A logo is an essential part of any brand’s identity—it’s often the first thing a potential customer will see, and it’s critical to use a logo that stands out from the competition. But how much does a logo design cost? As with all business spending, you want to weigh the cost of a custom logo against the quality and value you will gain.
At the end of the day, you need to make sure you’ve picked the right logo design option (and cost) that will return the value you need to grow your business and brand awareness. There are a variety of logo design price points and packages, and it’s important to understand what you’re getting—or not getting—for your money.
- Logo pricing is influenced by factors like who creates the design, how customized it is and what deliverables are included.
- Low-cost logo design options (typically under $300) include logo design software like VistaPrint’s Logomaker and entry-level freelancers.
- Mid-range logo pricing ranges from $300 to $2,500 and includes experienced freelancers or design contests that offer multiple design options.
- High-end logo design costs start at around $2,500 and can exceed $10,000 when working with a full-service branding agency.
- Understanding how much a logo costs will help you choose the right approach based on your business goals, design needs and budget.
How much does a logo design cost?
The cost of a logo design can range from $0 to tens of thousands of dollars, but if you’re a small business or startup looking for quality design, a good logo design should cost between $300-$1,300.
Logo design prices can vary. For instance, the price of a logo design depends on its quality and who created it. Take a look at your budget and let us help you decide the best way to spend based on your needs.
| Low cost $0–$50 USD | Low midrange $300–$800 USD | High midrange $800-$2,500 USD | High end $2,500+ USD | |
| Logo design options | DIY option (Logomaker) | Freelance designer or design contest | Freelance designer or design contest | Design agency |
| Quality | Quick and easy—build a polished logo fast with stock icons and fonts. | Designers with promise but limited experience or a smaller portfolio. | Experienced designers and professional service and advice. | Guaranteed high-quality designs from a full-service team of creative strategists. |
| Who should use it? | Budget-conscious or time-strapped businesses that need a logo quickly and want a hands-on approach to building their brand. | Businesses that have a good understanding of the design process and would rather spend time than money. | Businesses that want quality on a mid-range budget. | Well-resourced businesses that want a complete, top-to-bottom branding package. |
Low cost: under $300 USD
When it comes to how much a logo costs, the under $300 range is where many small business owners begin. While these options won’t deliver fully custom designs, they can be a useful first step in building your visual identity.
Logomaker
If you’re working with a small budget, logo design software like VistaPrint’s Logomaker can be a smart starting point. It’s free to use, making it a risk-free way to begin exploring your brand identity. The tool generates logo concepts based on your business name, industry and the type of logo you’re looking for, helping you visualize different directions quickly.
While you don’t need design experience to create a basic logo, customizing it further using the editor works best if you have an eye for layout, color and graphic design principles. That makes this option especially useful for small business owners who already have a clear vision or want to test ideas before committing to a larger investment.
Want to learn more ? Learn how to design a logo from finding inspiration and defining your brand to choosing colors and fonts.
Entry-level freelancers
You may find freelancers who are willing to give you a logo for under $300. That can work, too—but as with any low-cost option, it’s worth asking how much a logo design costs when you factor in revisions, usage rights and overall quality. If a deal seems too good to be true, you might end up with a generic logo that doesn’t really support your business goals.
Midrange: $300-$2,500 USD
If you have a few hundred to a few thousand dollars in your budget, you’ve hit the sweet spot for logo design cost: You’re probably going to get a pretty good design and won’t have to break the bank.
Within this custom logo price range, you have two options for getting a design: working with a freelance designer or a logo design contest.
And we know there’s a big difference between $300 and $2,000. Don’t worry, we’ve made sure to break down why and when you’ll want to pay more.
Freelance designer
Using a freelance designer can be a great experience—you get an expert customizing your logo based on your feedback. However, there is a very wide range of experience out there, which means a broad spectrum of cost and quality of work. It’s important to vet prospective designers if you want to work one-on-one. Viewing their portfolios and testimonials is imperative, and getting a direct referral from someone you trust is even better.
When choosing a freelancer, you’ll want to consider:
- how they bill (hourly vs. per project)
- how much experience do they have
Generally, you’re going to get a higher quote from someone who has a proven track record. They will also give you a detailed breakdown of what you get for your money (or how long they anticipate your project to take).
If you’re looking to spend $300-$800, you will likely be working with a less experienced graphic designer. This can be great if you have a clear vision, experience giving feedback on design work and time to work out the kinks. If you’re looking for more support in getting what you want, and you don’t have hours to spend going back and forth, you should probably consider spending in the $800-$2,000 range.
Logo contest
Combining the stability of flat fee pricing with a wide range of design options for your logos, a logo design contest, like one from 99designs by Vista, commissions multiple design ideas from a global community of designers, giving you dozens of unique logo ideas for your company. During the contest (which typically takes one to two weeks to complete), you have the opportunity to interact with designers and give feedback on different versions of their designs so you can help shape the end product.
Like with freelancers, you can get a good logo design for any price, but the real answer to “How much does a logo cost?” often depends on the level of experience you’re paying for. Logo pricing tends to scale with quality—when you pay more, the prize for the winning designer is bigger, too. More experienced designers participate in your contest, so you get more high-quality designs to choose from.
High end: $2,500+ USD
When you buy a logo design, you end up with… a logo! But if you’re willing and able to pay more, you can get more. Usually, this means working with a design agency, which also means a logo design price that could go up to $10,000 or more.
Design agencies
A professional design or branding agency is another option for getting your logo designed and often includes a top-to-bottom branding package for the cost. Design agencies often conduct market research and competitor analysis to figure out how your brand can stand out in a good way. Agencies employ creative teams that will approach your project from all angles, ensuring thorough work that is backed up with business data.
Of course, cost is one of the biggest hurdles to hiring a design agency. Brand identity packages (which include a logo) start at about $10,000 with an agency and are typically out of budget for small business owners. Additionally, not all agencies are created equal. As with hiring a freelance designer, you should do your research into their work, style and client satisfaction.
There are also a few extra things to consider with this option. Many agencies require a deposit—often up to 50% of the total logo design price—before work begins. Some may ask you to sign a contract outlining project scope, timelines and payment terms, so it’s important to understand the fine print. And because agency work tends to be more in-depth, it may take at least a week to receive your first round of mockups.
Make sure you explore all your options to create a custom logo and pick the right one for your needs. Be sure you have your brand style guide ready, as it’ll help you develop a great logo with your designer.
What do I get for my money with different logo design pricing options?
Regardless of what direction you choose for your logo design project, it’s important that you know exactly what you should be getting for your money. Whether you opt to hire a freelance designer, launch a design contest, spring for an agency or take the DIY route, make sure that the following checklist is a part of your agreement:
- Your final logo design in multiple formats
- High-resolution, vector format for printing
- Web-optimized format for website, social media and other digital needs
- Full legal copyright
- This ensures that your logo design is exclusively yours
Logo design cost FAQs
Do I own the logo if I pay someone to design it?
Usually, yes—but it depends on the agreement. Most professional designers or agencies transfer ownership of the final logo once full payment is made, but it’s important to confirm that in writing. Make sure your contract or invoice clearly states that you’ll receive full copyright or usage rights so you can use the logo freely for marketing, packaging, signage and more.
How long should a logo design take?
It varies based on the method you choose. DIY logo design software like using a Logomaker can generate a logo in minutes, while working with a freelance designer might take a few days to a couple of weeks. If you’re going through a design agency, especially as part of a larger branding project, expect the process to take several weeks—especially if rounds of feedback and revisions are involved.
Is paying for a logo worth it?
Absolutely—especially if you want your business to look polished and credible. A professionally designed logo gives your brand a strong visual identity, helps you stand out in a crowded market and builds trust with potential customers. While free or low-cost tools are a great starting point, investing in a well-designed logo can pay off long term by supporting your marketing and brand recognition efforts.
