Let’s face it—in today’s digital-first world, design isn’t a luxury for startups, it’s a necessity. Whether you’re crafting your pitch deck, launching your first landing page, or posting that crucial Instagram story—great design can be the difference between a scroll and a sale.
But here’s the catch: most early-stage startups don’t have the budget for full-time designers or fancy tools.
That’s where this list comes in.
At Explified, we’ve curated 15 powerful (and mostly free!) graphic design resources every bootstrapped startup should have on speed dial in 2025.
Let’s dive in.
1. Canva – The OG Design Tool for Non-Designers
Canva is still the go-to for quick designs—from social media posts to business cards. With thousands of free templates and intuitive drag-and-drop features, even a newbie can look pro.
🔗 Visit Canva
💸 Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans exist. Check Price
2. Pixlr – Browser-Based Photo Editing Magic
Think Photoshop, but simpler and faster. Pixlr is perfect for quick image retouching, background removal, and basic edits—without hogging your RAM.
🔗 Visit Pixlr
💸 Pricing: Free tier + paid tools. Check Price
3. Undraw – Open-Source Illustrations That Don’t Suck
Need modern, vector-style illustrations that match your brand? Undraw lets you customize colors and download high-quality SVGs for free.
🔗 Visit Undraw
💸 Pricing: 100% Free
4. Coolors – Your Brand Palette’s New Best Friend
Choosing the right colors can be intimidating. Coolors generates trendy palettes in seconds and lets you lock colors to experiment without ruining your base tone.
🔗 Visit Coolors
💸 Pricing: Free version available. Pro version exists. Check Price
5. Pexels – Free Stock Photos That Don’t Look Like Stock Photos
Skip the cringy, corporate stock look. Pexels offers high-res images and videos that feel fresh and authentic.
🔗 Visit Pexels
💸 Pricing: Free (CC0 License)
6. Fontpair – Perfect Font Combos in Seconds
Fonts make or break your brand vibe. Fontpair recommends Google Fonts that look amazing together, saving you hours of guesswork.
🔗 Visit Fontpair
💸 Pricing: Free
7. Squoosh – Compress Images Without Killing Quality
Speed matters. Squoosh helps you reduce image file sizes for faster load times without noticeable quality loss.
🔗 Visit Squoosh
💸 Pricing: Free
8. Remove.bg – Background Eraser in One Click
Creating product cutouts or profile pics? Just upload and boom—clean, crisp background removal in seconds.
🔗 Visit Remove.bg
💸 Pricing: Free with limited credits. Check Price
9. Figma – Collaborative UI/UX Design Made Easy
Figma is the industry favorite for wireframes, app mockups, and collaboration. Perfect for remote teams and lean product builds.
🔗 Visit Figma
💸 Pricing: Free for individuals. Paid tiers available. Check Price
10. LottieFiles – Lightweight Animations for Your Website or App
Bring your UI to life with small, interactive animations. LottieFiles offers thousands of free Lottie JSON files you can plug right into your website or mobile app.
🔗 Visit LottieFiles
💸 Pricing: Mostly free with premium elements. Check Price
11. Mockup World – Make Your Designs Look Real
Upload your app UI or logo, and place it inside a phone, laptop, or t-shirt mockup. Ideal for pitch decks, websites, or investor PDFs.
🔗 Visit Mockup World
💸 Pricing: Free
12. The Noun Project – Every Icon You’ll Ever Need
Access a massive library of icons across every theme and category—great for UI design, infographics, and presentations.
🔗 Visit Noun Project
💸 Pricing: Free with attribution or purchase licenses. Check Price
13. Visme – Create Infographics, Reports & More
If you need polished pitch decks, charts, or infographics, Visme is a godsend. It bridges the gap between PowerPoint and Adobe.
🔗 Visit Visme
💸 Pricing: Free plan available. Check Price
14. InVideo – Turn Text into Stunning Videos
Quickly create engaging explainer videos, reels, or ads using templates and AI. Perfect for startups without a video team.
🔗 Visit InVideo
💸 Pricing: Free and paid plans. Check Price
15. Looka – AI-Powered Logo Design in Minutes
Starting from scratch? Looka helps you build a brand identity, not just a logo. Enter your company name and get multiple variations to choose from.
🔗 Visit Looka
💸 Pricing: Paid, pricing varies by country. Check Price
Final Thoughts from Team Explified
Design doesn’t have to cost a fortune, especially when you’re just getting started. The right tools can amplify your startup’s credibility, brand appeal, and engagement—without hiring an agency.
Please note: Pricing may vary depending on your location and time of access, due to geotargeting and product updates. Always click “Check Price” for the latest, most accurate pricing.
Bookmark these tools. Build faster. Launch smarter.
If you found this list helpful, share it with a fellow founder, tag us on social, or explore more startup resources at Explified.com.
