Quick Overview
- 1#1: Adobe Photoshop - Industry-standard raster graphics editor for advanced photo editing, compositing, and digital art creation.
- 2#2: Adobe Illustrator - Leading vector graphics software for designing scalable logos, icons, illustrations, and typography.
- 3#3: Affinity Designer - Professional vector and raster design app offering high performance and one-time purchase value.
- 4#4: CorelDRAW - Comprehensive graphics suite for vector illustration, layout, and photo editing with multipage support.
- 5#5: Figma - Cloud-based collaborative design platform for UI/UX prototyping, vector editing, and team workflows.
- 6#6: Sketch - Vector graphics editor optimized for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration on macOS.
- 7#7: Canva - User-friendly online design tool with templates for quick graphics, social media, and marketing materials.
- 8#8: GIMP - Free open-source raster graphics editor with powerful tools for photo retouching and manipulation.
- 9#9: Inkscape - Free open-source vector graphics editor supporting SVG for illustrations and diagrams.
- 10#10: Krita - Free digital painting and illustration software with advanced brushes for artists and designers.
We ranked tools based on feature depth, performance, user-friendliness, and long-term value, ensuring a balanced guide that caters to diverse skill levels and design goals.
Comparison Table
The world of graphic design software offers a range of tools, from industry leaders to innovative newcomers, and this comparison table helps bridge the gap by analyzing key features, use cases, and suitability for projects, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Affinity Designer, CorelDRAW, Figma, and more.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adobe Photoshop Industry-standard raster graphics editor for advanced photo editing, compositing, and digital art creation. | creative_suite | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 2 | Adobe Illustrator Leading vector graphics software for designing scalable logos, icons, illustrations, and typography. | creative_suite | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | Affinity Designer Professional vector and raster design app offering high performance and one-time purchase value. | other | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 4 | CorelDRAW Comprehensive graphics suite for vector illustration, layout, and photo editing with multipage support. | creative_suite | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 5 | Figma Cloud-based collaborative design platform for UI/UX prototyping, vector editing, and team workflows. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 6 | Sketch Vector graphics editor optimized for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration on macOS. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Canva User-friendly online design tool with templates for quick graphics, social media, and marketing materials. | other | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 8 | GIMP Free open-source raster graphics editor with powerful tools for photo retouching and manipulation. | other | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 6.5/10 | 10/10 |
| 9 | Inkscape Free open-source vector graphics editor supporting SVG for illustrations and diagrams. | other | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 10.0/10 |
| 10 | Krita Free digital painting and illustration software with advanced brushes for artists and designers. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 10/10 |
Industry-standard raster graphics editor for advanced photo editing, compositing, and digital art creation.
Leading vector graphics software for designing scalable logos, icons, illustrations, and typography.
Professional vector and raster design app offering high performance and one-time purchase value.
Comprehensive graphics suite for vector illustration, layout, and photo editing with multipage support.
Cloud-based collaborative design platform for UI/UX prototyping, vector editing, and team workflows.
Vector graphics editor optimized for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration on macOS.
User-friendly online design tool with templates for quick graphics, social media, and marketing materials.
Free open-source raster graphics editor with powerful tools for photo retouching and manipulation.
Free open-source vector graphics editor supporting SVG for illustrations and diagrams.
Free digital painting and illustration software with advanced brushes for artists and designers.
Adobe Photoshop
creative_suiteIndustry-standard raster graphics editor for advanced photo editing, compositing, and digital art creation.
Generative Fill, an AI tool that intelligently generates or expands image content based on text prompts.
Adobe Photoshop is the industry-standard raster graphics editor used by professionals worldwide for photo retouching, digital compositing, graphic design, and digital painting. It offers unparalleled precision with tools for layer management, masking, selections, and advanced adjustments. Integrated with Adobe Creative Cloud, it supports AI-driven features, cloud collaboration, and seamless workflows with other Adobe apps like Illustrator and Lightroom.
Pros
- Extensive toolset including AI-powered Generative Fill and Neural Filters
- Seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem
- Professional-grade precision and output quality
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Subscription-only model with recurring costs
- Resource-intensive, requiring powerful hardware
Best For
Professional graphic designers, photographers, and digital artists demanding the most comprehensive raster editing capabilities.
Pricing
$22.99/month for Photoshop single-app plan; included in Creative Cloud All Apps at $59.99/month (annual commitment).
Adobe Illustrator
creative_suiteLeading vector graphics software for designing scalable logos, icons, illustrations, and typography.
Shape Builder Tool for intuitive, non-destructive vector shape creation and editing
Adobe Illustrator is an industry-leading vector graphics editor designed for creating scalable logos, icons, illustrations, and typography. It excels in precision drawing tools, advanced path editing, and seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop and InDesign. Ideal for both print and digital design, it supports complex workflows including image tracing, 3D effects, and animation exports.
Pros
- Unmatched vector precision with Pen Tool and Pathfinder
- Deep integration with Adobe ecosystem and vast asset library
- Support for advanced effects like gradients, patterns, and SVG export
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Subscription-only pricing model
- High resource demands on hardware
Best For
Professional graphic designers and illustrators needing scalable, high-precision vector artwork for commercial projects.
Pricing
Single app: $22.99/month; included in Creative Cloud All Apps: $59.99/month (annual commitment).
Affinity Designer
otherProfessional vector and raster design app offering high performance and one-time purchase value.
Persona system allowing instant switching between Vector, Pixel, and Design modes for fluid hybrid workflows
Affinity Designer is a professional-grade vector graphics editor designed for creating illustrations, logos, icons, UI mockups, and print-ready artwork. It stands out by seamlessly integrating vector, raster (pixel), and font editing capabilities within a single application via its innovative Persona system. Available on Mac, Windows, and iPad, it delivers high performance and precision tools as a subscription-free alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
Pros
- One-time purchase model with no subscriptions
- Exceptional performance and speed even with complex files
- Seamless vector-to-pixel workflow switching via Personas
Cons
- Smaller third-party plugin ecosystem than Adobe
- Limited native collaboration features
- Steep learning curve for advanced procedural tools
Best For
Professional graphic designers and illustrators seeking a powerful, cost-effective perpetual-license alternative to subscription-based software.
Pricing
One-time purchase: $69.99 USD for desktop (Mac/Windows), $18.99 USD for iPad; suite bundle options available at a discount.
CorelDRAW
creative_suiteComprehensive graphics suite for vector illustration, layout, and photo editing with multipage support.
PowerTRACE AI for automatic bitmap-to-vector tracing
CorelDRAW is a professional vector graphics editor and part of the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, offering robust tools for illustration, page layout, photo editing, and typography. It excels in creating scalable vector graphics for print, web, and signage, with support for both vector and bitmap workflows in a unified interface. The software includes advanced features like non-destructive editing and AI-powered tools, making it a versatile alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
Pros
- Powerful vector tools and multipage layout capabilities
- Excellent bitmap-to-vector conversion with PowerTRACE
- Cost-effective with perpetual license options
Cons
- Steeper learning curve compared to simpler tools
- Limited third-party plugin ecosystem
- Mac version lags slightly behind Windows
Best For
Professional graphic designers specializing in print production, signage, and technical illustrations seeking a robust, affordable Adobe alternative.
Pricing
Graphics Suite subscription from $269/year ($22.42/month) or perpetual license at $549 (one-time purchase with upgrades).
Figma
enterpriseCloud-based collaborative design platform for UI/UX prototyping, vector editing, and team workflows.
Real-time multiplayer collaboration allowing simultaneous editing by multiple users
Figma is a cloud-based collaborative design tool excels in UI/UX design, vector graphics, prototyping, and interactive mockups. It provides robust features like auto-layout, components, variants, and a vast plugin ecosystem for efficient design workflows. Ideal for teams, it enables real-time multiplayer editing, version history, and seamless handoff to developers.
Pros
- Real-time multiplayer collaboration
- Intuitive interface with auto-layout and smart components
- Extensive free tier and plugin library
Cons
- Requires stable internet connection
- Limited native raster editing capabilities
- Performance can lag with very large files
Best For
Collaborative design teams focused on UI/UX, prototyping, and scalable design systems.
Pricing
Free Starter plan for individuals; Professional at $12/user/month; Organization at $45/user/month; Enterprise custom.
Sketch
specializedVector graphics editor optimized for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration on macOS.
Symbols with nested overrides for creating dynamic, reusable components that maintain consistency across large-scale design systems
Sketch is a vector-based design tool tailored for UI/UX designers, offering an infinite canvas with artboards for creating interfaces, icons, and prototypes. It excels in building scalable design systems through its powerful Symbols feature, enabling reusable components with overrides. Native to macOS, it integrates seamlessly with Apple tools and supports plugins for extended functionality, making it a favorite for digital product design.
Pros
- Advanced Symbols system for efficient, scalable design systems
- Built-in prototyping and collaboration tools
- Extensive plugin ecosystem and native macOS performance
Cons
- macOS-only, no native Windows or web support
- Subscription model required for full access
- Limited raster editing compared to Photoshop-like tools
Best For
UI/UX designers and teams on macOS focused on interface design and prototyping for web and mobile apps.
Pricing
Individual: $99/year; Teams: $9/user/month (annual) or $12/user/month (monthly), with Enterprise options.
Canva
otherUser-friendly online design tool with templates for quick graphics, social media, and marketing materials.
Magic Studio AI suite for instant design generation, background removal, and smart resizing
Canva is a web-based graphic design platform that allows users to create social media graphics, presentations, posters, infographics, videos, and more using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and a vast library of templates, stock photos, icons, and fonts. It democratizes design for non-professionals with AI-powered tools like Magic Studio for quick edits and generations. Canva supports real-time collaboration, brand kits for consistency, and exports in various formats, making it ideal for marketing and content creation.
Pros
- Extremely intuitive drag-and-drop interface accessible to beginners
- Huge library of templates, stock assets, and AI tools like Magic Design
- Strong collaboration features and brand management tools
Cons
- Limited advanced vector editing compared to pro tools like Illustrator
- Many premium elements and features require paid subscription
- Can lag with complex designs or large files
Best For
Non-designers, marketers, small businesses, and teams creating quick visual content without needing professional software expertise.
Pricing
Free plan with basic features; Canva Pro at $14.99/month or $119.99/year; Teams and Enterprise plans available.
GIMP
otherFree open-source raster graphics editor with powerful tools for photo retouching and manipulation.
Fully open-source architecture enabling unlimited community plugins, scripts, and custom modifications
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open-source raster graphics editor available at gimp.org, serving as a powerful alternative to Adobe Photoshop for image editing and manipulation. It provides advanced tools for photo retouching, digital painting, compositing, and creating graphics with support for layers, masks, filters, and scripting. While excels in pixel-based editing, it lacks robust vector capabilities and advanced layout features found in professional suites.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no feature restrictions
- Extensive toolset including layers, masks, brushes, and plugins
- Highly customizable interface and cross-platform support
Cons
- Steep learning curve and cluttered default interface
- Limited native vector graphics and typography tools
- Weaker performance with very large files compared to paid alternatives
Best For
Budget-conscious hobbyists, students, and raster-focused designers needing Photoshop-like power without cost.
Pricing
Entirely free (open-source, no paid tiers or subscriptions)
Inkscape
otherFree open-source vector graphics editor supporting SVG for illustrations and diagrams.
Superior native SVG editing with live path effects for non-destructive modifications
Inkscape is a free, open-source vector graphics editor designed for creating and editing scalable vector graphics (SVG) files, suitable for illustrations, logos, diagrams, and technical drawings. It provides advanced tools for path manipulation, shape creation, text handling, and effects like gradients and filters. As a cross-platform application, it competes with proprietary software like Adobe Illustrator while benefiting from community-driven development and extensions.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no hidden costs
- Powerful vector tools including advanced path effects and node editing
- Excellent SVG import/export and community extensions for customization
Cons
- Dated user interface that feels less polished than modern competitors
- Performance issues with very complex or large files
- Steeper learning curve for beginners unfamiliar with vector workflows
Best For
Freelancers, hobbyists, and small teams needing a robust, cost-free vector design tool without subscription fees.
Pricing
Entirely free to download and use indefinitely, with optional donations.
Krita
specializedFree digital painting and illustration software with advanced brushes for artists and designers.
Advanced, artist-grade brush engine with realistic simulation and infinite customization
Krita is a free, open-source digital painting and illustration software focused on raster graphics editing. It excels in providing professional-grade brushes, layer management, and tools for animation and comic creation. While versatile for artistic workflows, it has limited vector and layout capabilities compared to full graphic design suites.
Pros
- Exceptional brush engine with thousands of customizable options
- Full animation and storyboard support
- Completely free with no subscriptions or watermarks
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Limited vector tools and typography features
- Interface feels cluttered and overwhelming
Best For
Digital artists, illustrators, and concept designers seeking a powerful free tool for raster-based creative work.
Pricing
Free (open-source, donations encouraged)
Conclusion
The reviewed tools cover a range of needs, from advanced raster editing to user-friendly design, with Adobe Photoshop leading as the top choice, celebrated for its versatility and industry standing. Adobe Illustrator and Affinity Designer follow closely, offering exceptional vector-focused capabilities and value respectively, appealing to different workflows. Regardless of skill level or project type, the list highlights software that shapes the creative process, making each a standout option.
Begin your design journey with Adobe Photoshop—its robust features and widespread recognition empower you to bring ideas to life, whether you’re retouching photos, creating digital art, or refining projects. Dive in and discover why it remains a cornerstone of graphic design.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison