You’re invited!
Once you’ve established details like time, date, place, and theme, it’s time to start creating and sending out the invitation for your next big event.
And while there’s no denying that designing an invitation can feel intimidating, desktop publishing software and display ad design software are just some tools available that can produce eye-catching invitations for parties that guests are excited to attend.
Throwing and hosting an event isn’t cheap, so if you’re looking to create the invitation on a budget, it’s good to know that you have options.
The following tools are ranked alphabetically:
Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, webinar, anniversary, or housewarming party, designing the invitation with the right software can entice guests to attend while providing all the relevant information needed.
The list below contains real user reviews. In the context of this list, vendors that offer a free trial are also considered free. To be included on this list, a solution must have at least one of the following features:
* This data was pulled from G2 in April 2023, and the product list is ranked alphabetically. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
Category: Desktop Publishing Software
Formerly known as Adobe Spark, Adobe Creative Cloud Express provides users with thousands of easy-to-use templates for various designs. From invitations to social media graphics to business cards, users can get started today with a 30-day free trial.
“I like its comprehensive tools, seamless device integration, and collaboration features. The user-friendly interface and diverse offerings make it perfect for graphic designers and video editors. Collaboration tools enable easy peer interaction, while the extensive toolset accommodates all skill levels.”
- Adobe Creative Cloud Express Review, António P.
“I wish it were easier to add fonts and not have to add them to my brand.”
- Adobe Creative Cloud Express Review, Shawniece E.
Category: Display Ad Design Software
Next up is Canva, where users effortlessly create all kinds of visual content. It boasts a drag-and-drop interface, an expansive library of templates, and available stock photography. Designers looking to make invitations can use Canva for free for up to a year.
“Canva is a great application that allows me to create various types of posters, presentations, and infographic images. Since working within an automobile detailing company, I can run various digitally informative presentations for my clients. Canva has many vibrant templates that save time and give you the right idea to develop informative posters. Working in Canva is easy and much less time-consuming. It’s a great software for those who know little about editing tools but still know how to design and develop beautiful presentations.”
- Canva Review, Akshita D.
“Although we use Canva For Business at work, the one thing my team and I dislike about it is that we can't hide non-premium things, such as media and fonts, on our personal, free accounts. It would be nice to filter accordingly for people starting a business who have yet to subscribe to a premium version of the software.”
- Canva Review, Haraldo S.
Category: Vector Graphics Software
From graphic design experts to design teams just starting to create, CorelDRAW delivers endless creativity. It gives you features for photo editing, team collaboration, and illustration, so there are multiple ways to design your next invitation. Users can start exploring all that CorelDRAW has to offer with a 15-day free trial.
“I have been using CorelDRAW for several years and can confidently say that it's one of the best design software out there. I love the versatility of the toolset. It has everything I need for vector graphics, illustrations, page layout, and photo editing. The interface is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to navigate.”
- CorelDraw Review, Kubilay I.
“Despite CorelDRAW being one of the pillars of innovation when it comes to creating graphics, regardless of scale and structure, the software has an edginess to it that comes off as something more like a relic of the past.”
- CorelDraw Review, Paul A.
Category: Event Registration and Ticketing Software
Not only can Evite design an invitation for your next event, but it also offers users features like RSVP tracking so hosts can be prepared for how many guests will be in attendance. Users can explore thousands of free invitation templates – fully customizable – today.
“I like that the templates are there to choose from, and there are lots of options. I also like that you can see when people open the invite and send quick reminders or updates.”
- Evite Review, Michelle B.
“I wish there were more customization options on some templates, but overall it's not a deterrent.”
- Evite Review, Corrine B.
Category: Presentation Software
You don’t have to be a seasoned designer to take advantage of Visme. This all-in-one platform can design everything from presentations, invitations, and visual reports with ease. Visme not only offers a free version, but also offers a free trial for its paid version with additional features.
“Easy to use! I'm a beginner, and after only two hours, I'm already making professional-looking slides for our company's board meeting in three days. I was looking for flow-chart style templates with other brands in the trial phase, and I couldn't find anything- I tried Visme and instantly found at least 100 different flow-chart template options.”
- Visme Review, Samantha J.
“There are some glitches that affect my ability to undo actions. Sometimes the program doesn't respond when adding an effect, and you must refresh the page to continue.”
- Visme Review, Jessica L.
Category: Diagramming Software
Wondershare EdrawMax offers users many different options for creating invitations, floor plans, flow charts, infographics, and even fashion design. This option can be used for free with a 15-day trial.
“The ease of use is one of the best features of EdrawMax. I can easily create my technical diagrams with the help of existing templates and eventually save time. Also, I like its feature to import the other formats built on other tools. Without compromising quality, I can easily export the diagram into formats like PDF or JPG.”
- Wondershare EdrawMax Review, Kushagra A.
“Though this was not a deal killer, being on a Mac, the user interface (UI) in most Mac apps is crisp and has that up-to-date feeling. EDrawMax needs to work on updating its UI. Even though their tools are powerful, you'll soon forget about the UI and focus on your project.”
- Wondershare EdrawMax Review, Nick S.
Designing the perfect invitation for your next event takes time and effort, but the right software makes it easier! These tools help hosts organize great events or parties, even on a budget. So whether you’re choosing a template or designing from scratch, these free invitation design software options can do it all.
Once you’re armed with a design tool you enjoy using, learn more about the top 12 graphic design skills you can master to take your next creation to the next level.
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