Adobe Illustrator is one of Adobe’s products. It is a software designed to help graphic designers and illustrators create logos, stickers, patterns, photo designs, animation characters and many more designs. Adobe Illustrator is a paid software that is used to make the most professional designs. It is an easy-to-use kind of software with tutorials and learning videos available on the platform.
With Adobe Illustrator, graphic designers are rest assured that the quality of their work will speak for them. The software has most of the modern tools used in illustration and graphic designing. Each tool is unique and functions independently.
Adobe illustrator helps both beginners and professionals to navigate drawing, painting and creating art. It is an easy-to-understand software, without much hard work. Adobe illustrator is responsible for most of the AI creations that are popular on Tiktok and other social media platforms.
The end products of its design are always top-notch. The software is one of the most popularly used design software in the world. With Adobe illustrator, brands can create personalized logos on their websites and articles.
The software can be used to create 3D texts and photos on items such as bags, sweatshirts and mugs. Adobe is home to the best graphics in the world.
Features
- It has a 30-day free trial to allow users test the products.
- It is used for infographics.
- It can be used to design 3D texts.
- It can be used to make flyers and logos.
- It can be used to overlap and weave in designs with texts.
- Helps to create bold patterns and colours.
Pros.
- Adobe has a lot of features and design patterns that are not available in other software applications.
- It is accessible to many countries.
Cons.
- It is not a free software. After the 30-day trial, everything is paid for.
Click here to visit the official website.
In the absence of Adobe Illustrator, graphic designers and illustrators can make use of alternatives. Some of these alternatives may not have everything that Adobe has, while some may have some particular things that Adobe does not have. Depending on the type of work, designers can make their decisions with any of these. Below are some of the best Adobe Illustrator alternatives that can be used.
Best Adobe Illustrator Alternatives
1. Affinity designer
The first software on our list of best Adobe Illustrator alternatives is the Affinity designer. This software application is a product of Serif Ltd. It is a professional design application that can be used on Mac and Windows devices.
Affinity is a professional software used for photo editing, publishing, illustration and graphic designing. Affinity has different paid packages that designers can buy to start up their work. It has a free 30-day trial for test running and samples. After that, the rest are paid for. With Affinity designer, illustrators can create flyers, logos, and patterns and edit photos.
The software allows users to make use of the available templates to create their own designs. It has lots of templates that can fit into use. The software is also used to edit photos. This Adobe Illustrator alternative has most of the recent photo editing touches to help spice up the pictures. It has both the dark and the light filters that can help enhance photos.
Affinity designer is a great workplace for designers and photo editors alike. It is easy to use and understand. The results are awesome.
Pros
- Affinity designer is great for learners.
- It performs multiple functions.
Cons
- Once the free trial is over, it becomes a paid software.
Click here to visit the site.
2. Inkscape
Inkscape is another amazing illustration and graphic design software alternative to Adobe Illustrator. It is a product of volunteer contributors, both in terms of software and website creation and financial contributions. The software was created for graphic designers and illustrators in particular.
The idea was to create a platform where tools would be made available for them to use in making their designs and expressing their creativity. Inkscape is a space where anybody who loves to be creative can indulge themselves to bring out the best. It is a software that can be used to create vector imagery and art.
The software has flexible tools that are needed in the creation of graphic works. It has a broad file format compatibility, which means that it has enough space to take in broad design files.
No matter how large your file is, it can be saved on the platform while you work. Also, it has a strong text tool. The text creation is powerful and very visible. It also has bezier and spiro curves for drawing.
Pros.
- The software is completely free.
- It constantly updates its features, and it has professionals working daily to improve the software.
Cons
- It is restricted to certain filters and tools.
Click here to visit the main site.
3. Corel Vector
The next one on these Adobe Illustrator alternatives list is a product of Corel corporation. It is known as Corel Vector but was formerly known as Gravit Designer. It was created in 2017.
Corel Vector, as it is now known, is a graphic design software for professionals and learners alike. It is a web-based vector app used to make creative designs on any device.
Corel Vector can work on mobile devices and laptops. The application was built to help designers enhance their skills through digital software. The application has a 15- day free trial which can be used to test out its features. However, the software is known for its powerful tools and gestures for designing. It has most of the updated graphic design tools. It is also used for illustration.
The tools combine great enhancers that make the designs look amazing. Corel Vector helps designers create, finish and save projects in its cloud. There, works can be easily retrieved to be worked on later or uploaded. The application is very easy to use. Users must sign up before participating in its freebies.
Pros
- It has enough space in the closet where work can be saved.
- It helps to achieve creative artworks.
Cons
- It has only 15 days free trial.
- It has limited editing features.
Click here to learn more.
4. Photoshop
Photoshop is a popular photo editing software application. It is one of Adobe’s products, just like Adobe Illustrator. It is also among the popular products for photo shopping, editing and graphics designing. Photoshop is currently using the latest version of 24.1.1, which was released in January 2023.
It has most of the latest and advanced tools for the creative world of images and designs. The software was designed for photographers, graphic editors and designers and illustrators. It has high-class tools that can be used for any of the cut-out jobs. It is very easy to use and understand.
The features are all bare and easy to navigate. It has features that help you delete objects, delete backgrounds and infuse new objects in the place of another.
The notion behind this Adobe illustrator alternative is that it can create and recreate photos, adding or removing necessary images. It has an app that can be downloaded on a laptop.
Pros.
- The application and the features are updated regularly.
- It has some distinct features that other applications don’t have.
Cons
- It is only available on Desktops and iPad.
Click here to learn more about it.
5. GIMP
Gimp is one of the best Adobe illustrator alternatives to look out for. The GIMP is a free and open source image editor. It can be used on MAC, Linux and Windows Operating Systems. The application is a software created for photographers, photo editors and content creators who desire free software where they can express their creativity in photo forms. The application is a cross- platform that everyone can make use of to produce their desired output. It is also for graphic designers, illustrators and scientists.
Anyone with the desire to make a good image can make use of the software. It is easy to use, and it is accessible to everyone. It is completely free, so there is no fear of payment after 30 days, like other applications.
GIMP has sophisticated tools similar to Adobe illustrator that can help you create designs and enhance photos. The tools are updated regularly, such that users do not miss the latest features in the graphic world.
It allows users to customize their work as they wish. The application helps to bring out impressive results. There are also free tutorials to learn with.
Pros
- The software can be used for high-quality photo manipulation.
- It can be used for creating icons and graphical elements.
- It is completely free.
Cons
- The application is restricted to only image editing and designing.
Click here to learn more.
6. Clip studio paint
The next on these Adobe illustrator alternatives list is Clip Studio Paint. It is used by learners and professionals alike. It is a graphic design software that is used to create designs in the form of photos, logos, flyers, templates and more.
This application is basically for drawing and painting. It can be used on Windows, Mac, Galaxy, Android, iPad, iPhone and Chromebook.
It is a colorful website where artists can explore and bring out the best of their works. It has loads of digital colours and inks that can be used to create any design or painting.
For artists who draw, the drawing features are exclusive. From the lines to the curves to the inks and graphic backgrounds available. It has thousands of colours in different shades.
It has digital pens, pencils and brushes that make drawing and painting easy and life-like. The software can be used to create games, comics, cartoons and digital characters. It can be used to recreate a live photo to look animated. The application is great for any kind of drawing or painting.
Pros
- It can be used to create 3D photos.
- It is a blend of traditional and modern drawing and painting features.
- It has free tutorials for learners.
Cons
- It is restricted to painting and drawing.
- It is not a free app.
Click here to learn more.
7. Krita
Krita is another Adobe Illustrator alternative application developed in 2012 by the KDE, which is an international community that works together to create free and open source software for people all over the world.
The KDE foundation was established in 1998 as a non-profit organization with a foundation to provide for artists and members of the community. This application is one of the projects launched by the community, and the goal is to provide artists with free tools to create art, whether digital tools or physical studios.
This application is used for the creation of concert art, texture and matte painters, illustrations and comics. This means it can be used by graphic designers, painters, drawing artists and illustrators.
The software has all the necessary tools and features to help users achieve their aims. The application can be used on both Windows and Apple devices. Krita also has educational resources to help teach those who may be interested in learning some art. It is currently operating the latest version, which is 5.1.5.
Pros
- All the features and tools are free.
- Artists can interact with themselves on the website.
- The website has the latest news about everything in the graphic world.
Cons
- It is not suitable for Android mobile devices.
Click here to visit the website.
8. Darktable
Darktable is an open-source photography and raw developer software application designed for photography professionals. The application is basically a photo studio where photographers and those interested in the art can exhibit their talent. With Darktable, users can explore light and dark colours, respectively. Since the software is only for photography, the lighting is divided into two; light and dark. Users can explore all shades of colour to help enhance the quality of their photos. The software’s tools help in the development of the photos, either as raw photos or as enhanced ones. The colours play significant roles in the enhancement.
Darktable helps to edit images and still retain their originality. It does not kill the quality of the photos after editing, but retains it. Darktable is a space where photographers can play with colours to suit their images.
Pros.
- The application has the right colour palettes for editing and enhancing
- It is easy to use. It has a smart interface.
Cons
- It is restricted to photography only.
Click here to visit the site.
9. PosterMyWall
This next software application to Adobe Illustrator is known as PosterMyWall. It is quite exciting because even the name suggests the kind of application it is. PosterMyWall is used to create designs of all types.
Whether it is flyers, logos or posters, the app is able to do it. It works in a very simple and organized way. There are templates users can choose from to create their personal designs.
They can also create these designs from scratch if they wish to. The application is used to create posters, flyers and logos for events, parties, business advertisements, educational flyers and many more.
Business owners can use the app to create adverts for their brand in less than no time. Individuals can use it to create invitations to their events in no time. The Adobe Illustrator alternative is open to everyone to get creative and have fun while at it.
It is very easy to use. There is little or nothing to be learnt before using the app. It is a great tool for bloggers, influencers, brand owners and companies.
Pros
- It does not waste time to create designs.
- The designs are usually of high quality and are presentable anywhere.
Cons
- It cannot be used to create videos or edit images, just flyers and the likes.
- It is not free.
Click here to visit the site.
10. Vectr
Vectr is a sophisticated Graphics editing software, and also a great Adobe Illustrator alternative. It is used to create logos, mock write-ups, presentations, flyers, cards, brochures and 2D graphics. It is a web and desktop cross-platform. It can be used mostly on desktops.
Vectr is designed for graphic designers, illustrators and editors who need software to make their work easy. It helps to enhance their projects while retaining authenticity.
The software is used for creative purposes. It can be used by individuals or companies. It is very easy to use. There are tutorials on the app that can put users through. It helps brand owners to boost their business because by making flyers and logos, they create a means of advertisement for themselves.
People do not need to pay graphic designers to do their simple graphic jobs when they can make use of Vectr. Vectr is great for editing. Jobs that have been done on other platforms can be edited with this software. Generally, the platform is handy for graphic designers and makes work easy.
Pros.
- It keeps the originality of the work.
- It is easy to use.
Cons
- It concentrates on only graphic editing.
- It can only be used on desktops.
Click here to read more about it.
11. Sketch
Sketch is one of the top Adobe Illustrator alternatives designed for MAC Operating System users. It is both a mobile application and a web app. It is a software application that is used plainly for designs.
This software is used to create designs from scratch, edit created designs and store created designs. Sketch is a sketch house, literally. Everything from drawing to painting to carving and designing can be done with the application. It is to be used only on MACOS devices for best results.
The application, just like Adobe illustrato, helps animation designers, illustrators, graphic designers and other individuals in the same line to do great jobs. The quality of the designs is top-notch, and the end results are always clear.
It produces crispy clear designs that still maintain their clarity even after being transferred from one app to the other. The software gives room for learning. It has Sketch Courses that newbies can take to achieve perfection in design. Most of the courses are digital art and graphic design courses.
Pros
- Has enough space for large files.
- Customizable interface.
- Interaction with other designers.
Cons
- Can only be used on MACOS.
Click here to read more about it.
12. Blender
The next on our list of Adobe Illustrator alternatives is the Blender software application. This application is designed for graphic designers, photographers, illustrators, movie directors, videographers and different artists. Blender is an application developed by blender.org.
It is a public project licensed as GNU/GPL, and it is a general property of its contributors. It is a project that is owned by the public, as its resources are being contributed daily from all angles.
Blender was designed as software to be used in the creation of different forms of art. It is free and open-source software that is accessible to anybody. It can be used for modelling, sculpting and UV.
It has some advanced sculpting tools and brushes that can be used for the work. It also has 3D brushes that can be used for 3D painting. The software can also be used for VFX. It can be used for manual and automatic tracking of footage. It can be used to create animations, short videos, TV commercials and feature films.
It has all the right tools to work with to produce them. Blender has won many awards as it has been rated among the best software in its category.
Pros
- It is a professional tool.
- It finishes up all edges and bits well.
Cons
- It is not really easy to use, especially for beginners.
Learn more about it here.
13. Google drawings
Google drawings are a part of Google’s products. It was designed for drawing specifically. It has all the necessary tools needed to create drawing designs in plain and coloured form.
The application is a part of Google’s recent additions to its app. It is an independent application also. It can be used by anyone to create art. Just like there is Google docs for writing, Google photos for saving pictures and creating collages, there is Google drawing for drawing.
The drawings do not necessarily have to be fun drawings or art drawings. They could be drawings that are needed as attachments to any other documents that do not have tools for drawing.
For instance, there are some word apps that do not have tools for drawing or painting, and they may be needed. You can use Google drawings to draw it and attach the document to the Word document.
It also allows you to cut and paste. The application is a web application that can be used with WPS or Google Chrome. It has most of the basic features of a drawing application with filters and colours.
Pros
- It allows you move your document to another app.
- It is a flexible application.
- It is also free.
Cons
- It is not a professional kind of drawing software.
- It has just the basics.
Click here to view.
14. Boxy SVG
Boxy SVG is a scalable vector graphic editor. It was created in 2012. It is a licensed website and application software that was built for web developers and web designers.
This kind of Adobe Illustrator alternative software allows web designers and developers to be flexible with their designs. The interface is built in such a way that it suits the designer’s work. It is an application software used to edit SVG files. It operates on any device and any operating system.
This software also has an application that can be downloaded to mobile devices and laptops. This helps web designers and developers to work comfortably from anywhere.
Boxy SVG has an intuitive user interface. It blends into the user’s illustration and makes it the centre of the software. It is not overcrowded or overlapped with toolbars and patterns. It is clear and easy to work with.
Whatever kind of illustration the user is creating becomes the interface of the app. The canvas becomes the background for all the ongoing work.
According to Boxy, whether it is gradient fills or shape editing, it is done directly on the canvas. There are keyboard shortcuts that can be used for anything. The user is in control of all the activities that happen on the interface.
Pros
- The software allows for web design creativity.
- It is quite easy to navigate.
Cons
- It is restricted to web design and development only.
Click here to learn more.
15. Corel draw
Corel draw is a product of Corel Corporation. Its sister products include Corel Vector, Corel CAD. Some of its own products include CorelDraw Graphics Suite, CorelDraw Standard and CorelDraw Technical Suite.
It is a software application designed for typography, photo editing, vector illustration, layout and collaboration. It is a space where different types of design artists can flex themselves in their creativity. It is an open platform armed with the necessary tools to help the design works easily.
Corel Draw has different products to help specify jobs. Different products work for different purposes, keeping everything well organized. The platform is open to web designers, Vector graphic designers, illustrators, cartoonists and photographers.
The application has the right tools to help them achieve premium results in their jobs. From basic fillers to colours to curves and other tools, the software is loaded with good tools.
Individuals and brands can make money from their designs. It could be as a form of advertisement or design sales. You should add this software among the Adobe Illustrator alternatives you may consider as a replacement.
Pros
- The software can be used for multiple purposes.
- It creates high- quality and clear results.
Cons
- It is not a free site.
Learn more about it here.
16. Vecteezy
Vecteezy is an application that was developed in 2007 by Shawn Rubel. He created it as a graphic design platform where designers can get tools and ready-made designs for their work.
The idea behind it was to ease the workload of designers and also relieve the hardship of creating designs from scratch, especially when the resources are not available. The platform is open to videographers, graphic designers, photographers and illustrators. It is a space where they can exercise their skills to the best, with tools and resources in abundance.
The application is also a photo editor that users can use to recreate their photos. There are many free photo frame templates on the platform. The are also free ready-made graphic photos that can be downloaded for use. The platform is trusted by top brands.
Pros.
- Access to millions of free photos.
- Unlimited downloads
Cons
- The platform is only for photos.
- No mobile app.
Click here to visit the website.
17. Vector Styler
Vector Styler is the next on this list of Adobe Illustrator alternatives. It is a product of Numeric Path, a company in Finland. The application is an advanced illustration and drawing software that can be used only on Mac and PC systems.
It is used to create logos, illustrations, icons, drawings, typography, and vector art for screen, print and web. The software is usually used by graphic designers, typographers and illustrators.
The software has complete sets of drawing and illustrating tools. It has most of the newest features and tools that are needed to create designs. This helps the users to create modern and chic designs.
It is used to create both simple and complex graphic designs and illustrations. Vector Styler is one of the most popularly used vector graphic software. This is because it is easy to use and understand. It has instructions at all stages to put the user through effortlessly. The features are updated frequently, so it always has the latest tools available.
Pros
- It is a multipurpose software.
- It maintains the shape of vector objects.
Cons
- It is not a free website.
Learn more about it here
18. Figma
If you need Adobe Illustrator alternatives where you can connect and collaborate with other graphic designers and illustrators like yourself, you can try this Figma application. Firma is an application designed for collaboration.
Whether it is collaborative research or collaborative work, this application gives you that opportunity. Figma was created with potentials to share ideas concerning graphic design and all that is affiliated to it.
The platform is a place where graphic designers can meet and discuss the latest designs, create new ones and make decisions on the latest issues. It is also a space where graphic tools are sold and where people can find graphic designers in different fields to do their works.
There are lots of graphic products that are first discovered on this platform because it is where potentials are discovered.
Figma gives members the opportunity to interact and create new ideas. Ideas are nurtured and developed in this space. According to the head of design, ‘everyone works everyone towards a common goal’.
Pros
- A connection and interaction platform.
- Great for business and networking.
Cons
- The platform is mostly for interactions, not for design works.
Click here to visit the site.
19. Canva
Canva is a professional and fun application where individuals and companies can create designs for different purposes. It can be used to create flyers, logos, templates, posters and more for advertisement, information and businesses.
Canva is a worldwide-known application that serves all graphic design purposes every time. It has ready-made templates that can be used by individuals for personal reasons.
The templates can also be changed to fit the user’s needs. Canva can also be used to create professional designs. It has different stages. There is the Canva Free, Canva Pro and Canva for Teams. Canva free is completely free and can be used to create many designs, but it is limited.
Canva Pro is more advanced and can create more designs than Canva Free. It is also used for professional work. Canva teams are used for official designs in the workplace. With Teams, companies can have the same work tools.
Pros
- Canva is a trusted brand.
- It produces quality results.
Cons
- It has a few free features. The rest are paid packages.
Click here to visit the site.
20. Pixlr
Last but not least on this Adobe Illustrator alternatives list is the Pixlr software application. It is a photo editing application that can be used to enhance and adjust photos.
The application was created with editing and design tools to help achieve amazing photo results. Pixlr is a free editing application with the latest features and tools. These tools are designed specially to help the application perform great jobs on the photos. It has about three major features for editing. The first one is the Photo mash Studio. This one allows the user to create visual assets.
The creator can mash different photos into a video to create visual effects. The second one is the Instant Photo Editor, which is used to edit photos from scratch or as the user wishes.
The third is the Remove BG. This one is used to remove the background or replace it with another. Generally, Pixlr has great features, clear results and quality photos. It has enough filters and effects to make the photos turn out great.
Pros.
- The application can be used on any device.
- It makes photo editing easy.
Cons
- It is only useful for photo editing. It is not diversified.
Learn more about here
Related: Adobe Acrobat Alternatives
Summary
So far, we’ve been able to review up to twenty Adobe Illustrator alternatives. In the absence of Adobe or in case you cannot handle Adobe Illustrator, you can try any of the other similar graphic software we have listed. Adobe Illustrator serves many purposes, but some of these Adobe Illustrator alternatives serve particular purposes. If there is no need to use a multipurpose software application, you can try any of the individual ones.
Also, for preference reasons, graphic designers, illustrators and artists might decide to try something else. There is a long list of alternatives to choose from. Feel free to try out any that fits your device and give us good feedback in our comment section.