Whether you’re an independent author or an aspiring creative trying to design your own book cover, you’re going to need a handy set of online tools to help turn your vision into reality. But with so many platforms and software to browse through online, how do you decide on the best one for your needs?
That’s where we come in. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the best free and user-friendly online tools to help you design an effective and professional-looking cover with ease. Let’s dive in!
What Are the Best Free Online Tools for Designing Book Covers?
Whether you need a quick photo editing tool or a comprehensive design platform for creating your ideal book cover, here is a comprehensive overview of the best tools in the market:
1. Canva
Overview
Canva is an online design tool popular for its various user-friendly features and design types. With Canva, users can simply drag and drop elements to create different outputs, from social media graphics to slide decks.
Pricing plans (monthly)
- Free
- Pro ($15)
Key features
- Drag-and-drop editor
- 1,000+ design types
- Up to 140M+ stock photos and graphics
- 1,000 Brand Kits
- Up to 1TB of cloud storage
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Beginner-friendly | ❌Pricey subscription tiers |
| ✅Easy-to-navigate interface | ❌Limited customization features |
| ✅Various integrations with other tools | ❌Certain templates can appear generic |
2. GIMP
Overview
GIMP is a free online tool popular among graphic designers for its accessible yet feature-rich interface. Unlike a basic drag-and-drop editing platform, GIMP offers a wider set of design tools and image manipulation features ideal for more advanced outputs.
Pricing plans (monthly)
- Free
Key features
- Photo manipulation
- Graphic design elements
- Programming algorithms
- Retouching tools
- Color correction
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Completely free to download | ❌Steeper learning curve compared to other tools |
| ✅Extensive set of customization features for graphic designs and photo manipulation | ❌May be overkill for basic graphic designs |
| ✅Available on various platforms | ❌Less accessible interface compared to other tools |
3. Visme
Overview
Visme is another online design tool with a drag-and-drop interface for basic graphic designs. Compared to tools like Canva, however, Visme focuses more on offering data visualization tools for outputs like infographics and reports.
Pricing plans (monthly)
- Basic (Free)
- Starter ($29)
- Pro ($59)
Key features
- Templates
- Assets
- Export in JPG, PNG, and PDF
- Brand Kits
- Analytics
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Robust AI generation features | ❌Pricey subscription tiers |
| ✅Advanced content creation tools for visualizing data-centric content | ❌Fewer design assets compared to other tools |
| ✅Limited free plan available | ❌Limited templates |
4. Adobe Express
Overview
Adobe Express is an online design tool from the Adobe Creative Cloud collection. Compared to tools like Photoshop, however, Adobe Express offers a simpler and more beginner-friendly interface, complete with basic animation and image editing tools.
Pricing plans (monthly)
- Free
- Premium ($9.99)
- Teams ($7.99/person)
Key features
- Adobe Stock collection
- Generative AI features
- Photo editing tool
- Video editor
- Content scheduler
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Exclusive access to Adobe Stock design assets | ❌Limited free plan |
| ✅Easy integration with other Adobe applications | ❌Limited templates |
| ✅Various customization features | ❌Less advanced editing features compared to other software |
5. PosterMyWall
Overview
PosterMyWall is an all-in-one social media management, marketing, and design tool packaged in one neat and beginner-friendly platform. With PosterMyWall, users get access to a wide variety of free and customizable book cover templates perfect for creating a professional and creative design.
Pricing plans (monthly)
- Free
- Premium ($9.95)
- Premium Plus ($29.95)
Key features
- 4M+ design templates
- AI toolkit (AI text-to-image generator, AI writer, background remover)
- One-click-resizing tool
- Brand Kits
- 1M+ free stock graphics and videos
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Affordable and generous subscription plans | ❌Limited photo manipulation tools |
| ✅Wide variety of AI-powered features | |
| ✅Very easy to navigate interface |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct size of a book cover?
There’s no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to book covers because it will depend on the expected size for hardcovers and trade paperbacks. In case you need to adjust your cover design, however, a handy one-click-resizing tool can easily resolve your problem within minutes.
Should I create a different cover for print and ebook?
While you’re not required to create a different cover for the print and digital versions of your book, using an online design tool can help make the process a lot smoother by giving you access to a large library of customizable templates.
What resolution and file format should I use to export my book cover?
The dimensions of your book cover size will depend on the format of your output. For instance, Kindle books require a 22.2 x 35.6-inch size, while Kobo books call for a 14.9 x 20.1-inch size. Regardless, using a high-quality online design tool can help you create and export your book cover with ease.
Design Your Dream Book Cover
Whether you’re aiming to design a cover for your next romantic novel or a fun-filled adventure story, these are the best tools that can help you turn your ideas into a reality. Set to design the cover for your next New York Times Bestseller? Start browsing through some book cover templates today and capture the hearts of your dear readers!