Best Free Graphic Design Apps for iPad Pro

The iPad Pro has quickly become a preferred device for digital artists and designers, offering a powerful mix of portability, performance, and high-quality display. However, the true potential of the iPad Pro is unlocked with the right graphic design apps. Fortunately, there are several free graphic design apps available that are perfect for both beginners and professionals. In this article, we will explore some of the best free graphic design apps for the iPad Pro, diving into their features, usability, and overall effectiveness.

1. Canva
Canva is one of the most popular graphic design apps, and it's available for free on the iPad Pro. It is user-friendly and offers a wide variety of templates for social media posts, presentations, posters, and more. Canva is ideal for both beginners and professionals due to its intuitive drag-and-drop interface. The app includes a vast library of free images, icons, and fonts, making it easy to create visually stunning designs without needing advanced design skills.

Key Features:

• Templates: Canva offers thousands of free templates that can be customized to suit your needs.
• Design Elements: Access to millions of free photos, illustrations, and icons.
• Collaboration: Canva allows you to collaborate with others in real-time, making it perfect for team projects.
• Ease of Use: The drag-and-drop interface makes it incredibly easy to design without any prior experience.

Drawbacks: While Canva is free, some premium elements and templates require a paid subscription to Canva Pro. Additionally, advanced users might find the app a bit limiting in terms of design flexibility compared to more robust design software.

2. Adobe Spark Post
Adobe Spark Post is another excellent free app for creating stunning graphics on the iPad Pro. It is designed for creating quick and easy graphics for social media, flyers, and more. The app offers a variety of templates and design elements that can be customized to fit your needs. Adobe Spark Post integrates well with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps, making it a great choice for users already familiar with Adobe's ecosystem.

Key Features:

• Templates: A vast collection of templates tailored for social media content.
• Text and Graphics: Easily add and manipulate text, images, and icons.
• Animations: Spark Post allows you to add simple animations to your designs, bringing them to life.
• Cloud Integration: Seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud, allowing you to access assets from other Adobe apps.

Drawbacks: Some advanced features are locked behind a paywall, and the app may feel limited for professional designers looking for more complex design capabilities.

3. Vectornator
Vectornator is a powerful vector graphic design app that is completely free to use on the iPad Pro. It offers professional-level tools for creating illustrations, UI designs, logos, and more. The app is highly customizable and supports touch, Apple Pencil, and even keyboard shortcuts, making it a versatile choice for professional designers.

Key Features:

• Vector Tools: Professional-grade vector editing tools for precise design work.
• Compatibility: Supports AI, SVG, and PDF file formats, making it easy to import and export designs.
• Custom Brushes: Create and use custom brushes for unique designs.
• Advanced Pen Tool: Allows for intricate design work with bezier curves and other advanced features.

Drawbacks: While Vectornator is free, its extensive feature set can be overwhelming for beginners. It may take some time to learn all of the app's capabilities, especially for those new to vector graphic design.

4. Sketchbook
Sketchbook by Autodesk is a popular drawing app that is also excellent for graphic design. It is widely used by artists and designers for its extensive toolset and intuitive interface. Sketchbook is especially good for those who want to create hand-drawn designs and illustrations. The app offers a full suite of brushes, pens, and pencils, along with advanced tools like layers and blending modes.

Key Features:

• Drawing Tools: A wide range of brushes, pencils, and pens for creating detailed illustrations.
• Layer Support: Full support for layers, blending modes, and opacity controls.
• Customizable Brushes: Ability to create and modify brushes to suit your drawing style.
• Copic Color Library: Access to an extensive color library for accurate color matching.

Drawbacks: Sketchbook is primarily a drawing app, so it may not have all the graphic design tools you might need, such as text manipulation or template creation.

5. Desygner
Desygner is a lesser-known but powerful graphic design app that offers a free version with plenty of features. It is similar to Canva in that it provides a wide variety of templates, but it also offers more advanced editing tools, making it a good middle-ground between simplicity and capability. Desygner is great for creating social media graphics, flyers, banners, and more.

Key Features:

• Templates: Hundreds of customizable templates for different types of projects.
• Editing Tools: Advanced editing tools that allow for more control over your designs.
• Stock Images: Access to millions of free stock images and vectors.
• Multi-Device Support: Your designs can be accessed and edited across different devices.

Drawbacks: While the app is free, some of the more advanced features and templates are locked behind a premium subscription. Additionally, the interface can be a bit clunky compared to more polished apps like Canva or Adobe Spark Post.

6. Over (now GoDaddy Studio)
Over, now rebranded as GoDaddy Studio, is a powerful design app that offers a free version with numerous features. It is particularly strong in creating social media content and marketing materials. Over provides a vast library of templates, images, and fonts, and it allows for easy manipulation of layers, text, and images.

Key Features:

• Templates: Thousands of pre-made templates, particularly for social media.
• Text Tools: Extensive text manipulation options with various fonts and styles.
• Layers: Advanced layer management for more complex designs.
• Branding: Tools for creating and managing brand assets, making it easier to keep designs consistent.

Drawbacks: The free version of Over is somewhat limited, with some advanced features and assets locked behind a subscription. Also, some users may find the interface less intuitive than other design apps.

Conclusion
The iPad Pro is a fantastic device for graphic design, and there are plenty of free apps that can help you unleash your creativity. Whether you're a beginner looking to create simple social media posts or a professional designer working on complex projects, there's a free app for you. Canva and Adobe Spark Post are great for beginners due to their ease of use and ready-made templates. For those looking for more advanced tools, Vectornator and Sketchbook offer powerful features that can cater to professional needs. Desygner and Over provide a good balance of simplicity and functionality, making them suitable for a wide range of design tasks. With these apps, you can create stunning designs without spending a dime.