Did you know that the demand for graphic designers is expected to grow at least 3% between 2020 and 2030? That is why now is the time to invest in the right tools and enhance your skills. If you own a MacBook, you need the best tool to suit your operating system’s needs.
So, if you are looking for the best graphic design software for Mac, you are in the right place. Here is a complete guide to all the tools that will take your graphic design to the next level.
Top 6 Best Graphic Design Software For Mac
- CorelDraw – Best for Pro-Level Features
- Adobe Photoshop – Best for Excellent Graphic Design Capabilities
- Inkscape – Best for Free and Scalable Graphic Designs
- Adobe Illustrator – Best for Illustrative Artwork
- Affinity Designer – Best for Precise Vector Graphic Design
- Adobe InDesign – Best for Graphic Design with Publishing Capabilities
1. CorelDraw – Best for Pro-Level Features
Pricing: Starts at $20.75 per month
As a professional, you need advanced features to help with your graphic design needs. That is where CorelDraw comes in to help you out. It allows designers to create logos, illustrations, marketing materials, and much more. It also has a wide variety of features, templates, and tools to help with your design projects.
That is why it is one of the best platforms for anyone looking to create vector-based graphics. The easy interface and powerful features will make this the best tool to use. So, opt for CorelDraw if you want to enhance your professional graphic design life. This is the best graphic design software for Mac in terms of the range of features it offers.
Key Features
- Flexible Payment Programs
- Content Exchange
- Customizable User Interface
- Professional Templates
- New Pointilizer
Reasons To Buy
- It does not come with any lags
- There is a smooth transition from your desktop to tablet mode
- You can export more than 48 file types
Reasons To Avoid
- There is no mobile application
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2. Adobe Photoshop – Best for Excellent Graphic Design Capabilities
Pricing: Starts at over $20.99 per month
Adobe Photoshop does not need any introduction because everyone is familiar with this platform. It is one of the most popular tools that offers excellent graphic design features. The software is so popular that the word “Photoshop” has used interchangeably with photo editing. It is a great software. The capabilities are endless, and the tool will enable you to unleash your creativity.
That is why if you are looking for a platform for your MacBook that offers everything, then Photoshop is it. Once you start using it, you will wonder why you didn’t use it before. However, it can be costly for new graphic designers.
Key Features
- Mobile and Web Design Tools
- Creative Cloud
- Motion
- 3D
- Photography and Painting
Reasons To Buy
- The platform comes with a mobile application
- You can edit video layers and animation
- There are rich drawing and typography tools
Reasons To Avoid
- It is not ideal for newbies, as the features can be overwhelming
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3. Inkscape – Best for Free and Scalable Graphic Designs
Pricing: Free
Using Inkscape will be a breeze if you are familiar with using graphic design tools. It is the ideal choice for you if you want to create free and scalable graphic designs. The interface is easy to use, and all the tools are there to help you out. It also has a wide selection of features, making it one of the most versatile graphic design software for Mac.
You can use the platform to create graphics, logos, illustrations, and much more. The images in this tool will be as big as you need them to be. That is why you will be able to create high-quality designs without any cost in no time. This is one of the reasons why this is the best graphic design software for Mac.
Key Features
- Developer Community
- Regular Updates
- Free Tool
- Open-Source Code
- Personalization
Reasons To Buy
- It is free to use
- The Bezier handle ensures a flawless movement
- You can use it to edit, create, and convert vectors
Reasons To Avoid
- The processing is a little slower
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4. Adobe Illustrator – Best for Illustrative Artwork
Pricing: Starts at $20.99 per month
If you frequently work with logos, artwork, typography, and page layouts, then Adobe Illustrator is the ideal option. That is because it will give you all the tools you need to create excellent designs. All the top illustrators in the industry use this tool to enhance their work.
You can apply strokes and gradients, customize shapes, add text, and do much more. It combines the capabilities of a vector-drawing application to ensure you get the best of everything. If you are a professional designer that does illustrative artwork, it is a great option for you.
Key Features
- Customization
- Mac and Windows Support
- In-Panel Editing
- Preset Layouts
- Drag and Drop
Reasons To Buy
- It generates the graphics based on mathematical equations
- Access to ninety million graphics, images, and templates
- Integration with Adobe products
Reasons To Avoid
- It can take up a lot of space on your Mac
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5. Affinity Designer – Best for Precise Vector Graphic Design
Pricing: Starts at $9.99
Adobe Illustrator can be expensive, which is why this i.e. Affinity Designer is a much more affordable option. It is faster and easier to use than Illustrator to help you get the most out of it. You can set up grids, have control over angles, and create the most precise layouts. It is made for vector illustrations, icons, logos, and more.
Besides that, it will also work with pixel and vector art to give you the best of both worlds. Affinity Designer is a great option if you work with both of these formats. It will enable you to create dynamic graphic designs within no time. This software is available for both Windows and Mac.
Key Features
- Snapping
- Grid System
- Zoom
- Dual Environment
- Alignment Guides
Reasons To Buy
- You can create accurate and flawless curves with ropes
- It comes with an app for your iPad
- There are endless colors to improve your designs
Reasons To Avoid
- It does not include a natural perspective grid
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6. Adobe InDesign – Best for Graphic Design with Publishing Capabilities
Pricing: Starts at $20.99 per month
Adobe InDesign is perhaps the best graphic design software for Mac users. It is similar to Illustrator and Photoshop, but it is excellent for working with vector artwork, images, and text. That is why you will get incredible professional results from it.
It does come with a slight learning curve. Of course, once you get over it, using this platform will become a breeze. It is an excellent tool for creating layouts, digital publications, and magazines. You can also use it to develop flyers, banners, posters, and much more. The best part is that you can easily integrate it with other Adobe products.
Key Features
- Text and Graphics
- Adjust Layout
- AI-Powered Sensei Technology
- InCopy
Reasons To Buy
- The platform supports HTML exports
- You can resize multiple objects and change their height and width simultaneously
- The best standard for desktop publishing
Reasons To Avoid
- The interface is not that intuitive
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