Design plays a vital role in marketing, branding, and communications. Therefore, the demand for skilled designers is consistently on the rise. Fortunately, online design platforms have made it effortless for individuals and businesses to create top-notch designs without requiring advanced design skills or expensive software. Consequently, in this article, we will delve into the nine best online design platforms accessible today.
1. Canva
Canva, a web-based design platform, is highly regarded for its user-friendly interface and its ability to enable users to produce visually appealing designs with minimal effort. Consequently, it has become one of the most widely used online design tools in the market today.
Features
- Access to millions of stock photos, graphics, and fonts
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Pre-designed formats for diverse design necessities, such as social media visuals, leaflets, banners, and additional options
- Collaborative design tools
Pricing
Canva offers a free plan with limited features, as well as a Pro plan for $12.99 per month per user.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Large selection of templates and design elements
- Collaboration tools
- Affordable pricing
- Mobile app available
Cons:
- Limited features on the free plan
- Some design elements may require a paid subscription to use
2. Adobe Spark
Adobe Spark, an online design platform, offers users a wide range of design options including graphics, web pages, and videos. What’s more, it is part of the highly acclaimed Adobe Creative Cloud suite of products. As such, it provides users with a seamless and integrated design experience.
Features
- Templates for social media graphics, web pages, and videos
- Easy-to-use design tools
- Integration with other Adobe products
- Collaboration tools
Pricing
Adobe Spark offers a free plan with limited features, as well as a Premium plan for $9.99 per month per user.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- High-quality design elements
- Integration with other Adobe products
- Collaboration tools
- Mobile app available
Cons:
- Limited features on the free plan
- Higher pricing compared to other online design platforms
3. Figma
Figma is an online design platform that allows users to create and collaborate on designs in real-time. It is popular among designers for its powerful design tools and collaborative features.
Features
- Vector editing tools
- Real-time collaboration
- Prototyping tools
- Version control
Pricing
Figma offers a free plan with limited features, as well as a Professional plan for $15 per month per user. An Organization plan is also available for large organizations.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Powerful design tools
- Real-time collaboration
- Mobile app available
- Version control
- Cons:
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Limited features on the free plan
4. Sketch
Sketch is a popular design tool for creating user interfaces, icons, and illustrations. It is a desktop-based tool that offers a wide range of features for creating high-quality designs.
Features
- Vector editing tools
- Libraries for reusable design elements
- Plugins for extended functionality
- Integration with other design tools
Pricing
Sketch offers a free trial for 30 days, after which users can purchase a license for $99 per year per user.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Powerful design tools
- Libraries for reusable design elements
- Large community of users and developers
- Integration with other design tools
Cons:
- Desktop-based, limiting collaboration and accessibility
- Steep learning curve for new users
5. Inkscape
Inkscape is a free and open-source design tool for creating vector graphics. It offers a wide range of features for creating high-quality designs.
Features
- Vector editing tools
- Layers and groups for organization
- Text tools for typography
- Assistance for an extensive variety of document types
Pricing
Inkscape is free and open-source software.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Free and open-source software
- Wide range of features for creating vector graphics
- Active community of users and developers
Cons:
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Limited support compared to other design tools
6. Gravit Designer
Gravit Designer is an online design platform that offers a range of features for creating vector graphics and other designs. It is popular among designers for its ease of use and powerful design tools.
Features
- Vector editing tools
- Templates for various design needs
- Collaboration tools
- Assistance for an extensive variety of document types
Pricing
Gravit Designer offers a free plan with limited features, as well as a Pro plan for $49 per year per user.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Powerful design tools
- Collaboration tools
- Assistance for an extensive variety of document types
Cons:
- Limited features on the free plan
- Some design elements may require a paid subscription to use
7. Crello
Crello is an online design platform that offers a range of features for creating graphics and other designs. It is popular among non-designers for its ease of use and pre-designed templates.
Features
- Templates for various design needs, including social media graphics, posters, and more
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Access to millions of stock photos, graphics, and fonts
- Collaboration tools
Pricing
Crello offers a free plan with limited features, as well as a Pro plan for $7.99 per month per user.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Large selection of templates and design elements
- Collaboration tools
- Affordable pricing
Cons:
- Limited features on the free plan
- Some design elements may require a paid subscription to use
8. PicMonkey
PicMonkey is an online design platform that offers a range of features for creating graphics and editing photos. It is popular among non-designers for its ease of use and pre-designed templates.
Features
- Templates for various design needs, including social media graphics, posters, and more
- Editing tools for photos
- Access to millions of stock photos, graphics, and fonts
- Collaboration tools
Pricing
PicMonkey offers a free trial for seven days, after which users can purchase a subscription starting at $7.99 per month per user.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Large selection of templates and design elements
- Editing tools for photos
- Affordable pricing
Cons:
- Limited features on the free trial
- Some design elements may require
9. Adobe XD
Adobe XD is a design tool for creating user interfaces, wireframes, and interactive designs. It is popular among designers for its integration with other Adobe tools and powerful design features.
Features
- Vector editing tools
- Interactive prototyping tools
- Integration with other Adobe tools
- Collaboration tools for real-time design collaboration
Pricing
Adobe XD offers a free plan with limited features, as well as a Starter plan for $9.99 per user per month. A full-featured plan is also available with the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Powerful design features
- Integration with other Adobe tools
- Collaboration tools for real-time design collaboration
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Limited features on the free plan
- Higher pricing compared to some other online design tools
Conclusion
Choosing the best online design tool depends on your design needs, budget, and level of expertise. From Sketch to Adobe XD, there are many options available for creating high-quality designs. Whether you are a professional designer or a non-designer, there is a tool that can meet your needs. Consider your design goals and try out different tools to find the one that works best for you.