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Microsoft Designer

AI graphic design app from Microsoft that turns a written idea or your own images into social posts, invitations and postcards.

What is Microsoft Designer?

Microsoft Designer is a cloud-based graphic design application that uses AI to help people make social media posts, invitations, digital postcards and other graphics without design experience. You type what you want or start from your own images, and Designer suggests layouts, generates new images from the prompt, writes text for the design and offers caption and hashtag options. Image generation is built on DALL-E 3, and text suggestions come from Microsoft and OpenAI models. Editing tools include generative erase, which uses the Segment Anything Model to remove unwanted objects, with generative fill and expand described as coming soon, plus suggestions for adding motion so a static post can become a short video or story. Designs can be shared to a phone with a QR code. The FAQ describes the app as a free preview, saying a paid Microsoft 365 subscription would later be required for some features, and the terms limit use to personal, non-commercial purposes. Plan prices are not listed, so check Microsoft for current details.

Use cases

  • Create social media posts from a text prompt
  • Design invitations and digital postcards
  • Generate images from an idea
  • Remove unwanted objects from a photo
  • Turn a static post into a short video or story
  • Write captions and hashtags for a design

Who it's for

  • Non-designers
  • Social media users
  • Small business owners
  • Students

Why use Microsoft Designer

  • You can start from a sentence instead of a blank canvas, which helps people without design training.
  • Generated images, layouts and copy come from one prompt, so a post can be drafted in minutes.
  • Generative erase makes quick photo clean-ups without a separate editor.
  • Content credentials help viewers tell when an image is AI-generated or edited.
  • Free preview access lets you try it before deciding on a Microsoft 365 subscription.

Microsoft Designer features

  • Text-to-design: describe what you want and get layout options
  • AI image generation powered by DALL-E 3
  • Generative erase using the Segment Anything Model
  • Quick select and brush select for choosing areas to erase
  • Suggested text, captions and hashtags
  • Motion effects to turn designs into short videos or stories
  • Brand Kit feature for brand-consistent designs
  • Share to mobile by QR code
  • Content credentials based on the C2PA standard on edited and generated images

Microsoft Designer integrations

  • Microsoft Edge
  • Microsoft 365
  • DALL-E 3
  • Instagram
  • X (Twitter)

How to get started with Microsoft Designer

  1. Open designer.microsoft.com and sign in with a Microsoft account.
  2. Type a description of the post, invitation or graphic, or upload your own images.
  3. Pick from the suggested layouts, generated images and text, then adjust colors, wording and elements.
  4. Use tools such as generative erase or motion effects to refine the design.
  5. Download or share the finished design, including to your phone by QR code.

Microsoft Designer limitations

  • The FAQ states Designer is in preview and available in English only
  • The consumer terms limit use to personal use and not use in trade or commerce
  • Some features are expected to need a paid Microsoft 365 subscription
  • Generative fill and generative expand were described as coming soon

Microsoft Designer pricing

We couldn't confirm pricing on the official site. Check designer.microsoft.com for current prices.

Prices can change and may vary by country or exclude tax. Check the official pricing page.

Microsoft Designer alternatives

The main Microsoft Designer alternatives listed on Debuly are Canva, Sivi, Woopicx, Reactable, Veeso AI and AnyLogo. The table compares pricing and platforms; order is A–Z.

Microsoft Designer compared with its alternatives
ToolPricingStarting pricePlatforms
Microsoft DesignerPricing unknown—Web, Windows
AnyLogoFreemium—Web
CanvaFreemium$144/yrWeb, Mobile app
ReactableFreemium$9.99/mo—
SiviFreemium$16/moWeb, API
Veeso AIFreemium$16.67/moWeb
WoopicxFreemium$9/moWeb, API
  1. AnyLogo

    AI logo generator that turns a brand name into logo options, then builds brand kits, mockups and intro videos.

  2. Canva

    Online design platform with templates, brand kits, team tools and built-in AI for graphics, presentations and video.

  3. Reactable

    AI social media post creator that turns your photos and ideas into on-brand Instagram posts with captions you approve before publishing.

  4. Sivi

    Text-to-design generator that makes editable ad, social and web creatives in any size and language, with an API and SDK.

  5. Veeso AI

    Veeso AI turns pasted text into editable presentations, social posts, brochures and other designs, with a free plan and credit-based paid tiers.

  6. Woopicx

    Woopicx is a library of AI-generated stock photos, 3D icons and mockups that you can edit with text prompts or turn into video.

Microsoft Designer FAQ

Is Microsoft Designer free?

The FAQ says the preview app is available for free, and that a paid Microsoft 365 subscription will be required later to continue using some features. Check the site for current terms.

How much does Microsoft Designer cost?

Prices are not listed. Access is described as a free preview, with some features later tied to a paid Microsoft 365 subscription.

Can I use Designer for business?

The consumer terms state that use is for personal purposes and not in the course of trade or commerce. Check Microsoft's current terms before using designs commercially.

Which AI models does Designer use?

Image generation uses DALL-E 3, text suggestions use models from Microsoft and OpenAI, and generative erase uses the Segment Anything Model.

What languages does Designer support?

The FAQ says Designer is available in English only and that the team is working on more languages.

What are alternatives to Microsoft Designer?

Alternatives include Canva, Adobe Express, Figma and Visme.

Sources & verification

Facts on this page come from the official sources below, each with the date we read it. Written by Debuly; the vendor did not review this page.

Image credits

  • Logo: from res.public.onecdn.static.microsoft · fetched · Vendor trademark, used only to identify the product; removed on request
  • Cover: none collected yet, so a generated tile is shown.

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