Best Free Logo Makers in 2023 for Startups & Small Business
A logo is one of the most important branding elements for any business. It provides visual recognition and helps customers identify your company. Getting a professionally designed logo can be expensive though. That’s why many small business owners look for free logo makers.
With free logo design services, you can create a logo without paying a graphic designer. But are free logos really worth it? Or should you invest in a custom logo from a professional graphic designer?
In this guide, we’ll compare the best free logo design services. We’ll look at the key features, pros and cons of each to help you decide if a free logo creator is right for your small business.
Why You Need a Logo
Before diving into the options for free logo design, let’s look at why you even need a logo in the first place:
- Brand recognition – A logo provides instant visual recognition for your brand. When customers see your logo, they’ll associate it with your company. This builds brand awareness.
- Professional image – A professionally designed logo makes your company look more legitimate and established. It shows you’re investing in your brand.
- Consistency – A logo brings a consistent look and feel to your brand identity. It’s something you can use across marketing materials, online platforms, company vehicles, etc.
- Versatility – Your logo should be versatile enough to work on websites, business cards, signage, packaging, and other uses. A good logo is flexible.
- Memorability – An effective logo sticks in customers’ minds. Creative logo design helps make your brand more memorable.
- Cost-effective – Investing in a professionally designed logo is a smart business move. It’s a cost-effective way to build your brand and image.
So in summary, a unique and memorable logo elevates your company and helps attract more customers. It’s a key part of your brand identity. Even if you’re just starting out or have a small business, you need a proper logo.
Next, let’s look at free options for designing one on a budget.
Best Free Logo Design Services
Here are the top free logo makers online:
1. Looka
Looka is one of the most robust free logo design platforms available. With Looka, you can create a unique logo in just minutes.
The logo maker is completely free to use. Simply enter your business name and industry. Looka will instantly generate 50+ professional logo designs based on your input. You can browse the AI-generated logos and choose your favorite design.
Customize the logo by changing colors, texts, icons, and layouts. The platform makes it easy to tweak the logo until it’s perfect. Then download your logo in multiple formats.
Pros
- Completely free logo design
- No design skills needed
- 50+ AI-generated logos
- Customizable options
- Download in multiple formats
Cons
- Limited customization compared to paid option
- Generates generic logos sometimes
- No human graphic designer
Looka is the best option for getting a 100% free logo instantly. Even with limited editing options, you can get a decent logo for any brand.
2. Canva
Canva is a free graphic design platform with various templates for logos, presentations, social media posts, and more.
The logo maker is straightforward to use. Search for a logo layout that fits your business. Then customize the colors, fonts, icons, and text. Add your own graphics or images too.
Canva has 100,000+ templates and a huge library of design elements. You have plenty of tools to design a unique free logo tailored to your brand.
Download your completed logo design in high resolution. You can also print business cards, letterheads, and other branding materials.
Pros
- User-friendly DIY logo design
- 100,000+ templates and graphics
- Custom fonts, icons, and images
- Download in high resolution formats
- Additional branding tools
Cons
- Requires more work than other tools
- Templates can look generic
- Limitations with free version
Canva works best if you have a creative eye for design. With its abundant templates and customization features, you can craft a logo that suits your brand image.
3. GraphicSprings
GraphicSprings is an online logo design company. They offer AI-generated logo options and custom designs.
For a free logo, simply enter your company name and industry. You’ll instantly get 10 logo ideas created by GraphicSprings’ AI technology. If you like one, you can customize the text, colors, shapes and download your logo.
The AI logos are decent initial concepts. But for more detail and precision, consider GraphicSprings’ custom logo design services starting at $299.
Pros
- 10 instant AI-generated logos
- Customizable elements
- Download in multiple formats
- Option to order custom design
Cons
- Very limited free version
- AI logos look generic
- Requires purchase for custom design
- No human touch with free logos
GraphicSprings is best if you just want a super fast free logo concept. You’ll likely still need a graphic designer’s services for an identity-specific logo though.
4. LogoMaker
LogoMaker provides a free and easy way to create a logo online. The tool has 200+ templates and a big library of fonts and icons.
To design a logo, browse LogoMaker’s layouts and select one you like. Edit the template by changing colors, text, icons and more. The platform makes logo customization simple.
Download your finished logo in PNG, JPEG, PDF or SVG format. You can also access image filters and tools for resizing your logo.
Pros
- 200+ customizable templates
- Lots of fonts and icons
- User-friendly editing tools
- Download in multiple formats
Cons
- Requires more effort than AI tools
- Limited compared to paid version
- Templates can look generic
- No human design support
LogoMaker works well if you have a template in mind and want to DIY the editing. But it takes more effort than AI-powered platforms.
5. LogoCraft
LogoCraft provides a web-based logo design platform. You can choose from their template library or create a custom logo from scratch.
The template logos are broken down by industry and style. Find one close to your vision and customize it. Or use the logo design tools to build a logo yourself.
Edit colors, texts, shapes and alignment. While not as intuitive as other platforms, LogoCraft gives you more free design control.
Download your logo once completed. Pricing starts at $19 for premium design services.
Pros
- Customizable library of logo templates
- Option to design a logo from scratch
- Edit colors, text, layouts, etc.
- Download logo in multiple formats
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than other tools
- Limited capabilities with free version
- No AI-generated designs
- Requires more effort to design
LogoCraft is a good free option for designers wanting more control over the logo process. Expect a steeper learning curve for the editing tools though.
6. DesignEvo
DesignEvo makes it easy to create a custom logo with no design experience needed. The free online logo maker walks you through the process step-by-step.
Select your business category and enter your company name. DesignEvo will generate an acronym or wordmark logo. Choose from 100+ fonts and icons to customize it.
While limited compared to paid plans, DesignEvo lets you download vector files of your basic free logo.
Pros
- Easy step-by-step process
- 100+ fonts and icons
- Generate acronym or wordmark logo
- Download vector logo files
Cons
- Very limited compared to paid option
- Cannot upload own graphics
- Few customization options
- No AI-generated designs
DesignEvo is extremely easy to use but better for logos with just stylized text. Options are limited unless you upgrade to paid.
7. Shopify Free Logo Maker
Shopify offers a free logo generator within its ecommerce platform. The tool lets Shopify users quickly create a customized logo.
Select your business category and enter your company name. customize font, colors, and icon. While limited, it creates a decent free logo for your Shopify store.
Downsides are you must have a Shopify account, and editing functions are restricted. But if you need a logo for your Shopify store, it’s a handy free option.
Pros
- Easy and fast logo generation
- Color and font editing ability
- Integrates with your Shopify store
Cons
- Shopify account required
- Very limited customization
- Restricted compared to paid logo services
- No unique design options
Shopify’s free logo maker works in a pinch, but paid services offer more flexibility and design customization.
8. Tailor Brands
Tailor Brands provides a quick and easy way to design a free logo. Just enter your business name and industry. Tailor then auto-generates logo ideas you can edit and customize.
The AI logo options are decent starting points. You can change the fonts, icons, colors, and phrasing to suit your brand.
Download your logo design and use it across your business platforms. Upgrade to paid plans for more capabilities.
Pros
- AI-generated logo ideas
- Easy customization tools
- Quick turnaround time
- Download in multiple formats
Cons
- Limited capabilities for free version
- Generics logos sometimes
- No human design element
- Requires upgrade for full services
Tailor Brands is super fast and easy for getting a free logo design concept. Expect to need more refinement from a graphic designer though.
9. Laughing Bird Logo Maker
Laughing Bird offers a free web-based logo design platform. The tool provides premade templates and customization options.
Browse the template library organized by industry and style. Select one close to your vision and customize it. Or start from scratch and design your own logo completely.
For a free logo maker, Laughing Bird gives you solid capabilities. The only downside is the interface looks a bit dated.
Pros
- Library of premade logo templates
- Option to design fully custom logo
- Edit text, colors, shapes, alignment
- Download high-resolution files
Cons
- Outdated user interface
- More time intensive than AI tools
- Limited capabilities compared to paid
- Requires design skill
Laughing Bird lets you craft a custom logo with plenty of control. But the learning curve is higher than auto-generating platforms.
10. Logaster
Logaster offers a fast free logo maker powered by AI. To use it, pick your business industry and enter your company name.
Logaster’s algorithm will generate 50+ logo ideas combining your name with suitable imagery. Browse the logos and select your favorite design.
Customize the logo by changing colors, iconography, text, and arrangement. Download your logo once finalized.
Pros
- 50+ AI-generated logo options
- Customizable features
- Very easy to use
- Download in multiple formats
Cons
- Fairly limited compared to paid
- AI logos can seem generic
- No human design help
- Minimal customization freedom
Logaster makes it super simple to get a free logo. But expect the AI logos to need refinement to stand out.
What to Look for in a Free Logo Design
When assessing free logo design services, here are the key factors to consider:
- Customization – How much control do you have to tailor the logo to your brand? Can you change fonts, colors, iconography, wording?
- Output formats – Can you download your logo in multiple formats? You’ll want vector files like PNG, SVG, EPS, PDF.
- Learning curve – How difficult is the logo maker tool to use? Some require more design skill than others.
- AI element – Does the platform auto-generate logo ideas for you? How sophisticated is the AI?
- Originality – Does the tool allow you to design a completely unique logo? Or are you limited to premade templates?
- Resolution – What is the image resolution for a downloaded logo? You’ll want high resolution for clear printing.
- Additional resources – Does the logo maker offer other complimentary tools and resources? Like business card designers, letterheads, social graphics, etc.
Prioritize tools that give you more control over the final design and allow you to download professional, high-resolution files. Avoid free services with overly limiting restrictions or lots of templates but few customization tools.
Free vs. Paid Logo Design Services
Free logo design services offer a budget way to get a basic logo created for your business. But there are distinct disadvantages compared to hiring a professional graphic designer.
Here are key differences between free and paid logo design services:
Customization
- Free: Offers limited customization options and restrictions
- Paid: Complete control to tailor the logo to your brand
Quality
- Free: Often generic looking logos; insufficient for branding needs
- Paid: Unique, highly polished, professionally designed
Turnaround
- Free: Instant through AI generation
- Paid: 1 week+ for designer’s creative process
Revisions
- Free: Typically no revision support
- Paid: Includes rounds of revisions until perfect
Rights
- Free: Service owns rights, limited usage license
- Paid: Buy full rights and ownership
Support
- Free: No human customer support
- Paid: Dedicated graphic designer provides support
Cost
- Free: $0
- Paid: $200+ for custom logo design
For many small businesses, a free logo maker is a good starting point. It allows you to test out logo concepts and ideas.
But for your final brand identity, invest in custom logo design services. This gives you a tailored, premium logo aligned with your brand vision. Don’t compromise your company image with a free generic logo.
When to Use a Free Logo Maker
Here are situations where a free logo creator could make sense for your business:
- Testing concepts – Experiment with logo ideas and get basic visuals of your brand name.
- Education business – For a school club, camp, or educational project.
- Personal branding – Building your personal influencer, blogger, or author image.
- Events – Creating logos for one-time events, conferences, fundraisers.
- Minimum viable product – Testing a new product or business idea before fully launching.
- Nonprofits – Charities, foundations, churches, and causes with tight budgets.
- Short-term project – A temporary initiative running for under a year.
In these scenarios, the limited design capabilities of a free logo maker may not be a hindrance. It can provide an affordable test logo.
Just don’t rely on it for your primary company brand logo. Take your brand identity more seriously by investing in a professional design.
Tips for Improving Your Free Logo
If you do opt for a free logo design, here are tips to improve the final result:
- Go minimal – Simple logos are easier for DIY design and often look cleaner. Avoid overly complicated concepts.
- Use a catchy icon – Experiment with recognizable icons that visualize your business. Avoid cliché clipart-style graphics though.
- Focus on typography – Most free tools offer great fonts. Spend time perfecting your font, spacing, and wording.
- Try different arrangements – Don’t lock in the first design. Try different layouts and alignments.
- Use 2-3 colors max – Limit your color palette to two or three colors. Avoid wild rainbow logos.
- Check image resolution – Download the highest resolution image file possible for crisp printing.
- Steal inspiration – Browse logos in your industry for fresh ideas. But never copy directly.
- Keep iterating – Try out multiple designs. Refine and simplify until you create the cleanest option.
While professional graphic design is ideal, these tips will help spruce up a DIY free logo. Remove complex effects, hone the typography, simplify colors, and craft a clean minimalist design.
Turn Your Free Logo Into a Brand Identity
Your logo is just the starting point for your overall brand identity. To command a professional brand image, you’ll need to expand your logo into a full brand kit.
Here are important branded assets to invest in:
- Typography – Choose 1-2 fonts aligned with your logo typography to use across branded materials.
- Color palette – Define a color palette of 2-4 colors based on your logo hues.
- Business cards – Design professional business cards featuring your logo.
- Letterhead – Create letterhead templates with your logo for formal documents.
- Email signature – Add a signature to your email including your logo and links.
- Website – Incorporate your logo prominently onto your website.
Take the time to integrate your logo thoughtfully across platforms. A professional brand identity requires extending your logo across business documents, websites, packaging, apparel, signs, and more.
Don’t just slap your logo onto materials as an afterthought. Carefully place it in layouts and pair it with complementary fonts, colors palettes, and graphic elements.
Here are some tips for building a strong brand identity:
- Use white space strategically around your logo to make it stand out. Don’t clutter the design.
- Make sure your logo and brand assets are consistent across all touchpoints.
- Consider alternate versions of your logo, like horizontal and vertical orientations.
- Reverse your logo out of a dark background when needed for legibility.
- Size your logo appropriately for each use case. Never distort or warp it.
- Pair your logo with complementary photography reflecting your brand.
- Add your logo to templates for presentations, social posts, ads, packaging, etc.
- Don’t place your logo over busy backgrounds. Let it stand out clearly.
- Include your logo and tagline prominently on your website navigation.
A thoughtful brand identity elevates your company and makes you look more professional. It’s worth going beyond just a logo and defining supporting brand assets like fonts, colors, imagery, and templates.
This ensures your logo is implemented in a consistent, strategic way across every customer touchpoint. Take the extra time to polish your free logo and integrate it seamlessly into branded materials.
When Should You Invest in a Paid Logo?
So when should you graduate from a free logo maker to hiring a professional graphic designer?
Here are signs it’s time to level up to a paid logo:
- You’ve launched your business and are ready to invest in your brand identity.
- You want unique logo design aligned closely to your brand vision.
- Your free logo isn’t resonating with your target audience.
- You need a versatile logo for both online and print uses.
- You don’t have strong design skills to execute your logo ideas.
- You want to build an entire visual brand system beyond just a logo.
- You need a logo design you can fully own rights and usage for.
- You require support from a graphic designer for revisions.
- You want a premium logo that conveys quality and instills trust.
For any serious business venture, a paid custom logo design is recommended for the best ROI. The cost is well worth it for the brand recognition and equity you’ll build.
Top 5 Paid Logo Design Services
When you’re ready to upgrade, consider these top paid logo design services:
1. Penji
Penji offers unlimited graphic design subscriptions starting at $399/month. A custom logo design package is included. You get a dedicated designer who will work closely with you through the entire process.
2. 99designs
99designs makes it easy to crowdsource a logo design contest. Graphic designers submit concepts and you pick the winner. Contests start at $299.
3. Fiverr
Hire freelance graphic designers on Fiverr for custom logo design services, with packages starting around $50. Quality varies widely so review portfolios.
4. Upwork
Upwork has thousands of freelance logo designers to choose from. Post your project and select the best candidate based on experience and reviews.
5. LogoJoy
LogoJoy is an affordable DIY platform paired with support from a graphic designer. Logo packages start at $299, including full usage rights.
Do your research to find the ideal logo design partner for your budget and needs. Investing in professional branding is crucial for your company’s image.
Make Your Business Stand Out With a Great Logo
Your logo is one of your most valuable branding assets. It pays off to take the time to perfect it.
While free logo design services offer an affordable starting point, you get what you pay for. Serious brands should consider investing in custom logo design.
But even if you do opt for a free logo maker, follow the tips above to maximize the outcome. Simplify your design, hone the typography, limit colors, and craft a clean, iconic logo.
With a professional logo that encapsulates your brand identity, you’ll make your business look more legitimate and memorable. Don’t underestimate the power of a great logo to take your company to the next level.