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If you don’t want to pay for an Adobe subscription, you should look into the best Adobe Illustrator Alternatives. Adobe Illustrator is now a standard in the business world. It’s a powerful program that many professional designers use. It has a lot of tools and features that can help you make amazing vector designs.
It can be changed in many ways, and there are a lot of tutorials online. Adobe Illustrator is one of the most popular programs for designing and editing vector graphics. In the early versions of Adobe Illustrator, users could make their own fonts, typography, logos, and graphic designs by using their own creativity.
Best Adobe Illustrator Alternatives Comparison Table
Software | Features | Price | Visit Website |
---|---|---|---|
Affinity Designer | Professional vector graphic design software. | $49.99 (One-time purchase) | Visit Website |
Sketch | Digital design toolkit for creating UIs, websites, and icons. | $9/month (Subscription model) | Visit Website |
CorelDRAW | Vector graphics editor for creating illustrations and logos. | $249.99 (One-time purchase) | Visit Website |
Inkscape | Open-source vector graphics editor. | Free | Visit Website |
Apache OpenOffice Draw | Vector graphics editor included in the OpenOffice suite. | Free | Visit Website |
Canva | Graphic design platform for creating social media posts, etc. | $12.99/month (Subscription model) | Visit Website |
Vectornator | Vector graphics editor with a focus on the iPad. | Free (In-app purchases available) | Visit Website |
Figma | Browser-based interface design tool for creating UIs. | $12/month (Subscription model) | Visit Website |
Affinity Designer

Feature | |
---|---|
Vector Editing | Powerful vector editing tools for creating and editing vector graphics |
Pixel Editing | Ability to edit raster images with non-destructive effects |
Seamless Workflow | Smooth workflow with support for multiple artboards, symbols, and advanced layer management |
Responsive Design | Ability to create responsive designs with constraints and automatic asset generation |
Advanced Typography | Rich text tools with support for OpenType features and text styles |
Export Options | Wide range of export options including SVG, PDF, and PSD |
Live Preview | Real-time preview of effects and adjustments to see changes instantly |
Affinity Designer is what we think is the best all-around alternative to Illustrator. Since Serif, a British software company, first released this vector editor in 2014, it has steadily grown in popularity and influence, and for good reason.
It’s powerful and has a lot of features, and the one-time purchase price is much less than an Illustrator subscription. Since the software doesn’t have to deal with legacy code, it tends to run a little faster than Illustrator, or a lot faster if you have a fairly new Mac.
The Good
- Powerful editing tools for both vectors and pixels
- A lot of tools and an easy-to-use interface.
- It lets you import and export files in many different formats.
The Bad
- Beginners may have a harder time getting used to it.
- Compared to other design software, there aren’t as many third-party plugins.
Sketch

Feature | |
---|---|
Vector Editing | Advanced vector editing tools with boolean operations and vector editing modes |
Shared Libraries | Ability to create and share design libraries for team collaboration |
Prototyping | Built-in prototyping tools for creating interactive design mockups |
Plugins | Extensive plugin ecosystem for extending functionality |
Responsive Design | Ability to create responsive designs with adaptive layout grids and resizing constraints |
Export Options | Multiple export options including SVG, PDF, and Zeplin for developers |
Artboard Templates | Pre-defined artboard templates for common design projects |
If you want to use a vector drawing program for digital design, Sketch is probably the best alternative to Illustrator if you have a Mac. Sketch was first released in 2010, and its strong focus on user interface and icon design made it the industry standard for prototyping apps and websites quickly.
It’s not a full-featured drawing program like Illustrator, so it doesn’t have all of its features. You wouldn’t use it to make illustrations or art that are hard to understand. But at the same time, it has a simpler, easier-to-use interface makes designing icons and user interfaces fast and easy.
The Good
- UI/UX design-friendly and has powerful vector editing tools
- Collaboration tools for design projects done as a team
- Active plugin community to add more features
- Updates with new features and improvements every few weeks
The Bad
- Only for macOS, which might not work for all users
- Beginners may have to go through a learning curve for some features.
CorelDRAW

Feature | |
---|---|
Vector Editing | Comprehensive vector editing tools with precise control over paths and nodes |
Bitmap Editing | Advanced photo editing capabilities including retouching, color correction, and effects |
Page Layout | Ability to create multi-page documents with advanced layout features |
Object Styles | Efficient workflow with support for object styles and master pages |
Font Management | Integrated font management with support for OpenType and Type 1 fonts |
Export Options | Wide range of export options including SVG, PDF, and Microsoft Office formats |
Print Output | Advanced print output options with color management and preflighting capabilities |
CorelDRAW is a popular alternative to Illustrator that is used by a lot of artists and illustrators. In fact, it’s hard to say which tool is “better”: CorelDRAW or Illustrator. Both have a lot to offer, and their fans are very passionate about them.
Because the interfaces and ways of doing things are so different, fans of each tool will argue just as strongly that theirs is the easiest to use, but there’s no real way to find out who’s right. CorelDRAW is not a cheap alternative to Illustrator, but you can pay for it in more ways because you can get the software in more ways.
The Good
- This software lets you edit both vectors and bitmaps in a powerful way.
- Advanced page layout tools for making documents with more than one page
- Robust font management capabilities
The Bad
- Beginners may have a harder time getting used to it.
- Compared to other design software, the user interface may feel crowded.
Inkscape

Feature | |
---|---|
Vector Editing | Full-featured vector editing tools with support for bezier curves and boolean operations |
SVG Support | Native support for Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) format |
Extensions | Large collection of extensions for adding new functionality |
Live Preview | Real-time preview of effects and adjustments to see changes instantly |
Text Editing | Robust text editing capabilities with support for flow text, text on path, and text styles |
Filters | Wide range of filters for adding effects and transformations to objects |
Node Editing | Precise control over nodes and paths for creating complex vector graphics |
Inkscape is a free vector editor that is based on open-source software. It works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and it supports a wide range of design formats, such as Adobe Illustrator’s AI format, Boxy SVG format, and CorelDRAW’s CDR format, among others.
Even low-end computers can run it well because of the way it is built. Because it has so many features, designers of all kinds can use it to make both artistic and technical illustrations. Being open-source also means that users who are good with technology can change some features and add the app to other software.
The Good
- Vector editing with all the features
- Support for SVG format from the start
- A large number of add-ons that add functionality
The Bad
- Beginners may have a harder time getting used to it.
- Compared to other software, it doesn’t have as many advanced design features.
Apache OpenOffice Draw

Feature | |
---|---|
Vector Editing | Basic vector editing tools for creating simple vector graphics |
Page Layout | Ability to create multi-page documents with basic layout features |
Connector Lines | Easy-to-use connector lines for creating flowcharts and diagrams |
Templates | Pre-defined templates for creating common types of diagrams and graphics |
Import/Export | Support for importing and exporting various file formats including SVG and PDF |
Text Editing | Basic text editing capabilities with support for basic text styles |
Grouping/Ungrouping | Ability to group and ungroup objects for easier management and editing |
OpenOffice is a free suite of office software that can be used in any way you want. Its Draw product is an easy-to-use program that lets users make charts, graphics, diagrams, and posters, including 3D designs. This is one of the best Adobe Illustrator Alternatives that you can download and use it right now.
Even though it doesn’t have some of the more advanced features of Adobe Illustrator and some of its alternatives, the fact that it’s free and easy to use makes it a good choice for basic users. OpenOffice also meets standards and is the first software package in the world to use the ISO-approved OASIS OpenDocument Format as its native file format.
The Good
- Free to use as part of the Apache OpenOffice suite
- Simple graphics and diagrams can be made with basic vector editing tools.
- Different file formats can be imported and exported.
The Bad
- Compared to other design software, it has fewer features.
- Simple ways to edit and format text
Canva

Feature | |
---|---|
Templates | Wide range of pre-designed templates for various design projects |
Drag-and-Drop | Easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface for adding and editing objects |
Stock Images | Access to a large library of stock images for use in designs |
Collaborative Editing | Ability to collaborate with team members in real-time on design projects |
Social Media Integration | Integration with social media platforms for easy sharing of designs |
Branding | Branding tools for creating consistent designs with brand colors and fonts |
Printing | Ability to order prints of designs directly from Canva |
Canva is one of the most popular programs for making graphics, and it’s the best Adobe Illustrator alternative for people who are just starting out. Canva is used by a lot of people for basic and advanced design, but it can also be used for vectorization, though it only has a few functions for that.
Canva has some advanced options and tools that make it easy to work with vector graphics. With this web-based alternative to Illustrator, you can learn as you go and do a lot, from making simple designs to complex arts and shapes for different purposes.
The Good
- There are a lot of pre-made templates for different design projects.
- Drag-and-drop interface makes it easy and quick to make designs.
- Access to a large collection of images that can be used in designs.
The Bad
- Compared to other design software, it has fewer ways to change things.
- May not be good for projects with complicated designs
Vectornator

Feature | |
---|---|
Vector Editing | Full-featured vector editing tools with support for bezier curves and boolean operations |
iPad Support | Optimized for iPad with Apple Pencil support for on-the-go design |
Live Gradient Editing | Ability to edit gradients in real-time with interactive controls |
Pen Tool | Precise pen tool for creating and editing paths and shapes |
Libraries | Ability to create and manage libraries of reusable design assets |
Export Options | Multiple export options including SVG, PDF, and image formats |
Cloud Syncing | Cloud syncing for seamless access to designs across different devices |
Vectornator is one of the best-rated illustrators on the App Store. It has been downloaded millions of times. It has technology called “auto-trace” that lets you trace images in seconds. You can change the type of a node with just one tap thanks to the unique gesture controls.
Vectornator is used by millions of designers because it lets them make as many artboards as they want and has advanced tools for editing text. The Illustrator also has Kerning, Tracking, Line Height, a custom tool, path guides, and other features.
The Good
- Real-time collaboration makes it easy for teams to work together.
- Tools for creating interactive design mockups are already built in.
- Make components and libraries so that design styles stay the same.
- Advanced tools for editing vectors with all of their features
- A large number of plugins that add new features
The Bad
- Beginners may have a harder time getting used to it.
- Online collaboration needs a connection to the internet
- Some features that are more complex may need a subscription plan.
Figma

Feature | |
---|---|
Collaborative Design | Real-time collaboration and co-editing with team members |
Prototyping | Built-in prototyping tools for creating interactive design mockups |
Design Components | Ability to create and manage design components for consistent design styles |
Design Libraries | Libraries for managing and reusing design assets across different projects |
Vector Editing | Full-featured vector editing tools with support for boolean operations and image tracing |
Plugins | Large collection of plugins for extending functionality |
Version History | Version control and history tracking for design iterations |
As a collaborative wireframing and user interface design tool, Figma isn’t a direct competitor to Adobe, but its web app-based, collaborative design might be worth a look. Instead of exporting each time you want someone else to look over your work, share files with links.
When it comes to working together, Figma may be best known for making it easy to work as a team in real time. This alternative to Adobe Illustrator is focused on web design, so its tools for making pure vector graphics are not as good.
The Good
- A large number of plugins that add new features
- History of versions for keeping track of design changes
The Bad
- Some features that are more complex may need a subscription plan.
FAQs
But Krita is better for beginners who just want to do simple things with digital painting. For making illustrations, logos, banners, and other similar things, Adobe Illustrator is the best choice. Krita is one of the advanced vector graphics programs that are free and open source.
CorelDRAW lets you do most of the basic tasks in graphic design and schematic drawing. Adobe Illustrator is great for graphic designers who want to make vectors, illustrations, or designs with a lot of detail. Illustrator is the best choice if you do a lot of work with branding, logos, etc.
Adobe Illustrator is often thought of as the best software program for a wide range of creative jobs. It lets people make detailed, scalable graphics that can be used for many different things.
From Photoshop to Illustrator, Adobe gives designers a wide range of tools for making digital mock-ups, websites, and user data. But with that much variety comes a high price. Adobe software has become so expensive because it is so good at coming up with new ideas.