Best Free Design Tools
Our curated selection of the top 10 tools. Compare features, pricing, and find the perfect fit for your needs.
TL;DR
- 1Pixlr(8.0/10) — You need quick, easy photo editing for social media graphics without spending much.. Easy to use and affordable.
- 2Lunacy(8.4/10) — You're a small design team on a tight budget needing robust collaboration features.. Easy to use and affordable.
- 3Penpot(8.0/10) — You're looking for a free, open-source design tool that promotes collaboration for UI/UX projects.. Affordable and feature-rich.
Why Pixlr is #1 for free design tools
Our Picks
Lunacy
Lunacy is a powerful, free design tool that simplifies UI/UX design and collaboration.
Penpot
Penpot is an open-source design tool for teams to collaborate on UI/UX projects.
Canva
Create stunning graphics and presentations effortlessly with Canva.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Price | Rating | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pixlr | Free — From $7.99/mo | 4.1 | 8.0 | casual creators needing quick, browser-based image editing. |
| Lunacy | Free — From $9/user/mo | 3.6 | 8.4 | designers wanting a free, full-featured desktop design tool. |
| Penpot | Free — Custom pricing for enterprise solutions | 3.9 | 8.0 | teams wanting a free, open-source Figma alternative. |
| Canva | Free — From $12.99/user/mo | 4.9 | 8.0 | teams and individuals creating visual content quickly. |
| Crello | Free — From $10/mo | 4.1 | 8.0 | small businesses creating social media and marketing visuals |
Detailed Rankings
Pixlr is a powerful online photo editing tool designed for quick and easy graphic design.
Skip if: you need free version displays ads and has limited features
Lunacy is a powerful, free design tool that simplifies UI/UX design and collaboration.
Skip if: you need smaller community compared to figma or sketch
Penpot is an open-source design tool for teams to collaborate on UI/UX projects.
Skip if: you need smaller plugin ecosystem compared to figma or sketch
Create stunning designs effortlessly with Crello, now VistaCreate.
Create stunning graphics easily with Snappa, ideal for marketers and entrepreneurs.
Affinity Designer is a powerful graphic design tool for creating stunning illustrations and designs.
Collaborative presentation software for modern teams with beautiful templates and real-time editing.
How to Choose
When choosing the right tool for “best free design tools”, consider: your team size and budget, must-have features vs nice-to-haves, integration with your existing tools, and long-term pricing scalability. Start with free trials when available — most tools on this list offer them.
Former SaaS product manager turned analyst. Personally tested 200+ tools and built the scoring methodology behind SaasHunter rankings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free design tools?
Based on user ratings and features, Pixlr is the top pick for best free design tools. Other strong options include Lunacy, Penpot, Canva.
Are there free options for design?
Yes, Penpot, Canva, Crello offer free plans in the Design category.
How did we rank these tools?
Tools are ranked based on keyword relevance to the use case, user ratings from the SaasHunter community, and feature coverage. Featured tools with strong ratings rank higher.
How often is this list updated?
This list is updated automatically as new tools are added and user ratings change. Pricing and feature information is refreshed regularly.
Problems These Tools Solve
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