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Top 5 free graphic design tools

  • 1 February 2024
  • 4 minutos
  • Blog

Free graphic design tools have become a very important work resource, as they allow you to create attractive and professional visual content without having to pay anything to use them. Although free software is often lacking in certain areas, there are now many options that offer exceptional quality, which completely eliminates the need to invest in licences whose prices can be sky-high.

These free graphic design tools are not only affordable, they also include a wide range of functionalities that will satisfy both beginners and design professionals. All you need to do is get familiar with them and the rest will follow, so let us show you which ones we recommend the most!

What is free design software?

Free graphic design software is software that can be used free of charge, although it often includes certain limitations, or paid subscriptions to access advanced features. Despite this, free design software offers a viable solution with which to create or modify web designs, allowing users to exploit their creativity through a wide range of options.

Typically, such software can be accessed from any type of internet-connected device, and barriers have been removed and design can be done directly from smartphones and tablets.

The high quality offered by the best free graphic design tools has meant that both amateurs and professionals in this sector have been able to save large amounts of money on software.

List of the best free graphic design software online

The Internet is full of free graphic design tools, but knowing the most recommended ones is essential to start getting good results without wasting time trying other options.

Canva

This online graphic design tool has become a favourite among designers. With its extremely intuitive drag-and-drop interface and thousands of pre-designed templates for all kinds of projects, it allows users with no previous design experience to create professional-looking graphics and presentations.

In addition, the free version of Canva gives access to an extensive catalogue of images, graphic elements and fonts, making it perfect for those looking for speed and efficiency.

Pixlr

Pixlr is an online photo editing platform that offers advanced and easy-to-use tools for editing images directly in the browser. It offers two interfaces: Pixlr X for quick edits and Pixlr E for advanced users.

Its ability to work with layers, apply filters and effects, and its AI-based background removal tool make it an ideal choice for fast and effective photo editing.

PicMonkey

PicMonkey is an online photo editing and design solution that provides powerful tools for creating visual content. Its strengths are its multiple photo retouching options, highly customisable templates and quality graphic design tools. It makes it easy to create engaging visual content for social media, marketing campaigns and any other purpose.

Easel.ly

Easel.ly is a free graphic design tool specialised in creating infographics, so it allows you to transform data into clear and attractive visualisations without the need for graphic design expertise.

It offers many customisable templates and graphic elements, making it highly recommended for educators, students and professionals who need to communicate complex information in the most visual way possible.

Piktochart

Piktochart also makes it easy to create visually appealing infographics, presentations and reports . Its intuitive interface, the large number of templates it offers and the ability to customise designs to adapt them to the identity of any type of brand are its main hallmarks.

Tips for using graphic design programmes

If you are considering starting to use free graphic design software, it is important that you know how to make the most of its potential.

  • It is important to familiarise yourself with the interface and tools available in your chosen software. Resorting to tutorials or quick-start guides is never a waste of time.
  • Start by using pre-designed templates, they can be an excellent starting point for your work. Little by little you will learn how to customise them.
  • Learn about colour theory and typography. The more you know, the better your ideas will be.
  • Experiment with different styles and techniques to improve your skills.
  • Be inspired by the work of other designers, each one of them will show you new details to work on.


These are just some of the tips that our students learn in the Degree in Multimedia and Graphic Design, in a training that turns them into professionals capable of squeezing all the juice out of the most popular graphic design tools, including the free ones, and any others that come their way!

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