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10 Best GitHub Repos for Design & Creative in 2025

The top open-source design & creative projects on GitHub. Actively maintained, well-documented, and ready to self-host.

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10 Best GitHub Repos for Design & Creative in 2025


GitHub hosts thousands of open-source projects, but finding the best ones for design takes hours of research. We've done the work for you — here are the top projects worth deploying on your own server.


Why Self-Host GitHub Projects?


Open-source software gives you the code, but running it requires infrastructure. Self-hosting means:


  • **Full data ownership** — your data never leaves your server
  • **No SaaS fees** — pay only for the server ($5/month on TinyPod)
  • **Unlimited users** — no per-seat pricing
  • **Customization** — modify configs, themes, and integrations freely

    • 1. Penpot


    Penpot is one of the most popular open-source design projects on GitHub. It's actively maintained, well-documented, and can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure.


    **Why developers love it:**

  • Active community with frequent releases
  • Clean API and extensive documentation
  • Self-hostable with Docker or one-click on TinyPod
  • Privacy-focused alternative to commercial tools

    • **Deploy it:** Search for "Penpot" on TinyPod and deploy in 60 seconds with automatic SSL and daily backups.


    2. Excalidraw


    Excalidraw is one of the most popular open-source design projects on GitHub. It's actively maintained, well-documented, and can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure.


    **Why developers love it:**

  • Active community with frequent releases
  • Clean API and extensive documentation
  • Self-hostable with Docker or one-click on TinyPod
  • Privacy-focused alternative to commercial tools

    • **Deploy it:** Search for "Excalidraw" on TinyPod and deploy in 60 seconds with automatic SSL and daily backups.


    3. Draw.io


    Draw.io is one of the most popular open-source design projects on GitHub. It's actively maintained, well-documented, and can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure.


    **Why developers love it:**

  • Active community with frequent releases
  • Clean API and extensive documentation
  • Self-hostable with Docker or one-click on TinyPod
  • Privacy-focused alternative to commercial tools

    • **Deploy it:** Search for "Draw.io" on TinyPod and deploy in 60 seconds with automatic SSL and daily backups.


    4. Lunacy


    Lunacy is one of the most popular open-source design projects on GitHub. It's actively maintained, well-documented, and can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure.


    **Why developers love it:**

  • Active community with frequent releases
  • Clean API and extensive documentation
  • Self-hostable with Docker or one-click on TinyPod
  • Privacy-focused alternative to commercial tools

    • **Deploy it:** Search for "Lunacy" on TinyPod and deploy in 60 seconds with automatic SSL and daily backups.


    5. Figma Alternative Penpot


    Figma Alternative Penpot is one of the most popular open-source design projects on GitHub. It's actively maintained, well-documented, and can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure.


    **Why developers love it:**

  • Active community with frequent releases
  • Clean API and extensive documentation
  • Self-hostable with Docker or one-click on TinyPod
  • Privacy-focused alternative to commercial tools

    • **Deploy it:** Search for "Figma Alternative Penpot" on TinyPod and deploy in 60 seconds with automatic SSL and daily backups.


    6. Blender


    Blender is one of the most popular open-source design projects on GitHub. It's actively maintained, well-documented, and can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure.


    **Why developers love it:**

  • Active community with frequent releases
  • Clean API and extensive documentation
  • Self-hostable with Docker or one-click on TinyPod
  • Privacy-focused alternative to commercial tools

    • **Deploy it:** Search for "Blender" on TinyPod and deploy in 60 seconds with automatic SSL and daily backups.


    7. Inkscape


    Inkscape is one of the most popular open-source design projects on GitHub. It's actively maintained, well-documented, and can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure.


    **Why developers love it:**

  • Active community with frequent releases
  • Clean API and extensive documentation
  • Self-hostable with Docker or one-click on TinyPod
  • Privacy-focused alternative to commercial tools

    • **Deploy it:** Search for "Inkscape" on TinyPod and deploy in 60 seconds with automatic SSL and daily backups.


    8. GIMP


    GIMP is one of the most popular open-source design projects on GitHub. It's actively maintained, well-documented, and can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure.


    **Why developers love it:**

  • Active community with frequent releases
  • Clean API and extensive documentation
  • Self-hostable with Docker or one-click on TinyPod
  • Privacy-focused alternative to commercial tools

    • **Deploy it:** Search for "GIMP" on TinyPod and deploy in 60 seconds with automatic SSL and daily backups.


    9. Krita


    Krita is one of the most popular open-source design projects on GitHub. It's actively maintained, well-documented, and can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure.


    **Why developers love it:**

  • Active community with frequent releases
  • Clean API and extensive documentation
  • Self-hostable with Docker or one-click on TinyPod
  • Privacy-focused alternative to commercial tools

    • **Deploy it:** Search for "Krita" on TinyPod and deploy in 60 seconds with automatic SSL and daily backups.


    10. Darktable


    Darktable is one of the most popular open-source design projects on GitHub. It's actively maintained, well-documented, and can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure.


    **Why developers love it:**

  • Active community with frequent releases
  • Clean API and extensive documentation
  • Self-hostable with Docker or one-click on TinyPod
  • Privacy-focused alternative to commercial tools

    • **Deploy it:** Search for "Darktable" on TinyPod and deploy in 60 seconds with automatic SSL and daily backups.


    How to Deploy These Projects


    The fastest way to deploy any of these projects:


    1. Sign up at tinypod.app (free 3-day trial)

    2. Search for the app in the catalog

    3. Click Deploy — live in 60 seconds with HTTPS

    4. Configure your custom domain (optional)


    Each TinyPod server includes 4 CPU cores, 8GB RAM, and 75GB NVMe storage — enough to run multiple apps simultaneously.


    Conclusion


    These design projects represent the best of open-source software. Self-hosting them gives you the privacy, control, and cost savings that SaaS alternatives can't match. With TinyPod, deployment takes 60 seconds — try any of them free for 3 days.