What each tool does
Microsoft Designer is a web-based design app from Microsoft that helps you turn a described idea into a finished graphic. It is geared toward social media posts, invitations, digital postcards and similar everyday designs, and it is listed as free.
Picsart is a broader creative platform. It combines image and video generation, prompt-based photo editing, background removal, frame expansion and many visual styles, with access to more than 175 AI models plus templates and a large asset library. It follows a freemium model where you start free and subscribe for more.
Key differences
- Scope: Microsoft Designer covers quick graphics; Picsart covers images, photo editing and video in one place.
- Photo editing: Picsart has dedicated tools like background removal and frame expansion, which Designer does not list.
- Audience: Designer suits casual creators and small businesses needing the odd graphic; Picsart suits creators and influencers posting constantly.
- Pricing: Designer is listed as free; Picsart is freemium with a paid subscription. Check the pricing pages for current plans.
- Learning curve: Designer is simpler; Picsart offers more but takes longer to explore.
Which should you choose?
Choose Microsoft Designer if you need a simple graphic now and then, such as a shop announcement, wedding invite or festival greeting, and want to keep costs at zero. Being browser-based, it works on most laptops without setup.
Choose Picsart if content creation is a regular part of your work, for example running an Instagram page, selling products online or making short videos, and you need photo editing along with design.
Can you use both?
Yes. Both have free options, so you could draft a quick layout in Microsoft Designer and then use Picsart to clean up product photos, remove backgrounds or turn the idea into a video for your channels.
