12 Tools Designers Need to Work Remotely in 2026

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The size of the global remote collaboration tool market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.9% between 2026 and 2033. A significant part of this expansion is a result of an increase in remote and hybrid workforces across the globe.

However, what most scaling businesses and teams don’t realize is that with an evolving work model, so does the need for a flexible and future-proof tech stack. Right from accounting software for small businesses to advanced AI agents that can automate workflows, there are several tools to include when working with remote teams or members.

Content creation and design teams usually deal with large volumes of files, rely excessively on feedback, and need constant communication and collaboration. With those needs in mind, here is a roundup of tools every designer who works remotely should consider using in 2026.

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Task Management and Collaboration Tools

#1 Asana

Asana

Asana is a platform known for its project planning and tracking features. As a remote or traveling designer, you can monitor each task specifically across distributed teams, and utilize visual dashboards, automation, and project views to manage your design projects.

Key Features for Designers

  • Manage your project and task schedule using Gantt charts and a timeline
  • Visualize and manage task dependencies and optimize overall turnaround times efficiently
  • Build custom workflows for each task and project using powerful automation and collaboration features

Pricing: Free up to 10 users, Starter plan – $10.99/user/month, and Advanced plan – $24.99/user/month

#2 Murf.ai

Murf.ai

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Murf.ai is an AI-powered voice generator or text-to-speech API that specializes in UX narration, content-rich design projects, and e-learning projects. Designers can leverage Murf to produce natural-sounding voiceovers generated out of demo texts and prototypes.

Key Features for Designers

  • Provides multi-language support to users, elevating the quality of a typical text-to-speech conversion
  • Leverage license-free soundtracks and sample sounds to enhance voiceovers
  • Get commercial usage rights for each voice file you generate, and repurpose it anywhere
  • Utilize collaborative editing features to team up with designers across the globe

Pricing: Free trial, Basic plan – $29/month, Pro plan – $39/month, and Enterprise plan – $59/month

#3 Cage

Cage

Cage is a collaboration tool that can help designers streamline and centralize media collaboration, manage projects using a visual interface, and exchange detailed feedback. Cage is great for creative teams or even a digital marketing agency with remote members looking to streamline feedback loops.

Key Features for Designers

  • Review, manage, and annotate your files effectively, making it easier to collaborate
  • Streamline your design and approval workflows to execute better design projects
  • Utilize a rich and visual project dashboard to manage all your design tasks and projects

Pricing: Free plan for 1 user with basic features, Standard plan – $8/user/month, and Professional plan – $14/user/month

Advanced Designing Tools

#4 Figma

Figma

Figma is a cloud-based design and prototyping platform that facilitates teamwork and collaboration at scale. Using Figma, designers can create fast and iterative UX designs seamlessly, regardless of their location.

Key Features for Designers

  • Leverage shared libraries and other collaboration features to collaborate with designers across the globe
  • Utilize the dev mode for the development of UI and UX design on your projects
  • Use features like version history and integrated feedback to manage feedback loops and management

Pricing: Starter plan – Free, Professional plan – $16 – 20/designer/month, Organization – $55/designer/month. Enterprise – $90/month

#5 Canva

Canva

Canva is a popular tool among designers and novice content creators as an intuitive graphics platform that helps them create visual assets and manage their brand. Due to its user-friendliness, non-designers and expert designers use the platform for visual storytelling and attractive designs.

Key Features for Designers

  • Choose from 600K+ templates and 100+ million premium images to create visually attractive brand assets
  • Create team folders and brand kits to collaborate across remote teams located across locations
  • Utilize AI magic design tools to create relevant design samples and prototypes

Pricing: Free version, Pro plan – $12.99/user/month, Team plan – $14.99/user/month

#6 Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite works great for small teams and large companies alike. The suite of tools includes Illustrator, Photoshop, XD, and more, helping you integrate powerful AI and desktop tools seamlessly so that creative processes can be empowered globally.

Key Features for Designers

  • Leverage generative AI and a massive asset library to create visually stunning designs
  • Utilize cloud-sharing features that help you share and exchange data seamlessly with your remote team
  • Use version control to manage the quality and iterations of your designs, especially when working with multiple designers

Pricing: Creative Cloud Pro – $69.99/month, and Standard plan – $54.99/month

#7 Sketch

Sketch

If you work on macOS, Sketch is a native UI/UX tool that you must try out at least once. With symbols, prototyping, and features that empower you to establish seamless cloud collaborations for mobile and web design, Sketch is a tool made for designers looking to make their own brand.

Key Features for Designers

  • Utilize the easy vector editing features and shared symbols to collaborate and create designs
  • Leverage the prototyping features to visualize and generate advanced-level design elements and images
  • Take advantage of the vast library and plugin ecosystem to facilitate better communication and file sharing between parties across locations

Pricing: Free trial, $9/month or $99/user/year

Communication Tools

#9 Loom

Loom

Loom is a screen-recording tool that makes it easier for designers and teams working remotely to record asynchronous video walkthroughs, tutorials, and feedback. As a result, the lack of visual feedback in remote collaborations can be easily resolved, meetings can be reduced, and designs can be easily clarified.

Key Features for Designers

  • Create high-quality screen recordings across environments and devices with the help of annotations and markups
  • Share your designs with anyone in the world using instant links, videos embedded on websites, and emails
  • Simplify feedback loops with the help of quick video commentaries or one-to-one sessions

Pricing: Starter plan – Free, Business plan – $15/user/month, Business + AI plan – $20/user/month, Enterprise plan – Custom pricing

#10 Slack

Slack

When it comes to team communication, very few tools come close to achieving the level of efficiency and simplicity that Slack delivers. With the help of robust communication features, designers can have workplace chats, share files, and integrate with some of the popular design platforms to facilitate instant feedback.

Key Features for Designers

  • Create organized channels for each project or design task to compartmentalize communications for each seamlessly
  • Easily integrate with any design tool or platform to establish real-time and instant feedback loops
  • Conduct voice or video calls with the rest of your team, regardless of their location

Pricing: Free tier for limited chats and users; paid plans start from $7.25/user/month

Emerging Technologies

#11 Adobe Sensei

Adobe Sensei

The second tool by Adobe on this list has been included for all the right reasons. In the current age of Generative AI, Adobe Sensei empowers companies and designers to create highly personalized experiences for their users and boosts the efficiency and productivity of design processes.

Key Features for Designers

  • Leverage AI-powered editing and auto-tagging features to empower your designs and reduce turnaround times
  • Utilize machine learning to generate predictive suggestions and create unique designs
  • Boost designer efficiency with the help of intelligent asset search and unique design elements

Pricing: Included with Adobe Creative Cloud pricing

#12 Snap Lens Studio

Snap Lens Studio

With microcontent and short-form content dominating the web right now, modern designers spend a lot of time dabbling with AR/VR filters. While there are several AR creation platforms and tools for creative and stunning AR filters, few come close to the quality of Snap Lens Studio. The platform has gained even more users and popularity after Meta Spark Studio was discontinued in early 2025.

Key Features for Designers

  • Create visual and code-based AR filters and lenses to boost presence and engagement on social media
  • Leverage advanced animation and 3D design tools to create visually appealing designs
  • Integrate seamlessly with Snapchat – web and mobile apps
  • Gain access to a global community of creators and monetization programs

Pricing: Free to download and use

Concluding Remarks

In 2026, remote design work heavily relies on seamless collaboration, communication, and project management. Regardless of where you are located, you can manage different kinds of design workflows and processes by opting for the right creative and automation tools. Modern designers can now boost creative excellence, productivity, and cross-functional collaboration, thanks to AI-powered features offered by most tools in this list. As a result, remote design teams can enhance their flexibility and efficiency in the competitive landscape.

12 Tools Designers Need to Work Remotely in 2026

Zoe Santoro

Zoe Santoro

Zoe is an art student and graphic designer with a passion for creativity and adventure. Whether she’s sketching in a cozy café or capturing inspiration from vibrant cityscapes, she finds beauty in every corner of the world. With a love for bold colors, clean design, and storytelling through visuals, Zoe blends her artistic skills with her wanderlust to create stunning, travel-inspired designs. Follow her journey as she explores new places, discovers fresh inspiration, and shares her creative process along the way.