However, we here at VectorGuru became very interested in the potential Illustrator alternatives, programs that could compete with Illustrator in both features and price and have decided to create this list of the Top Adobe Illustrator Alternatives some of them free and open source some of them are paid.
Of course, they can go and subscribe to Illustrator CC at any time but maybe they want to save the money and switch to another vector graphics editor instead.īut all was not bad, Adobe has recently announced that they have smashed their sales and subscriptions projections more than a quarter earlier than expected and the customers are happy too, getting the same great Adobe software with a more constant stream of updates and added features, albeit at a larger cost long term.
CS was dead, leaving Creative Cloud as the only option for a graphic design software for graphic designers to stick to their much-loved Adobe products and use their old file formats. However a year later, Adobe announced that they were going subscription only across their entire portfolio of graphic design products. In the May of 2012 Adobe's monthly and yearly subscriptions went live as Adobe Creative Cloud, sold alongside Creative Suite 6, allowing choice amongst designers between a one-time expense or a cheaper, subscription-based model that allowed them to stretch out their finances better in the short term. First shipping for the Apple Macintosh way back in the January of 1987, Adobe Illustrator is as mature and feature packed as they come.
It can also import PSD and other file formats too.The Best Illustrator Alternatives for Windows, Mac and LinuxĪdobe Illustrator, now in it's 21st version with CC 2017, is the daddy when it comes to the creating and editing of Scalable Vector Graphics. It has a Windows and Mac app, works well on both systems and supports VG, EPS, PDF, PDF/X and FH files. You work with personas which streamline certain activities such as creation, editing, exporting and asset management. The UI is simple and uncluttered but contains lots of tools. It isn’t restricted to vectors either as it has been designed to be both a graphics and vector editing program and does both credibly well.
The UI and features are much more on par with Illustrator with many advanced tools available. At only $49, it is much more affordable too. It is very much like Gravit and has gone to great effort to simplify the creation process as much as possible to leave you open to begin creating.Īffinity Designer is a premium graphics editor that competes very favorably with Adobe Illustrator. You have the same suite of tools as Gravit, pens, slice, knife and so on and layers, shapes and the like. The UI is similar to Gravit and includes a central canvas surrounded by tools.
Unlike Gravit, Vectr also has a desktop app you can download and use locally should you prefer. Like Gravit, it isn’t as in-depth or as feature-rich but has all of the basic tools you need to create good looking vectors. Vectr is also a browser-based vector graphics app that is also a viable alternative to Adobe Illustrator. If you value simplicity and ease of use and don’t think you will need some of the advanced features of Inkscape, this is a very viable alternative. You have a range of shape tools, filters, path editing tools, layer tools and multiple formats to use. Many of the basic and most common tools are available in Gravit, pen, line, knife, slice and so on. It works well in Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Opera and is compatible with other browsers too. You need to sign up for a free account but in return you can work on your vector designs from any device with a browser and internet access. It is not as deep as Inkscape and is more suitable for light or casual projects but as a free vector tool is very useful indeed. This time it is web-based and runs out of your browser. Gravit is another free alternative to Adobe Illustrator.