Microsoft Designer
Microsoft Designer is a free AI graphic design app with Copilot credits. See 2026 pricing, Restyle Image, Brand Kit, and how it stacks up against Canva.
About Microsoft Designer
What is Microsoft Designer (2026 update)
Microsoft Designer is an AI-powered graphic design app in the Art & Creative Design category for creating social media posts, invitations, stickers, collages, and other visual content from text prompts or templates. It is built into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem and works both as a standalone web app and inside apps like Word, PowerPoint, and the Windows 11 Photos app.
What is new in 2026
Microsoft Designer added a Restyle Image feature that lets you upload an existing photo and re-skin it into a different artistic style, such as cyberpunk or watercolor, while keeping the original structure intact. It also expanded with dedicated Sticker Creator and Collage Creator modules for making transparent-background stickers and dynamic photo collages that export directly to Teams or Outlook. Generative Erase and Expand tools, which remove distractions or extend an image’s borders using cloud AI, are now built directly into the Windows 11 Photos app rather than requiring a browser. Microsoft also completed a migration away from its legacy visual editor, which began deprecating on October 20, 2025, moving all users to a new editor with improved image and text editing.
Key features
- Image Creator for generating images from text prompts
- Restyle Image to re-skin an uploaded photo into a new artistic style
- Sticker Creator and Collage Creator for social and messaging content
- Generative Erase, Expand, and Remove Background tools
- Brand Kit Creator for consistent colors, fonts, and logos across designs
- Deep integration with Microsoft 365 apps and the Windows 11 Photos app
Pricing in 2026
Microsoft Designer is free to use on its own, with a limited number of AI credits per month. Microsoft 365 subscribers get a larger monthly credit allowance and deeper Copilot integration as part of their existing subscription rather than a separate Designer-specific fee.
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | 15 AI credits per month, core design tools |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | $9.99/month | 60 AI credits per month, Copilot integration across Microsoft 365 apps |
| Microsoft 365 Family | $12.99/month | Same expanded credits, shared across up to 6 people |
| Microsoft 365 Premium | $19.99/month | Highest credit allowance and additional Copilot features |
Microsoft does not currently list a self-serve, Designer-only paid plan separate from Microsoft 365, so check the official Microsoft 365 pricing page for the current credit allowances and any regional differences.
Who should use it
Microsoft Designer fits people who already use Microsoft 365 for work or school and want quick, on-brand visuals for social posts, presentations, or documents without switching to a separate design app. It is a good starting point for casual creators, small business owners, and students who need decent design output fast rather than pixel-level creative control. It is not the best fit for professional designers who need advanced vector editing or precise typography control, since its strength is speed and AI generation rather than deep manual design tools.
Limitations and alternatives
The free tier’s 15 monthly AI credits run out quickly if you generate images regularly, and the jump to a higher credit allowance requires a full Microsoft 365 subscription rather than a cheaper Designer-only add-on. There is currently no clearly listed self-serve paid tier just for Designer, so heavier users may find the pricing structure less flexible than dedicated design tools. If you need alternatives, consider Canva for a broader template library and team collaboration features, Adobe Express for tighter integration with the Adobe ecosystem, or Picsart if you want more mobile-first photo editing tools alongside AI design generation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Designer free?
Yes, it is free to use with 15 AI credits per month. Microsoft 365 subscribers get up to 60 credits per month as part of their existing subscription.
Does Microsoft Designer have a standalone paid plan?
As of September 2026, there is no clearly listed self-serve paid plan just for Designer, more credits come from a Microsoft 365 subscription. Check the official site for current details.
What is Restyle Image in Microsoft Designer?
It is a 2026 feature that lets you upload an existing photo and transform it into a different artistic style, like watercolor or cyberpunk, while keeping the original structure.
Can I use Microsoft Designer inside Word or PowerPoint?
Yes, Designer is integrated into Microsoft 365 apps including Word and PowerPoint, as well as the Windows 11 Photos app for tools like Generative Erase and Expand.
Information last verified: September 2026.
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