Best Open-Source Graphic Design Software 2026: 6 Options Compared

There is no single open-source program that replaces a commercial design suite, but together a small set covers it. Inkscape handles vector artwork such as logos and icons, GIMP handles photo editing and raster compositing, and Scribus handles page layout for print documents with its GPL-licensed desktop publishing. Krita is the choice for digital painting and illustration. Penpot is the newer entry for interface and web design in the browser, and LibreOffice includes Draw for simple diagrams and flyers. Each is free and none has a subscription, but you will switch programs depending on the job, and file handoff between them takes care: use SVG between Inkscape and Penpot, PNG or PSD-style layers between GIMP and Krita, and PDF into Scribus. If you work mostly on social graphics, you may find a single browser tool faster, but the trade-off is control. If you work with print shops, Scribus is the one most worth learning because it handles page-level settings in a way general design apps do not. Plan a short learning period: the interfaces differ from commercial apps, and keyboard shortcuts you know will not carry over.

Inkscape

GPL-3.0 vector editor for Linux, macOS and Windows with native SVG. Use it for logos and icons; the site lists no paid tier.

Price: Free (Free software under GPLv3; the site asks for donations and lists no paid tier) (Inkscape pricing, checked 2026-10-22).

Platforms and license: Linux, macOS, Windows. GPL-3.0 (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 4.1k GitHub stars · No commits since Mar 3, 2022

Best for: Logos, icons and illustrations.

Worth knowing: SVG vector editor. The site links to the GPLv3 guide; the GPLv3 license name is taken from that link.

GIMP

Free raster image editor for Linux, macOS and Windows; the downloads page offers source and a donate link only. Strong for photo retouching, with an interface unlike commercial editors.

Price: Free (Free; source tarballs offered, donation link only, no paid tier. Store packages are third-party and not from the GIMP team) (GIMP pricing, checked 2026-10-22).

Platforms and license: Linux, macOS, Windows. Open source (license not named on gimp.org/downloads) (open source) (license source).

Best for: Photo editing and compositing.

Worth knowing: Raster image editor for photo retouching and compositing.

Krita

GPL painting app for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android with no paid tier. Built for illustration rather than photo retouching.

Price: Free (Free and open source; optional donations, no paid tier) (Krita pricing, checked 2026-10-22).

Platforms and license: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android. GPL (open source) (license source).

Best for: Digital painting and concept art.

Penpot

MPL-2.0 browser design tool for interface and web graphics, with a free plan for up to 8 team members. It is aimed at screens rather than print.

Price: Free (Professional plan at $0: up to 8 team members plus unlimited viewers, 10GB storage, 7 days of version history); paid from $7 per per editor/month (Unlimited), capped at $175/month; 14-day free trial (Penpot pricing, checked 2026-10-23).

Platforms and license: Web. MPL-2.0 (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 61.8k GitHub stars · latest release 2.18.5 (Oct 26, 2026) · last commit Oct 27, 2026

Best for: UI and web design with a team.

Scribus

GPL-2.0-or-later desktop publishing program for Windows, macOS and Linux. The right tool for brochures and print layouts, with a steeper learning curve than general design tools.

Price: Free (Free and open source; no paid tier) (Scribus pricing, checked 2026-10-23).

Platforms and license: Windows, macOS, Linux. GPL (v2 or later per package listings) (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 644 GitHub stars · last commit Oct 22, 2026

Best for: Print layout and multi-page documents.

LibreOffice

MPL-2.0 office suite whose Draw component handles flyers and simple vector layouts. Not a design suite, but already installed on many machines.

Price: Free (download and use at no cost per its site) (LibreOffice pricing, checked 2026-10-22).

Platforms and license: Windows, macOS, Linux. MPL-2.0 (open source) (license source).

Best for: Basic flyers and diagrams.

Worth knowing: Desktop suite of Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base and Math; it has no built-in cloud storage or email.

Which one to pick

• You design logos and icons: Inkscape
• You retouch photos: GIMP
• You lay out print brochures: Scribus
• You design interfaces with a team: Penpot