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Features, pricing and Editor Score side by side — to help you pick the right image & design tool in 2026.
Quick verdict
Microsoft Designer edges it by 0.3 on our Editor Score. Pick Microsoft Designer if you want AI text-to-image generation; choose Vexels for AI design generator tuned for merch styles. On pricing, Microsoft Designer is the one with a free or freemium plan, so it's the cheaper place to start.
| Pricing | Freemium | Subscription |
| Free tier | ||
| Best for | AI text-to-image generation | AI design generator tuned for merch styles |
AI design app with built-in image generation
AI design platform built for merch and print
Choose Microsoft Designer if…
Choose Vexels if…
Your use case decides this one: Microsoft Designer leans into AI text-to-image generation, while Vexels is built for AI design generator tuned for merch styles. Weigh features and pricing for your workflow. Microsoft Designer is the lower-cost place to start thanks to its free or freemium plan; the other is worth a trial if its feature set fits better.
Neither is universally better — it depends on your budget and which features matter most. The side-by-side breakdown above shows where each one wins.
Microsoft Designer (freemium) is best for AI text-to-image generation, while Vexels (subscription) is best for AI design generator tuned for merch styles. See the full feature and pricing comparison above.
Microsoft Designer has a free or freemium plan, so it's the cheaper way to start. For paid plans, check each tool's current pricing on its review page.
Microsoft Designer is usually the easier starting point thanks to a lower barrier to entry. Beginners should favour a free tier and a simple interface over raw power.
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Last updated August 2026. Comparisons are ranked by our Editor Score (features, value and pricing, blended with verified user reviews where a tool has them) — see our methodology.