Top 10 Design Tools (2025) — Hands-on Reviews

From UI kits to campaign visuals: this stack covers UI/UX, vector, raster, AI image generation, prototyping, branding, and decks.

#1
UI Design • Freemium
Figma
Collaborative UI design, prototyping & handoff
Editor’s Choice
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MultiplayerAuto LayoutVariables & tokensPrototyping
Capability
95%
Speed
90%
Value
88%
Pros
- Real-time collaboration
- Rich plugin ecosystem
Cons
- Advanced features on paid tiers
Best for
Product/UI teams needing design-dev collaboration
#2
Graphic Design • Freemium
Canva
Graphic design for everyone with AI assists
Best Value
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Magic DesignBrand kitsOne-click resizeTemplates
Capability
85%
Speed
92%
Value
94%
Pros
- Huge template library
- Very beginner-friendly
Cons
- Pro features behind paywall
Best for
Marketing teams, social graphics, quick brand assets
#3
Image Generation • Paid
Midjourney
Text-to-image artistry for stunning visuals
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Photoreal & stylizedRemix & variationsUplight/Upbeta
Capability
96%
Speed
80%
Value
80%
Pros
- Top-tier image quality
- Distinct aesthetics
Cons
- Discord workflow
- License nuances per tier
Best for
Campaign visuals, mood boards, concept art
#4
Effects • Paid
Adobe Photoshop
Industry standard for raster editing & compositing
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Generative fillSmart objectsMasksNeural filters
Capability
95%
Speed
82%
Value
78%
Pros
- Unmatched depth for retouching & comp
Cons
- Subscription only
- Learning curve
Best for
Photographers, retouchers, advanced compositing
#5
Vector • Paid
Adobe Illustrator
Vector illustration & brand identity workhorse
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Vector shapesType & path toolsLogo/brand workflows
Capability
92%
Speed
84%
Value
76%
Pros
- Industry standard vector
- Precise typography controls
Cons
- Subscription only
Best for
Logo, icon, packaging, and brand systems
#6
Vector • Paid (one-time)
Affinity Designer
Fast, affordable vector/raster hybrid
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Vector & pixel personasNon-destructive ops
Capability
88%
Speed
90%
Value
92%
Pros
- No subscription
- Great performance
Cons
- Smaller plugin ecosystem
Best for
Freelancers & teams avoiding subscriptions
#7
UI Design • Paid
Sketch
Mac-first UI design with strong symbols & libraries
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SymbolsLibrariesComponentsInspector
Capability
84%
Speed
88%
Value
80%
Pros
- Polished Mac app
- Mature UI design patterns
Cons
- Mac-only
- Smaller community vs Figma
Best for
Mac-based product teams
#8
Prototyping • Freemium
Framer
From design to live website with rich interactions
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High-fidelity prototypingLive sitesCMS
Capability
86%
Speed
90%
Value
85%
Pros
- Design-to-web with minimal code
- Great interactions
Cons
- Hosting lock-in for sites
Best for
Startups & designers shipping live sites fast
#9
Presentation • Freemium
Pitch
Modern presentations with collaboration & templates
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TemplatesBrand stylesCollaborationAnalytics
Capability
82%
Speed
93%
Value
88%
Pros
- Fresh, modern decks quickly
- Great team workflows
Cons
- Power-user features still evolving
Best for
Teams making on-brand decks fast
#10
Branding • Freemium
Remove.bg
Lightning-fast background removal for images
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1-click BG removalBulkAPI
Capability
78%
Speed
98%
Value
86%
Pros
- Saves tons of time
- Great for e-commerce & social
Cons
- Narrow scope
- Credits for high volume
Best for
Marketers prepping product & social assets

Comparison table

Tool	Category	Pricing	Best for	Standout features
Figma	UI Design	Freemium	Product/UI teams needing design-dev collaboration	Multiplayer, Auto Layout, Variables & tokens
Canva	Graphic Design	Freemium	Marketing teams, social graphics, quick brand assets	Magic Design, Brand kits, One-click resize
Midjourney	Image Generation	Paid	Campaign visuals, mood boards, concept art	Photoreal & stylized, Remix & variations, Uplight/Upbeta
Adobe Photoshop	Effects	Paid	Photographers, retouchers, advanced compositing	Generative fill, Smart objects, Masks
Adobe Illustrator	Vector	Paid	Logo, icon, packaging, and brand systems	Vector shapes, Type & path tools, Logo/brand workflows
Affinity Designer	Vector	Paid (one-time)	Freelancers & teams avoiding subscriptions	Vector & pixel personas, Non-destructive ops
Sketch	UI Design	Paid	Mac-based product teams	Symbols, Libraries, Components
Framer	Prototyping	Freemium	Startups & designers shipping live sites fast	High-fidelity prototyping, Live sites, CMS
Pitch	Presentation	Freemium	Teams making on-brand decks fast	Templates, Brand styles, Collaboration
Remove.bg	Branding	Freemium	Marketers prepping product & social assets	1-click BG removal, Bulk, API

How we test design tools

We build real UI flows, brand kits, social assets, and presentation decks. We score collaboration, export fidelity, plugin ecosystem, rendering performance, and price-to-value. Rankings are editorial and may include affiliate partnerships that never influence our verdicts.

FAQs

Figma vs Sketch — which should I choose?

Figma for cross-platform collaboration and prototyping; Sketch if you’re Mac-only and prefer native apps.

What about AI image tools?

Midjourney excels at concept art and campaign visuals. Pair with Photoshop/Canva for final polish and brand alignment.

Best budget option?

Affinity Designer offers one-time pricing and strong performance for vector/raster workflows.

Some links may be affiliate (marked as sponsored). Using them supports our work at no extra cost to you.

Figma

Canva

Midjourney

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Affinity Designer

Sketch

Framer

Pitch

Remove.bg