12 free and affordable creative tools and software
When it comes to actually producing creative work, it’s important to have reliable tools and software on hand to help you realise ideas to a high standard. While some programs carry bigger price tags than others, having access to a range of good quality tools needn’t be expensive. Whether you’re looking to do some photo editing, create vector-based graphics or looking for publishing templates, we hope this list of free and affordable programs and apps shows how you can produce top-notch work on a budget.
1. Canva
Good for: Graphic design
Pricing: Free, with different payment levels depending on tools you desire
With the aim to equip people all over the world with the tools to create their own content and designs, Canva is a free online design and publishing tool. Often used as a substitute to Photoshop, it is mainly used for graphic design posters, social media graphics, presentations and an array of other visual content.
Check it out here.
2. Vectr
Good for: Creating and editing vector graphics
Cost: Free
Vectr is a simple yet powerful graphics editor which allows you to professionally design and edit vector graphics. It is easy to use and can be accessed through the web or a Chrome plugin.
Check it out here.
3. Piktochart
Good for: Making infographics
Cost: Free, with different payment levels depending on the level of access
With just a few clicks, you can access Piktochart’s ready-to-use graphics, icons and photos. Specialising in the production of infographics, the website boasts drag-and-drop functionality to make your designs even easier to create. With over 600 templates available, there’s hopefully something for everyone.
Check it out here.
4. Photopea
Good for: Photo editing
Cost: Free
If you’re familiar with Photoshop, using Photopea will come naturally to you. Modelled on the Adobe software, Photopea is an industry-standard photo editing software, great for anything from small retouches like adjusting photos or editing lighting, all the way through to creating psychedelic photo art.
Check it out here.
5. Snapseed
Good for: Photo editing
Cost: Free
Snapseed is unique because it’s a mobile app, so you can use it directly on your smartphone for any photo editing jobs that come your way. There are detailed tools such as brushes and eye droppers, filters and layer manipulations that are designed to help polish any image that needs a little magic. You can also save copies of your images while editing.
Check it out here.
6. Gimp
Good for: Photo editing
Cost: Free
GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) offers limited vector functions as well as similar tools to Photoshop. It’s another trusted means of editing your images and boasts a myriad of different customisation options, allowing for your image to be truly unique. Free and open source, you can use third-party plugins to improve its productivity and design capabilities.
Check it out here.
7. Figma
Good for: UX and UI design and collaboration
Pricing: Free, with priced options depending on your desired tools
Figma is used by UX and UI designers all over the world to edit vector graphics, create prototypes and generate code. It’s also a collaborative design tool with commenting and link sharing options, as well as a multiplayer feature. And with it being available as both a web application and mobile app, it’s accessible to those who wish to experiment on their phone.
Check it out here.
8. Inkscape
Good for: Online illustrations
Cost: Free
A free and open source vector graphics editor for GNU/Linux, Windows and MacOS X. Similar to Adobe Illustrator, it features a wide set of tools for artistic and technical illustrations. This programme is especially good for cartoons, clip art, logos, typography, diagramming and flowcharting.
Check it out here.
9. Blender
Good for: Video editing and animating
Cost: Free
Owned by its contributors as a licensed GNU GPL, Blender is a free and open source software. Its mission is to “get the world’s best 3D CG technology in the hands of artists” and can also be used as a great alternative to After Effects. Blender believes that everyone should be free to create amazing 3D CG content, and it can be used to create ultra-realistic animated graphics and 3D visual effects.
Check it out here.
10. RawTherapee
Good for: Raw image processing
Cost: Free
A trusted alternative to Adobe Lightroom, RawTherapee allows you to edit your raw files in multiple formats. It also has a host of editing tools where the user can recover details, correct distortion, colour correct and more. Another open source platform, it is available on Mac, Linux or Windows.
Check it out here.
11. Scribus
Good for: Desktop Publishing
Cost: Free
Widely known as an InDesign substitute, this open source platform has been going since 2001, helping its users achieve beautiful results on a budget. A professional page layout system, its key features include colour variation (spot colours and CMYK) as well as ICC management and PDF creation.
Check it out here.
12. Pixlr
Good for: Photo editing
Cost: Free with paid premium settings
Pixlr is designed for non-professionals trying to get the best image possible. In addition to a tool that allows you to remove the background of an image, its advanced tools include cropping and red-eye removal. It is also suitable for both Android and iOs as well as tablets and desktops.
Check it out here.
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If you have any other suggestions for affordable creative software, feel free to get in touch and let us know at [email protected]!
Written by Creative Lives in Progress