Best graphic design software for beginners in 2023

Graphic design has become an increasingly popular field in recent years. Now, more and more people are looking to learn the basics of graphic design. Our team has prepared a list of the best graphic design software for beginners in 2023. Among them are:

  • Canva;
  • Adobe Photoshop;
  • Adobe Illustrator;
  • Adobe Spark;
  • Inkscape.

For a beginner, choosing the right graphic design app can make all the difference. It does not matter if you're looking to create digital graphics, print materials, or logos. For beginners, the best software should be easy to use. It also should offer a range of basic features to get started. Additionally, the best software offers ample tutorials and resources. They can help beginners learn the ropes of graphic design. There is a range of other principles that can help you to opt for the best tool.

In our article, we will explore the best graphic design apps for beginners in 2023. We will consider factors such as ease of use, affordability, and available features. We'll also look at the pros and cons of selected software. It will help aspiring designers find the software that is best suited to their needs. 

What is Graphic Design Software?

Beginner graphic design  software is a type of software for designers and artists. It helps to create visual content. This type of software allows you to design and create a range of graphics. Among them are logos, illustrations, digital art, and print materials. Graphic design software is typically divided into two main categories. They include vector graphics and raster graphics. Vector graphics software allows the creation of images made up of scalable vector objects. Raster graphics software allows the user to manipulate and edit pixel-based images.

Graphic design software offers a range of tools and features. They help users create stunning visuals. These features may include drawing tools, color palettes, layers, filters, and more. Such graphic design apps can be good tools for beginners and professionals. Graphic designers, artists, and beginners looking to learn the basics of graphic design. With the right software, users can create quality graphics for a range of purposes. It can be from branding and marketing to personal projects and creative expression. 

How to choose Graphic Design Software for Beginners?

Choosing the best graphic design software for beginners can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Here are some tips to help you choose the right software for your needs:

  • Identify your design needs. Before you start looking for software, identify what you want to achieve with your design. Different software options are tailored to specific design needs. So it's important to know what you want to achieve.
  • Consider your budget. Graphic design software can be quite expensive, especially industry-standard ones. Consider your budget and look for software that fits your budget.
  • Ease of use. As a beginner, you want to find easy graphic design software. Also, it needs to have a friendly user interface. Look for software with a beginner-friendly interface.
  • Look for tutorials and support. It's important to have access to tutorials and support when learning new software. Look for software with good documentation and support.
  • Consider the file format. Different software can support different file formats. Consider the file format you'll be working with and look for software that supports it.

By considering these tips, it will be easy to opt for a graphic design software.

Best graphic design software for beginners

Finding the best graphic design software for beginners requires considering many factors. Beginners will want software that is easy to use and intuitive. At the same time, they also seek software offering features and tools for stunning graphics. Additionally, they think about affordability. It's because many graphic design software options can be expensive.

One important consideration of graphic design apps for beginners is the level of support and resources. So, you should seek software that offers ample tutorials, guides, and online communities. They help users to get help and feedback on their work. Some software options may also offer templates and pre-made design elements. They help beginners get started quickly. Another consideration is the type of graphics the software is best suited for. Some software may be better for creating vector graphics. Others may excel at manipulating raster images. Your task is to consider your specific needs and goals. 

Our team has prepared a detailed guide about the best beginner graphic design  softwares in 2023. We suggest you start to look at the pros and cons of each of them. 

canva

Canva

Canva is an excellent choice for beginners who want to explore the world of graphic design. It is a user-friendly and versatile graphic design software. It offers a wide range of design tools and templates for visual content. This content can include social media posts, flyers, or posters. Actually, Canva can be free and paid software for graphic design. Let's explore the pros of using this software. 

Pros

Description

User-friendly interface

Canva has a simple and intuitive interface. So, it’s easy graphics design software for beginners. The drag-and-drop interface allows users to add elements. It can be text, images, and shapes to their designs easily. 

Wide range of templates

Canva offers a vast collection of templates for various design categories. It includes social media posts, flyers, posters, and presentations. This makes it easy for beginners to create designs without having to start from scratch.

Customizable designs

Canva templates are fully customizable. It allows users to change the fonts, colors, and layouts to suit their needs. This feature enables beginners to create unique designs. You can do it without having to learn design theory or techniques. 

Collaboration

Canva allows users to collaborate with other people. It can be team members, clients, or friends on design projects. This feature is ideal for beginners who are working on design projects with others. 

Affordable pricing

Canva offers two versions. Actually, it’s free software for graphic design. But the free version has limited features. A paid version has more advanced features. The paid version is affordable and suitable for beginners. It also can be a good variant for those who want to create more complex designs. 

As you have understood, Canva is a simple design software that offers many benefits for beginners. But it also has some limitations. We suggest taking a close look at the disadvantages of using design software such as Canva.

Cons

Description

Limited control

Actually, Canva offers many customization options. But it is not as flexible as more advanced design software. Users may find it challenging to achieve more complex designs or customizations. 

Limited file types

Canva supports a limited range of file types. They may limit the flexibility of the software for some users. 

Limited print quality

Canva's print quality is not as high as that of professional easy graphic design software. It may be a disadvantage for users who need to create high-quality designs for print. 

adobe photoshop

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a powerful and versatile graphic software program. It's a paid app. But you can use it as free software for graphic design with limited features. This software is a good tool for professionals and amateurs. It can be a great tool for photographers, designers, or artists. Here are some of the pros of using Adobe Photoshop: 

Pros

Description

Comprehensive and versatile software

Adobe Photoshop offers a wide range of tools and features. They are good for photo editing, graphic design, and digital art. Its extensive capabilities allow users to work on a variety of projects. So you can achieve their desired results.

Wide range of file formats

This easy graphic design software supports various file formats, making it compatible with other software programs and easy to integrate into existing workflows.

Customizable and precise editing options

Adobe Photoshop provides users with precise and customizable editing options, allowing them to make adjustments and corrections with a high level of control.

Regular updates and improvements

Adobe regularly release updates and improvements to its software, ensuring that users have access to the latest features and functionality.

Perhaps, you know that Adobe Photoshop is one of the most popular tools among graphic design apps software for beginners and professionals in the world. But this program also has its limitations and drawbacks. Let’s talk about them.

Cons

Description

Expensive

Adobe Photoshop is relatively expensive software. It's a good tool, particularly for those who are just starting in graphic design. It's also a good tool for those who only need it for occasional use. The subscription-based model can also make it difficult for those on a tight budget. 

Steep learning curve

This tool can take a significant amount of time and effort to learn all of its features and capabilities. It can be particularly challenging for beginners. It's because they may find it overwhelming or confusing.

Requires high-end computer

This tool is a resource-intensive software that requires a high-end computer. It should have a fast processor and a lot of RAM to run smoothly. So, it can be a significant investment for those who don't already have a powerful computer. 

Complex user interface

Adobe Photoshop has a complex user interface that can be overwhelming for some users. With so many options and tools, it can be difficult to know where to start or what to use for a specific task. It can also slow down the workflow of users who are not yet familiar with the software. 

adobe illustrator

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a powerful vector graphics editor. It’s also a paid program. But it can be a good option for free software for graphic design. It is widely used by designers, artists, and other creative professionals. It offers a range of features and tools that make it a popular choice. You can use it for creating logos, illustrations, and other graphics. Let's explore the pros of using Adobe Illustrator. 

Pros

Description

Versatility

Adobe Illustrator is an easy graphic design software that you can use to create a variety of graphics. It can be from logos to complex illustrations. Its vector-based system allows for scalability without loss of quality. So, it can be an ideal tool for projects that require high-resolution outputs. 

Customizability

Illustrator allows for a high level of customization. It includes creating and editing custom brushes, symbols, and patterns. It can help to speed up workflow and provide a unique style to your artwork. 

Precision

With Illustrator's powerful tools, it is easy to create precise and accurate graphics. The software offers a feature such as the Pen tool. It allows for the creation of smooth and precise paths. Another feature is the Align panel. It makes it easy to align objects to specific positions. 

Integration

Adobe Illustrator is part of the Adobe Creative Suite. It includes other popular software such as Photoshop and InDesign. It allows for easy integration between programs. Also, it can share files between different software applications.

This tool can be one of the best beginner graphic design programs. But it also has some drawbacks to using the software. In this small table, we will explore the cons of using Adobe Illustrator.

Cons

Description

Steep learning curve

Illustrator can be difficult software to learn, particularly for beginners. The software offers a range of complex features and tools, which can take time to master. It can be frustrating for new users who may struggle to create the graphics they envision. 

Expensive

Adobe Illustrator is a subscription-based simple design software. It means that it can be expensive for users who need to use it regularly. It really offers a range of features. But it may not be the best choice for users who only need basic vector graphics capabilities. 

Resource-intensive

Illustrator can be a resource-intensive software. It particularly has a meaning when working with large files or complex graphics. It can lead to slow performance. Also, you can face the requirement to upgrade your hardware. 

Limited raster graphics

Illustrator excels at creating vector graphics. But it is less capable when it comes to raster graphics. The software does not offer the same level of control over pixel-based images. It can limit its usefulness for certain projects. 

Steep system requirements

Illustrator requires a powerful computer to run smoothly. It can be a drawback for users with older or less powerful machines. This tool can limit accessibility and may require users to upgrade their hardware. 

adobe spark

Adobe Spark

Adobe Spark is also a popular graphic design software. It offers a wide range of tools for creating social media graphics, videos, and web pages. You can use this app as a paid program with a lot of pro features. But if you look at a cheap tool, it can also be a good free software for graphic design with limited features. It can be good software for those who don't have complex design theories or techniques. Let's talk about the pros of using Adobe Spark: 

Pros

Description

User-friendly interface

Adobe Spark is a simple design software. It makes it easy for beginners to create professional-looking designs. The drag-and-drop interface allows users to add a lot of elements to their designs easily. 

Customizable templates

Adobe Spark offers a wide range of customizable templates. It makes it easy for beginners to create designs quickly. 

Collaboration

This feature is ideal for beginners who are working on design projects with others. 

Seamless integration with Adobe products

Adobe Spark integrates seamlessly with other Adobe products. It can be Photoshop and Lightroom. This software allows users to easily import and export files.

Like any graphic design software, Adobe Spark has its limitations. There are some potential downsides to consider. So, we want to take a look at the disadvantages of this software. 

Cons

Description

Limited free version

Adobe Spark can be your free software for graphic design. But it can have limited features. It may not be sufficient for users who need more advanced design tools. 

Limited control over design elements

Adobe Spark offers many customization options. But it is not as flexible as more advanced design software. Let's discuss the cons of this design software.

Limited file types

Adobe Spark supports a limited range of file types. It may limit the flexibility of the software for some users. 

Expensive paid version

Adobe Spark's paid version can be expensive for some users. It particularly can be expensive for those who only need basic design tools. 

inkscape

Inkscape

Inkscape is free software for graphic design. It is also an open-source program. Inkscape offers a range of powerful tools and features. So, it can be a popular choice for designers looking for versatile and reliable design software. So, let's consider the pros of using Inkscape for graphic design: 

Pros

Description

Free and open-source

Inkscape is free and open-source software. It makes this software accessible to everyone without the cost of paid software. 

User-friendly interface

Inkscape has a user-friendly interface. It makes this software easy for beginners to create designs quickly. The interface includes some features. It can be drag-and-drop and a toolbar with commonly used tools. 

Powerful vector editing tools

Inkscape offers a range of vector editing tools. It includes path operations, text tools, and gradient fills. These tools make this tool easy graphic design software. This tool can help you to create complex designs and illustrations. 

Customizable templates

Inkscape offers customizable templates, making it easy for beginners to create designs quickly. 

Cross-platform compatibility

Inkscape is compatible with a range of platforms. It includes Windows, Mac, and Linux. It makes this software accessible to users across different operating systems. 

Despite the fact that it is a good tool, it has some drawbacks you should know about. So, we need to talk about them. 

Cons

Description

Steep learning curve

Inkscape has a steeper learning curve than some other design software. It may make it challenging for beginners to get started. 

Limited raster editing tools

Inkscape offers powerful vector editing tools. But it has limited raster editing tools. So, it may be a disadvantage for users who need to edit photos or images. 

Limited support

Inkscape is open-source software. It means that this software has limited support available for users who run into issues. It also has limited support for people who need help troubleshooting. 

Not as advanced as some paid software

Inkscape offers powerful tools and features. But it is not as advanced as some paid software, which may limit its flexibility for more complex designs. 


In conclusion, choosing the best graphic design software for beginners can be a hard task. But you can do it with some tips. You should consider your design needs, budget, ease of use, tutorials, and file format. It does not matter which tool you choose, keep practicing and learning to improve your skills. If you have stunning works, think about creating a portfolio with Portfoliobox. It will help you on all your professional roads.

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