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Graphic designing has become an essential part of businesses, advertising, and marketing strategies. It plays a vital role in branding, website designing, and social media marketing. But, for designing stunning and creative visuals, you need to have a reliable graphic editor. With so many available options in the market, it can be challenging to choose the right one.
In this blog post, we have brought to you the top 8 graphic editors for Mac. We understand that each graphic editor has its unique features and pros and cons, but this blog post will give you an insight into the best graphic editors available that you can use to unleash your creative potential on a Mac.
Video Tutorial:
What Graphic Editors can do?
Graphic editors are software that designers use to create and edit digital images, sketches, and illustrations. These tools enable designers to create unique designs, artwork, animations, and more. From creating web graphics, layouts, logos, digital art, and professional photo editing, graphic editors offer a wide range of features and functions.
Graphic editors come with layers, filters, shapes, typography, color adjustments, and other such advanced features, allowing designers to develop a creative vision and create unique visuals. In the following section, we’ll discuss the top eight graphic editors for Mac based on their features, pros, and cons.
Factors Should Be Considered While Choosing Graphic Editors
Choosing a graphic editor can be a daunting task as there are many options out there, and each offers different features and functionality. Therefore, it’s essential to consider various factors that can help you choose the best graphic editor for your design needs, such as:
- Compatibility with your OS
- Features and functions
- User interface and ease of use
- Creative freedom and flexibility
- Learning curve and support
- Cost and ease of access
By considering these factors, you can select the graphic editor that suits your design requirements and budget.
Top 8 Graphic Editors for Mac
Here’s a list of the top eight graphic editors that have earned their reputation in the industry:
1. Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is one of the most popular and widely used graphic editors, known for its advanced photo editing and manipulation features. It comes with an extensive suite of tools, including layers, filters, brushes, masks, and typography, that allow designers to create a wide range of visuals from simple graphics to complex designs.
Pros:
- Advanced tools for photo editing and manipulation
- Wide range of features and functionality
- Supports multiple file formats
Cons:
- Expensive subscription plans
- Steep learning curve for beginners
2. Sketch
Sketch is a comprehensive yet easy-to-use graphic editor for Mac that offers a wide range of features that designers need to create web and app designs. It’s ideal for UI and UX design as it includes vector editing tools, grids, and layouts. It also offers a smooth collaboration experience, which makes it easy to share design files with the team.
Pros:
- Easy to use and learn, even for beginners
- Minimalistic interface with ample design tools
- Affordable pricing plans
Cons:
- Less feature-rich compared to other editors
- Not suitable for print design
3. Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is a complete graphic editing software that provides designers with high-end performance, speed, and precision. It allows you to design anything, from logos, illustrations, and branding materials to photo editing and digital art. It offers a versatile and easy-to-use interface that makes it straightforward to create complex designs.
Pros:
- Fast and fluid performance
- Multi-disciplinary design tools for print and digital design
- Affordable pricing plans
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- Compatibility issues with other software
4. Canva
Canva is a widely used browser-based graphic editor that provides novice and professional designers with a range of design tools to create unique designs and visuals. It’s suitable for creating social media graphics, posters, banners, infographics, and more. It offers a drag-and-drop interface, pre-built templates and layouts, and a library of stock images and icons, making it easy for designers to create stunning visuals quickly.
Pros:
- Easy to use, even for beginners
- Offers a free plan with basic features
- No installation required
Cons:
- Lacks advanced features and customization options
- Limited access to stock images and icons with free version
5. Figma
Figma is a popular cloud-based graphic editor designed for UI and UX design. It provides designers with a range of design tools, including vector editing, prototyping, and collaboration features. Its intuitive interface makes it easy for designers to create and collaborate on design projects.
Pros:
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Easy to use and learn
- Powerful collaboration tools
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- Steep learning curve for prototyping features
6. Gravit Designer
Gravit Designer is a free vector graphic editor that offers a range of features for creating vector graphics, logos, icons, and web assets. It provides designers with tools for vector editing, prototyping, and photo editing. It’s an excellent option for freelance designers and small businesses looking for a free yet robust graphic editor.
Pros:
- Free to use with basic features
- Simple and intuitive interface
- Powerful vector editing tools
Cons:
- Advanced features require a subscription
- Limited design templates and customization options
7. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is a complete vector graphic editor designed for professional designers. It offers a range of design tools for creating logos, illustrations, typography, and more. It’s suitable for both print and digital design.
Pros:
- Wide range of advanced design tools for professional designers
- High-quality photo editing tools
- Multiple file format support
Cons:
- Expensive subscription plans
- Steep learning curve for beginners
8. Inkscape
Inkscape is a free open-source vector graphic editor that offers a range of design tools for creating vector graphics. It’s suitable for creating logos, illustrations, typography, and more. It’s easy to use and beginner-friendly.
Pros:
- Free and open-source software
- Easy to use, even for beginners
- Powerful vector editing tools
Cons:
- Limited photo editing features
- Not suitable for professional print design
Pros and Cons of Each Graphic Editor
| Software Name | Free Trial | Price | Ease-of-Use | Value for Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Photoshop | No | Individual Plan: $20.99/month, Business Plan: $33.99/month | Steep learning curve for beginners | High value for professional designers but expensive for beginners |
| Sketch | Free for 30 days | Individual Plan: $9/month, Business Plan: $99/year | Easy-to-use interface | Reasonable value for money |
| Affinity Designer | 10-day free trial | $49.99 (one-time fee) | Difficult for beginners | Good value for money |
| Canva | Free with limited features | Paid Plans: $9.95/month (Pro), $30/month (Enterprise) | Easy-to-use interface | Excellent value for money for small businesses and individuals |
| Figma | Free for individuals | Professional Plan: $12/month, Organization Plan: Custom pricing | Easy-to-use interface | Reasonable value for money with advanced collaboration features |
| Gravit Designer | Free with limited features | $49/year (Pro) | Easy-to-use interface | Good value for money with basic features offered in the free plan |
| CorelDRAW Graphics Suite | 15-day free trial | Standard Plan: $249/year, Business Plan: $499/year | Difficult for beginners | Expensive for beginners but offers high value for professional designers |
| Inkscape | Free | Free and open-source | Easy-to-use interface | Excellent value for money for budget users |
Our thoughts on Graphic Editors for Mac
Choosing the right graphic editor can make or break your design projects. Each graphic editor has its unique features, pros, and cons, and choosing one depends on your specific design needs and budget. If you’re looking for the best all-around performer, then Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Designer should be your top picks. However, if you’re on a tight budget and looking for a free option, Inkscape and Gravit Designer are excellent choices.
FAQs About Graphic Editors
Q1: Can I use these graphic editors on multiple computers?
A: Some of the graphic editors we’ve listed might offer the option to install and use the software on multiple computers under the same license, but it depends on each software. Check their individual website’s licenses or contact support to learn more.
Q2: Are there any free options for graphic editors?
A: Yes, there are several free graphic editors available, such as Inkscape, Gravit Designer, and Canva.
Q3: Can I create logos using these graphic editors?
A: Yes, all the graphic editors listed here offer tools and features to create logos.
Q4: Which graphic editor is best for creating social media graphics?
A: Canva is an excellent choice for creating social media graphics.
Q5: Which graphic editor is best for UX/UI design?
A: Figma and Sketch are both excellent choices for UX/UI design because of their specific design toolsets.
Final Words
In conclusion, finding the right graphic editor can be a daunting task for beginners and professionals alike. But, we hope this blog post has narrowed down your choices and made it easier to select the right graphic editor for your design projects. Remember to consider your specific design needs, learning curve, and budget when choosing a graphic editor.