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

Alternatives list

1. 

   

   Inkscape

    2338 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).

   125 Inkscape alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source (GPL-2.0)

   Application types

   • Vector Graphic
   • Digital Painting

   Origin

   • United States

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • BSD
   • Snapcraft
   • Flathub
   • PortableApps.com
   • Haiku

   

   

   

   +8

   

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   Is Inkscape a good alternative to Adobe Illustrator?

    

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   Inkscape vs Adobe Illustrator Comments

    

   Top Positive Comment

   Paulo Coghi

   Nov 24, 2021

   13

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

   Top Negative Comment

   arlenwh

   Mar 18, 2023

   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 comment•Aug 21, 2025

   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.

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   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. 

   

   Graphite

    101 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

   • Free
   • Open Source (Apache-2.0)

   Application types

   • Vector Graphic
   • Image Editor

   Origin

   • United States

   Platforms

   • Online

   

   

   

   +2

   

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   1comment

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   Graphite vs Adobe Illustrator Comments

    

   Guest

   Positive comment•Aug 6, 2024

   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
4. 

   

   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

   • Free
   • Open Source (GPL-2.0)

   Application type

   • Digital Painting

   Origin

   • Switzerland

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • PortableApps.com

   

   

   

   +2

   

   More about MyPaint  

   

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   6comments

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   MyPaint vs Adobe Illustrator Comments

    

   Top Positive Comment

   Dmitrii Kunicin

   Jun 30, 2021

   -2

   the application is suitable for use by children, simple

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   Top Negative Comment

   lauraess

   Apr 3, 2024

   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 comment•Jan 30, 2026

   0

   Vector and bitmap illustration are two completely different usecases.

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   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
5. Ad

   

   

   Animatron Studio

   Design browser-based HTML5 animations and videos using a user-friendly vector tool with rich timeline editing, real-time multi-user collaboration, and audio support. Access free animated assets, import diverse media, and export p...

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6. 

   

   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

   • Vector Graphic

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • Online
   • Android

   

   More about GodSVG  

   

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   GodSVG vs Adobe Illustrator Comments

    

   isaacsgraphic2

   Negative comment•Aug 27, 2025

   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
7. 

   

   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

   • Free
   • Open Source (GPL-2.0)

   Application types

   • Vector Graphic
   • Digital Painting

   Origin

   • Germany
   • EU

   Platforms

   • Linux
   • KDE Plasma
   • Flathub
   • Flatpak

   

   

   

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8. 

   

   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.

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

   Application types

   • Digital Painting
   • Image Editor

   Origin

   • France
   • EU

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • BSD
   • PortableApps.com
   • Flathub
   • Flatpak

   

   

   

   +2

   

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10. 

    

    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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    • Vector Graphic

    Origin

    • United States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    

    

    

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    Apache OpenOffice Draw vs Adobe Illustrator Comments

     

    Guest

    Negative comment•Mar 15, 2018

    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
11. 

    

    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.

    33 sK1 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

    Application types

    • Vector Graphic
    • Image Editor

    Origin

    • Russia

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux

    

    

    

    +4

    

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12. 

    

    SVG-Edit

     33 likes

    SVG-edit is a fast, web-based, JavaScript-driven SVG drawing editor that works in any modern browser.

    39 SVG-Edit alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    • Vector Graphic
    • Digital Painting

    Origin

    • United States

    Platforms

    • Online

    

    

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13. 

    

    Repath Studio

     3 likes

    A cross platform vector graphics editor, that combines procedural tooling with traditional design workflows. It includes an interactive shell, which allows evaluating code to generate shapes, or even extend the editor on the fly.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (AGPL-3.0)

    Application type

    • Vector Graphic

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    

    More about Repath Studio  

    

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    1comment

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    Repath Studio vs Adobe Illustrator Comments

     

    erayzesen

    Positive comment•Sep 24, 2024

    0

    It have a good potential. But it's under the development.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.

    

    

    • Repath Studio is Free and Open SourceAdobe Illustrator is Paid and Proprietary
    • Repath Studio is Privacy focusedAdobe Illustrator is not according to our users
14. 

    

    KolourPaint

     43 likes

    KolourPaint is a simple painting program to quickly create raster images. It is useful as a touch-up tool and for simple image editing tasks.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    • Digital Painting
    • Image Editor

    Origin

    • Germany
    • EU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft

    

    More about KolourPaint  

    

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15. 

    

    Ballpoint

     8 likes

    Ballpoint is an experimental new vector graphics editor. It's available as a free to use web application.

    14 Ballpoint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    • Vector Graphic

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Online

    

    More about Ballpoint  

    

    Is Ballpoint a good alternative to Adobe Illustrator?