Free Web Design And Development Tools

From adding CSS to a web page to plugging in a bit of JavaScript, web designers can spend thousands of dollars on costly software. That might not seem like a big investment to the larger web design firms, but a freelance web designer or business owner may have a limited budget.

Fortunately, there are numerous free design tools available on the Internet. Here are some free web design tools we absolutely love.

1. Zyro

Zyro is more than just a website builder – They also come with a Free Logo Maker and web-base Image Resizer. Click here to try them out for free (no credit card needed).

2. Mockingbird

Mockingbird - Site Wireframe Design Tool

This online tool allows web designers to create a mock-up /wireframes of a website. You can then share your ideas with a client and even upload the designs to your own server. It doesn't have a ton of bells and whistles, but Mockingbird is easy enough for even the most novice web designer to use.

3. Coolors

Create color palette on the go or get inspired by beautiful color schemes at Coolors.

4. 0 to 255

In the middle of a design when you realize that you need a lighter shade of the color? Save time by going to 0 to 255 and plugging in the current color. A range of shades will be presented to you from which you can choose.

5. Screen to GIF

ScreenToGif - Screen, webcam and sketchboard recorder with an integrated editor

ScreenToGif helps record monitor screen and turn them into Gif or video files. This easy-to-use yet powerful tool is made by Nicke Manarin from Brazil.

6. Browser Shots

free tool to test website's browser compatibility

Since it's impossible to download every possible browser out there, Browser Shots can help you to test the website's browser compatibility. This open-source tool allows web designers to compare how a page will appear across multiple browsers.

7. Uptime Robot

Uptime Robot sends out a ping to your sites every five minutes or so and if the site does not ping back then the program will e-mail you a message that your sites are down.

8. WHSR Tool

Shameless-plug – WHSR Tool reveals infrastructure and web technology behind any sites and helps web designers to spy on competitors.

9. WebPageTest

Use WebPageTest to ensure that your web page is running at optimal performance. Your results will provide information including web hosting performance check, resource loading waterfall charts and suggestions for improvements.

Note – We use WebpageTest.org extensively for our hosting reviews (example – see our BlueHost review)

10. AHREFS Webmaster Tool

Ahrefs Webmaster Tools is extremely useful for web designers who need to check for any on-site SEO issues (such as broken links and canonical errors, missing title tags, etc) in their design.

11. Adobe Color

Choosing the perfect color combination for a new theme can be time-consuming and tricky. Adobe color helps web designers create the perfect hues every time.

12. CSS Grid Generator

The CSS Grid Generator software creates a grid for your CSS site. Simply plug in how many columns and other features you'd like in your layout and the online wizard creates your code.

13. Aptana Studio

Looking for web design software that will help you create CSS layouts? Aptana Studio allows you to easily design in HTML and will also check your cascading style sheets to ensure they are compatible with most browsers.

14. Phpform.org

If you need to create a form in HTML, you can utilize this site to come up with the HTML script. You own the finished code, but this site greatly speeds up the time it takes to create an HTML form.

15. HTML Purifier

Want to make your website compliant with international HTML standards? This site can help with that process. Whether you have graphics that aren't quite lining up in all browsers or you just want to ensure users in other countries can see your site as it is meant to appear, HTML Purifier can help.

16. Website Goodies

If you want to get some features on your site quickly without spending time coding and uploading files, Website Goodies offers some third-party features you can integrate with your current design.

17. Favigen

If you wish to create a favicon for your website, Favigen can help. Use this favicon generator to create a small graphic similar to the links you see for Facebook and Twitter pages on other people's sites.

18. HTML-ispsum

HTML-ipsum.com helps web designers create a short piece of code to use in CSS designs. By including these sample words, the designer can see how the finished design will look once text is added.

19. Canva

If you're looking for a way to create graphics for website use without spending hundreds on professional graphic design software, Canva is the perfect solution. You can create beautiful graphics using the drag-and-drop format with access to millions of photographs, vectors and fonts.

20. Responsinator

With more and more users getting online through their iPads, it makes sense to ensure that your website is compatible for iPad viewing. Responsinator allows you to take a look at how your site appears on the iPad.

21. WooRank

WooRank - Free SEO Tool for web designers

WooRank allows web designers to generate a free report once a week that tracks traffic and gives tips for what you can do to improve your rank.

22. Privacy Policies

No need to spend hours creating a privacy policy. Use this free tool to create a privacy policy in half the time.

23. Humaan Site Launch Checklist

Setting up a professional website means completing specific items. This checklist helps you make sure you have completed everything needed to launch your website.

24. Layerstyles

Layerstyles is an online graphics editor that will generate CSS code.

25. Sprite Cow

Need to get the position of the background just so? Sprite Cow will map it for you and generate CSS code.

26. Freshping

Monitor your website uptime and publish it to the public using Freshping.

27. CoffeeCup

The free version of CoffeeCup software codes in HTML5 and CSS as you go.

28. Page Breeze

Page Breeze offers the ability to edit in WYSIWIG, but then switch over to the HTML tags view so you can tweak the design perfectly.

29. NetObjects Fusion Essentials

Fusion Essentials is a simple website editing platform. You can upgrade if you need more features, but the free version is a great place to start.

30. FileZilla

FileZilla – The free FTP solution that let you transfer files to your web server over TLC and SFTP. It makes things easier when you have a lot of large files to transfer.

31. GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP)

If you need a free tool for image manipulation, GIMP is the right software for you. You can download and use GIMP for free. It's the alternative for the graphic design software that cost you hundreds of dollars.

32. Bitcatcha

Bitcatcha lets you check any website response speed from 10 locations worldwide for free.