Adobe Illustrator alternatives

All Adobe Illustrator alternatives

1. 

   

   Affinity

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   Affinity is a professional creative app from Canva that merges the former Affinity Designer, Photo and Publisher into one program with vector, pixel and layout workspaces. It is free to download for Windows and macOS, while its optional Canva AI tools require a paid Canva plan. It suits designers who want an alternative to Adobe subscriptions and can import PSD, PDF and IDML files.

   12 Affinity alternatives

   Pros

   • Free download combining vector, pixel and layout workspaces in one app
   • Imports PSD, PDF and IDML files from Adobe workflows
   • Professional tools without a mandatory subscription

   Cons

   • Canva AI tools require a paid Canva plan
   • Smaller plugin and training ecosystem than Adobe’s
   • Imported Adobe files can need manual adjustments

   Cost / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   Graphic DesignPhoto Editing

   Platforms

   WindowsMac

   Features

   Digital paintingLayersNon-destructive editingRAW photo editingVector editing

   Visit websiteMore about Affinity
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   Inkscape

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   Inkscape is a free, open source vector drawing program for Windows, macOS and Linux that uses SVG as its native format. Illustrators, hobbyists and web designers use it for logos, diagrams, icons, cutting-machine files and print layouts. It provides Bezier and calligraphy tools, path operations, text on path, many extensions and import/export for PDF, EPS and AI files.

   10 Inkscape alternatives

   Pros

   • Free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux
   • Native SVG format, ideal for web graphics and cutting machines
   • Powerful path operations and a large set of extensions

   Cons

   • Can feel slow with large or complex documents
   • Interface is less polished than commercial vector editors
   • Limited CMYK support for professional print workflows

   Cost / License

   FreeOpen source

   Categories

   Graphic Design

   Platforms

   WindowsMacLinux

   Features

   LayersOffline modePlugins & extensionsVector editing

   Visit websiteMore about Inkscape
3. 

   

   CorelDRAW

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   CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is a long-running vector design package for Windows and macOS, common in sign making, apparel printing, engraving and print shops. Alongside the CorelDRAW drawing and layout app, it bundles Corel PHOTO-PAINT for bitmap editing and a browser-based companion app. It is offered as a subscription or a one-time license, and a free trial is available.

   7 CorelDRAW alternatives

   Pros

   • Long-standing favorite in sign making, apparel printing and engraving
   • Bundles Corel PHOTO-PAINT for bitmap editing
   • Choice between a subscription and a one-time license

   Cons

   • Less common in agencies, which can complicate file exchange with Adobe users
   • Expensive for hobbyists and occasional users
   • Dense interface with a learning curve for newcomers

   Cost / License

   Free trialProprietary

   Categories

   Graphic Design

   Platforms

   WebWindowsMac

   Features

   AI image editingLayersTemplatesVector editing

   Visit websiteMore about CorelDRAW
4. 

   

   Figma

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   Figma is a design platform for user interfaces, websites and apps where teams edit the same file in real time from the browser or the desktop app. It covers vector design, interactive prototypes, shared component libraries and variables for design systems, and Dev Mode for developer handoff. Plugins, FigJam whiteboards and AI features extend it for product and design teams.

   12 Figma alternatives

   Pros

   • Real-time multiplayer editing in the browser or desktop app
   • Components and variables make design systems manageable
   • Huge ecosystem of plugins and community files

   Cons

   • Paid seats add up quickly for growing teams
   • Most work requires an internet connection
   • Large files can become slow and memory-hungry

   Cost / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   UI Design & PrototypingGraphic Design

   Platforms

   WebWindowsMac

   Features

   AI assistantDesign systemsDeveloper handoffInteractive prototypingPlugins & extensionsReal-time collaboration

   Visit websiteMore about Figma
5. 

   

   Kittl

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   Kittl is a browser-based design tool focused on typography-heavy graphics such as logos, t-shirt prints, labels, posters and social posts. It combines a template library, text effects, vector editing and AI image generation in one editor, and is aimed at print-on-demand sellers and small brands that want polished results without installing desktop software.

   10 Kittl alternatives

   Pros

   • Strong typography effects for logos, merch and labels
   • Templates designed with print-on-demand sellers in mind
   • Browser-based, combining vector editing and AI image generation

   Cons

   • Premium templates and larger AI allowances require a paid plan
   • Web-only, so it needs a steady internet connection
   • Less suited to multi-page documents or presentations

   Cost / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   Graphic Design

   Platforms

   Web

   Features

   Background removalImage generationTemplatesVector editing

   Visit websiteMore about Kittl
6. 

   

   Canva

   4.9(3.6M) · App StoreLike

   Canva is an online design editor built around drag-and-drop templates for social media graphics, presentations, posters, videos and documents. It targets non-designers and marketing teams, with a large stock library, brand kits, real-time collaboration and Magic Studio AI tools for creating and editing images and text. It runs in the browser and as desktop and mobile apps.

   12 Canva alternatives

   Pros

   • Huge template library makes design accessible to non-designers
   • Real-time collaboration and brand kits for marketing teams
   • Available on web, desktop and mobile, with Magic Studio AI tools

   Cons

   • Many templates, assets and AI features sit behind the Pro plan
   • Popular templates can make designs look like everyone else’s
   • Limited precision for print production or advanced vector work

   Cost / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   Graphic DesignPresentation Software

   Platforms

   WebWindowsMaciPhoneAndroid

   Features

   Background removalBrand kitImage generationReal-time collaborationStock media libraryTemplates

   Visit websiteMore about Canva
7. 

   

   Sketch

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   Sketch is a vector design app built exclusively for macOS, used to create user interfaces, icons and interactive prototypes. Files can stay local or live in shared workspaces with real-time collaboration, and a web app lets teammates and developers browse designs, comment and inspect specs without a Mac. Symbols, shared libraries and a long-standing plugin ecosystem support design-system work.

   10 Sketch alternatives

   Pros

   • Fast native Mac app that also works offline
   • Long-standing plugin ecosystem and shared libraries
   • Web app lets teammates without a Mac comment and inspect specs

   Cons

   • Editing requires a Mac, which limits mixed-platform teams
   • No free plan beyond the trial

   Cost / License

   Free trialProprietary

   Categories

   UI Design & Prototyping

   Platforms

   Mac

   Features

   Design systemsDeveloper handoffInteractive prototypingOffline modePlugins & extensionsReal-time collaboration

   Visit websiteMore about Sketch
8. 

   

   Procreate

   3.8(12.7K) · App StoreLike

   Procreate is a raster painting app built for iPad and Apple Pencil, used by illustrators, comic artists, letterers and hobbyists. It offers many customizable brushes, layers and blend modes, time-lapse recording of each artwork and Animation Assist for simple frame-by-frame animation. It is sold as a one-time purchase, and its developer has committed to keeping generative AI out of the app.

   6 Procreate alternatives

   Pros

   • Responsive brush engine built for Apple Pencil
   • One-time purchase with no subscription
   • Time-lapse recording and Animation Assist built in

   Cons

   • Limited to iPad and iPhone, with no desktop version
   • No vector tools for scalable artwork

   Cost / License

   PaidProprietary

   Categories

   Photo EditingGraphic Design

   Platforms

   iPhone

   Features

   AnimationDigital paintingLayersOffline mode

   Visit websiteMore about Procreate
9. 

   

   Adobe InDesign

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   Adobe InDesign is a desktop publishing application for laying out magazines, books, brochures, reports, interactive PDFs and ebooks. It handles parent pages, multi-column text threading, advanced typography, styles and print preflight, and integrates with Illustrator, Photoshop and Adobe Fonts. Publishers, agencies and in-house design teams use it for long or complex multi-page documents.

   6 Adobe InDesign alternatives

   Pros

   • Industry standard for magazines, books and long documents
   • Advanced typography, styles and multi-column text threading
   • Print preflight and smooth handoff with Illustrator and Photoshop

   Cons

   • Subscription-only, which is costly for occasional use
   • Steep learning curve for newcomers to page layout
   • Overkill for simple flyers or one-page designs

   Cost / License

   Free trialProprietary

   Categories

   Graphic Design

   Platforms

   WindowsMac

   Features

   LayersPlugins & extensionsTemplates

   Visit websiteMore about Adobe InDesign
10. 

    

    Adobe Photoshop

    4.5(94.4K) · App StoreLike

    Adobe Photoshop is a professional image editor used for retouching, compositing, graphic design and digital painting. It combines layers, masks, adjustment layers, Camera Raw processing and a large plugin ecosystem with Firefly-powered tools such as Generative Fill and object removal. It runs on Windows and macOS, with web, iPad and iPhone versions that sync through Creative Cloud.

    12 Adobe Photoshop alternatives

    Pros

    • Industry standard for retouching and compositing
    • Generative Fill and object removal powered by Firefly
    • Vast ecosystem of plugins and tutorials

    Cons

    • Subscription only, which adds up over time
    • Steep learning curve for beginners
    • Demanding on hardware with large files

    Cost / License

    Free trialProprietary

    Categories

    Photo EditingGraphic Design

    Platforms

    WebWindowsMaciPhone

    Features

    Background removalDigital paintingImage generationLayersPlugins & extensionsRAW photo editing

    Visit websiteMore about Adobe Photoshop
11. 

    

    Recraft

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    Recraft is an AI design tool that generates both raster images and editable vector graphics (SVG), which suits icons, illustrations, logos and marketing assets. You can create custom styles from reference images so a whole set stays on brand, and its canvas includes background removal, upscaling, inpainting and mockups. It targets designers and marketers, with a free plan and an API for developers.

    11 Recraft alternatives

    Pros

    • Generates editable SVG vector graphics, not just raster images
    • Custom styles from reference images keep asset sets on brand
    • Canvas includes background removal, upscaling and mockups

    Cons

    • Complex vector output can still need manual cleanup
    • Higher limits and advanced features are reserved for paid plans

    Cost / License

    FreemiumProprietary

    Categories

    AI Image GeneratorsGraphic Design

    Platforms

    Web

    Features

    API accessBackground removalImage generationStyle referenceUpscalingVector editing

    Visit websiteMore about Recraft