The Best Free Illustrator AlternativesTop Vector Graphic Apps & Digital Painting Tools like Illustrator

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

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Adobe Illustrator alternatives are mainly Vector Graphic Apps, but if you're looking for Graphic Design Tools or Image Editors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Mac, Free, Linux, Android, iPad and Windows + Free. 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.
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Alternatives list

  1. Inkscape icon

    Inkscape

     2322 likes

    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).

    124 Inkscape alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    Inkscape screenshot 1
     
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    38
    Inkscape vs Adobe Illustrator Comments
    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.
    3 of 38 comments
    • 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. Linearity Curve icon

    Linearity Curve

     354 likes

    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
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Linearity Curve screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Linearity Curve vs Adobe Illustrator Comments
    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.

    • 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
  4. Figma icon

    Figma

     245 likes

    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.

    106 Figma alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    ,
     
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    2
    Figma vs Adobe Illustrator Comments
    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.
    • Figma is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Illustrator is Paid and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Vecteezy Editor icon
    Vecteezy Editor

    The Vecteezy Editor is a free SVG editor designed to allow anyone to quickly and easily create beautiful graphics directly in the browser. This tool is built into the largest database of free vector graphics on the internet.

    https://www.vecteezy.com
    Learn More
  6. Affinity icon

    Affinity

     66 likes

    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.

    70 Affinity alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Affinity screenshot 1
     
  7. Graphite icon

    Graphite

     99 likes

    Vector graphics and animation editor featuring free, open source access, nondestructive workflow, node-based generative design, layer compositing, browser use, and upcoming support for photo editing, painting, publishing, VFX, and desktop apps in alpha release.

    54 Graphite alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Made using nondestructive boolean operations and procedural polka dot patterns
     
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    1
    Graphite vs Adobe Illustrator Comments
    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.
    • Graphite is Free and Open SourceAdobe Illustrator is Paid and Proprietary
    • Graphite is Privacy focused and LightweightAdobe Illustrator is not according to our users
  8. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

     392 likes

    The biggest difference with Illustrator is that MyPaint works with bitmaps instead of vector graphics. It's open source software designed mainly to illustrate and draw with a digitizer tablet. It has a simple interface, where almost all the basic drawing functions are assigned to keyboard shortcuts, which improves workflow speed. In addition, you can hide the entire graphical interface and focus all attention on the drawing without being distracted by unnecessary or complex buttons or palettes. It's a good option if you are interested in digital illustration without too many overwhelming features.

    130 MyPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    MyPaint screenshot 1
     
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    6
    MyPaint vs Adobe Illustrator Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Dmitrii Kunicin
    -2

    the application is suitable for use by children, simple

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    lauraess
    2

    Illustrator is a vector image editing app. I can import bitmaps but those are more likely to be traced as vectors. This is a drawing program and is bitmap based.

    thniels
    Negative
    0

    Vector and bitmap illustration are two completely different usecases.

    3 of 6 comments
    • MyPaint is Free and Open SourceAdobe Illustrator is Paid and Proprietary
    • MyPaint is LightweightAdobe Illustrator is not according to our users
  10. GodSVG icon

    GodSVG

     36 likes

    Interactive vector editor built with Godot for creating or editing SVG files, featuring UI-based element manipulation, live code updates, direct markup access, no added metadata, minimal abstraction, clean output, and intended use on desktop plus mobile devices.

    14 GodSVG alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    GodSVG screenshot 1
     
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    1
    GodSVG vs Adobe Illustrator Comments
    isaacsgraphic2
    Negative
    0

    Illustrator is a fully functional graphics program. You can insert images, you have lots of options for text editing etc. You can make posters and flyers, full illustrations etc. There are a lot of import and export options, colour handling, image trace, brush tools and more.

    GodSVG is only useful for editing and refining simple svg files, you could use it for creating a set of simple icons perhaps, but not a whole poster design or any typography. It's just not the same kind of program.

    • GodSVG is Free and Open SourceAdobe Illustrator is Paid and Proprietary
  11. Vectr icon

    Vectr

     92 likes

    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.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Vectr screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Vectr vs Adobe Illustrator Comments
    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.
    • Vectr is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Illustrator is Paid and Proprietary
  12. Karbon icon

    Karbon

     57 likes

    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

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Karbon screenshot 1
     
  13. LazPaint icon

    LazPaint

     46 likes

    Raster & vector graphic editor with many tools and filters, written in Lazarus. Portable, 32bit & 64bit versions, ORA format & 16384x16384 image support. In app 3D import & rendering.

    44 LazPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Main UI
     
  14. Apache OpenOffice Draw icon

    Apache OpenOffice Draw

     125 likes

    Draw, part of the Apache OpenOffice suite, is a graphics editor that gives you the tools to communicate with visuals and diagrams. With a maximum page size of 300cm by 300cm, Draw is powerful tool for posters, graphs, charts, and more.

    91 Apache OpenOffice Draw alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    For technical drawings with integrated graduation function (not available in PowerPoint)
     
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    1
    Apache OpenOffice Draw vs Adobe Illustrator Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    6

    More of a flowchart designer than a vector illustrator

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Apache OpenOffice Draw is Free and Open SourceAdobe Illustrator is Paid and Proprietary
  15. sK1 icon

    sK1

     37 likes

    sK1 is an open source cross-platform vector graphics editor like CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator, or Freehand. The major feature of sK1 is a professional precise printing and prepress ready PDF output.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    sK1 screenshot 1
     
12 of 60 Adobe Illustrator alternatives