What apps are similar to Adobe Illustrator?

Alternative Apps
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I’m looking for alternatives to Adobe Illustrator for graphic design. Adobe Illustrator feels too expensive, and I wonder if there are free or cheaper options out there with similar tools and features. Any recommendations for software with user-friendly interfaces and professional-grade performance?

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1. Affinity Designer

  • Homepage Link: https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/designer/
  • Pros:
    • One-time payment (currently $69.99) - no subscriptions.
    • Intuitive user interface and remarkable speed.
    • Supports both vector and raster workflows.
    • Handles large file sizes better than Illustrator.
  • Cons:
    • Limited plugin/extensions compared to Adobe.
    • Some advanced Illustrator features (like mesh gradients) are absent.
  • Features:
    • Non-destructive editing.
    • CMYK and RGB support for professional printing.
    • Great for precision with snapping and alignment tools.
    • Unlimited artboards.
  • User Reviews:
    • Enthusiasts love its smooth performance and affordability.
    • Beginners appreciate its simplicity over larger, more complex software.
    • Experienced designers wish for more compatibility with Illustrator brushes/tools.
  • Verdict: Affinity Designer is my top pick for a fast and cost-effective alternative. It nails about 80% of the features you’d want from Illustrator at a fraction of the cost.

2. Inkscape

  • Homepage Link: https://inkscape.org/
  • Pros:
    • 100% free and open-source.
    • Great for basic to intermediate vector design.
    • Active community support and regular updates.
  • Cons:
    • Can feel sluggish with complex or large projects.
    • Less polished UI compared to Illustrator.
  • Features:
    • SVG file creation and editing.
    • Extensive path editing tools.
    • Text manipulation and object transformations.
    • Customizable plugins and extensions.
  • User Reviews:
    • Hobbyists appreciate its value (free of cost) and community-driven updates.
    • Professionals note its steep learning curve and slightly dated interface.
    • Advanced users mention occasional crashes but see it as acceptable considering its $0 price tag.
  • Verdict: If you’re okay sacrificing some performance and polish for a free app, Inkscape is unbeatable. Perfect for students or hobbyists.

3. Vectornator

  • Homepage Link: https://www.vectornator.io/
  • Pros:
    • Free for macOS, iPadOS, and iOS users.
    • Seamless Apple ecosystem integration.
    • Modern, minimalist UI.
  • Cons:
    • Not available for Windows users.
    • Lacks some pro-grade features.
  • Features:
    • Cloud editing and file syncing.
    • Custom brushes and precision pen tools.
    • Auto trace for converting raster graphics into vector designs.
  • User Reviews:
    • Mac/iPad users rave about its excellent UI and price (free).
    • Some designers note limitations for detailed illustration work.
  • Verdict: A dream for Apple users who don’t want to pay. It rivals premium tools for usability with only a few limitations.

4. CorelDRAW

  • Homepage Link: https://www.coreldraw.com/
  • Pros:
    • Comprehensive suite for professional-grade graphic design.
    • Tailored for Windows, but also available on macOS.
    • Packed with advanced tools like bitmap-to-vector tracing.
  • Cons:
    • Expensive, though still cheaper than Adobe’s subscription.
    • Resource intensive on less powerful hardware.
  • Features:
    • Superior typography tools for marketing graphics.
    • Collaboration features for teams.
    • Broad format compatibility.
  • User Reviews:
    • Professionals value its versatility and functionality.
    • Beginners can feel overwhelmed by the toolset.
  • Verdict: CorelDRAW is worth considering for pros needing advanced tools without Adobe’s subscription cost.

5. Krita

  • Homepage Link: https://krita.org/en/
  • Pros:
    • Completely free and open-source.
    • Tailored for digital art and illustrations.
    • Packed with brushes and artistic filters.
  • Cons:
    • Focuses more on raster, not vector, design.
    • Lacks the precision of Illustrator for technical projects.
  • Features:
    • Highly customizable workspace.
    • Brush stabilizers for smooth line drawing.
    • Supports PSD files for interoperability.
  • User Reviews:
    • Artists love the extensive brush library and responsive developers.
    • Graphic designers feel it leans heavily towards painters.
  • Verdict: A fantastic tool if you’re more into digital painting with occasional vector needs.

6. Gravit Designer

  • Homepage Link: https://designer.gravit.io/
  • Pros:
    • Free version with enough features for casual users.
    • Web-based (available anywhere) with desktop apps too.
    • Clean and user-friendly UI.
  • Cons:
    • Paid version needed for advanced tools and offline downloads.
    • Slower updates compared to its rivals.
  • Features:
    • Cross-platform support.
    • Extensive font integrations.
    • Responsive design tools.
  • User Reviews:
    • New users like its simplicity.
    • Advanced designers dislike being restricted behind paywalls for key features.
  • Verdict: A solid browser-based Illustrator alternative for light-to-midweight tasks.

7. Canva (Pro Version)

  • Homepage Link: https://www.canva.com/
  • Pros:
    • Simple-to-use, drag-and-drop system.
    • Excellent template library.
    • Affordable Pro plans start from $12.99/month.
  • Cons:
    • Limited vector customization compared to Illustrator.
    • Cloud-dependent (no standalone files).
  • Features:
    • Direct social media exporting.
    • Collaboration tools for teams.
    • Access to premium stock elements (Pro version).
  • User Reviews:
    • Marketers and casual users love its ease of use.
    • Illustrators find it too basic for detailed projects.
  • Verdict: Canva shines for branding and social media but lacks depth compared to its vector-first competitors.

8. Sketch

  • Homepage Link: https://www.sketch.com/
  • Pros:
    • Perfect for UI/UX and app designers.
    • One-time payment licenses available.
    • Highly optimized for macOS.
  • Cons:
    • Limited focus on general graphic or vector design.
    • Exclusive to Mac users.
  • Features:
    • Symbol libraries for repetitive design elements.
    • Cloud syncing for quick feedback loops.
    • Easy third-party integrations.
  • User Reviews:
    • App and web designers adore its lightweight yet specific features.
    • General graphic artists complain about its lack of versatility.
  • Verdict: A niche pick for macOS users focused on UI design.

9. Vectr

  • Homepage Link: https://vectr.com/
  • Pros:
    • Completely free.
    • Lightweight and simple to use.
    • Cross-platform (browser and desktop).
  • Cons:
    • Lacks power-user tools for advanced designs.
    • Requires an internet connection (most of the time).
  • Features:
    • Real-time collaboration for teams.
    • Scalable designs for web and print.
    • Basic pen and shape tools.
  • User Reviews:
    • Great reviews from beginners learning vector design.
    • Professionals see it as very limited, even as a free tool.
  • Verdict: Good for quick, simple projects but far from replacing Illustrator for complex work.

10. Figma

  • Homepage Link: https://www.figma.com/
  • Pros:
    • Cloud-based with collaboration and versioning.
    • Free tier for basic use (Pro starts at $12/month).
    • Cross-platform with excellent performance.
  • Cons:
    • Heavily UI/UX-focused, not as versatile for art/design.
    • Requires Internet for most features.
  • Features:
    • Intuitive vector tool for wireframing and prototyping.
    • Multiplayer collaboration.
    • Functional plugins library.
  • User Reviews:
    • UI designers praise its team collaboration advantages.
    • Artists using Illustrator for artistic purposes feel it’s too narrow.
  • Verdict: An amazing collaboration-first app for UI work but not as deep for general illustration.

Ultimately, what works best for you will depend on your specific needs. If you’re after versatility and professional tools, Affinity Designer or CorelDRAW stand out, while free options like Inkscape and Vectr are great entry points. Dive into trials or free versions to find your perfect match!