Sherry
In 2025, the world of graphic design apps will be more accessible than ever, especially for beginners. Whether you're looking to spruce up your social media posts, create eye-catching marketing materials for your small business, or just explore your creative side, the right graphic design app can make all the difference. Here are six top graphic design apps for beginners in 2025.
1. Pixso
Key Features
- User-friendly Interface
- Real-time Collaboration
- AI-assisted Design
- Abundant Material Resources
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- High-level Collaboration: It eliminates the need for back-and-forth communication through emails or file-sharing platforms, saving a significant amount of time.
- Rich Learning Resources: Pixso has an extensive online learning center. It includes video tutorials, step-by-step guides, and a community forum where beginners can ask questions and learn from more experienced users.
- Versatile Functionality: With features like AI-assistance and a large template library, it can be used for a variety of design tasks, from simple graphic creation to more complex UI/UX design projects.
Cons: some advanced features are only available in the paid version.
Pricing
Free Version: Offers basic features such as templates, basic design tools, and the ability to collaborate with a small team.
Paid Plans: The paid plans unlock more advanced features like increased storage space, access to the full library of premium templates and materials, and additional AI-related functions.
(Professional version available for $6/month)
Target Audience
Students: Ideal for students working on design projects together, whether it's for a graphic design course assignment or a group project for a marketing class. The real-time collaboration and rich learning resources can greatly assist them in their learning process.
Small Business Owners: Those who need to create marketing assets like social media posts, product flyers, and website graphics. The combination of easy-to-use tools, templates, and AI - assistance can help them quickly create professional-looking designs without a large budget for hiring a professional designer.
Beginner Designers: People who are new to the world of graphic design and want to explore collaborative design work. The intuitive interface and learning resources make it a friendly platform to start their design journey.
2. Canva
Canva is one of the best graphic design apps that has revolutionized the way beginners approach design. Its drag-and-drop function is one of the key features that make it so accessible. It's also a popular choice among those looking for a free graphic design app option, as it offers a free plan with basic yet useful features.
Key Features
- Drag-and-Drop Function
- Massive Asset Library
- Numerous Templates
Pros and Cons
Pros: Extremely beginner-friendly; free to start with; great for quick design tasks.
Cons: The free plan has limitations; creating truly unique design elements can be a bit challenging.
Pricing
Free plan available.
(Pro version available for $119.99/year）
Target Audience
Suitable for social media influencers who need to create quick and engaging visuals, teachers making educational materials, and hobbyists exploring graphic design.
3. Adobe Photoshop Express
Adobe Photoshop Express is a well - known name in the realm of graphic design apps. It serves as an accessible entry point into the world of Adobe's powerful design tools, specifically tailored for those seeking simplicity and convenience in basic graphic design tasks.
Key Features
- Basic Image Editing Tools:
- Filter Gallery
- Integration with Adobe Cloud
Pros and Cons
Pros: Taps into the Adobe ecosystem; simple enough for basic photo editing.
Cons: Lacks the depth of full-fledged Adobe Photoshop; some advanced features are only available in the paid version.
Pricing
Free to download and use with basic features.
（Premium version available for $9.99/month）
Target Audience
Perfect for smartphone photographers who want to enhance their photos on - the - go, and those who need to do simple photo touch-ups without learning complex software.
4. GIMP
GIMP is a remarkable graphic design app. Its free and open-source nature means it has a large community contributing to its development, which is a huge plus for users.
Key Features
- Layer Support
- Advanced Image Editing Tools
- Free and Open - Source
Pros and Cons
Pros: Completely free; a large community for support and plugins.
Cons: The interface may seem a bit dated compared to modern apps; steeper learning curve compared to some beginner-friendly apps.
Pricing
Free
Target Audience
Suited for budget-conscious beginners who are willing to invest time in learning a more complex tool, and those who value open-source software.
5. Vectr
Vectr is a unique graphic design app that focuses on vector graphics creation. It stands out as a great option for those who want to create scalable graphics. And being a free graphic design app, it's very appealing to budget-conscious users.
Key Features
- Vector Graphics Creation
- Simple Interface
- CrossPlatform Compatibility
Pros and Cons
Pros: Ideal for creating logos and simple vector art; accessible across different devices.
Cons: Limited in terms of advanced design features; not suitable for very complex vector projects.
Pricing
Free
Target Audience
Beginner logo designers, students creating simple vector-based illustrations, and those who need to work on designs across multiple devices.
6. Sketch
Sketch is a specialized graphic design app. It's well - known for its focus on UI/UX design, appealing to a specific group of designers.
Key Features
- Focus on UI/UX Design
- Symbol and Style Management
- Plugin Support
Pros and Cons
Pros: Excellent for those interested in digital product design; has a clean and organized workflow.
Cons: Only available for Mac; can be a bit pricey for beginners.
Pricing
Paid software, with a one-time purchase option or subscription plans.
(Standard subscription $10/month）
Target Audience
Aspiring UI/UX designers who own a Mac, and those interested in creating user-friendly interfaces for websites and apps.
Final Thoughts
With these six graphic design apps, beginners in 2025 have a great starting point to explore their creativity, enhance their design skills, and create stunning visuals. Whether you're looking for simplicity, advanced features, or a specific type of design focus, there's an app on this list for you. These graphic design apps, including the free ones, are here to support your design journey. So, go ahead and start creating!
