Are you looking for free visual content creation tools to market your business?
In a 2023 study by Venngage, 80% of marketers said visual content was either “Very important” to their marketing strategy or chose the answer, “My strategy is nothing without visual content.”
The bottom line is that if you want to stay ahead of the marketing game, you need to use visual content marketing.
But not everybody’s a design whiz. We totally get that, but free tools and software are available to help.
And so, in this article, we’ve compiled a list of the best visual content creation tools.
And there’s a bonus: All visual content creation tools listed below are free.
Recommended Resource Need to jumpstart your content marketing results? Get more traffic and conversions with our Ultimate Guide to Content Marketing.
We’ve divided the tools into categories, so you can easily find the visual content creation tools you need first:
- Image Creation Tools
- Video Creation Tools
- Animation Tools
- Infographic Creation Tools
- Screen Capture Tools
- Meme Creation Tools
- GIF Creation Tools
- Presentation Creation Tools
Image Creation Tools
Let’s start our list of digital content creation tools with some tools focused on creating and editing images.
1. Adobe Express
Adobe Express is a fast content creation software that lets you easily combine text, images, and video content for better storytelling online. While we’re including it as an example of image creation software, you can also use it to make just about any visual media.
The basic version of Adobe Express is completely free, with no credit card required. There are tons of templates available for different image types, such as Instagram posts and Reels. Note that there are some templates that require the Premium version, which is $9.99 a month with a 30-day free trial.
2. BeFunky Graphic Designer
If you’re looking for a way to quickly create collages and other photos, BeFunky Graphic Designer can help. You can also make cards, banners, brochures, and posters with this fast content creation software package. Enjoy the free version, and you can always upgrade to the premium plan if you need more advanced features.
3. Canva
Canva is one of our favorite tools, making it easy to create and edit customized images for sharing on social media, illustrating blog posts, and much more. It’s an essential content marketing tool for any visual content creator.
Most of Canva’s basic functionality is available in its free version. Features such as the background remover and Magic Resize tool require Canva Pro.
4. Fotor Photo Editor
Looking for photo editing, photo effects, and image retouching? Try the templates and tools from Fotor to make graphic design easy.
5. Pablo
If you’re looking for content creation tools for social media, then Pablo, by Buffer, is a good choice. After all, Buffer is one of the best social media management tools on the market. It makes it easy to combine beautiful images with text, and it includes filters. You can add your own logo, too.
6. Pixlr
Pixlr is another useful free content creation tool. It’s available in three flavors:
- A quick tool for adding fun filters
- Pixlr Express, which offers AI-powered photo editing
- The full Pixlr Editor, which has many of the same functions as professional image editing software like Photoshop
The premium versions are ad-free and offer upgrades such as AI credits.
7. Quotes Cover
You don’t have to log in or sign up to use Quotes Cover. This free digital content creation tool lets you easily create quote graphics online. And you can use their designs as a starting point, making the process pretty quick.
While Quotes Cover is a pretty basic web application, it can come in handy if you need to create a quote graphic in seconds.
8. Snappa
The next on our list of free content marketing tools is Snappa. This web app is a full-featured drag and drop image editor, which lets you add and edit effects with a slider. You can upload your own graphics and save designs in folders.
9. Stencil
Stencil streamlines content creation for social media. This fast, simple app lets you easily combine photos, icons, and more to create your own images. And it includes image templates and quote graphic templates, too.
Video Creation Tools
Our next selection of free visual content creation tools is all about video. Here are a few examples of video-making software that will help you ramp up your content marketing.
10. Animaker
Want to get the effect of a studio-created animated video without the hefty price tag? That’s what Animaker offers. You can create multiple video types including explainer videos, whiteboard videos, and even infographic videos. Note that the free version only allows you to create videos up to 2 minutes in length.
11. iMovie
If you’re using iOS or MacOS, then iMovie is likely one of the best free video tools you can use. This app makes it easy to create and share videos, and to make Hollywood-style video trailers.
12. Lumen5
Lumen5 is one of the more interesting visual content creation tools on our list. That’s because it uses artificial intelligence to let you create a video from text. Enter a URL and the software will create videos to match, including photos and music. This is definitely one to keep an eye on.
The free version lets you create up to 5 videos a month, and they will have a watermark. But it’s a great choice for beginners without a budget.
13. RawShorts
RawShorts is a drag and drop video editor designed to make it easy to create animated and explainer videos. It includes tons of free templates, which users can select and customize. And it’s easy to add other media, transitions, and audio to your video creation.
14. Soapbox
Wistia is a video marketing platform that offers a lot of tools and features. It lets you create and share videos in your browser window through your webcam or via screen recording. No technical skills required!
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Animation Tools
Want to make short animations to liven up your content marketing? These free animation tools will help.
15. Google Photos
Google Photos has a built-in Assistant that works with the photos you upload to automatically create short movies and animations. If you want more control, you can also create them yourself from within the cross-platform app. You simply select up to 49 of your photos, click the + icon, and select Animation.
16. Powtoon
Powtoon bridges the gap between videos and presentations, making it easy to create appealing visual content in only a few minutes. These are an excellent way to get attention and engage your audience.
17. Renderforest
If you’re looking for a way to create cute animated videos fast, RenderForest is a good option. This cloud-based animation and video maker helps you quickly make intro videos, explainer videos, presentations, infographics, and much more. They have multiple cartoon templates that you can customize to your needs.
Infographic Creation Tools
Next, it’s time to look at tools for infographics, which are one of the most engaging visual content formats.
18. Infogram
If you’re looking for interactive visual content creation tools, Infogram is worth a try. In the free version, you get access to templates for infographics, charts, maps, and more. You’ll be limited to 10 projects with their free infographic tool. To make more, you’ll need to upgrade.
19. Venngage
Venngage makes it easy to create infographics via a three-step process. First, choose a template, then add elements, and finally, customize your design. Some functionality is reduced in the free plan, but there’s still a lot to love, with its easy interface and sharp design templates.
20. Visme
If you want to get started with infographics, Visme has a lot to offer. It includes several templates, charts and widgets that you can use to create your infographic. Unfortunately, you need a premium plan to actually download your image. The free version only lets you share a link to your infographic.
Note: Canva, which he discussed earlier, also has dozens of free infographic templates that you can customize with your data.
Screen Capture Tools
Do you want to create tutorials or guides related to technology? A free screen capture tool is a great way to illustrate steps for your audience. Here are some worth checking out.
21. Zight (formerly CloudApp)
Zight is an excellent too for creating screenshots, screen recordings, and animated GIFs. It’s available as an app or as a Chrome extension. It’s simple to use and allows unlimited screenshots, even in the free version. However, you’re limited to 25 drops per month.
22. Awesome Screenshot
Awesome Screenshot is a browser extension available for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari that lets you quickly capture web pages and add annotations. You can store, organize, and share images, too. The free version allows you up to 100 screenshots and 20 recordings per month.
23. Firefox Screenshots
Recent versions of the Firefox web browser include the built-in Firefox Screenshots tool. This lets you take a photo of a part of the screen, the visible screen area, or the whole web page with just a couple of clicks. You get online storage for images, too.
24. Kap
If you need a digital content creation tool for MacOS, then Kap could be useful. It’s an open-source screen recorder that’s fast, functional, and easy to use.
25. Nimbus Capture
Nimbus Capture is another browser screenshot tool that allows you to capture and edit screenshots. It works with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
26. Windows Snipping Tool
The Snipping Tool built into Windows is another easy way to create screenshots. You can use different types of screen captures and can highlight, annotate, and remove URLs from snips.
Meme Creation Tools
Whether they’re cat pictures or screenshots from movies, it’s hard to imagine the web without memes, so here are some free meme creation tools to help you create your own.
27. iMeme
iMeme is image editing software specifically designed for memes. It includes 50 common memes, or you can use your own photos. You can also customize the text. There’s just one downside: there’s no built-in sharing. You’ll have to download your newly created meme and share it manually.
28. Make a Meme
With Make a Meme, you can upload an image, add text via the onscreen input boxes, and then press a button to create your meme. If you’re happy with the meme preview, it’s then easy to share from the preview page.
29. Meme Buddy
Meme Buddy is an online meme generator with a difference: it lets you make a meme by voice via an integration with Google Assistant. You can choose images, add text, translate memes, and much more, all without having to touch a keyboard.
GIF Creation Tools
A little bit of animation is great for getting visitors’ attention, so it doesn’t hurt to add GIFs to your digital content creation mix. Here are some free GIF creation tools to help you get started.
30. Ezgif
Want to create a GIF fast? With Ezgif you can upload a series of images and it’ll create the GIF for you. You can adjust the order of uploaded images, change the GIF size, and tweak animation settings, too. In fact, this is the tool I use to create GIFs here at OptinMonster.
31. Giphy
Giphy is one of the best-known GIF platforms for social media. It integrates with multiple apps to help people find the right GIF to share. But it also includes an online GIF creator. Just upload a photo or a video, set your animation speed, and add some decorative effects, and then your GIF is ready to upload and share.
32. Imgflip
Like other online meme generators, Imgflip works with existing memes or lets you upload your own image. Once that’s done, you can easily add text to the top, bottom, or both to create your meme.
Presentation Creation Tools
Whether you’re presenting at a conference or during a webinar, a slideshow is an important visual guide. Here are a few free presentation tools that make slideshows a snap.
33. Google Slides
If you’re already using other Google services, then Google Slides is a useful part of the suite. It allows you to quickly create visually appealing presentations using pre-made templates. You can also use Slides to work with imported PowerPoint presentations or to export your creations to PowerPoint. Best of all, you never lose your work since everything auto-saves.
34. Emaze
Emaze is an online presentation tool, with templates for design, business, and education in a variety of categories. Just choose a template and start editing, and you’ll soon have an attractive presentation. You can also create other visual content, as well as websites, with this software. The free version limits you to 5 projects per month
35. Prezi
Prezi offers presentation design for non-designers, letting you get started quickly with templates relating to different niches. This fast content creation software also makes it easy to change how you navigate through a presentation based on your audience. And it provides stats on audience interaction. The free version has some limitations, but it’s a great start.
36. SlideDog
SlideDog lets you create and play presentations and media playlists. Presentations are interactive, and you can livestream and share content. SlideDog integrates with all common presentation and media software. The free version does lack a feature important features, such as dual screen/presenter view and the ability to use your mobile device to control your presentation.
37. Slides
Slides is a browser-based presentation tool that offers a live presentation mode. It includes vertical slides and lets you create private slide decks by default. And it includes the ability to embed presentations and to get data on viewer activity.
38. Sway
Sway is an online presentation tool from Microsoft that lets you create presentations from existing templates or documents. It’ll also help you get started by gathering resources related to your chosen topic.
Improve Your Marketing With Visual Content
That’s it! With these visual content creation tools, you have everything you need to grab visitors’ attention.
Want to learn more about creating great content? Check out these resources:
- The Ultimate Content Marketing Toolbox: 55 Tools You Need to Know
- 15 Visual Content Creation Tips to Start Using NOW
- 29 Impressive Content Marketing Examples
But don’t stop at creating great content! Use your videos, presentations, memes, GIFs, and more to improve your OptinMonster marketing campaigns.
OptinMonster customer Sportique doubled conversions by using an edited image as part of an optin form and combining it with OptinMonster’s exit-intent technology to get visitors’ attention just before they clicked away from the site.
Check out OptinMonster’s other features, and see how you too could combine our software with the content you create to convert more abandoning visitors into subscribers.
If you enjoyed this article, you may also want to read this post, How to Use Popup Animation Effects for Eye-Catching Promotions.
Sign up for OptinMonster today to start creating visually stunning campaigns that convert!
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