# The Best Graphic Design Software Apps In 2023 **URL:** \ **Category:** Tools & Scripts\ **Tags:** tools, freebies, tips-tricks, design\ **Created:** [April 14, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://onehack.st/t/the-best-graphic-design-software-apps-in-2023/238233 "2023-04-14T21:52:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Prometheus](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/prometheus/32/34950_2.png) [@Prometheus](https://onehack.st/u/Prometheus)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://onehack.st/t/the-best-graphic-design-software-apps-in-2023/238233/1 "2023-04-14T21:52:14Z")
## **What Are the Key Features of Graphic Design Software?** Before discussing the best software for graphic design, let’s look at some of the key features you can expect in these apps. **User Interface** Graphics programs need to have interfaces that are intuitive and user-friendly, especially considering how many features and tools are crammed into one window. **Tools for Drawing and Painting** Any graphic design software will have drawing and painting tools to create lines, shapes, and other design elements. Expect to see a pencil, pen tool, brushes, shape tools, line tools, and more. You can also import assets like new brushes and more to paint exactly what you’d like. **Vector Tools** Not all arts graphic software will have vector tools. These allow you to create [vector art and graphics](https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/illustration/discover/vector-art.html), which are fully scalable to any size. The pen, smart shape, and line tools allow you to create and edit vector lines, curves, and shapes. [Adobe Illustrator](https://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator.html) is a classic example of a vector-based design app. If you only need to create [raster images rather than vectors](https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/file-types/image/comparison/raster-vs-vector.html), you may prefer a raster-focused program like [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html). **Tools for Editing Images** Most graphics editing software will have image editing tools, like adjustments, filters, levels, and curves. You’ll likely also see other retouching tools like the healing tool to retouch blemishes or the clone tool to clone parts of an image. **Typography Tools** The best graphic design apps allow users to work with typography and fonts, allowing users to manipulate and customize with different styles, sizes, and more. **Colors and Color Management** All graphic design software will allow you to work with colors, with robust color management systems that allow you to pick your colors, set your color mode, and more. **Sharing and Exporting** There’s no point in creating designs if you can’t share or export your work. Most graphic arts software offers various sharing and exporting methods for you to save and share your work in various file types. _Disclaimer: All prices shown were correct at the time of writing (April 2023)_ ## **Best Graphic Design Software in 2023: 18 Apps to Try** | **Software** | **Description** | **Platforms** | **Pricing** | |[**Adobe Illustrator CC**](https://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator.html)|The Industry Standard Vector Design Tool|macOS, iPad, Windows, web|\* **Illustrator only** - $31.49 monthly - Annual, paid $20.99 monthly - Annual prepaid $239.88 per year - **Creative Cloud (All Apps)** - **iPad** $19.99 - **Universal license** (all platforms and all Serif apps) $169.99| |[**Adobe Photoshop CC**](https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html)|The Industry Standard Raster Design Tool|macOS, iPad, Windows, web|\* **Photoshop only** - **Creative Cloud (All Apps)** - **iPad** $19.99 - **Universal license** (all platforms and all Serif apps) $169.99| |[**GIMP**](https://www.gimp.org/)|Best Graphic Design Program for Free|Windows, macOS, Linux|Free| |[**Corel Vector**](https://www.coreldraw.com/en/product/vector/)|Corel Vector - Best Web-Based Vector Program|Web|\* Free 15-day trial - $99.99 per year - Get 30% off your first year ($69.99)| |[**Corel PaintShop Pro**](https://www.paintshoppro.com/en/products/paintshop-pro/standard/)|Another Great Photoshop Alternative|Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit versions)|\* **Standard** - $79.99 for a new purchase and $59.99 to upgrade from a previous version - **Ultimate** [pricing](https://www.paintshoppro.com/en/products/paintshop-pro/ultimate/) - 30-day money-back guarantee| |[**Inkscape**](https://inkscape.org/)|Another Great Vector Tool|Linux, Windows, macOS|Free| |[**CorelDRAW**](https://www.coreldraw.com/en/product/coreldraw/?topNav=en)|An Adobe Creative Cloud Suite Alternative|Windows, macOS|Annual plan at $269/year or $549 one-time purchase| |[**Krita**](https://krita.org/en/)|A Free Digital Painting Program|Windows, macOS, Linux|Free| |[**Pixlr**](https://pixlr.com/)|Best Free Web-Based Graphic Design App|Web|\* Free - Premium pricing available [here](https://pixlr.com/pricing/)| |[**Canva**](https://partner.canva.com/c/2890636/647168/10068?adcampaigngroup=Pro_LP)|Best Graphic Design App for Templates and More|Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android|\* Free - **Pro** - $12.99/mo or $119.99/yr per person - **Teams** - $14.99/mo or $149.90/yr for the first 5 users| |[**Adobe Express**](https://www.adobe.com/express/)|A Web and Mobile-based Design Tool for Quick Designs|Web, mobile|\* Free - **Premium** - $9.99/mo or $99.99/yr| |[**Adobe InDesign CC**](https://www.adobe.com/products/indesign.html)|Best Layout Design App|Windows, macOS|\* **InDesign only** - **Creative Cloud (All Apps)** - **iPad** $19.99 - **Universal license** (all platforms and all Serif apps) $169.99| |[**Sketch**](https://www.sketch.com/)|A Great Vector and Raster Design App for Mac|macOS|\* 30 days free - **Standard** - $9/user/mo or $99/user/yr - **Business** - $20/user/mo or $240/user/yr| |[**Blender**](https://www.blender.org/)|Best Free 3D Modeling App|Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam|Free| |[**Procreate**](https://procreate.com/)|Best Digital Illustration App on iPad|iPad|$12.99| **Featured Graphic Design Software [Editor’s Picks]** - [Adobe Illustrator CC](https://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator.html) **- The Industry Standard Vector Design Tool** - [Adobe Photoshop CC](https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html) **- The Industry Standard Raster Design Tool** - [Serif Affinity Photo 2](https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/) **- Best Alternative to Adobe Photoshop** - [Blender](https://www.blender.org/) **- Best Free 3D Modeling App** **Happy learning!**