What users complain about in design tools.
Monetization frustration (paywall and ads combined: 25 mentions) outweighs technical reliability concerns (21 mentions) as the primary user pain point.
2,690 reviews · 14 apps analyzed · as of June 18, 2026
Confusing interface and usability issues
Mentioned in 23% of complaints across the 14 apps we analyzed in design tools — 18 of 80 counted.
Every complaint, ranked by frequency
Each theme’s share of the counted complaints, with a representative review.
Confusing interface and usability issues
“This app is completely unusable on mobile for a whole host of reasons. iPad version would be okay if it worked with magic keyboard, but for some reason it doesn't. I mean the thing's only been on the market for five years... The worst part is that the iPad app shows keyboard…”
Paywall and subscription pricing model
“I don’t know how to feel about this app. It’s a good app where you can do a lot of different things but that’s only if you have the plan. But in the in app purchases on the App Store say you can buy a full pack for $49.99 but I didn’t see an option to do that on the app. It has…”
App crashes, freezes, and technical glitches
“I have used this app for over 5 years. Many problems that I use to have with this app are now all back - freezing, losing work, resetting my undo so that I can’t go back. I’ve reached out to customer support and they were pretty much “to bad so sad. Here is a tissue for your…”
Missing or limited core features
“I think there should be a tab for suggestions because there are a few things that this app definitely needs to improve or add. One of the first things I have an issue with is when it comes to the walls there’s no option to keep them straight and have them at perfect angles so…”
Excessive ads blocking app functionality
“I’ve made loads of beautiful pictures using this app, but lately I have to go through two LONG ads, then select the picture from my roll, then go through two more LONG ads, and after all that my picture doesn’t come up. Tried it three times, no luck. And I paid for premium,…”
Data loss and unsaved work
“I do love the app and I spend a lot of time on it. I like that you can edit anything fairly easily and get some ideas laid out cleanly and saved. What I don’t like is all the time and effort I put into a project could be halfway erased when I open the app the next day. It’s…”
Poor customer support responsiveness
“I have used this app for over 5 years. Many problems that I use to have with this app are now all back - freezing, losing work, resetting my undo so that I can’t go back. I’ve reached out to customer support and they were pretty much “to bad so sad. Here is a tissue for your…”
Frequently asked
What do users complain about most in design tools?
The most common complaint is "Confusing interface and usability issues" — 23% of analyzed complaints across 14 apps.
How many reviews did AppImp analyze for design tools?
2,690 real App Store reviews across 14 apps — frequency-ranked and counted, never estimated.
What are the top complaints in design tools?
1. Confusing interface and usability issues (23%); 2. Paywall and subscription pricing model (20%); 3. App crashes, freezes, and technical glitches (19%); 4. Missing or limited core features (15%); 5. Excessive ads blocking app functionality (11%).
This is the what. The Deep Report is the why.
Root causes behind each complaint, which competitor has already solved it, and whether the gap in design tools is still open — the part a model can’t reconstruct.
Every figure above is counted from real, public App Store reviews — never estimated, never LLM-invented. 2,690 reviews across 14 design tools.