Best Computer Software for Graphic Design | Mostly used by Graphic Designers
Many things are designed under graphic design, which includes logos, posters, pamphlets, book covers, product labels, business cards, packaging design, website layouts, mobile apps, software interfaces, etc. If you want to do any graphic design, then obviously you will be looking for the best graphic software. Because the best graphic software provides you with the best features to bring your creative imaginations to life. Apart from this, learning the best graphic software also gives you the opportunity for jobs and freelancing.
In this blog we have discussed some of the most used Graphic Design software in today's time on a professional basis. You can select the best computer software for graphic design according to your design requirements, skill level and budget.
If you are interested in becoming a professional graphic designer, then you must know about these best software for graphic design. It can also be beneficial for all those people who need graphics software for any type of graphic design or any type of document. Especially it will be very useful for graphic designers, web designers, Ad agencies and marketing firms.
Best Computer Software for Graphic Design
1. Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is a professional vector graphics editor and design software developed by Adobe. It is widely used by the Graphic Design and Advertising industries to create graphic design projects.
Adobe released the first version of Illustrator in 1987, and the application has evolved several times since then. In 2023, the latest version of Adobe Illustrator, version CC, was made available.
The most popular graphic design software for graphic design is Adobe Illustrator, it comes with incredible multiple unique features to bring the creativity of graphic designers into visual form. Adobe Illustrator is commonly used to create logos, promotional or branded materials, icons, website graphics, packaging designs, digital artwork and much more.
Illustrator provides a user-friendly platform so it's easy to get started and you can even learn it yourself as there are plenty of tutorials available on the internet.
Plan/Pricing: Subscription
Adobe Illustrator is available through a subscription-based model. If you want to try out Illustrator initially, it is available for a 7-day free trial.
Available for: Windows, macOS and iPadOS
Adobe Illustrator is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems. There is also an iPad version.
2. CorelDRAW
CorelDRAW is a well-known vector graphics software that offers a wide range of design features and tools. CorelDRAW was created in the year 1989 by Corel Corporation. There have been several versions of CorelDRAW to date, the latest version is marketed as CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.
It is the best graphic software for creating detailed, scalable graphics such as logos and marketing materials that can be used for designing professional banners, posters, logos, web graphics, visiting cards, wedding cards and many more.
CorelDRAW is an important software for design professionals, known for its customized tools for creating high-quality graphics. The software is also quite popular among less experienced graphic designers due to its relatively simple learning process and less complex user interface.
Plan/Pricing: Subscription, Perpetual license
A trial version of this software is available with the help of which the user can use CorelDRAW software for free for some time. After this the user can take a subscription or perpetual license of this software.
Available for: Windows, macOS and Web-based
CorelDRAW is primarily a Windows-based software, its 2019 version was first made available for macOS. CorelDRAW also offers a web-based version, which can be accessed through a browser.
3. Adobe Photoshop
Photoshop is a powerful raster graphics editor software developed and published by Adobe Inc. It is popular among graphic designers, user interface designers, photographers, and digital artists alike. Photoshop includes a wide range of functions and features for drawing, editing, and creating, making it easy for users to create, edit, and enhance images in a variety of ways.
In 1988, Thomas and John Knoll developed the first basic version of Photoshop. Adobe bought this software and renamed it Photoshop. The first version of Photoshop, Photoshop 1.0, was released in 1990. The software was then upgraded and updated with more advanced features, tools, and sets of commands. Today its latest CC Versions are available with their features.
Photoshop is mainly used for Image Editing, Graphic Design, Web Design, Digital Painting and Print Media etc. It is one of the best graphic software for creating raster graphics.
Plan/Pricing: Subscription
A 7-day free trial of Adobe Photoshop is available. To use it, you will need a paid subscription. The software is available from Adobe for a monthly fee or as part of the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription service. There are several pricing options available which can be viewed on Adobe's official website.
Available for: Windows, macOS, iPadOS, iOS Web
Photoshop is designed for both Windows and macOS operating systems. Apart from this, it is also available for iPadOS, iOS Web.
4. Canva
Canva is a graphic design platform that provides users with a wide range of visual materials for graphic design, allowing users to create digital designs quickly and affordably without the need for any advanced design skills. Its drag-and-drop interface, vast library of templates, fonts, and design elements, and AI-powered features make it one of the best graphic platforms for businesses, marketers, and content creators.
Canva lets users design anything from logos, social media posts, and business cards to presentations, marketing materials, and even gifs, Ebooks, PDFs, and more. It has an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it accessible even for beginners to create professional designs.
However, Canva has limited drawing and editing tools. If you want to work primarily on social media and business projects, Canva could be the perfect design platform for you.
Plan/Pricing: Free, Subscription
Canva offers a free plan with thousands of templates and design tools. While Canva Pro and Canva for Teams are premium features available. Users who need premium features, team collaboration, and special design elements can opt for Canva Pro or Canva for Teams.
Available for: Web-based, Windows, Linux, macOS, iPadOS ,iOS and Android
Canva itself is not tied to an operating system, but rather as a web-based graphic design platform available as a web application and desktop apps for Windows and macOS, as well as mobile apps for iOS and Android.
5. Affinity Designer 2
Affinity Designer 2 is powerful, vector and raster graphic design software developed by UK-based company Serif. In March 2024, Serif and Affinity were acquired by Canva.
Affinity Designer 2 is used to create illustrations, icons, logos, brand designs, website mockups UI designs, print projects, mock-ups and more graphic design assets.
If you are looking for professional level software that supports both vector and raster design tasks, has an impressive range of powerful tools and a budget-friendly price, Affinity Designer 2 is an excellent choice. Overall, this is one of the best software for graphic design, which costs much less than other software.
Plan/Pricing: Perpetual license
There is no subscription available. There is a perpetual license available, which requires a one-time payment. Just remember that when Serif launches the next high-level update, you may have to spend money to upgrade.
Available for: Windows, macOS, iPadOS
Versions of Affinity Designer 2 are available for both Windows and macOS. It is also available for iPad.
Conclusion
It is important to know your goals and interests before choosing the best graphic design software for yourself. For what purpose do you want to choose the best graphic design software. The price, features and operating system of different graphic design software may vary. You can discuss the graphic software shared in this blog, all these are industry standard software. Canva is one of the best graphic design platforms, from which you can create good graphic design without any advanced skills. If you want to showcase your creative imaginations in the form of art, then you can go with paid graphic design software like CorelDRAW Graphics Suite or Adobe Illustrator.
FAQ's about best computer software for graphic design
Graphic design software for pc
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, CorelDRAW, Canva and Affinity Designer 2 are the best graphic design software for PC. All these softwares have been suggested in this blog which are all graphic software available for PC. You can use any graphic software according to your goals and interests.
What is the best graphic design software for beginners?
Canva is one of the best web-based software for beginners, which provides facility to create user-friendly social media posts, social media reels, presentations and other quick designs. Canva is a great option for beginners who need a budget-friendly and easy-to-learn software. If you want vector software, then you can go with CorelDRAW or Affinity Designer 2.
What software do most graphic designers use?
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and CorelDRAW are the software most used by graphic designers. All these graphic software are industry standard software that has powerful image editing features. These software provide the features that a professional graphic designer needs for graphic design. That is why these Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and CorelDRAW software are among the favorite software of graphic designers.
Vikram kumar
Hello everyone, My name is Vikram and i am from India. I am very interested in blogging. I will do my best to keep you happy with my posts. I do my work seriously. I hope you enjoy this blog. Thanks you!
