Ultimate Guide to Design Software 2026

Whether you’re a professional designer or creating social media graphics, this guide covers every design tool you need.

Table of Contents

  1. Design Software Categories
  2. Graphic Design Tools
  3. Photo Editing Software
  4. UI/UX Design Tools
  5. Video Editing Software
  6. Building Your Design Stack

Design Software Categories

CategoryPurposeTop Choice
All-in-OneEverythingCanva
Pro GraphicsPrint & digitalAdobe Illustrator
Photo EditingPhoto workAdobe Photoshop
UI/UXApps & webFigma
VideoVideo editingDaVinci Resolve

Graphic Design Tools

Quick Comparison

ToolBest ForPriceSkill Level
CanvaEveryoneFree-$13/moBeginner
Adobe ExpressQuick designFree-$10/moBeginner
Adobe IllustratorVectors$23/moPro
Affinity DesignerPro budget$70 onceIntermediate
FigmaUI + GraphicsFree-$15/moIntermediate

Canva

The easiest design tool for everyone.

Strengths:

  • Thousands of templates
  • Drag-and-drop simple
  • Brand kit
  • Team collaboration
  • AI features

Best For: Social media, presentations, marketing materials.

Adobe Creative Cloud

The professional standard.

Suite Includes:

  • Photoshop (photos)
  • Illustrator (vectors)
  • InDesign (print)
  • Premiere (video)
  • After Effects (motion)

Best For: Professional designers, agencies.

👉 Comparison: Canva vs Adobe Express

👉 Free Options: Best Free Graphic Design Software

Photo Editing Software

Top Options

ToolBest ForPrice
Adobe PhotoshopEverything$23/mo
Adobe LightroomPhotography$10/mo
Affinity PhotoPro budget$70 once
GIMPFree powerFree
PixlrOnlineFree

Use Cases

NeedBest Tool
Product photosPhotoshop
Photo organizationLightroom
Quick editsCanva/Pixlr
Advanced freeGIMP

👉 For Photographers: Best Cloud Storage for Photographers

UI/UX Design Tools

Top Options

ToolBest ForPrice
FigmaCollaborationFree-$15/mo
SketchMac users$10/mo
Adobe XDAdobe users$10/mo
FramerPrototypesFree-$20/mo

Figma

The industry standard for UI design.

Strengths:

  • Real-time collaboration
  • Browser-based
  • Generous free plan
  • Design systems
  • Prototyping

Best For: Product teams, web designers.

Video Editing Software

Top Options

ToolBest ForPrice
DaVinci ResolveFree powerFree/$295
Adobe PremiereProfessionals$23/mo
Final Cut ProMac$300 once
CapCutSocial mediaFree
FilmoraBeginners$50/yr

👉 For YouTube: Best Video Editing for YouTube Beginners

👉 Free Options: Best Free Video Editing Software

Building Your Design Stack

Free Stack

CategoryToolCost
GraphicsCanva Free$0
PhotosGIMP$0
UI/UXFigma Free$0
VideoDaVinci Resolve$0
TotalFree

Creator Stack (~$30/mo)

CategoryToolCost
GraphicsCanva Pro$13/mo
PhotosLightroom$10/mo
VideoCapCutFree
Total$23/mo

Professional Stack (~$60/mo)

CategoryToolCost
SuiteAdobe CC$55/mo
UI/UXFigma$15/mo
— or ———
AffinityFull suite$170 once
FigmaPro$15/mo

Graphics

Video

Photos

Last updated: January 2026