Adobe Illustrator is a powerful vector graphics editor that has been the go-to tool for designers for decades. However, not everyone can afford the steep price tag that comes with it. Fortunately, there are several free alternatives to Adobe Illustrator that offer similar features and capabilities.
In this post, we’ll take a look at 7 of the best free Illustrator alternatives for easy image creation.
Inkscape – Free and open-source alternative to Adobe Illustrator
Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor that can be used on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. It is designed for creating illustrations, icons, logos, diagrams, maps, and web graphics. Inkscape has a large user community and is constantly being updated with new features.
Features
- Inkscape is capable of creating and editing vector graphics, including paths, shapes, text, and clones.
- It supports a wide range of file formats, including SVG, PNG, PDF, EPS, and AI.
- Inkscape has a range of drawing tools, including the pen tool, shape tools, and text tool.
- It also has a range of editing tools, such as the node tool, which allows you to manipulate individual nodes of a path.
- Inkscape also includes a range of filters and effects that can be applied to objects.
Pros
- Inkscape is free and open-source, making it accessible to everyone.
- It can be used on a range of operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
- Inkscape has a large user community, which means there are plenty of resources available online.
- It is capable of creating complex vector graphics.
Cons
- The user interface can be overwhelming for new users.
- Some advanced features can be difficult to use.
- Inkscape is not as powerful as some of the paid vector graphics editors on the market.
Overall, Inkscape is a powerful vector graphics editor that is accessible to everyone, thanks to being free and open-source. While it may not be as powerful as some of the paid alternatives, it is still capable of creating complex vector graphics.
Gravit Designer – Free Adobe Illustrator alternative
Gravit Designer is a free vector graphics editor that can be used on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and the web. It is designed for creating illustrations, icons, logos, presentations, and web graphics. Gravit Designer has a large user community and is constantly being updated with new features.
Features
- Gravit Designer is capable of creating and editing vector graphics, including paths, shapes, text, and symbols.
- It supports a wide range of file formats, including SVG, PNG, PDF, and JPEG.
- Gravit Designer has a range of drawing tools, including the pen tool, shape tools, text tool, and Bezigon tool.
- It also has a range of editing tools, such as the node tool, which allows you to manipulate individual nodes of a path.
- Gravit Designer also includes a range of filters and effects that can be applied to objects.
Pros
- Gravit Designer is free and accessible on a range of operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and the web.
- It has an intuitive and user-friendly interface that can be easily navigated.
- Gravit Designer has a range of powerful and advanced features, such as vector networks and advanced typography.
- It has a rich set of assets including icons, illustrations, and stock photos.
Cons
- Gravit Designer’s performance can be slow when working with large files or complex designs.
- It lacks some of the advanced features found in paid vector graphics editors.
- The web version can have limitations depending on the user’s internet speed and web browser.
Overall, Gravit Designer is a powerful vector graphics editor with a user-friendly interface and a range of advanced features that are accessible to everyone, thanks to being free and open-source. While it may not have all the advanced features found in paid alternatives, it is still capable of creating complex vector graphics.
Vectr – New Adobe Illustrator alternative
Vectr is a free vector graphics editor that can be used on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and the web. It is designed for creating illustrations, icons, logos, presentations, and web graphics. Vectr is relatively new compared to some of the other vector graphics editors on the market, but it has a growing user community and is constantly being updated with new features.
Features
- Vectr is capable of creating and editing vector graphics, including paths, shapes, text, and symbols.
- It supports a range of file formats, including SVG, PNG, and JPG.
- Vectr has a range of drawing tools, including the pen tool, shape tools, text tool, and Bezigon tool.
- It also has a range of editing tools, such as the node tool, which allows you to manipulate individual nodes of a path.
- Vectr includes a range of filters and effects that can be applied to objects.
Pros
- Vectr is free and accessible on a range of operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and the web.
- It has an intuitive and user-friendly interface that can be easily navigated.
- Vectr is designed to be collaborative, allowing multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously.
- It has a range of sharing options, including the ability to share a project as a URL, PNG, or SVG.
Cons
- Vectr is relatively new compared to some of the other vector graphics editors on the market, so it may not have all the advanced features of some of the more established editors.
- The web version can have limitations depending on the user’s internet speed and web browser.
- It may lack some of the advanced features found in paid vector graphics editors.
Overall, Vectr is a promising vector graphics editor, with an intuitive interface, collaborative features, and a growing user community. While it may not have all the advanced features found in paid alternatives, it is still capable of creating complex vector graphics, making it a good choice for those on a budget.
Krita – Open-source alternative to Adobe Illustrator
Krita is a free and open-source digital painting software that can be used on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. It is designed for creating illustrations, comics, concept art, matte paintings, and textures. Krita has a large user community and is constantly being updated with new features.
Features
- Krita has a range of brushes that can be customized to suit your needs, including textured brushes, blending brushes, and smudge brushes.
- It supports a wide range of file formats, including PSD, PNG, JPG, TIFF, and BMP.
- Krita has a range of drawing tools, including the pen tool, shape tools, and text tool.
- It also has a range of editing tools, such as the layer mask tool and the transform tool.
- Krita also includes a range of filters and effects that can be applied to objects.
Pros
- Krita is free and open-source, making it accessible to everyone.
- It can be used on a range of operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
- Krita has a large user community, which means there are plenty of resources available online.
- It is capable of creating complex digital paintings.
Cons
- Krita’s interface can be overwhelming for new users.
- Some advanced features can be difficult to use.
- It is not as powerful as some of the paid digital painting software on the market.
Overall, Krita is a powerful digital painting software that is accessible to everyone, thanks to being free and open-source. While it may not be as powerful as some of the paid alternatives, it is still capable of creating complex digital paintings, making it a good choice for those on a budget.
Canva – Creative Adobe Illustrator alternative
Canva is a graphic design platform that allows users to create a wide range of designs for print and digital media, including social media graphics, presentations, posters, and more. It is available on the web, iOS, and Android, and has a large user community.
Features
- Canva provides users with access to over a million templates, images, and illustrations to use in their designs.
- It has a drag-and-drop interface that allows users to easily customize their designs.
- Canva offers a range of design tools, such as the ability to add text, shapes, icons, and charts to your designs.
- It also includes a range of photo editing tools, such as filters, crop, and resize.
- Canva has a range of collaboration tools, allowing multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously.
Pros
- Canva is free to use, although some elements and templates may require payment.
- It is accessible on a range of platforms, including the web, iOS, and Android.
- Canva has a large user community, which means there are plenty of resources available online.
- It is easy to use, even for those with limited design experience.
Cons
- The free version of Canva has limited features compared to the paid version.
- Some of the templates and elements may require payment.
- Canva’s design options may be limited for advanced designers.
Overall, Canva is a powerful graphic design platform that is accessible to everyone, thanks to being free and easy-to-use. While it may not have all the advanced features found in paid alternatives, it is still capable of creating high-quality designs, making it a great choice for those on a budget.
Affinity Designer – Professional Adobe Illustrator alternative
Affinity Designer is a professional vector graphics editor that can be used on Mac OS and Windows. It is designed for creating illustrations, icons, logos, UI designs, and web graphics. Affinity Designer has a large user community and is constantly being updated with new features.
Features
- Affinity Designer is capable of creating and editing vector graphics, including paths, shapes, text, and symbols.
- It supports a wide range of file formats, including SVG, EPS, PDF, and PSD.
- Affinity Designer has a range of drawing tools, including the pen tool, shape tools, text tool, and Bezigon tool.
- It also has a range of editing tools, such as the node tool, which allows you to manipulate individual nodes of a path.
- Affinity Designer also includes a range of filters and effects that can be applied to objects.
Pros
- Affinity Designer is a one-time purchase, making it more affordable than some of the other paid alternatives.
- It has an intuitive and user-friendly interface that can be easily navigated.
- Affinity Designer has a range of powerful and advanced features, such as vector networks and advanced typography.
- It has a rich set of assets including icons, illustrations, and stock photos.
Cons
- Affinity Designer is only available on Mac OS and Windows, which limits its accessibility.
- The learning curve can be steep for new users.
- Some of the advanced features can be difficult to use.
Overall, Affinity Designer is a powerful vector graphics editor with a user-friendly interface and a range of advanced features that are accessible to professionals, thanks to being a one-time purchase. While it may have a steeper learning curve than some of the other vector graphics editors, it is still capable of creating complex vector graphics, making it a great choice for professionals.
Sketch – Adobe Illustrator alternative for Mac OS users
Sketch is a professional vector graphics editor that can be used on Mac OS. It is designed for creating user interface designs, icons, and web graphics. Sketch has a large user community and is constantly being updated with new features.
Features
- Sketch is designed specifically for user interface design, with a range of tools and features that make it easy to create designs for mobile, web, and desktop applications.
- It supports a wide range of file formats, including SVG, PNG, JPG, PDF, and TIFF.
- Sketch has a range of drawing tools, including the pen tool, shape tools, and text tool.
- It also has a range of editing tools, such as the boolean operations tool, which allows you to combine shapes and paths.
- Sketch includes a range of plugins and integrations that can be used to extend its functionality.
Pros
- Sketch is a one-time purchase, making it more affordable than some of the other paid alternatives.
- It has an intuitive and user-friendly interface that is specifically designed for user interface design.
- Sketch has a range of powerful and advanced features, such as artboards and symbols, that make it easy to create complex designs.
- It has a large user community and a range of resources available online.
Cons
- Sketch is only available on Mac OS, which limits its accessibility.
- Some of the advanced features can be difficult to use.
- Sketch is designed specifically for user interface design and may not be suitable for other types of vector graphics.
Overall, Sketch is a powerful vector graphics editor that is designed specifically for user interface design. While it may have a steeper learning curve than some of the other vector graphics editors, it is still capable of creating complex designs, making it a great choice for professionals.