Illustrator AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Graphic Design Tools

The best Graphic Design alternative to Adobe Illustrator is Inkscape, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Adobe Illustrator and many of them are Graphic Design Tools so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Graphic Design Tool alternatives to Adobe Illustrator are Affinity Designer, Linearity Curve, Figma and Affinity.

filter to find the best alternatives

Adobe Illustrator alternatives are mainly Graphic Design Tools, but if you're looking for Vector Graphic Apps or Image Editors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Mac, Free, Windows + Free, Android, Linux and iPad. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Adobe Illustrator.
More about Adobe Illustrator
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Adobe Illustrator alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Inkscape icon

    Inkscape

     2293 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Unlike Illustrator, Inkscape is completely free and open source, and it uses Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) as its native format. This lightweight app is usually recommended if you don't have a powerful computer, as it also has many of the useful features from illustrator, including layers, grouping objects, drawing, shape, calligraphy, pencil tools, path simplification with variable threshold, bitmaps, and boolean operations. Plus, you can open or import a wide range of file formats including SVG, PDF, EPS, CDR, or even AI (Adobe Illustrator).

    122 Inkscape alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    Inkscape screenshot 1
     
    |
    38
    548
    Comments about Inkscape as an Alternative to Adobe Illustrator
    Comment summary: Adobe Illustrator is praised for its comprehensive features and professional capabilities in vector art but criticized for slowing down with large files. Alternatively, Inkscape is appreciated for being free, open-source, and user-friendly with a robust SVG support. However, it faces criticism for performance issues, especially on macOS, and lacks some advanced features available in Illustrator. Despite its limitations, many consider Inkscape capable and recommend it for SVG-related projects.
    Top Positive Comment
    Paulo Coghi
    13

    It's feature complete, professional and as capable (or even more capable) than Illustrator

    Top Negative Comment
    arlenwh
    0

    Slows Down and lags if the file your working on is too large. So if you go ahead and turn a bitmap image into a vector and that image requires too many paths. The application basically becomes useless. Look else where if you need to turn large bitmap images into vector images.

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    I love how fast it operates and some of the cool color palettes (Munsell) but the functionality made it almost useless. Too many steps to change and quick copy objects. Like changing font or color and weird tool names/keyboard shortcuts.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Show more comments
    3 of 38 comments
    Adobe Illustrator Icon
    Inkscape icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Inkscape is a great Adobe Illustrator alternative.

    • Inkscape is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Adobe Illustrator.

    • Inkscape is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Adobe Illustrator.

    • Inkscape is Free and Open SourceAdobe Illustrator is Paid and Proprietary
    • Inkscape is Customizable, Privacy focused and LightweightAdobe Illustrator is not according to our users
  2. Affinity Designer icon

    Affinity Designer

     382 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Affinity Designer is fairly new when compared to the more popular vector editing apps, however it has gradually grown in popularity and influence, and for very good reasons. Its one time purchase (perpetual license) turns out to be a good argument for those who do not want to to pay a monthly subscription fee like Adobe's. In addition, it's available on iPad with an app that has ALL the features from the desktop version, which makes it probably the most complete vector editing mobile app on the market. It also has some unique features that Illustrator doesn't, like the ability to switch between raster and vector workspaces within the same tool, one million+ percent zoom, and unlimited redo.

    62 Affinity Designer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPad
    Affinity Designer screenshot 1
     
    |
    29
    343
    Comments about Affinity Designer as an Alternative to Adobe Illustrator
    Comment summary: Affinity Designer is praised for its affordability, one-time purchase model, and comprehensive features that rival Adobe Illustrator. Users highlight its ease of use, high performance, and seamless integration with other Affinity apps. Its auto-export feature, responsive developers, and absence of subscription fees stand out as notable benefits. While it lacks some specific features like Object Blend, many consider it a superior alternative for both casual and professional users.
    Top Positive Comment
    Paul
    5

    Affinity Designer is faster, cheaper and can handle bitmap and vector illustrations. I finally got rid of Adobe.

    Jonathan Jewell
    Positive
    0

    Far and away the best of these tools. The Serif/Affinity product is so underrated with the dominance of Adobe out there. I cannot see why anyone not locked into a service contract or who did not need the wider Adobe product suite functionality would stay with them at the price with alternatives like Affinity out there. And they haven't had a password breach that I know in the past two decades I have been with them as a customer...

    Du
    Positive
    1

    I especially enjoy auto export feature, when changes in artboards are immediately exported to a custom set of formats. Just change the design, and your jpegs, pngs and pdfs of your preferred resolutions are already there, ready to use. A treat for web design, but also very useful for 3d modelling textures and decals.

    Show more comments
    3 of 29 comments
    Adobe Illustrator Icon
    Affinity Designer icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Affinity Designer is a great Adobe Illustrator alternative.

    • Affinity Designer is the most popular iPad alternative to Adobe Illustrator.

    • Affinity Designer is the most popular commercial alternative to Adobe Illustrator.

    • Affinity Designer is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Illustrator is also Paid and Proprietary
  4. Linearity Curve icon

    Linearity Curve

     354 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Vectonator is a very complete free vector editing app, known mainly for its iPad apps, focusing on simplicity and ease of use. You can export to JPG, PNG, SVG and PDF. Also, unlike Illustrator, you can render a time-lapse video of your project to share on social media (with some limitations). Cloud syncing allows you to continue work started on iPad and finish it directly on macOS.

    39 Linearity Curve alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Linearity Curve screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    249
    Comments about Linearity Curve as an Alternative to Adobe Illustrator
    FearedFusionX
    Negative
    1

    This used to be a great app for both Mac and iOS, but ever since the subscription update, the app has been reaching it's breaking point.

    Adobe Illustrator Icon
    Linearity Curve icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Linearity Curve is a great Adobe Illustrator alternative.

    • Linearity Curve is the most popular iPhone alternative to Adobe Illustrator.

    • Linearity Curve is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Illustrator is Paid and Proprietary
    • Linearity Curve is Lightweight and Privacy focusedAdobe Illustrator is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Animatron Studio icon
    Animatron Studio

    Animatron is an easy­-to­-use and powerful online HTML5 animation maker that enables users to create stunning animations and videos right in the browser.

    https://www.animatron.com
    Learn More
  6. Figma icon

    Figma

     236 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Figma has a bigger focus on UI design, wireframing and collaborative work. Like Sketch, its interface is cleaner and easier to understand than Illustrator. It's can also be used throught web browsers and collabore with more members of your team in real time. It features automatic cloud synchronization so you can use your files on the platform you want, in addition to unique features such as arc tools and vector networks, which allow non-designers to format their templates easily. Animated prototypes are definitely a great advantage to interact with your design before coding.

    96 Figma alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    ,
     
    |
    2
    37
    Comments about Figma as an Alternative to Adobe Illustrator
    RCLeahcar
    Negative
    8

    Figma places a heavier focus on user interface design, while Illustrator is a general vector graphics editor.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    With a focus on UI, it is a much better tool to use for UI design and prototyping

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Adobe Illustrator Icon
    Figma icon

    • Most users think Figma is a great Adobe Illustrator alternative.

    • Figma is the most popular Web-based, Android, SaaS & Android Tablet alternative to Adobe Illustrator.

    • Figma is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Illustrator is Paid and Proprietary
  7. Affinity icon

    Affinity

     48 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Unified design solution merging advanced photo, vector, and layout tools for seamless workflow, non-destructive editing, RAW support, batch processing, AI enhancements, GPU acceleration, file compatibility, cloud asset integration, and tailored workspace options.

    65 Affinity alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Affinity screenshot 1
     
  8. Graphite icon

    Graphite

     91 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Graphite is a free, open source vector graphics editor and animation engine, available now in alpha. Get creative with a fully nondestructive editing workflow that combines layer-based compositing with node-based generative design.

    59 Graphite alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Made using nondestructive boolean operations and procedural polka dot patterns
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Graphite as an Alternative to Adobe Illustrator
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Its goal to be all in one tools and the vision is really good. But it's under the development.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Adobe Illustrator Icon
    Graphite icon
    • Graphite is Free and Open SourceAdobe Illustrator is Paid and Proprietary
    • Graphite is Privacy focused and LightweightAdobe Illustrator is not according to our users
  10. Vectr icon

    Vectr

     92 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Vectr is completely free and browser-based, offering a quick and easy way to get started with vector editing through an intuitive interface. Since it's browser based, each image has a custom URL that you can share with others to be reviewed and collaborate in real time with multiple people. You can export your finished work as an SVG, PNG, or JPEG file. Its features are much more simple than those offered by Illustrator, so it's really not recommended for very complex projects. However, it is an excellent choice if you are a beginner with vector editing software.

    101 Vectr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    Vectr screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    24
    Comments about Vectr as an Alternative to Adobe Illustrator
    Ibuddy66
    Positive
    0

    Vectr has a great user interface and has lots of tools to fine tune designs. They have plenty of numerical value boxes to get better results with what you want and have an easy to learn interface. I have used it for quite a few projects. Great to make new icons with too! Love it!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    -4

    Cannot open existing ai- and eps-files. Exporting is very limited.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Adobe Illustrator Icon
    Vectr icon

    • Most users think Vectr is a great Adobe Illustrator alternative.

    • Vectr is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Illustrator is Paid and Proprietary
  11. Boxy SVG icon

    Boxy SVG

     48 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Boxy SVG is a vector graphics editor simillar to Adobe Illustrator, Sketch and Inkscape. Made with and for the modern Web Platform. Can do illustrations, icons, banners, mockups, charts, buttons and more.

    55 Boxy SVG alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Flathub
    Boxy SVG screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    13
    Comments about Boxy SVG as an Alternative to Adobe Illustrator
    Paul
    Positive
    0

    It's not comparable to Illustrator in terms of features, but if you need a lightweight software to create or edit SVGs, then this is a very good software. I use it daily for quick edits to vector files.

    Guest
    Negative
    -2

    No import or export of ai and eps

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Adobe Illustrator Icon
    Boxy SVG icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Boxy SVG is a great Adobe Illustrator alternative.

    • Boxy SVG is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Illustrator is also Paid and Proprietary
  12. Karbon icon

    Karbon

     56 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Karbon is a vector drawing application with a user interface that is easy to use, highly customizable and extensible. That makes Karbon a great application for users starting to explore the world of vector graphics as well as for artists wanting to create breathtaking vector art.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Karbon screenshot 1
     
    |
    18
  14. Xara Designer Pro icon

    Xara Designer Pro

     32 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Xara Designer Pro offers tools for illustration, photo editing, and desktop publishing, with exceptional vector design capabilities. Suitable for billboards, business cards, and more, it supports diverse file formats, provides abundant templates, and powers web design and prototyping without coding.

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Xara Designer Pro screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    9
    Comments about Xara Designer Pro as an Alternative to Adobe Illustrator
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Xara is avey intuïtive and fast drawing application that can do print, websites, animation, DTP, bitmaps and everything you would could ask from a graphic program.

    The possibilities are endless considiering it flawless combines vector editing with bitmaps.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Extremely fast and better with bitmaps than Illustrator

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Adobe Illustrator Icon
    Xara Designer Pro icon

    • Most users think Xara Designer Pro is a great Adobe Illustrator alternative.

    • Xara Designer Pro is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Illustrator is also Paid and Proprietary
    • Xara Designer Pro is LightweightAdobe Illustrator is not according to our users
  15. Serif Drawplus icon

    Serif Drawplus

     23 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Serif DrawPlus is the affordable, all-in-one, creative powerhouse for drawing, sketching, painting, designing, illustrating and animating!

    23 Serif Drawplus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Serif Drawplus screenshot 1
     
    |
    11
12 of 25 Adobe Illustrator alternatives