A few years ago, as I navigated the various responsibilities at a startup, my role expanded to include designing posters, crafting company greetings, and creating business cards, alongside content writing. What began as a minor task soon morphed into a creative outlet that I genuinely cherished.
However, the reality of design quickly caught up with me. I soon realized that designing was more than just a blend of appealing images, attractive elements, and font selections. The pressures of deadlines were ceaseless, creative blocks were unavoidable, and finding the right tool seemed an endless quest.
Throughout the years, I’ve ventured into top-tier graphic design software, developing everything from e-books and social media graphics to wireframes. While some tools provided a user-friendly experience, making design a breeze, others were loaded with features yet required a steep learning curve.
With the emergence of new tools and AI-driven features—like image generation, automated layout suggestions, and intelligent resizing—I felt motivated to take my exploration further. I wanted to determine which tools genuinely lived up to the hype.
Over the course of several weeks, I tested more than 25 desktop publishing software options, assessing them based on usability, features, and overall value. I was thorough, examining different aspects from logo design to social media graphics.
The Future of Graphic Design Software: Insights from G2
The graphic design sector has flourished alongside digitalization. Every business pivoting to a digital presence has graphic design needs. The rise of small businesses and solopreneurs has contributed significantly to the user base of graphic design software.
According to G2, 63% of graphic design software reviews come from employees of companies with fewer than 50 employees. As a result, many graphic design solutions are evolving to be less technical and increasingly user-friendly for individuals without formal design training, leading to their growing adoption.
— Priya Patel, Senior Research Analyst, G2
After dedicating substantial time to testing, I’m excited to share my top nine graphic design tools. These applications excel in versatility, value, and producing professional-quality results, making them worthy of your consideration.
My 9 Favorite Graphic Design Tools for 2025
1. Canva – An intuitive drag-and-drop interface with a vast template library ($120/mo)
2. Adobe InDesign – Advanced typography controls and precise layout features ($22.99/mo)
3. Foxit PDF Editor – Comprehensive PDF editing capabilities ($11.01/mo)
4A few years ago, while juggling multiple roles at a startup, I found myself designing posters, company greetings, and business cards in addition to writing content. What started as a side task quickly became a creative outlet I genuinely enjoyed.