Web and graphic designers can get a lot done using tools that come free of charge with their basic functionalities. To help you make the most of these solutions, we’ve lined up some of the best web design and photo editing tools on the market today. Be sure to try them out in your next project – we hope you find them useful!
1. GIMP
How to use it? GIMP is considered as one of the most sophisticated and best free photo editors. Graphic designers use it for all types of image editing tasks, from retouching to editing and drawing.
Where to find it? You’ll need to download the software first, and you can find it on its official site: https://www.gimp.org/
Best for… simple graphics, basic photo editing, preparing visual materials for brochures.
Note: If you decide to design brochures on your own, you can choose from different types to find one that fits your project best.
2. Inkscape
How to use it? This handy piece of software is a free photo editor you can use to change colors, add text, as well as create and manipulate objects. It’s a vector graphics editor that offers a handful of features for easy photo editing.
Where to find it? Inkscape works on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux operating systems. Find it on the official Inkscape page: https://inkscape.org/
Best for… simple photo editing tasks, vector editing.
3. Photoshop Express
How to use it? Photoshop Express is another excellent Adobe product. However, this one comes for free, and you can get it as an app on your phone. Users can crop pictures, fix red-eye, and easily share their work on social media.
Where to find it? You can find the app on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Best for… image editing, creative enhancements, quick fixes.
4. Fotor
How to use it? This is a browser-based editor that helps to retouch pictures with a broad range of useful features. For example, it includes the High Dynamic Range functionality that allows taking three photos with different exposures to combine them into a single image, taking the best light and tone from each of these photos. You can add a host of other features for a small monthly fee.
Where to find it? You can download it from the official website: https://www.fotor.com/
Best for… advanced photo editing, extra editing functionalities.
5. Mockplus
How to use it? Web design prototyping is based on drawing a sketch that represents the critical user needs. Mockplus is an excellent application prototyping tool. It offers a rich collection of features that help web designers create realistic mockups and prototypes that aid the mobile app production. It allows designing web, mobile, and desktop apps with a simple drag-and-drop feature.
Where to find it? Download Mockplus from the tool’s official page: https://www.mockplus.com/
Best for… web design prototyping.
6. Figma
How to use it? This handy interface design tool works excellently for teams that engage in real-time collaboration. Apart from that, it also offers a host of other features such as version control and vector networking. Figma is a browser-based solution that makes designing interfaces really easy.
Where to find it? Another advantage of Figma is that users don’t need to install anything. All it takes is opening an internet browser to join a project.
Best for… interface design.
7.Lunacy
How to use it? If you want the fastest graphic design app for web design and photo editing, there’s no need to look further than Lunacy. It works like Figma, but with one important difference. It’s an opportunity to edit photos. Moreover, it’s really easy to move from Figma to Lunacy. You just need to convert Figma files to .sketch.
Where to find it? You can find the app on Google Play Store, Apple App Store and Snapcraft.
Best for image editing and web design.
8. Pixlr
How to use it? Pixlr offers a great number of features that include a sponge tool, brush tool, red-eye correction, gradients, and much more. Users who decide to pay for the Pro version get upgraded features, but the free option is more than satisfying for average photo editing needs.
Where to find it? This free photo editing software comes in two versions: a mobile app and a web app. You can find the mobile app on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. For the online version of this handy editor, go here: https://pixlr.com/
Best for… simple photo editing, improving pictures.
9. Photo POS Pro
How to use it? This practical tool helps both professional and novice photo editors to edit images easily. You can use the solution to apply color corrections, remove backgrounds and unwanted objects, or create borders and overlays.
Where to find it? Find the tool on its official website: http://www.photopos.com/
Best for… image editing.
10. Paint.NET
How to use it? This free photo editing software offers features such as layers, unlimited undo, and a host of special effects.
Where to find it? You can download the app on PCs running Windows.
Best for… simple photo editing.
We hope that this list of free photo editing and web design tools helps to take your project to the next level. Do you know other free solutions? Please share them in the comments to help all the creatives out there make the most of the fantastic free tools available on the web and mobile platforms.
