Illustrator AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Digital Painting Tools

The best Digital Painting 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 100 alternatives to Adobe Illustrator and many of them are Digital Painting Tools so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Digital Painting Tool alternatives to Adobe Illustrator are Figma, MyPaint, Linearity Curve and CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.

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Most Adobe Illustrator alternatives are Digital Painting Tools, but you can also narrow the list to Vector Graphic Apps or Image Editors. Other popular filters are Open Source, Mac, Android, Windows and Free. You can also filter for EU-based alternatives if you prefer software from the European Union.
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Alternatives
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Alternatives list

  1. Inkscape icon

    Inkscape

     2398 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).

    135 Inkscape alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • US flagUnited States
    Inkscape screenshot 1
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  2. Figma icon

    Figma

     276 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.

    144 Figma alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • US flagUnited States
    ,
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  4. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

     397 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.

    144 MyPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    • CH flagSwitzerland
    MyPaint screenshot 1
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  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    CorelDRAW Graphics Suite icon
    CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

    It is one of the oldest and most reliable vector tools in the industry, not only offering excellent performance, but also providing an intuitive interface that's ideal for any beginner designers. Different from Illustrator, you c...

    https://www.coreldraw.com
    Learn More
  6. Linearity Curve icon

    Linearity Curve

     355 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.

    41 Linearity Curve alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU
    Linearity Curve screenshot 1
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  7. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite icon

    CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

     218 likes

    It is one of the oldest and most reliable vector tools in the industry, not only offering excellent performance, but also providing an intuitive interface that's ideal for any beginner designers. Different from Illustrator, you can choose to pay a monthly subscription or obtain a license through a one-time purchase (although a bit expensive), which will include other compatible Corel design software such as Photo-Paint (Corel's alternative to Photoshop), as well as a font manager and content organization applications. CorelDRAW lets you edit multi-page documents, non-destructively convert bitmaps to vectors, and create QR codes.

    95 CorelDRAW Graphics Suite alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • CA flagCanada
    CorelDRAW Graphics Suite screenshot 1
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  9. Scissor icon

    Scissor

     14 likes

    A free vector and pixel design studio, right in your browser. Nothing to install, no account, and your work stays on your device.

    51 Scissor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU
    Scissor screenshot 1
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  11. 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.

    56 LazPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU
    Main UI
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  12. Karbon icon

    Karbon

     58 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 type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU
    Karbon screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  13. Amadine icon

    Amadine

     7 likes

    Amadine is a macOS vector graphics app designed for both beginners and pros, offering a user-friendly interface, precision design tools, multiple layers, and a seamless workflow. It's developed by BeLight Software, emphasizing intuitive use and versatile creativity.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • UA flagUkraine
    Amadine screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  14. Xara Designer Pro icon

    Xara Designer Pro

     32 likes

    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

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU
    Xara Designer Pro screenshot 1
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  15. Sumo Paint icon

    Sumo Paint

     74 likes

    Sumo Paint is a powerful image editor with a long-standing history as a fully capable Photoshop clone in the browser. Being designed for the browser, it's accessible on practically any system and loads much faster than most comparable desktop tools while still providing core...

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • GB flagUnited Kingdom
    Sumo Paint screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
12 of 24 Adobe Illustrator alternatives