Being a UI/UX designer for years, I’ve been searching for tools/apps that would help my life and work a bit easier. But, it has to be good and won’t break my wallet. Let’s be real: spending $50 a month on software subscription fees hurts, especially when you are just building your portfolio. In 2026, the “free tier” isn’t just a trial anymore—it’s a viable career path.
Penpot
Everyone knows Figma. It’s still the king. But have you seen what Penpot is doing lately? It’s open-source, completely free, and uses SVG as its native format. I’ve shifted two of my personal projects to Penpot this year simply because I own my files. No “cloud ransom” where you lose access if you stop paying.
Lunacy is a must-have
Then there is Lunacy by Icons8. It has built-in assets—photos, icons, and AI text generators—right inside the tool. It saves me hours of context switching. If you are on a budget, these tools aren’t “alternatives”; they are competitors. Stop thinking you need the industry standard to do industry-standard work. Download one of these this weekend and build something.
