Graphic Design Software for Small Businesses and Startups

You might not have the resources to have a graphic designer on staff, but that doesn’t mean your image needs disappear. From posting to social media to enriching your marketing content, graphics are essential elements for every business – after all, people are drawn to well-made images. Fortunately, you don’t have to hire a designer right now. Save your money and instead start by using these affordable graphic design software solutions:

Pablo by Buffer: Free

Increasingly, social media is a visual environment, which means users are more likely to engage with image-based content. With this tool, you can create fun and appealing social graphics in under 30 seconds! Choose from stock photos or your own images, and then add your own text or logo.

This simple tool can help you elevate your social media marketing strategy so you can increase follows and user interaction.

Price
Pablo is free to use.

Canva: Free

Canva is a free graphic design tool that lets you upload your own images and assets or use the ones provided to create custom and contemporary graphics that enhance your social media, web design and content marketing. Millions of images, thousands of layouts and hundreds of fonts will all be at your creative disposal.

Layout templates allow you to create targeted graphics best suited for specific platforms. For example, you can create tall images for Pinterest or square ones for Instagram.

You can also design great infographics at Canva with their free customizable templates.

Once you’re done, simply pay for any upgrades you use and download the file onto your computer to implement however your company sees fit.

Price
Canva lets you create a free profile and grants access to an array of free elements, but you will pay extra for certain, monetized assets.

Squarespace Logo

Another product from Squarespace, this logo designer allows businesses to create their brand image. It’s best for doing what the name implies: designing logos. You can select icons, type text and use the editor to move elements into positions you like. Squarespace Logo also lets you see how the image will appear on business cards and T-shirts before you finalize it.

Price
This tool is free for Squarespace customers. Non-customers pay $10 per image.

PicMonkey

This simple tool was designed for individuals who do not have a background in graphics, making it ideal for budding businesses. With PicMonkey, you can edit photos, create custom graphics and more with just a few clicks.

Add filters, clean up blemishes, insert text and texture, and bring it all together with a theme. The easy-to-use editor lets you enhance your marketing and social media assets at little to no cost.

Price
PicMonkey is free for basic tools, but costs $3.33 per month for one year of the Royale package. Or, pay $4.99 per month for the Royale package without required one-year contract.

Freebbble

With Freebbble, you can find thousands of free design resources made by Dribble users. Browse by background, template, illustration, mock-up and many other design elements to find what you need to take your website from “ho-hum” to “wow!”

You’ll find tons of designs, from social media icons to labels to packaging to app skins. Use these beautiful resources to help your business stand out visually, whether you’re creating labels or building a new website.

Freebbble is ideal for users who plan to do some of their own design work but want to take the hassle and time out of creating individual assets. Simply plug Freebbble features into your own designs.

Price
Freeb bble costs $10 to $25 depending on the package you purchase and how long you want access. Some items cost extra while others are available free of charge.

Pixlr

Make your images even cooler with this free photo editor. With more than 2 million combinations of free effects, overlays and filters, you can ensure no one will ignore your photos. Plus, once edited, you can load photos directly to a number of social networks, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Pixlr will feel familiar to Photoshop users, as it features tools like the lasso, stamp and gradient creator. As such, Pixlr gives you more control over your image creation than many other free online software options.

Pixlr is available both on both mobile and desktop, allowing you to create marketing materials wherever you are.

Price
Pixlr comes in a range of prices, from free to $14.99 a month, depending on which version and what tools you want for your business.

With appealing logos, social-media images and website graphics, you can create a brand that’s polished and trusted. These tools help you establish visual elements with ease, saving you both time and money.