Now it’s 2025, and we’re fully immersed in the “AI revolution.” AI tools for graphic design are everywhere, each promising to simplify our creative workflows and do much more. But with so many tools, finding the best ones can be overwhelming. This article will tell you the top 5 FREE AI design tools for graphic design that you need to try out in 2025.
Why Use AI for Graphic Design?
Here are three reasons why you should consider adding AI to your design process.
1. Remove Creative Blocks
One of the best perks of using AI for creativity is how it helps break through creative blocks. Consider you’re a writer and you get stuck. Just ask ChatGPT to generate a few ideas to get started. Even if the response isn’t perfect, it can give you a foundation to build on.
The same goes for design. AI tools can suggest color pairings or layouts, sparking ideas that one might not have considered. As you’ll see, certain AI design tools are perfect for unblocking those creative roadblocks!
2. Encourage Creative Experimentation
Experimenting with creative ideas in the physical world can get messy and take up a lot of space. In traditional art, there’s no easy “undo” button, which sometimes makes you hesitate to try new things for fear of ruining a piece.
AI, however, opens up new ways to experiment safely and quickly. You can try different colors, styles, and layouts in seconds, without worrying about wasting materials or starting from scratch. Experimentation is key to innovation. With AI, it’s easier to foster that creative freedom for yourself or your team.
3. Save Time with Automation
AI is a time-saver, plain and simple. AI handles all the repetitive tasks like resizing, background removal, and color matching. This frees up time to focus on the fun, creative parts.
In fact, 95% of professionals say AI helps reduce time spent on manual tasks. 83% report that it frees them up to focus on the more creative aspects of their work.
AI speeds up the process from idea to final design, making it easier to turn concepts into finished pieces. It doesn’t replace the artistry of design, but it reduces time spent on small tasks. Afterwhich you can focus more on creating great work.
Now that we understand how AI can boost our creative workflows, lets explore five tools that can help your creatives take off.
1. Coolab.ai: The Fast and Free Prompt-to-Design Tool
Why You’ll Love It: Need a design assistant to bring your ideas to life instantly, Coolab.ai is the tool for you. With a simple prompt, Coolab.ai transforms your idea into a full design in under 60 seconds. Imagine typing in “create a colorful event flyer” and seeing a professional-looking flyer come to life!
Unique Features:
- Prompt-to-Design: Type a design idea, and Coolab.ai creates it for you.
- Format Extender: Instantly resize your design to fit multiple platforms (like Instagram, Facebook, and banners) without losing quality.
- Scheduler: Easily schedule posts across different platforms straight from Coolab.ai. Your designs go live exactly when you want them to.
Pricing: Coolab.ai offers free access to its basic design tools, making it easy for marketers and creators of all skill levels to get started.
2. Canva: The Classic Design Powerhouse with New AI Tools
Why You’ll Love It: Canva is already a favorite for creating quick and professional designs. Their recent AI-powered additions make it even better. Canva’s “Magic Design” tool lets you start with a few keywords or an idea. It automatically generates layout options that are eye-catching and on-brand.
Unique Features:
- Magic Design: Generate stunning designs with just a few words, perfect for those who want a fast start.
- AI-Powered Background Remover: Erase backgrounds instantly to make product shots or portraits pop.
- Brand Kit Integration: Ensure all designs match your brand’s colors, fonts, and logo in one click.
Pricing: Canva offers a free plan with thousands of templates, with premium features starting at $12.95/month.
3. Adobe Firefly: AI-Powered Design Creativity for Pros and Beginners
Why You’ll Love It: Adobe Firefly is an exciting addition to the Adobe suite. It brings advanced AI design tools to everyone. Firefly is full of creative features, including text-to-image generation, artwork recoloring, and adding textures to designs. Firefly is especially useful for adding unique touches to your projects without design know-how.
Unique Features:
- Text-to-Image and Recolor: Create images from words or change the colors of existing artwork with ease.
- Generative Fill: Add elements to your designs by simply describing what you want—perfect for making quick adjustments.
- Seamless Integration: Works with Photoshop and Illustrator, making it ideal if you’re already using Adobe’s tools.
Pricing: Currently, Adobe Firefly is free in beta for individual use. Premium versions will likely integrate into Adobe Creative Cloud plans.
4. VistaCreate: User-Friendly, Budget-Friendly Design for Social Media
Why You’ll Love It: VistaCreate is a simple yet powerful design tool built for social media creators and small business owners. With its recent AI tools, VistaCreate helps users produce graphics that stand out on Instagram, TikTok, and more. It’s great for quick, fun visuals on social engagement.
Unique Features:
- Template-Based Design: Tons of pre-made templates for social media, ads, and banners.
- Animation Options: Create animated social posts easily for more engagement.
- AI-Powered Suggestions: Get design suggestions based on your previous work, making it easy to stay consistent.
Pricing: Free for basic use, with a Pro plan starting at $10/month for more templates and animation options.
5. Designify: Perfect for Product Photos and E-Commerce Images
Why You’ll Love It: Designify is perfect for online sellers and marketers. It easily removes backgrounds, improves product photos, and edits multiple images at once. Designify is a great boon to keeping your store looking professional with little effort.
Unique Features:
- Instant Background Removal: Perfect for creating clean product images for e-commerce.
- Batch Editing: Process multiple images at once—great for online stores with lots of items.
- One-Click Enhancements: Add shadows, reflections, or set images on new backgrounds.
Pricing: Designify is free for basic edits, with advanced features available in the Pro plan starting at $39.99/month.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a novie or content guru, these AI tools can take your designs to the next level. With user-friendly interfaces, affordable options, and innovative features, they make professional-quality design accessible to everyone. Give these tools a try and see how they can simplify your workflow and supercharge your creativity in 2024!
