Canva
Fast social graphics and editable templates.
Open guide →Budget guide · image & design
10 free or usable-free AI image and design tools
Free plans change often, so treat this as a starting map rather than a promise of unlimited usage. Always check the current plan, export rules and commercial terms before publishing client work.
Adobe Express / Firefly
Quick creative drafts and generative experiments.
Open guide →Microsoft Designer
Simple prompt-led layouts and social graphics.
Open guide →Figma
Collaborative interface and visual ideation.
Open guide →Photopea
Browser-based image editing for PSD-style work.
Open guide →Krita
Free desktop painting and illustration workflow.
Open guide →GIMP
Open-source raster editing and compositing.
Open guide →Runway
Limited creative video experimentation.
Open guide →Pictory
Trial-led video repurposing tests.
Open guide →Fliki
Trial-led narrated video experiments.
Open guide →Free does not mean frictionless
Watch for watermarks, export resolution, credit limits, licensing and whether your work can be used commercially. The fastest way to compare is to run one real brief through three tools.
MahGPT test brief
“Create a square product launch graphic, one portrait story version and one landscape banner using the same visual identity.” Compare the outputs, not just the landing pages.
