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Popular graphic design tool that allows you to create posters, presentations, pamphlets, and much more

Popular graphic design tool that allows you to create posters, presentations, pamphlets, and much more

Vote: (140 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Canva

Version: 1.39.0

Works under: Windows

Also available for Android Mac

Vote:

Program license

(140 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Canva

1.39.0

Works under:

Also available for

Windows

Android Mac

Pros

  • Accessible on practically any device
  • Subscription-based model with a free plan
  • Easy to learn user interface

Cons

  • Limited set of tools to work with
  • Relatively limited layout options

Canva consistently tops review charts for the best tools available to graphic designers. Even more impressive is the fact that it's free to use. It offers versatility that can rival a platform like Adobe Creative Cloud without the steep learning curve or exorbitant subscription costs. A subscription plan that scales to the needs of the user means that businesses can each pay a fair share, while freelancers and hobbyists can have largely unfettered access to the tools Canva offers.

Simplicity is one of the anchoring principles of Canva. Whereas Photoshop is comprised of a dense and complicated labyrinth of menus, Canva uses a web-based interface that allows you to simply drag-and-drop components you want to use in your graphical materials. And you don't need to start from scratch either. There are tens of thousands of templates to choose from with many being constructed by professionals, and most are completely free to use. And the open community surrounding Canva ensures there's always a steady stream of new options.

Canva really excels at the simple things. If you want a tool that can help you with simple snipping, color correction, or resizing, Canva lets you do it effectively without having to load up resource-hogging software. And that web-based interface is a serious time-saver for professionals who are doing most of their work on the internet anyway.

Another advantage it has over the competition is that it's been built from the ground up with the needs of the modern user in mind. The cloud-based interface gives you access to the tools you need whether you're on your laptop, your cell phone, or your tablet. It's an approach that's already seen effective results with software like Microsoft 365, and it's especially well-suited to the needs of graphic designers.

Despite all the praise that Canva deserves, it shouldn't be mistaken for the proverbial David that will slay the Goliath known as Adobe. For the needs of serious and meticulous professionals, the tool kit within Canva simply can't keep pace. But for the sort of monotonous tasks that a designer has to deal with on a daily basis - and for the casual photo editing that a non-professional will mostly be doing - its efficient design and web-based interface make it a highly valuable piece of software.

Pros

  • Accessible on practically any device
  • Subscription-based model with a free plan
  • Easy to learn user interface

Cons

  • Limited set of tools to work with
  • Relatively limited layout options