It depends on several factors: your devices, drawing style & preferences, and finally, your drawing skills. All iPad users would vote for Procreate and its many customizable features as the best drawing app out there. As for computer programs, the top three paid options would be Adobe Photoshop (also great for photo editing), Adobe Illustrator, and Affinity Designer.
Best Drawing Programs & Apps in 2024 For Your Creativity
by The Designest Staff |
July 1, 2024
The Designest may receive compensation from companies, products, and services featured in this publication. For more details, please refer to our in Affiliate Disclosure page
In 2024, art software scene is as diverse as ever. Read our guide to the top free and paid drawing programs to find the best option for yourself.
Photoshop, Affinity, Procreate… is that all? While most people wouldn’t even think beyond these three options, the landscape of drawing software is there to be explored, and you only need to take one small step forward — “a giant leap for your design journey.”
Top 20 Best Drawing Software
- Adobe Photoshop CC
- Adobe Illustrator CC
- Affinity Designer
- Clip Studio Paint Pro
- MediBang Paint Pro
- Procreate
- Fresco
- Affinity Designer
- Clip Studio Paint Pro
- MediBang Paint Pro
Mastering diverse digital painting tools can unlock fresh approaches to illustration, introduce new techniques, and redefine your personal style. Don’t shy away from trying out free drawing software — you might be surprised by how much high-quality content is out there. If you have doubts about the paid versions, check out our “pros and cons”. We have compiled the top free and paid drawing apps on the market and only hope this selection helps you finally explore the new horizons of art software and pick the best option for you.
Evgenia Papicheva | January 12, 2024
Evgenia Papicheva | January 12, 2024
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Adobe Photoshop CC
Platforms
- Windows 11. Versions 21H2, 22H2, Windows 10 version 22H2 (LTSB branches aren’t supported).
- MacOS 13 (Ventura), macOS 12 (Monterey), and macOS 11 (Big Sur).
- iPadOS 14 or later.
Key Features
- 7-day free trial.
- Photography (the full version of Photoshop, plus Lightroom) — US$19.99/mo.
- Photoshop — (the full version of Photoshop, plus Adobe Express Premium plan) — US$22.99/mo.
Reasons to Buy
- Useful Plug-Ins, Filters, Textures, Overlays, and Actions
- Graphics tablet support
- Cloud Storage
Reasons to Avoid
- Expensive Creative Cloud subscription
- Steep learning curve
- Very space-consuming
Discover Most Popular Categories
Mastering diverse digital painting tools can unlock fresh approaches to illustration, introduce new techniques, and redefine your personal style. Don’t shy away from trying out free drawing software — you might be surprised by how much high-quality content is out there. If you have doubts about the paid versions, check out our “pros and cons”. We have compiled the top free and paid drawing apps on the market and only hope this selection helps you finally explore the new horizons of art software and pick the best option for you.
Sketch YouTube Video
Sketch with its diamond icon has always been the favorite among the UI/UX designers, serving as a good solution for designing websites, apps, icons, and similar features. Just like other art programs, this one has its own layer structure and its tricks: you can switch between layers and have them set to totally different parameters, corresponding to what you’re working on in a particular layer.
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The Designest Staff|January 12, 2024 -
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The Designest Staff|January 12, 2024
The beauty of Photoshop is in the fact that there’s no universal way of using it. Some prefer to only scratch the surface of this extensive program, while others spend hours researching and trying out the tools. Over time, your preferred set of tools might evolve, and you will see yourself exploring — all within this one powerful software.
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The 10th-gen Kindle Paperwhite touts a worry-free waterproof build, weekslong battery life, and a crisp 300ppi panel that’s far sharper than the previous iteration. However, bear in mind that the used model on sale here may exhibit some minor cosmetic blemishes.
Brandon Widder
The Designest Media
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best software for drawing?
What is the best free software for drawing?
It depends on several factors: your devices, drawing style & preferences, and finally, your drawing skills. All iPad users would vote for Procreate and its many customizable features as the best drawing app out there. As for computer programs, the top three paid options would be Adobe Photoshop (also great for photo editing), Adobe Illustrator, and Affinity Designer.
What is the best drawing software for beginners?
It depends on several factors: your devices, drawing style & preferences, and finally, your drawing skills. All iPad users would vote for Procreate and its many customizable features as the best drawing app out there. As for computer programs, the top three paid options would be Adobe Photoshop (also great for photo editing), Adobe Illustrator, and Affinity Designer.
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Essential Hoodie Mockups
Cricut Machine Comparison
| Cricut Explore 3 | Cricut Explore Air 2 | Cricut Maker | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Types of materials | 100+ | 100+ | 100+ |
| Types of tools | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Max cut length | 12 ft | 12 ft | 12 ft |
| Max material width | 13 in | 13 in | 13 in |
| Smart materials | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Print then cut | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Size (W x D x H) | 22.2 x 7 x 5.9 in | 22.1 x 7.1 x 6.2 in | 22.6 x 7.09 x 6.22 in |
| Weight | 11 lb | 15.4 lb | 18.02 lb |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth + USB | Bluetooth + USB | Bluetooth + USB |
| Buy on | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
Cricut Machine Comparison
Specifications
- Types of materials
- Types of tools
- Max cut length
- Max material width
- Smart materials
- Print then cut
- Size (W x D x H)
- Weight
- Connectivity
- Buy on
- Cricut Explore 3
- Cricut Explore Air 2
- Cricut Maker 3
- Cricut Maker 4
- 100+
- 6
- 12 ft
- 13 in
- Yes
- Yes
- 22.2 x 7 x 5.9 in
- 11 lb
- Bluetooth + USB
- Amazon
- 120+
- 6
- 11 ft
- 14 in
- Yes
- No
- 22.2 x 7 x 5.9 in
- 11 lb
- Bluetooth + USB
- Amazon
some information about Maker 3
some information about Maker 4
The beauty of Photoshop is in the fact that there’s no universal way of using it. Some prefer to only scratch the surface of this extensive program, while others spend hours researching and trying out the tools. Over time, your preferred set of tools might evolve, and you will see yourself exploring — all within this one powerful software.
A novice UI/UX designer with an eye for a clean & neat visual. Evgenia will share her discoveries in the field and some helpful resources for creative colleagues and everyone fascinated by good design.
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