What is Microsoft Designer?
Microsoft Designer is Microsoft's AI graphic design app. You describe what you want in plain words, and it generates images and ready-made layouts such as social media posts, invitations, greeting cards, stickers and posters, which you can then edit on a simple canvas.
It runs in the browser at designer.microsoft.com and is also built into Microsoft 365 apps and the Copilot experience. Anyone with a free Microsoft account can use it, with AI actions counted against a monthly credit allowance that refreshes at the start of each month.
Main Features
- Text-to-image generation from a written prompt
- Templates for social posts, invitations, cards and stickers
- AI editing tools such as background removal and restyling
- Drag-and-drop canvas for text, images and layout
- Works in the browser and inside Microsoft 365 apps
- Monthly AI credits with a free Microsoft account
How to Get Started with Microsoft Designer
- Go to designer.microsoft.com and sign in with a Microsoft account.
- Pick a starting point, such as an image, a social post or an invitation.
- Describe what you want and choose one of the generated designs.
- Edit the text and layout, then download or share the result.
Microsoft Designer Pricing
Designer is free with a Microsoft account, which gets a monthly set of AI credits. Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers (Personal is about $9.99 a month in the US) get a larger monthly AI credit allowance.
Who Should Use It?
- Small businesses making quick social posts
- People creating invitations and greeting cards
- Microsoft 365 users who want design help in their apps
- Students and teachers making class visuals
- Anyone who wants images without design skills
Microsoft Designer Alternatives
- Canva AI: Popular online design tool with templates and AI image features.
- Kittl: Browser design platform for graphics, logos and print-ready layouts.
- Recraft: AI image generator focused on brand-consistent graphics and vectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Microsoft Designer free?
Yes. You can use it free with a Microsoft account, which comes with a monthly allowance of AI credits. Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers get more credits each month.
Do I need Microsoft 365 to use Designer?
No. A free Microsoft account is enough to sign in and create designs at designer.microsoft.com.
What can I make with Microsoft Designer?
You can generate images from text and make social media posts, invitations, cards, stickers and similar graphics, then edit them on the canvas.