Noun Project’s Mac App directly into your designs or upload the visuals you’d like to use into each tool.
Here’s our list of the 9 best free design tools available on the web:
Canva
Canva has become a go-to platform for designers at all skill levels, with a free plan that allows designers to create stunning visuals quickly with a vast library of templates, fonts, and graphics. It’s perfect for producing social media posts, presentations, and marketing materials, thanks to its drag-and-drop interface and pre-made templates. A curated selection of Noun Project icons is available right inside Canva’s design builder. Canva is free to use, but also offers a Pro version for around $12.99 per month that unlocks advanced features like custom templates, access to premium images, and the ability to export designs with transparent backgrounds. Read more about how to get started with Canva.
Figma
Figma is a collaborative interface design tool that lets multiple designers work on a project simultaneously, primarily geared towards UX, UI, and Product Designers. With features that enable vector design, prototyping, and developer handoff, Figma is essential for any team working on apps, . Its cloud-based nature ensures designs are always accessible and up-to-date, allowing you to track edits by multiple team members in real time (in addition to their collaborative tool FigJam).
Inkscape
Inkscape is a powerful, free vector graphic design tool often compared to Adobe Illustrator. This open-source software offers features like flexible drawing tools, path operations, and support for various file formats, including SVG. Inkscape is ideal for designers who need to create scalable graphics like logos and illustrations. Best of all, it’s completely free and available for download on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Corel Vector
Corel Vector is a full-featured vector graphic design tool available directly in your browser. It offers powerful features like pen tools, path editing, layers, and advanced typography, making it a great alternative to Adobe Illustrator. While the app is not free in perpetuity, you can try the app for free for the first 15 days and then upgrade for $69.99 a year, providing access to offline capabilities, unlimited cloud storage, and advanced export options.
Vectr
If you’re looking for a simple, free tool for vector editing, Vectr is a solid choice. The AI-powered vector editor comes with a selection of simple tools to help you remove backgrounds, convert png to svg, .ai to png, jpg to vector icons, image to vector, and more. It’s web-based and highly intuitive, allowing users to create vector designs with ease. It’s perfect for logo creation, icons, and illustrations, offering a real-time collaboration feature that’s ideal for teams. Vectr is completely free to use, though it lacks some of the advanced tools of premium software.
Pixlr
Pixlr is a free, web-based photo editing tool that’s often compared to Adobe Photoshop. It offers powerful features like layer support, blending modes, and a variety of filters. Pixlr X is a more beginner-friendly version, while Pixlr E offers advanced editing tools for professionals. Both versions are free to use, but a premium version is available ($4.99/month) that includes ad-free editing, additional tools, and higher-quality export options.
Photopea
Photopea is a free, web-based alternative to Photoshop that runs entirely in your browser. It supports layered editing, masks, filters, and a variety of file formats, including PSD. If you’re looking for a quick, no-download solution for photo manipulation or digital painting, Photopea is perfect. It’s free, though an ad-free version with faster load times is available for $9 per month.
Krita
Krita is a professional-grade open-source painting program that’s excellent for digital artists. While not web-based, it’s free to download and offers a wide range of brushes, advanced painting tools, and a customizable workspace similar to Adobe Photoshop. It’s a favorite among concept artists, illustrators, and comic creators, and it’s available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
DesignWizard
DesignWizard is an easy-to-use graphic design tool similar to Canva, offering a wide variety of templates for social media posts, invitations, and marketing materials. The free version provides basic access to thousands of templates and images, but premium plans (starting at $9.99/month) unlock more high-quality assets, custom color palettes, and unlimited downloads.
During a time when creative tools can come with a high price tag, these free design resources empower designers of all skill levels to create stunning visuals without the cost. Whether you need vector illustrations, photo editing, or UI design capabilities, these platforms provide accessible, streamlined solutions to get you to a polished final design faster. By experimenting with these free tools, you can unlock new possibilities in your work, refine your skills, and bring your creative ideas to life.
