Top Tools for Designing Eye-Catching Graphics (Canva, Adobe Express, etc.)
In a scroll-happy world where attention spans are shorter than a TikTok video, eye-catching graphics can make or break your social media, ads, or website content. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or a side-hustler designing your own visuals, the right design tool can save time, boost engagement, and keep your brand looking sharp.
The good news? You don’t need to be a Photoshop pro to create professional-level graphics anymore. Today’s graphic design tools are smarter, faster, and packed with templates, AI features, and user-friendly interfaces.
Here’s a rundown of the top tools for designing stunning graphics in 2025, no design degree required.
1. Canva: The Crowd Favorite
Best for: Beginners, social media managers, and small business owners
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Canva has become the go-to tool for non-designers (and even designers who want to save time). Its drag-and-drop interface, massive library of templates, and AI-powered tools make it effortless to create everything from Instagram posts to presentations.
Key features:
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Thousands of customizable templates
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Brand Kit for logos, colors, and fonts
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Magic Design (AI-assisted layouts)
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Collaboration tools for teams
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Free & Pro versions available
Pro Tip: Use Canva’s “Smart Resize” to repurpose one design across multiple platforms in seconds.
2. Adobe Express (Formerly Adobe Spark)
Best for: Creatives who want Adobe quality without the Photoshop learning curve
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Adobe Express brings Adobe’s design power to the mainstream with a simplified, template-based interface. It integrates beautifully with Adobe Creative Cloud if you want to go deeper.
Key features:
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AI-assisted templates and design suggestions
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Integrated access to Adobe Stock and Adobe Fonts
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Brand customization tools
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Video and animation support
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Built-in content scheduler
Pro Tip: Use the “Quick Actions” panel for instant background removal, image resizing, and converting files.
3. VistaCreate (Formerly Crello)
Best for: Brands looking for animated content and dynamic visuals
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
VistaCreate is a hidden gem that shines when it comes to motion graphics. With thousands of animated templates, it’s ideal for businesses looking to level up their visuals beyond static images.
Key features:
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Extensive animation and motion templates
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Design kits for brand consistency
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Stock photo and video library
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Easy-to-use interface similar to Canva
Pro Tip: Add animated stickers and text to your Instagram Stories for a more dynamic look.
4. Figma (and FigJam)
Best for: UX/UI designers, product teams, and advanced design collaboration
Platforms: Web, desktop app
Figma is beloved by designers for its collaborative nature and precision. While it’s not as template-based as Canva or Adobe Express, it’s perfect for more advanced visual projects like app mockups, website designs, and branding systems.
Key features:
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Real-time collaboration and commenting
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Design systems and components
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FigJam for whiteboarding
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Community-driven template marketplace
Pro Tip: Use Figma plugins to automate tasks like exporting assets or generating color palettes.
5. Snappa
Best for: Fast graphic creation for social media, ads, and blogs
Platforms: Web
Snappa is ideal for small business owners and marketers who want to quickly create professional-looking designs without the complexity of traditional software.
Key features:
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Simple drag-and-drop interface
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Pre-sized templates for all major platforms
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Built-in photo and icon libraries
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Quick background remover (Pro)
Pro Tip: Use their social media scheduling integration to publish your designs straight to your platforms.
6. RelayThat
Best for: Agencies and brands that need to generate lots of branded graphics quickly
Platforms: Web
RelayThat stands out by automating brand consistency across multiple graphic formats. If you’re working with strict brand guidelines or managing multiple campaigns, this tool can be a major time-saver.
Key features:
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AI-powered brand automation
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Design once, auto-generate many formats
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Pre-approved brand palettes and layouts
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Team workflow support
Pro Tip: Great for repurposing the same visual into 20+ formats for omnichannel use.
✅ Choosing the Right Tool
Ask yourself:
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Do you need speed and simplicity? → Canva, Snappa
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Do you want animation and motion? → VistaCreate
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Do you collaborate with a design team? → Figma
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Do you value brand consistency? → RelayThat
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Do you already use Adobe tools? → Adobe Express
Final Thoughts on Top Tools for Designing Eye-Catching Graphics
Designing eye-catching graphics doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. With the right tool in your stack, you can create scroll-stopping visuals that reflect your brand, engage your audience, and drive results.
Explore a few, try the free versions, and choose the one that fits your goals and workflow.
