Microsoft DesignervsRecraft
Two image creation tools, the same questions. Every answer comes from the official pages, with the date we checked. Nothing here is ranked.
last check 2026-10-10
Microsoft Designer
by Microsoft
Microsoft Designer is Microsoft's AI graphic design app for the web and mobile; a beginner might try it to create images, cards or social posts from a text description and to edit photos.
Good for: Making images
All Microsoft Designer factsRecraft
by Recraft
Recraft is a web and mobile AI design tool for generating and editing raster and vector images; a beginner might try it to make logos, icons or illustrations and export them as SVG or PNG.
Good for: Making images
All Recraft factsWhere they differ
- AI modelsMicrosoft Designer: DALL-ERecraft: Recraft V4.1, Recraft V4, Recraft V3, Recraft V2, GPT Image 2, Nano Banana Pro, Flux 2 Pro, Seedream 5.0 Pro
- PlatformsMicrosoft Designer: Web, Mobile appRecraft: Web, Mobile app, Editor extension
- AccountMicrosoft Designer: Microsoft account requiredRecraft: Account required to generate (sign in with email, Google, Discord or Apple)
Confirmed for only one of the two so far: free plan, export formats. The table below shows which.
Same answer for both: image generation, image editing, reference image.
Plans and prices
As listed on each official pricing page, in the currency we were shown. No conversion, no rounding.
Microsoft Designer
- Microsoft Designer Free Free planPrice not confirmed
- Microsoft 365 Personal Paid, individual$9.99 / month
- Microsoft 365 Family Paid, individual$12.99 / month
- Microsoft 365 Premium Paid, individual$19.99 / month
Recraft
- Free Free plan$0.00 / month, plus tax
- Basic Paid, individual$12.00 / month
- Pro Paid, individual$20.00 / month
- Teams Team$22.00 / month
Full comparison with sources
| Image creation | ||
| What it is for | ||
| What it is for | Microsoft Designer is Microsoft's AI graphic design app for the web and mobile; a beginner might try it to create images, cards or social posts from a text description and to edit photos. | Recraft is a web and mobile AI design tool for generating and editing raster and vector images; a beginner might try it to make logos, icons or illustrations and export them as SVG or PNG. |
| Good for | ||
| Editor's suggestion |
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| Cost | ||
| Free planA free plan that is not time-limited. Trials are listed separately. |
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| Plans and pricesOriginal currency and billing period. No conversion. |
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| AI models | ||
| AI modelsThe AI models the official pages name for this product. Line-ups change often, so check the date. |
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| Input and output | ||
| Image generationCreates new images from a text description. |
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| Image editingChanges part of an existing image. |
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| Reference imageUses an image you provide to guide style or content. |
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| Workflow | ||
| Export formatsFile formats you can download results in. |
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| PlatformsWhere the product is offered: web, desktop app, mobile app, or editor extension. |
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| Requirements | ||
| AccountWhether you need to sign up before using it. |
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| Not yet confirmed | ||
| Where it is availableCountries or regions where the provider says it can be used. |
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| Sources and confidence | ||
| Confidence | Last checked 2026-10-10 Not yet confirmed: Free plan, Export formats, Where it is available | Last checked 2026-10-10 Not yet confirmed: Where it is available |
What it is for
What it is for
Microsoft Designer:
Microsoft Designer is Microsoft's AI graphic design app for the web and mobile; a beginner might try it to create images, cards or social posts from a text description and to edit photos.
Recraft:
Recraft is a web and mobile AI design tool for generating and editing raster and vector images; a beginner might try it to make logos, icons or illustrations and export them as SVG or PNG.
Editor's suggestion
Microsoft Designer:
- Editor's suggestion: Try a first draft of an illustration for a slide or post, then check it for errors and read the usage terms before publishing.
- Editor's suggestion: Try changing one part of an existing image, such as the background, instead of generating a new image.
Recraft:
- Editor's suggestion: Try a first draft of an illustration for a slide or post, then check it for errors and read the usage terms before publishing.
- Editor's suggestion: Try changing one part of an existing image, such as the background, instead of generating a new image.
Cost
Free plan
A free plan that is not time-limited. Trials are listed separately.
Microsoft Designer:
- Not yet confirmed
Recraft:
- Supportedrecraft.aichecked 2026-10-10
Free plan
Plans and prices
Microsoft Designer:
- Microsoft Designer Free (Free plan)Price not confirmed
- Microsoft 365 Personal (Paid, individual)$9.99 / month
- Microsoft 365 Family (Paid, individual)$12.99 / month
- Microsoft 365 Premium (Paid, individual)$19.99 / month
- All plan details and sources
Recraft:
- Free (Free plan)$0.00 / month, plus tax
- Basic (Paid, individual)$12.00 / month
- Pro (Paid, individual)$20.00 / month
- Teams (Team)$22.00 / month
- All plan details and sources
AI models
AI models
The AI models the official pages name for this product. Line-ups change often, so check the date.
Microsoft Designer:
- DALL-Esupport.microsoft.comchecked 2026-10-10
Recraft:
- Recraft V4.1, Recraft V4, Recraft V3, Recraft V2, GPT Image 2, Nano Banana Pro, Flux 2 Pro, Seedream 5.0 Prorecraft.ai +4checked 2026-10-10
Input and output
Image generation
Creates new images from a text description.
Microsoft Designer:
- Supportedsupport.microsoft.comchecked 2026-10-10
Plan not specified
Recraft:
- Supportedrecraft.aichecked 2026-10-10
Plan not specified
Image editing
Changes part of an existing image.
Microsoft Designer:
- Supportedsupport.microsoft.comchecked 2026-10-10
Plan not specified
Recraft:
- Supportedrecraft.aichecked 2026-10-10
Plan not specified
Reference image
Uses an image you provide to guide style or content.
Microsoft Designer:
- Supportedmicrosoft.comchecked 2026-10-10
Plan not specified
Recraft:
- Supportedrecraft.aichecked 2026-10-10
Plan not specified
Workflow
Export formats
File formats you can download results in.
Microsoft Designer:
- Not yet confirmed
Recraft:
- SVG, PNG, JPG, PDF, TIFF, Lottierecraft.aichecked 2026-10-10
Platforms
Where the product is offered: web, desktop app, mobile app, or editor extension.
Microsoft Designer:
- Web, Mobile appsupport.microsoft.comchecked 2026-10-10
Recraft:
- Web, Mobile app, Editor extensionrecraft.ai +1checked 2026-10-10
Requirements
Account
Whether you need to sign up before using it.
Microsoft Designer:
- Microsoft account requiredsupport.microsoft.comchecked 2026-10-10
Recraft:
- Account required to generate (sign in with email, Google, Discord or Apple)recraft.aichecked 2026-10-10
Not yet confirmed
Where it is available
Countries or regions where the provider says it can be used.
Microsoft Designer:
- Not yet confirmed
Recraft:
- Not yet confirmed
Sources and confidence
Confidence
Microsoft Designer:
Last checked 2026-10-10
Not yet confirmed: Free plan, Export formats, Where it is available
Recraft:
Last checked 2026-10-10
Not yet confirmed: Where it is available