Best Graphic Design Software for Mac in 2025
Explore these top-rated graphic design tools specifically designed for macOS to find the perfect fit for your business. Capterra users have given these options high marks for performance, usability, and overall satisfaction on Mac devices. Browse through the products below to learn more and discover which one aligns best with your creative needs on macOS.
Flawless graphics: Pixel-perfect precision
Starting from: $14.98/mo
- Smart object integration for scalability
- Impactful blending modes and layer styles
- Vast plugin integrations to boost workflow
4.7
Adobe Photoshop
Starting from:
$14.98/mo
Flawless graphics: Pixel-perfect precision
AI image & design generation plus editing
Starting from: $0/mo
Free Plan
- Built for easy team collaboration
- Internal content scheduler and publisher
- 1000+ professional templates
4.4
Canva
Starting from:
$0/mo
Free Plan
AI image & design generation plus editing
* Featured prices and terms can be updated. Free offers may include additional terms.
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Top 9 Mac Graphic Design Software
Adobe Photoshop
4.7
Starting from:
$14.98 /mo
Free plan / Free trial:
Not Available
Learn more about Adobe Photoshop review.
In the realm of design, Adobe Photoshop remains an essential tool for professionals, blending traditional design functionalities with cutting-edge AI enhancements. The introduction of AI-driven tools like the improved Font browser helps designers manage and explore over 25,000 Adobe fonts with ease, enriching the creative process and ensuring a seamless workflow across devices and platforms. Adobe Photoshop, a leader in digital editing for over 30 years, offers powerful tools to support creatives across industries in produce detailed and complex designs effortlessly.
Features
General Features
API
Templates
Image Database
Collaboration Tools
Content Import/Export
Edits Vector & Raster Graphics
Touch Interface Support
Pro-Level Typography
Print Management
Publishing / Sharing
Multi-Language
Multiple Format Support
Third Party Integrations
Advanced Features
Animation
Document Storage
Search/Filter
Editing Features
Photo Editing
Video Editing
Offline Editing
Drag & Drop
Pros & Cons
Pros
Can deeply customize almost every aspect of the design process
Supports multiple file formats — essential for cross-platform design work.
Tools for mobile and web design
Adobe Suite integration for easy workflow
Cons
Requires a powerful computer as it runs many processes
Steep learning curve due to many features
No option for a perpetual license
Canva
4.9
Starting from:
$0 /mo
Free plan / Free trial:
Available
Learn more about Canva review.
Founded in 2013, Canva has become a leading online design platform, attracting over 130 million monthly active users. It has facilitated the creation of more than 15 billion designs, showcasing its impact and popularity in the design community. Canva's AI content writing tools enhance the quality of written content. AI suggestions help improve style, tone, and grammar, while customizable templates streamline the creation process. Integration with Canva's design elements allows for visually engaging content, which is ideal for blogs, articles, and social media posts. Real-time collaboration and plagiarism checks ensure originality and efficiency, making Canva a comprehensive tool for content creators.
Features
Writing Features
Grammar and Style Checks
Multilingual Support
Text Editing and Formatting
Photo Editing Features
Drag-and-Drop Editor
Object Removal
AI Filters and Effects
Background Replacement
Pre-Built Templates
Layer Support
Image Generating Features
Text-to-Image Generation
Style Emulation
Batch Generation
Interactive Editing
Available on
Web
Windows
macOS
Android
IOS
Pros & Cons
Pros
User-friendly interface and AI-powered assistance
Seamlessly integrates with Canva’s design tools
Over a dozen different useful AI tools
Offers many templates for different writing purposes
Cons
May require a subscription to access all its features
AI-generated content might not always be perfectly accurate
Figma
4.8
Starting from:
$0 /mo
Free plan / Free trial:
Not Available
Learn more about Figma review.
Figma is a powerful web design software that allows you to create and collaborate on designs for websites, mobile apps, and other digital products. With Figma, you can easily create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs using a range of intuitive tools and features.
Features
Writing Features
Collaboration Features
API Access
Text Editing and Formatting
Compliance and Security Measures
Photo Editing Features
Drag-and-Drop Editor
Pre-Built Templates
Layer Support
Image Generating Features
Interactive Editing
Available on
Web
Windows
macOS
Android
IOS
Pros & Cons
Pros
Ultimate collaboration tool
Powerful AI prototyping tools
Wide range of design elements & templates
Integrates with other platforms
Cons
Limited offline functionality
Does not support all file types
No ability to edit code
Fotor
4.5
Starting from:
$0 /mo
Free plan / Free trial:
Available
Learn more about Fotor review.
Fotor AI is one of the most underrated online photo editors, leveraging advanced artificial intelligence to simplify complex editing tasks. It offers its users the ability to showcase their creativity without using complicated software. With AI-powered tools for image generation, enhancement, and editing, users can create stunning visuals effortlessly. Aside from editing photos and creating graphics, users can also create videos in a fun, simple, and easy way. With an effective drag-and-drop system, users can combine different elements and create professional-looking videos.
Features
Video Editing Features
Background Noise Reduction
Green Screen
Text-to-Video
Drag-and-Drop Editor
Photo Editing Features
Drag-and-Drop Editor
Object Removal
AI Filters and Effects
Background Replacement
Image Generating Features
Text-to-Image Generation
Style Emulation
Interactive Editing
Available on
Web
Windows
macOS
Android
IOS
Pros & Cons
Pros
Organized interface
Thousands of pre-made templates
Free plan
Powerful AI features including AI image generation and enhancement
Cons
Free plan is limited
Lack of advanced editing features
Some advanced AI features require a paid subscription
Simplified
4.6
Starting from:
Free /mo
Free plan / Free trial:
Available
Learn more about Simplified review.
Simplified is an AI-powered platform designed for creating, editing, collaborating, and sharing content. It offers a variety of tools for graphic design, video editing, copywriting, and social media management, aiming to streamline the creative process collaboratively and help users produce high-quality content efficiently. Notable features include AI-powered content generation, a centralized content management hub, social media scheduling, and comprehensive analytics. Simplified AI tools enhance productivity, reduce content creation time, and lower costs by integrating multiple functionalities into one platform, making it a valuable tool for marketers, designers, social media managers, and more/
Features
Writing Features
Collaboration Features
Content Personalization
Multilingual Support
Photo Editing Features
AI Filters and Effects
Pre-Built Templates
Pros & Cons
Pros
Comprehensive AI: Designs and improves slides.
Customizable, diverse, professional templates.
Quick processing, responsive interface.
Integrates and formats various media.
Cons
AI text needs refinement.
Limited advanced animation features.
Potential AI dependency risk.
Adobe XD
4.6
Starting from:
$9.99 /mo
Free plan / Free trial:
Available
Learn more about Adobe XD review.
Designing and prototyping websites, mobile apps, and other digital experiences is easy with Adobe XD (Adobe Experience Design). In Adobe XD, you can easily design, test, and share your ideas without writing any code. It is ideal for designers, product managers, and developers.
Features
Design Features
Pre-Built Templates
Mockup Templates
Customization Ability
Customized Branding
Drag and Drop Editor
Collaborative Editing
Content Features
Content/Media Library
Content Management System
User Management
Integrations & Addons
Plug-ins/Widgets
WordPress Integration
Pros & Cons
Pros
The most widely used design software
Prototyping capabilities
Integration with other Adobe products
Cons
Limited coding capabilities
Adobe Dreamweaver
4.4
Starting from:
$20.99 /mo
Free plan / Free trial:
Available
Learn more about Adobe Dreamweaver review.
Adobe Dreamweaver is a powerful and professional web development tool that enables users to design, develop, and publish dynamic and responsive websites. Users can easily create and customize web page templates, insert and format text, images, and other media, and preview their work in a variety of web browsers. The software also includes built-in support for integrating with popular content management systems like WordPress, making it easy to manage and update website content.
Features
Design Features
Pre-Built Templates
Mockup Templates
Customization Ability
Content Features
Content/Media Library
User Management
Rich Text Editor
Integrations & Addons
WordPress Integration
Coding Features
CSS
HTML
JavaScript
Syntax Highlighting
Pros & Cons
Pros
Integrated development environment (IDE)
Extensive documentation and support
Comprehensive code editor with code highlighting, debugging, and more
Mobile support for responsive websites
Cons
Cost
Limited 3rd party integrations
Limited support for newer web technologies
Sketch
4.6
Starting from:
$9 /mo
Free plan / Free trial:
Available
Learn more about Sketch review.
Sketch is a powerful web design tool that helps you create high-quality designs for websites and web applications. It offers a wide range of features and tools to help you create professional-grade designs quickly and efficiently. Its vector-based design tools and collaboration features make it easy to work with team members and clients alike.
Features
Design Features
Pre-Built Templates
Mockup Templates
Customization Ability
Customized Branding
Drag and Drop Editor
Collaborative Editing
Content Features
Media Management
Content/Media Library
Content Management System
Scheduling Tool
Integrations & Addons
Plug-ins/Widgets
Email Integration
Pros & Cons
Pros
User-Friendly
Regular Updates
Vector Editing
Prototyping
Cons
Only compatible with Mac
Limited coding
Editor X
4.8
Starting from:
$22 /mo
Free plan / Free trial:
Available
Learn more about Editor X review.
Introduced in 2022 by Wix, Editor X is a website-building platform that combines drag-and-drop simplicity with advanced tools for designers and developers. Few others have earned the trust of thousands of consumers, and Editor X aims for professionals looking for a powerful and intuitive builder.
Features
Design Features
Pre-Built Templates
Mockup Templates
Customization Ability
Customized Branding
Drag and Drop Editor
Collaborative Editing
Content Features
Media Management
Content/Media Library
Content Management System
Scheduling Tool
User Management
Rich Text Editor
Marketing Features
E-Commerce
Hosting
Domain Name
Marketing Tools
SEO Tools
Site Analytics
Integrations & Addons
Plug-ins/Widgets
Email Integration
Marketing Integration
Social Media Integration
Coding Features
CSS
HTML
JavaScript
Syntax Highlighting
Pros & Cons
Pros
Extremely Flexible
Supports Simultaneous Editing
Unique Drag & Drop Grid Editor
Cons
Not Beginner-Friendly
Not as many templates as competitors
Graphic design software for Mac: how to choose
Choosing the best graphic design software for Mac depends on various factors, including your specific needs, skill level, and budget. Here’s a guide to help you make an informed decision:
1. Determine Your Needs
- Type of Projects: Identify the types of projects you’ll be working on, such as logo design, web design, illustration, photo editing, or complex vector graphics. Different software excels in different areas.
- Features Required: Make a list of the features you need. For example, vector editing, typography tools, layer support, and export options. Some software offers comprehensive toolsets, while others are more specialized.
2. Consider Your Skill Level
- Beginner: If you’re new to graphic design, look for software with an intuitive interface, built-in tutorials, and a supportive community. Tools like Canva or Affinity Designer offer user-friendly platforms for beginners.
- Intermediate to Advanced: Experienced designers might prefer software with advanced features and customization options, like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or CorelDRAW, which offer extensive capabilities for professional work.
3. Evaluate Compatibility and Integration
- System Requirements: Ensure the software is compatible with your Mac’s operating system and hardware specifications. Some high-end software may require powerful processors or additional RAM.
- Integration with Other Tools: Consider how well the software integrates with other tools you use, such as Adobe Creative Cloud, file-sharing apps, or third-party plugins. Seamless integration can significantly streamline your workflow.
4. Assess Pricing and Licensing Options
- Free vs. Paid: If budget is a concern, explore free options like GIMP or Inkscape, which offer powerful features without the cost. However, paid options like Adobe Creative Cloud or Affinity Designer often come with more robust features and professional support.
- Subscription vs. One-Time Purchase: Some software, like Adobe’s products, require a subscription, which can be a recurring cost. Others, like Affinity Designer, offer a one-time purchase model, which might be more cost-effective in the long run.
5. Explore User Reviews and Community Support
- User Feedback: Research user reviews on platforms like PCMag, Macworld, or software-specific forums to gauge the experiences of other designers. Pay attention to feedback on performance, stability, and customer support.
- Community and Tutorials: Software with an active user community and extensive tutorials can be invaluable for learning and troubleshooting. Platforms like Adobe and Affinity have large communities and comprehensive educational resources.
6. Trial Versions and Demos
- Try Before You Buy: Many graphic design software options offer free trials or demo versions. Take advantage of these to test the software’s interface, features, and performance on your Mac before committing.
7. Consider Long-Term Viability
- Updates and Development: Choose software from developers who regularly update their products with new features, bug fixes, and support for the latest macOS versions. This ensures your investment remains valuable over time.
- Learning Curve and Future Growth: Consider how easy it is to learn the software and whether it offers room for growth as your skills advance. Software that supports both basic and advanced features can grow with you as you develop your design skills.
8. Specific Recommendations
Adobe Photoshop
Flawless graphics: Pixel-perfect precision
Starting from:
$14.98 /mo
Smart object integration for scalability
Impactful blending modes and layer styles Canva
AI suggestions for style, tone & grammar
Starting from:
$0 /mo
Custom templates: Blogs, articles & social
Plagiarism Checker: Protect your reputation Figma
The collaborative interface design tool
Starting from:
$0 /mo
Make prototype with AI
Automate your work with Plugins & Widgets Adobe XD
The all-in-one tool for UI/UX designers
Starting from:
$9.99 /mo
Intuitive design & prototyping capabilities
Collaborate in real-time & streamline design workflow Adobe Dreamweaver
Design, code & publish professional websites
Starting from:
$20.99 /mo
Create responsive designs for any device
Intuitive visual editing & code-editing capabilities - Adobe Illustrator: Best for vector graphics, widely used by professionals.
- Adobe Photoshop: Industry-standard for photo editing and raster graphics.
- Affinity Designer: A powerful, cost-effective alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
- CorelDRAW: Known for its versatility in both vector and raster design.
- Sketch: Popular among UI/UX designers for creating digital interfaces.
- Canva: Ideal for beginners or those needing quick, template-based designs.
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