Top Graphic Design Apps You Should Consider in 2024

Graphic design is an essential part of modern marketing, branding, and creative expression. Whether you're a professional designer or a hobbyist, the right tools can significantly impact your work's quality and efficiency. In 2024, various graphic design apps cater to different needs, skill levels, and budgets. This article explores the top graphic design apps you should consider using, focusing on their features, pricing, and usability.

1. Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop remains the industry standard for graphic design. It's widely used by professionals for everything from photo editing to digital painting. Photoshop's versatility makes it ideal for tasks like creating intricate designs, retouching images, and making graphics for web and print. It supports a wide range of file formats, including PSD, JPEG, PNG, and more.

Key Features:

• Layering system: Allows for non-destructive editing.
• Advanced tools: Includes brushes, filters, and color correction.
• Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud: Seamlessly integrates with other Adobe apps like Illustrator and InDesign.

Pricing: Adobe Photoshop is available as part of Adobe Creative Cloud, with subscriptions starting at $20.99 per month.

2. Canva

Canva has gained popularity for its user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop functionality. It's an excellent choice for beginners and those who need to create quick, professional-looking designs without the complexity of traditional software. Canva offers a vast library of templates, fonts, and images that can be customized to fit your brand.

Key Features:

• Template library: Thousands of customizable templates for social media, presentations, posters, and more.
• Team collaboration: Allows multiple users to work on the same design.
• Stock photo access: Includes millions of free and premium images.

Pricing: Canva offers a free version with limited features, while the Pro version starts at $12.95 per month.

3. Adobe Illustrator

For vector-based design, Adobe Illustrator is the go-to app. It's perfect for creating logos, icons, illustrations, and any design that requires scalability. Illustrator's precision and flexibility make it a favorite among professionals.

Key Features:

• Vector graphics: Allows for creating designs that can be scaled without losing quality.
• Advanced typography tools: Includes features for creating custom fonts and manipulating text.
• Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud: Works well with other Adobe products.

Pricing: Adobe Illustrator is available as part of Adobe Creative Cloud, with subscriptions starting at $20.99 per month.

4. Sketch

Sketch is a vector-based design tool primarily used for UI/UX design. It's favored by designers working on web and mobile app interfaces. Sketch is known for its ease of use and focus on user experience design.

Key Features:

• Symbols and reusable components: Allows for the creation of design systems.
• Collaboration tools: Includes features like shared libraries and cloud storage.
• Third-party integrations: Works with plugins for enhanced functionality.

Pricing: Sketch is available as a subscription service starting at $9 per month.

5. Figma

Figma is another powerful tool for UI/UX design, offering real-time collaboration that is especially useful for teams. Unlike Sketch, Figma is cloud-based, allowing designers to work from anywhere with an internet connection.

Key Features:

• Real-time collaboration: Multiple users can work on a design simultaneously.
• Design and prototyping: Includes tools for creating interactive prototypes.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Works on both Mac and Windows.

Pricing: Figma offers a free plan with limited features, while the professional plan starts at $12 per editor per month.

6. Procreate

Procreate is a popular digital painting app available on the iPad. It's favored by artists and illustrators for its intuitive interface and powerful brush engine. Procreate's focus on creativity makes it an excellent choice for those who enjoy freehand drawing.

Key Features:

• Custom brushes: Offers a wide range of brushes and the ability to create your own.
• High-resolution canvases: Supports canvases up to 16k by 4k.
• Time-lapse recording: Automatically records your drawing process for sharing or reviewing.

Pricing: Procreate is available for a one-time purchase of $9.99 on the App Store.

7. CorelDRAW

CorelDRAW is a vector graphic design software that is often used for professional design work. It’s popular for tasks like logo creation, sign making, and print design. CorelDRAW's robust feature set makes it a strong competitor to Adobe Illustrator.

Key Features:

• Advanced vector editing: Includes tools for creating complex shapes and paths.
• Page layout tools: Useful for creating multi-page documents like brochures.
• Wide file format support: Supports AI, PSD, PDF, and more.

Pricing: CorelDRAW offers a subscription starting at $20.75 per month or a one-time purchase for $499.

8. Affinity Designer

Affinity Designer is a powerful vector graphic design tool that is a more affordable alternative to Adobe Illustrator. It’s praised for its speed, precision, and compatibility with both Mac and Windows platforms.

Key Features:

• Vector and raster workspaces: Allows for both vector and raster design.
• Precision tools: Includes snapping, grids, and guides for accurate designs.
• One-time purchase: No subscription required.

Pricing: Affinity Designer is available for a one-time purchase of $54.99.

9. Gravit Designer

Gravit Designer is a free vector design app that's accessible online and works across all platforms. It's suitable for creating logos, icons, illustrations, and more. Gravit Designer's flexibility and affordability make it an appealing option for beginners and professionals alike.

Key Features:

• Cloud integration: Allows access to designs from any device.
• Precision tools: Offers advanced path editing and boolean operations.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Works on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Chrome OS.

Pricing: Gravit Designer offers a free version with basic features, and the Pro version starts at $49 per year.

10. Inkscape

Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphic design software that is a great alternative to paid tools like Adobe Illustrator. It’s widely used by beginners and hobbyists due to its robust feature set and accessibility.

Key Features:

• Vector editing tools: Includes advanced path editing, node editing, and more.
• Cross-platform: Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• Community-driven: Regular updates and support from the open-source community.

Pricing: Inkscape is free to use.

Conclusion

The best graphic design app for you depends on your specific needs, budget, and level of expertise. Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator remain top choices for professionals, while Canva and Procreate are excellent for beginners and creative artists. Figma and Sketch cater to UI/UX designers, offering collaboration tools that are essential for team-based projects. Whether you're looking for industry-standard tools or budget-friendly alternatives, there's a graphic design app to suit your needs in 2024.