If you’re a marketer balancing client meetings, brainstorming ad designs, and managing brand visuals all at once, you’ll know just how essential a reliable online design tool can be. But with so many different options in the market, how do you find the best one for your needs?
That’s where we come in. In this handy guide, we’ll break down the top online design tools for different promotional needs. Whether you want to redesign some brand logos or just come up with your own social media graphics, we’ve gathered the 4 best tools for every type of marketer.
What Features Should Marketers Look for in an Online Design Tool?
Finding the best online design tool is all about understanding your specific content needs, skill level, and allotted budget. But if you’re curious about the most essential tools to look for in an online design platform, below are the key features every marketer should have in their toolkit:
- Template library
Browsing through some poster templates can be an efficient and imaginative way to spark your creativity. While you can just use them as inspiration, templates can also be easily customized according to your specific needs and preferences. The best part? They’re completely free and easy to use!
- AI tools
From an AI writing assistant to an AI Images tool, artificial intelligence is slowly becoming a necessity for most marketers. Not only are they easy to operate, but you can also get twice as much work done with just a simple click of a button.
- Brand kits
Having a good brand identity is essential to a successful business. But if you’re tired of scouring through various folders and hard drives to find the correct assets for each client, a brand kit tool can help.
Using this feature, you can easily track and store different brand assets to specific profiles for easy access.
- Social media management
If you’re on the search for an effective online design tool, why not get your money’s worth and look for a tool that can kill two birds with one stone? With a built-in social media management feature, you can easily track your different brand accounts online and design graphics with just one tool.
The Best Design Tools for Marketers Online: A Quick Breakdown
If you’re in a rush, we’ve got you covered. Here is a quick summary guide of the top online design tools in the market and their different features:
| Canva | Adobe Express | VistaCreate | PosterMyWall | |
| Content needs | Simple social media and marketing content | Dynamic graphics and images | Basic marketing content for social media | All-purpose marketing content and other needs |
| Platforms supported | Web and mobile | Web and mobile | Web and mobile | Web and mobile |
| Team collaboration features | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Best for | Beginner designers and social media managers | Beginner to experienced designers | Beginners | Marketers, social media managers, small businesses, and solo entrepreneurs |
What Are the Top Beginner-Friendly Online Design Tools for Marketers?
Whether you need simple graphic design tools or something to fit your diverse marketing needs, here is an in-depth guide on the best online design tools for marketers.
- Canva
Overview
Canva is an online design tool popular among various users due to its accessibility and easily recognizable interface. While Canva’s free plan may be sufficient for most users, the tool’s main marketing features are only accessible on the tool’s paid plan.
Pricing (monthly)
- Free
- Pro ($15)
Key features
- Video editing features with a converter, trimmer, and stock videos
- Photo editing features with an enhancer, a cropping tool, and blurring features
- Style tools for text effects, animations, and photo grids
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Intuitive interface with a simple and responsive drag-and-drop editing tool | ❌Some templates may appear repetitive or generic |
| ✅Free and accessible collaboration features for real-time editing | ❌Limited social media and marketing features |
| ✅Generous free plan | ❌Pricey subscription plan |
- Adobe Express
Overview
Adobe Express is an online drag-and-drop tool from the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite. Compared to advanced software like Photoshop, Adobe Express offers a more accessible way to craft basic design needs through its user-friendly interface.
Pricing (monthly)
- Free
- Premium ($9.99)
Key features
- Image and video converter (JPGs, PNGs, GIFs, etc.)
- Creative Cloud Libraries for team collaboration
- Adobe Stock photos, videos, and design elements
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop | ❌Smaller template library compared to other tools |
| ✅Access to exclusive Adobe Stock elements | ❌Limited advanced design features |
| ✅Extensive video-editing tools | ❌Very few social media management tools |
- VistaCreate
Overview
VistaCreate is another online design tool with a drag-and-drop interface. While it functions similarly to other platforms, VistaCreate is particularly ideal for marketers in need of dynamic content like videos and animations for their marketing campaigns.
Pricing (monthly)
- Free
- Pro ($13)
Key features
- Photo editing features for enhancement, filters, and photo grids
- Design elements, including speech bubbles, an outline marker, and photo frames
- Stock music for animated designs and videos
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Ideal for dynamic content like animations and simple video edits | ❌Fewer design features compared to other tools |
| ✅Clean and user-friendly interface | ❌Limited integrations with other tools |
| ✅Various Stock elements available | ❌No additional features like email marketing and comprehensive social media management |
- PosterMyWall
Overview
PosterMyWall is an all-in-one design tool with a variety of design, social media management, and marketing features. With PosterMyWall, users can get access to a diverse set of useful tools, including an extensive library of templates and AI features for more compelling and professional-looking marketing campaigns.
Pricing (monthly)
- Free
- Premium ($9.95)
- Premium Plus ($29.95)
Key features
- 1M+ free and customizable templates
- AI toolkit (text-to-image, AI writer, etc.)
- Email marketing features
- Brand Kits for logos, fonts, and other brand assets
- Content Planner for scheduling and automating posts
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Very user-friendly interface with little to no learning curve | ❌Limited advanced video editing tools |
| ✅Ideal for marketers with various design and management needs | |
| ✅Affordable and generous subscription plans with a free version available |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best online design tool for beginner designers?
While there’s no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to online design tools, you can never go wrong with an all-in-one design platform like PosterMyWall. On top of being able to design your own social media graphics, you can also manage your different social media profiles and have access to a handy set of email marketing tools in just one tool.
Are there online design tools for mobile users?
Yes, various online design platforms are also compatible with both desktop and mobile devices. While some features may be limited for mobile users, choosing a tool that’s compatible with different platforms is a convenient way to access your designs wherever you are.
What other features can I find on an online design tool?
In addition to the usual design features like a drag-and-drop editor, some online design platforms also offer supplementary features like social media management tools and email marketing. These can be especially helpful for marketers who are looking for an all-in-one tool for both convenience and affordability.
Start Designing Like a Pro
With online design tools, designing graphics like a pro has never been easier. Not only are they easily accessible to most users, but some options, like PosterMyWall, also offer a versatile set of tools for various marketing needs.
So, what are you waiting for? Whether you’re a new or seasoned marketer, try out an online design tool today and take your clients’ visuals to the next level!
