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Start your free trial with Shopify today—then use these resources to guide you through every step of the process.
Whether you’re designing a logo for your new brand or creating imagery for your website, you can access graphic design software to get the job done—for free.
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Well-designed logos, packaging, advertising, and social media posts can help make your brand look professional and stand out from the crowd. But hiring a professional graphic designer, or paying for high-end graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator, can be prohibitively expensive, especially for small businesses. 
Thankfully, you don’t need a big budget to create custom graphics. Some of the best graphic design software tools are free and run on open source software. There are also limited free versions of paid tools that both new and advanced users may find helpful. Here’s an overview of some free design software and seven tips for choosing the best free graphic design tool for your business.
Choosing graphic design software requires an understanding of your business needs, your team’s learning curve, and your compatibility requirements. Here are steps for selecting the best free graphics software:
Start your search process by determining how you plan to use your graphic design software. Will you use it for creating logos, custom fonts, web design, ad campaigns, packaging, or all of the above? Knowing your business needs can help you understand what graphic design elements you need from your free software.
For example, if you’re creating an ad campaign with a lot of photos, you may need a software that has a variety of photo editing features; if you’re working with a team, you may choose a program with cloud-based storage that allows multiple people to access and work on designs. 
Once you have a sense of how you’ll use your software, you’ll know what features to look for. Though some of the most sophisticated tools can only be found on paid software, you can create professional and eye-catching graphic elements using fairly basic tools. 
Any software you choose should include basic features like drawing, text, shapes, and layers. Advanced features might include photo editing, vector graphics (images defined by mathematical shapes, not pixels), typography tools, blending modes, and special effects. 
Using any new software involves a learning curve as teams explore and grasp a program’s features. Some have more graphic design experience than others. If your team is new to computer-based graphic design, look for a program with an intuitive user interface—one that’s easy to use and visually straightforward. Many graphic design tools feature free templates to help users still learning graphic design basics.
If you have seasoned graphic designers on staff, you may prioritize advanced features over ease of use—although a user-friendly interface never hurts.
Ensure that your graphic design software is compatible with your operating system, whether it’s Windows, macOS, Linux, or a mobile operating system, like iOS or Android. If you work across multiple devices, consider software with mobile apps for smartphones and tablets, as well as cloud syncing (data sharing across devices remotely).
File formats also matter. Select a program that can import and export files in standard image formats like JPEG, PNG, SVG, and JPG.
As your business expands, you’ll need graphic design software that can scale up with your operations. In many cases this may mean upgrading from a free tool to more powerful paid software. If you plan to grow in the near future, it may make sense to choose software that can accommodate more complex needs. 
Research software restrictions or licensing agreements, especially if you're using the designs commercially. Some of the best free graphic design programs are open source, which means that you can modify the programs and use their features without needing special permission.
Look for software that is actively maintained and updated, ensuring you have access to the latest features and bug fixes. Free programs rarely come with customer support, although the free version of paid software (such as Adobe Photoshop) may grant you access to support documents.
Sometimes the best way to find software support is to consult with other professional users. Many software programs have an active community of users online. Through forums, YouTube videos, and comment threads, community members may be able to help you troubleshoot problems and take advantage of all the tools offered.
Amateur and professional designers alike may be surprised to learn how much you can do with free graphic design software. Here are programs that offer powerful tools to suit the needs of most graphic designers:

Canva is a popular web-based graphic design platform that’s easy to use and has a wide range of features. As long as you have an up-to-date computer and a reliable internet connection, you can use Canva to create professional-looking graphics.

GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program. (GNU is the Linux-based operating system that the software runs on.) It is a free, open-source vector software that offers complex tools that were once restricted to paid programs.
 
Inkscape is an open-source digital drawing program with functions similar to those found in paid software like Adobe Illustrator. Its numerous tools may appeal to concept artists and illustrators who need precise control over their creations.

Hatchful is a free logo maker from Shopify. It lets you choose from professionally designed templates, which can be customized to represent your unique business.

Vectr is a simple vector graphics editor with real-time collaboration tools. It lets you create basic shapes, text, and layers, and easily share your designs with your teams.

Previously known as Gravit Designer, Corel Vector is a web-based and desktop vector design app, with powerful tools for illustrations, icons, and user interface (UI) designs.

Adobe Express is a free offering from Adobe, the maker of popular paid graphic design programs like Illustrator and Photoshop. Despite being free, Express offers a number of the signature tools that have made Adobe an industry leader.

Photopea is an online image editor that supports PSD files, making it a free alternative to Adobe Photoshop.

Krita is an open-source painting program that offers customizable brushes, layer styles, animation tools, and color modes.
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Yes, you can do graphic design for free using open-source programs like GIMP or limited versions of paid programs like Adobe Express.
To do graphic design for free on your computer or mobile device, you need a software application like Canva, Inkscape, or GIMP. These programs let you create logos, illustrations, animations, custom fonts, and more.
Yes, the Canva graphic design program is free. Canva also offers a paid tier, called Canva Pro, with advanced features.
Ease is a matter of personal taste and experience. However, Canva, Vectr, and Hatchful are often cited as easy to use.
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