Free Illustrator Alternatives

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, MyPaint and Vectr.

Adobe Illustrator alternatives are mainly Vector Graphic Apps but may also be Digital Painting Tools or Image Editors. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Adobe Illustrator.

Adobe Illustrator alternatives page was last updated

Adobe Illustrator

503

Paid • Proprietary
Vector Graphic App

Design quickly and confidently with Adobe Illustrator software. Sophisticated tools for drawing and typography, along with...

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Inkscape
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Vector Graphic App
Image Editor
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Snapcraft
Flathub
PortableApps.com
137 Inkscape alternatives
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).
- - Inkscape is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
- - Inkscape is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
Suggest and vote on features
Inkscape Features
1. Support for LayersInkscape supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
2. Works OfflineInkscape can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
3. Ad-freeInkscape doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Privacy focusedInkscape is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. LightweightInkscape consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
6. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Inkscape without registration.
7. Dark ModeInkscape supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. Drawing Tablet SupportInkscape supports the use of external drawing tablets as input devices.
9. Color PickerInkscape allows you to select and copy a color property from an image, object, or shape.
Vectorize raster images
Support for SVG
Live Path Effects
Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
Customizable
Edit PDF
Export to SVG
Scalable
High-resolution images
Symbols
Comments about Inkscape as a Alternative to Adobe Illustrator
Almost everyone thinks Inkscape is a great Adobe Illustrator alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Paulo Coghi
It's feature complete, professional and as capable (or even more capable) than Illustrator
Top positive comment•
9

Guest
If your end product is svg files, Inkscape is just better, it's built around the SVG standard and supports nearly all of it.
Top positive comment•
8

ShnitzelKiller
Inkscape has very bad performance (especially on mac), due to jank in the rendering code, and being optimized for CPU rather than GPU rendering, probably due to being a very old piece of software. It doesn't seem like this will be fixed anytime soon, based on the discussions taking place which are years old at this point.
Top negative comment•
-2

arlenwh
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.
Negative comment•
0

banlogics
The best software for vector art. A fully featured and professional software.
Positive comment•
3

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5 of 34 comments
Linearity Curve
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Vector Graphic App
Digital Painting Tool
UI Design Tool
Mac
iPhone
iPad
32 Linearity Curve alternatives
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.
- - Linearity Curve is the most popular iPhone alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
Suggest and vote on features
Linearity Curve Features
1. Works OfflineLinearity Curve can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
2. Ad-freeLinearity Curve doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Support for LayersLinearity Curve supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
Vector strokes
Artboards
Vector painting
Real time rendering
Intuitive Interface
Vectorize raster images
UX Design
Auto-trace
Vectorgraphic support
AI-Powered
Opinions about Linearity Curve as a Alternative to Adobe Illustrator
Almost everyone thinks Linearity Curve is a great Adobe Illustrator alternative.
Figma
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Prototyping Tool
UI Design Tool
Wireframing Tool
Mac
Windows
Online
Chrome OS
Software as a Service (SaaS)
70 Figma alternatives
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.
- - Figma is the most popular Web-based & SaaS alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
Suggest and vote on features
Figma Features
1. Support for LayersFigma supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
2. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
3. Design handoffView and share snippets of generated code and design specs from your design in Figma
4. Auto LayoutFigma supports layouts that dynamically grow and adapt to the size of its contents.
5. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsFigma can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
6. Embedded commentsUsers can leave comments that will appear within Figma
7. Create UI ComponentsFigma allows you to create and define groups of reusable UI elements/materials across your design.
8. Dark ModeFigma supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
9. Transitions EffectsFigma allows you to apply transition effects between two different scenes/pages using pre-loaded or custom animated transitions.
Import from Sketch
Cross-Platform
Brainstorming
Export to SVG
Interactive Prototyping
Shared whiteboard
File Versioning
Color Picker
Live Preview
Smart Animate
Comments about Figma as a Alternative to Adobe Illustrator
Most users think Figma is a great Adobe Illustrator alternative.
RCLeahcar
Figma places a heavier focus on user interface design, while Illustrator is a general vector graphics editor.
Negative comment•
6

Guest
With a focus on UI, it is a much better tool to use for UI design and prototyping
Positive comment•
2
MyPaint
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Digital Painting Tool
Image Editor
Photo Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
PortableApps.com
127 MyPaint alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
MyPaint Features
1. Support for LayersMyPaint supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
2. Distraction-freeMyPaint has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
3. Drawing Tablet SupportMyPaint supports the use of external drawing tablets as input devices.
4. PortableMyPaint can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
5. Custom BrushesYou can use modified/custom brushes in MyPaint.
6. Ad-freeMyPaint doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Sketching
Infinite canvas
Fullscreen support
Color blending
Comments about MyPaint as a Alternative to Adobe Illustrator
Some users think MyPaint is a great Adobe Illustrator alternative, some don't.
richcarrera
It works with bitmap, Illustrator with vector graphics. it has more similarities with photoshop than with Illustrator.
Negative comment•
0

Dmitrii Kunicin
the application is suitable for use by children, simple
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Illustrator is a vector graphics tool, MyPaint is a raster graphics tool.
Negative comment•
1
Vectr
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Vector Graphic App
Image Editor
Graphic Design Tool
Online
Chrome OS
89 Vectr alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Vectr Features
1. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Vectr simultaneously.
2. Works OfflineVectr can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Web-Based
Extensive settings menu
Convert images to PDF
Image Sharing
Comments about Vectr as a Alternative to Adobe Illustrator
Most users think Vectr is a great Adobe Illustrator alternative.
Ibuddy66
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!
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Cannot open existing ai- and eps-files. Exporting is very limited.
Negative comment•
-4
Graphite
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Vector Graphic App
Image Editor
Graphic Design Tool
Online
50 Graphite alternatives
Graphite is an open source, cross-platform, 2D vector and raster general-purpose graphics editor with AI image generation features and a non-destructive node-based effects compositing engine.
Suggest and vote on features
Graphite Features
1. CrowdsourcedGraphite uses suggestions, information, etc., from a large group of people to improve the quality of the content.
2. Dark ModeGraphite supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. No TrackingGraphite will not track you or use your personal data.
4. LightweightGraphite consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
5. Ad-freeGraphite doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. Node BasedGraphite supports node editing, a form of visual programming that gives you full control over the rendering.
7. Text to Image GenerationGraphite generates an original image using only text input through AI.
8. WYSIWYG SupportGraphite integrates a WYSIWYG editor to edit the look and content of a document, page, or file.
9. Color PickerGraphite allows you to select and copy a color property from an image, object, or shape.
No registration required
Live Preview
Support for Layers
Non Destructive Editing
Export to SVG
AI-Powered
LazPaint
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Image Editor
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
43 LazPaint alternatives
Raster & vector graphic editor with many tools and filters, written in Lazarus (Free Pascal). Portable, 32bit (under 3mb) & 64bit (3.55mb) versions, ORA format & 16384x16384 image support. In app 3D import & rendering.
Suggest and vote on features
LazPaint Features
1. LightweightLazPaint consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Support for LayersLazPaint supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
3. PortableLazPaint can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Transparent images
Reads PDN Format
Pixel accuracy
Export to SVG
Support for SVG