Microsoft Designer
Free AI graphic design tool from Microsoft, bundled with Microsoft 365 and integrated with Office apps.
Our take
A genuinely useful free option bundled with Microsoft 365 - good for quick social graphics and presentations without a new subscription.
Best for
Microsoft 365 users who want quick AI-generated graphics for social posts, invitations, and presentations at no extra cost.
Pros
- Free, with generous use bundled into Microsoft 365 Copilot
- Simple, template-driven interface
- Integrates with PowerPoint and other Office apps
Cons
- Image quality and control trail dedicated generators like Midjourney or Leonardo
- Fewer customization options for advanced users
How it compares
Less capable than Leonardo or Midjourney, but free and convenient if you're already paying for Microsoft 365.
Full review
Microsoft Designer is Microsoft's AI-powered design tool, built into Microsoft 365 and available as a standalone app, generating social posts, presentations, and graphics from text prompts using DALL-E image generation under the hood.
Its integration with the Microsoft ecosystem is the main draw — designs can pull in content from Word or PowerPoint, and the tool is accessible to anyone with a Microsoft 365 subscription without an additional sign-up. It offers template-based generation similar to Canva's Magic Design, plus standalone image generation.
Designer is free to use with a Microsoft account, with some premium features tied to Microsoft 365 Copilot subscriptions. For users already in the Microsoft ecosystem who need quick graphics without leaving familiar tools, Designer is a convenient no-cost option; for advanced design control or higher-quality standalone image generation, Canva and dedicated image generators offer more depth.
Cloudkart Rubric
3.4/5 avg- Actual Utility3/5
- Ease of Use4/5
- Pricing Fairness5/5
- Reliability3/5
- Differentiation2/5