12 of the Best Adobe Illustrator Alternatives [Free & Paid]

Advantages

✔️ Intuitive UI – one of the biggest advantages of CorelDRAW is the user interface. Designers will find it extremely easy to navigate the program.

✔️ Quick loading time – working with huge files is always a problem. But even if you work on a budget computer will not be that big of a problem.

✔️ Easy to use – learning how to work with vector graphics might not be an easy task for some apps. Not for CorelDRAW. Everything is made with the user in mind.

Disadvantages

❌ Very expensive – we mentioned earlier that Illustrator starts at $20.99 per month. Its main competitor starts at $269/year($22.42/month)

❌ It’s an underdog today – CorelDRAW is very powerful but many companies prefer Illustrator which makes collaborations harder.

❌ Bad market positioning – most Adobe Illustrator alternatives are trying to beat it with more attractive prices. Graphics Suite is great but expensive, even though it is not the market leader.

Advantages

✔️ Free version – having a free version is always considered a significant advantage, as you can test the software extensively without being limited in time with free trials.

✔️ Cross-platform capability – Gravit is cross-platform which means you can edit your designs on any type of device – both offline and online.

✔️ Very user-friendly – Gravit Designer is made simple so that you can learn how to use the software in no time. The user interface is friendly and you will learn the app easily.

Disadvantages

❌ Free version limitations – Gravit’s free version is practically unusable for good designers – limited export options, no offline mode, and many other limitations.

❌ No real-time collaboration – one of the biggest advantages of making designs in the cloud is real-time collaboration but you will be unable to get it here.

❌ A bit “short” in options – if you are stepping down from Illustrator, you’ll find this software lacking. And Corel won’t sacrifice their golden chicken to highlight their cheaper option.

Advantages

✔️ Easy to use – Sketch is very easy to use, as it has all the necessary features for a good prototype but it doesn’t have distracting features.

✔️ Lots of plugins available – plugins allow you to customize features and add more functionality to your designs.

✔️ Real-time collaboration – Sketch allows you to work simultaneously with colleagues on designs for faster deployment.

Disadvantages

❌ Limited to Mac users only – it’s bad news that Windows users cannot have access to Sketch. We consider that a big minus.

❌ Collaboration issues – even if you are a Mac user, having a cross-platform team becomes a problem.

❌ Very trimmed in functions – being a niche software means you can’t really use it for complex illustrations and print design.

Advantages

✔️ Extremely easy to use – among all programs on the list, Canva is the easiest one. With just a few modifications, you can create stunning designs.

✔️ Lots of templates – what makes this online app unique is the variety of ready-made templates that require just a bit of editing, and lots of stock photos that can be used.

✔️ Free plans and low prices – Canva has a free plan but even if you opt for the Pro version, the price is still amazing for small teams.

Disadvantages

❌ Limiting for print – Canva is very limiting for designers. You cannot export elements and PDF export is done in RGB only.

❌ PRO functions – Canva is made to serve the everyday user which sacrifices pro performance. For example, designers might find Canva’s alignment inaccurate.

❌ Intellectual property – since the designs are made by Canva’s designers, you won’t have IP rights over your designs. You only have usage rights.

Advantages

✔️ Free forever – being free for commercial use means you can save a lot of money from software subscriptions.

✔️ Open-source – one of the added benefits of open-source software is that you can customize it. The community is very helpful, and there are plenty of templates.

✔️ Software is not demanding – graphic design software usually takes its toll on hardware. Inkscape is well optimized, thus it doesn’t drain your computer resources and works well even on older computers.

Disadvantages

❌ User interface is outdated – there are many complaints that Inkscape’s UI looks dated and not intuitive.

❌ Doesn’t support CMYK – CMYK palette is crucial for printing. While you can find a way to utilize it for printing, it is certainly not your first choice of a program for print design.

❌ Not easy to learn – the cost of having so many functionalities is the learning curve. It’s on par with Adobe Illustrator and definitely harder to learn than many apps from our list.

Advantages

✔️ Easy to use – unlike other programs from our list, you will only get the core features that you would use for your designs. This way, you will have a cleaner user interface.

✔️ Customizable with plugins – if you feel lacking options, you can add extensions that could help you with your designs. There are tons of things you can add. You can also embed your own code.

✔️ Cross-platform – being cross-platform means it is very easy to work on different devices and share it with other people.

Disadvantages

❌ Limited functionality – while you can add some plugins, if you’re coming from Illustrator or another feature-stacked app, you will immediately feel the lack of tools.

❌ Lack of supported formats – the name Vectr indicates it is an app focused on working with vector graphics. But it supports only one vector format – SVG. That’s not enough.

❌ Depending on an Internet connection – if you have an unstable Internet connection, you might find it annoying to work on the app.

Advantages

✔️ Very affordable – for what it provides, Affinity Designer is a bang-for-the-buck. You get top-notch vector software for just under $55 which you pay only once.

✔️ Extremely intuitive – Affinity has invested a lot into its interface. In some areas, it even overshadows Illustrator – like working with anchor points, gradients, and offsetting controls.

✔️ Not hardware-demanding – despite having a more than decent amount of functions, the software is lightweight and can work on a standard PC without any worries.

Disadvantages

❌ No image trace tool – one of the key features many pro designers are looking for is Image Trace. This is one of the fine margins between an upmarket product and an alternative.

❌ Lack of online tutorials – while there are some good tutorials on YouTube, Affinity Designer isn’t as supported as other more popular vector apps like Illustrator and CorelDRAW.

❌ Doesn’t offer a cloud solution – Affinity would really step up their game if they allow their software to run in the cloud, as this will enable more collaborations between teams.

Advantages

✔️ Free forever – Krita is free forever which means you won’t have to bother paying subscription fees. You can also customize it as you wish, as it’s open-source.

✔️ Very feature-rich for artists – for those who focus on creating illustrations, Krita will offer tremendous value.

✔️ Relatively easy – although some tougher techniques are to execute, it’s very beginner-friendly and allows newbies to get better easily.

Disadvantages

❌ Limited capabilities – Krita has advanced options for illustrators but lacks critical capabilities for print and web design like the lack of AI and EPS file support.

❌ Niche software – Krita is made to suit drawing enthusiasts, but it’s not popular among other professional designers.

❌ Not enough documentation – if you check Krita’s documentation, you’ll see that it is incomplete, making the app bad for teams.

Advantages

✔️ Affordable – while it is not free, it is probably the most affordable app with pricing tags – it would cost you just under ten bucks per year to use it.

✔️ Simple to use – the UI is extremely simple to use. It doesn’t have any unnecessary functions that may distract users.

✔️ SEO Powerhouse – you can draw and write code simultaneously. This makes you understand the SVG file format even better.

Disadvantages

❌ Niche software – BoxySVG is not going to be your best choice if you want an all-in-one vector software. It’s very limited in non-essential options.

❌ UI is not the best looking – simplicity has its price. Compared to all other tools, BoxySVG’s user interface looks miles behind.

❌ Zoom function is sluggish – working with a vector app that has a stutter when zooming can become the designer’s nightmare.

Advantages

✔️ It has a free plan – Figma has a free plan, although it’s one of the biggest players on the market. On top of that, the free plan allows collaborations and is fully functional.

✔️ Team collaborations – Figma has become a market leader, as it allows huge design teams to collaborate and work in real-time, optimizing the workflow over time.

✔️ Unlimited bandwidth in the cloud – that’s a massive boost for big-time agencies which have hundreds of projects.

Disadvantages

❌ Doesn’t support AI extension – Figma doesn’t support EPS and AI which limits its functionalities for printing, as well as syncing with clients who work with Adobe Illustrator.

❌ Requires advanced hardware – Figma is heavy and requires resources. You should also have a fast and stable network connection to ensure smooth work.

❌ Internet-reliant – working in the cloud can turn into a nightmare if you have an inconsistent Internet connection.

Advantages

✔️ Very easy to create a logo – with Design Evo, you can create a company logo in a matter of minutes. This is quite handy.

✔️ Free logo design – if you want to create a logo design, you can do it free of charge. All you need to do is attribution.

✔️ There are many pro designs – you can use some of the great templates on the platform and adjust them, instead of starting from scratch (this is also available).

Disadvantages

❌ Templates look generic – unless you show some imagination, your logo design will look like millions of others out there.

❌ Free version has limited functions – you have to purchase the Plus version to get access to SVG and PDF formats.

❌ Intellectual property – none of your designs will be yours. Just like Canva, you will be granted user permission only, rather than owner permission.

Advantages

✔️ It’s free – one of the areas where this program really shines is that it offers many features for free.

✔️ Many supported formats – it supports SVG, AI, and PDF which makes it good for all types of design.

✔️ Documentation is rich – there are plenty of useful tutorials – both guides and video tutorials, where the program features are explained.

Disadvantages

❌ Limited to Apple devices – it is kind of sad that such a great tool is restricted to Apple devices only.

❌ Learning curve is big – you cannot expect to learn such sophisticated software in no time.

❌ UX is somewhat strange – if you are stepping down from a more mature platform, you will find Vectornator a bit different.

🏆 Best for print: CorelDRAW

🏆 Easiest alternative: Canva

🏆 Best free alternative: Inkscape

🏆 Best team alternative: Figma

🏆 Best alternative for drawing and illustrations: Krita

🏆 Best alternative for macOS: Sketch

🏆 Best alternative for Web Design: Figma/Sketch

🏆 Best value for money: Affinity Designer