Tools for Creators

For artists, writers, game devs, and more.

Holly Moore
Holly MooreList by Holly Moore, last updated 
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  1. 2D Art & Design

    Tools for both raster- and vector-based creators.

  2. Vector graphics editor with advanced color controls and creative effects for comprehensive design tools across print, web, and mobile content.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • iPad
    Adobe Illustrator screenshot 1
    Preferences
    Export for screens
    +1
    Workspaces
  3. Industry-standard software for print and digital design with advanced typographic controls and integration in the Adobe Creative Suite.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Adobe InDesign screenshot 1
    Adobe InDesign screenshot 1
    Adobe InDesign screenshot 2
    +1
    Adobe InDesign screenshot 3
  4. Adobe Photoshop is a raster graphics editor developed and published by Adobe for Windows and macOS. It was originally created in 1987 by Thomas and John Knoll. Since then, the software has become the most used tool for professional digital art, especially in raster graphics...

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Wine
    • ReactOS
    • Google Chrome
    Adobe Photoshop screenshot 1
    Adobe Photoshop screenshot 1
    Adobe Photoshop screenshot 2
    +8
    Adobe Photoshop screenshot 3
  5. GIMP icon
     Like

    Advanced image manipulation tool offering comprehensive tools for photo retouching, composition, and batch processing in a free package.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Flatpak
    • AmigaOS
    yes
    GIMP 2.99.18 on Windows, non-default theme.
    GIMP screenshot 2
    +5
    GIMP screenshot 3
  6. Procreate icon
     Like

    Multi-award winning app offers professional tools and flexibility for creative illustration on iPad and iPhone with features like layering and brushes.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Procreate screenshot 1
    Procreate screenshot 1
    Procreate screenshot 2
    +13
    Procreate screenshot 3
  7. 3D Art & Design

    3D modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, etc,

  8. Comprehensive software for 3D modeling, animation, and rendering, trusted by top artists for films and games, with tools to enhance workflows.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Autodesk Maya screenshot 1
    Created with Maya
    Autodesk Maya screenshot 2
    +4
    Autodesk Maya screenshot 3
  9. Blender icon
     Like

    Free open-source 3D software for modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, rendering, compositing, video editing, and simulation.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Steam
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft
    Splash Artwork for Blender 4.3
    Cycles Render Engine
    Modeling, Sculpt, UV
    +9
    VFX
  10. Advanced software for 3D asset texturing with smart materials and real-time rendering for lifelike results, suitable for both photorealism and stylized art.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Adobe Substance 3D Painter screenshot 1
    Adobe Substance 3D Painter screenshot 1
  11. Substance Designer is a node-based non-destructive application for material authoring. Edit complete texture sets fast with the non-linear workflow and see your changes apply simultaneously to all your outputs.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Adobe Substance Designer screenshot 1
    Adobe Substance Designer screenshot 1
  12. ZBrush icon
     Like

    Advanced digital sculpting and painting tool with customizable brushes, real-time capabilities, and powerful rendering. Perfect for diverse creative fields.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPad
    ZBrush screenshot 1
    ZBrush screenshot 1
    ZBrush screenshot 2
    +10
    ZBrush screenshot 3
  13. Film, VFX & Video Games

    Particle effects, level design, and a bunch of other things useful for game art or film.

  14. Nonlinear video editor with customizable timeline, multi-format import, and accelerated rendering for fast editing performance.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Adobe Premiere Pro screenshot 1
    Adobe Premiere Pro screenshot 1
    Adobe Premiere Pro screenshot 2
  15. Game Maker is software program for Microsoft Windows meant to simplify computer game development. It features sprite and "room" editors, a visual programming language for users without much prior experience with computer programming, as well as built-in scripting in...

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    GameMaker Legacy screenshot 1
    GameMaker Legacy screenshot 1
    GameMaker Legacy screenshot 2
    +6
    GameMaker Legacy screenshot 3
  16. Mixamo icon
     Like

    Animated 3D characters. No 3D knowledge required. Rapidly create, rig and animate unique characters for design projects.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Mixamo screenshot 1
    Mixamo screenshot 1
    Mixamo screenshot 2
  17. The Source Filmmaker (SFM) is a movie-making tool built to make movies inside the Source game engine. Because the SFM uses the same assets as the game, anything that exists in the game can be used in the movie, and vice versa.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Steam
    Source Filmmaker screenshot 1
    Source Filmmaker screenshot 1
    Source Filmmaker screenshot 2
    +3
    Source Filmmaker screenshot 3
  18. Unity icon
     Like

    Real-time 3D engine enabling collaboration to create immersive, interactive experiences on Windows, Mac, and Linux, with extensive platform support.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Unity screenshot 1
    Unity screenshot 1
    Unity screenshot 2
    +2
    Unity screenshot 3
  19. Unreal Engine is a professional suite of tools and technologies used for building high-quality games across a range of platforms. Unreal Engine’s rendering architecture enables developers to achieve stunning visuals and also scale elegantly to lower-end systems.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    A screenshot of the new Unreal Engine 5. Source: https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/unreal-engine-5-is-now-available-in-early-access
    Unreal Engine screenshot 1
    Unreal Engine screenshot 2
    +10
    Unreal Engine screenshot 3
  20. Writing & World Building

    For those interested in creating in-depth worlds and characters, their backstories, and more.

  21. Social & Marketing

    Sometimes you need to make something quickly, like an ad post for a social media campaign that starts Monday. These tools can be lifesavers, but they can also be inspiring.

  22. Canva icon
     Like

    Versatile design tool integrating photo, video editing, and AI-powered features for creating graphics, logos, and social media content efficiently.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Canva screenshot 1
    Canva screenshot 1
    Canva screenshot 2
    +5
    Canva screenshot 3
  23. Other

    More tools that don't necessarily fit in other sections but still provide awesome services to creators.

  24. Free digital asset manager to preview, organize, edit, and publish creative assets, with metadata tools, Adobe integration, and raw editing support.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Adobe Bridge screenshot 1
    Adobe Bridge screenshot 1
    Adobe Bridge screenshot 2
    +2
    Interface
  25. Bandicam icon
     Like

    Bandicam is a lightweight screen recorder for Windows that can capture anything on your PC screen. Also, it makes it possible to record a certain area on a PC screen, or capture a game.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Get Started
    Screen Recording Mode allows you to record everything on your computer screen and draw lines, boxes, or highlights while recording.
    A real-time drawing function while recording the computer screen.
    +6
    Game Recording Mode allows you to record gameplay without lag while showing FPS.
  26. Git icon
     Like

    Git is a free & open source, distributed version control system designed to handle everything from small to very large projects with speed and efficiency.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • Linux Mobile
    • Haiku
  27. GitHub icon
     Like

    Web-based Git hosting service facilitating collaboration, with features like issue tracking, social networking, and wikis for project management.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Homepage
    Organization profile view
    Repository Homepage
    +6
    Issues
  28. Comprehensive software providing screen recording and live streaming on Mac, Windows, and Linux with powerful encoding support and unlimited scenes.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Steam
    • FreeBSD
    OBS Studio screenshot 1
    OBS Studio screenshot 1
    OBS Studio screenshot 2
    +8
    OBS Studio screenshot 3
  29. PureRef icon
     Like

    PureRef was created to be a simple and lightweight tool for artists to organize and view their reference images. Image can be scaled and collage can also be made.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    PureRef screenshot 1
  30. Snipping Tool is a screen capture utility that allows users to take screenshots of specific objects or full screens, annotate them, and save or share the captured images or videos.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Snipping Tool screenshot 1
    Snipping Tool screenshot 1
    Snipping Tool screenshot 2
    +3
    Snipping Tool screenshot 3
  31. Streamlabs Desktop is all you need for streaming! Our developers have combined a streamer's essentials like video preview, dashboard, and chat windows in one app with better video quality and lower CPU usage.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Streamlabs Desktop screenshot 1
    Streamlabs Desktop screenshot 1
    Streamlabs Desktop screenshot 2
    +1
    Streamlabs Desktop screenshot 3
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