7 Best Free and Paid Illustrator Alternatives For Vector Designing
The illustrator software application was created by one of the world’s leading software companies – Adobe. Adobe Illustrator has long been a favorite of designers around the world and is considered industry-standard software for vector graphics.
What is Vector Graphics?
Vector graphics are based on mathematical formulas, which are points, lines, curves, and shapes. Vector graphics files can be scaled to whatever size or resolution you need since they aren’t a low resolution and there’s no quality loss. For example, Modern design relies heavily on vector files because art can print in many sizes, and web designs must adjust for different screen sizes. Also, it’s a useful tool for printing company logos, business cards, posters, and flyers.
Why Not Raster Graphics
Raster graphics are created by coloring pixels. The edges of a raster file with pixel-based art look jagged and the overall quality is degraded if you enlarge it too much.
What are vector graphics file formats?
To create a vector graphic, many different file formats or extensions are used. In addition to Adobe Illustrator (AI), EPS, PDF, and SVG are some of the most common vector file formats.
Here we compare and analyze 07 different digital illustration applications that replace Adobe Illustrator’s basic capabilities as well as some of its advanced features.
1. Affinity Designer
Using various built-in tools, Affinity Designer lets users manage documents, create vector designs, blend modes, adjust and effect images, edit images, and create artboards. As well as supporting multiple image and vector file formats, including EPS, PNG, TIFF, GIP, JPEG, PDF, SVG, and PSD, the platform lets organizations customize text topography.
With a single click, you can switch between a vector and a raster workspace. The tools give you true creative freedom – apply raster brush textures to illustrations, edit single pixels on icons, mask and add grain to crisp vectors, enclose and clip pixel layers, and more.
The pricing plans for Affinity Designer are outlined below. You can try it for free
Platform:
Mac, Windows, and iPad
Features:
Create Accurate Designs, Dynamic Precision Guides, Snapping Options, Flawless Geometry, Live Pixel Preview, Responsive Designs, UI, Web, and App Design Optimization, Precise Curves, Advanced Grids, Unlimited Artboards, etc…
2. CorelDRAW
There are several Adobe Illustrator alternatives available, but probably the most well-known is CorelDraw. In comparison to Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW is a bit more affordable. Microsoft launched CorelDRAW, the first vector-based graphic design software that was compatible with Windows. The first Mac OS-compatible version of CorelDRAW appeared in the late 1990s, and after a long absence, a Mac version has now been released.
CorelDRAW is available in different versions for different types of users, such as beginners, enthusiasts, and professionals. There are various licensing options available to suit the needs and budget of each user. Many printing industries around the world use CorelDRAW as their primary software.
The pricing plans for CorelDraw are outlined below
Platform:
Windows, Mac, and Web
Features:
Easy bitmap to vector tracing, Vector illustration, Object management, Photo editing, Page layout, Color, fills and transparencies, Web graphics, Flexible design space, Progressive image editing, and Next-generation collaboration.
3. Sketch
In Sketch, everything you need to collaborate on a design is at your fingertips. Sketch is an excellent tool for designing UIs, prototyping, and wireframe, as well as editing vector graphics. In addition to being relatively easy to use, it has some strong breadcrumb features and organizational capabilities. As a bonus, Sketch offers a wide variety of educational resources.
The pricing plans for Sketch are outlined below
Platform:
macOS
Features:
Plugins, Assistants, Smart Distribute, Smart Layout, multi-format and multi-scale exports, calculation drivers, resizing constraints, Variable sources and Open Type features, Mirror for iOS.
4. Inkscape
Among the best alternatives to Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape offers many similar features, including display pixel position and rotation, bitmap tracing, color painting on objects, and gradient editing.
Inkscape supports PDF, PNG, SK1, EPS, OpenDocument Drawing, DXF, and PostScript formats. If you are proficient in vector graphics, you can integrate Inkscape into other software programs if you have the technical skills.
Inkscape is an open-source and free vector graphics software.
Platform:
Mac, Windows, Linux
Features:
Drawing: pencil tool, Shape tools, Text tool, Embedded bitmaps, Clones, Node editing, Boolean operations, Bitmap tracing, Multi-line text, Fully anti-aliased display
5. Figma
Figma may be the right choice for you if you’re looking for a free alternative to Adobe Illustrator that can help you design interfaces, create customized shapes, and design animated prototypes. In addition, it allows groups of artists and designers to collaborate and create new artworks.
To check the Figma pricing plans, Visit here
Platform:
Mac, Windows, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge
Features:
Mockups, Prototyping, A modern pen tool, Instant arc designs, OpenType, Plugins, Widgets, Private extensions, Accessible libraries, Inspect design files, Easy export, etc.
6. Vectr
For beginners looking for a free illustrator alternative, Vectr is the way to go. You can install Vectr as a web extension or use it as desktop software, both of which are simple and easy to use. It can be used by pretty much anyone with a web browser, and it allows multiple people to collaborate on a design quite easily.
You can use Vectr’s basic graphics editor for free for as long as you like.
Platform:
Web Browser
Features:
Handy collaboration tools, Simple user interface, Multiple formats, Direct import, Inbuilt tutorials
7. Gravit Designer
It is an HTML-based application that makes it easy to create high-quality vector graphics. Using its UI design, graphics, and icons, Gravit Designer is capable of transforming simple works into incredibly impressive marketing tools, ideas, presentations, animations, and art.
The benefit of Gravit Designer is its free status, as well as its feature set that can compete with other solutions in the same category.
Platform:
Web Browser
Features:
Auto-layouts, Bleed, Blending, Booleans, Frame text tool, Google Fonts, Grids, Layers, Path graphs, Pen shapes, SVG editing tool, Templates, etc.
A number of excellent alternatives to Adobe Illustrator are available on the digital market. Our goal was to provide you with some of the best options so that you wouldn’t have to worry about choosing. We hope that this comprehensive list of Adobe Illustrator alternatives will assist you in making the best decision for your needs.
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