Since its release in 1987, Adobe Illustrator has been the leading vector-based design software program and is widely considered the industry standard for graphic designers, web designers, artists, and illustrators. Adobe boasts an array of features and creative tools that lend to its reputation as an all-in-one powerful graphic tool for both amateurs and professionals.
Without a doubt, Adobe Illustrator is a fantastic product with a rich tech history. However, there are some new kids on the block who we think are worthy of your time. If you are actively seeking a cheaper option or simply wanting to try something new, keep scrolling to read our list of Adobe Illustrator alternatives. We’ll be reviewing four paid and four free options. Any one of these programs will allow you to create stunning vector graphics for your website.
1. Affinity Designer – Most intuitive interface
- Website: affinity.serif.com
- Free version: No
- Price: $49.99 one time fee
Affinity Designer comes from the UK based company Serif and is compatible with Mac, Windows, and iPad. Much like Illustrator, it is a leader in the industry and has received an Apple Design award, a UK app store Editor’s Choice award, a Digital Arts Editor’s Choice, a PC Pro App of the Year award, and a Windows Developer App Creator of the Year award.
It’s options include unlimited art and advanced grids, snapping, and alignment. Affinity supports multiple color profiles including CMYK, 16 & 32bit RGB, Pantone, and ICC. Customizable keyboard shortcuts allow you to personalize your workflow to better suit your needs.
To fit all the tools, both Affinity and Illustrator have busy interfaces. However, Affinity uses a color coding system to make tools more visually accessible. This will help with finding what you are looking for among the number of features available.
Affinity now offers alternate futures for your saved history. Previously, if you were to undo change then make new changes, that history would be lost. With the alternate futures features, that information will be saved, and you’re able to cycle through the various “futures.”
Affinity Designer has more photo editing features built in compared to Adobe Illustrator which is great for those of you who use a lot of original photos on your websites but don’t have a need to have a separate photo editing application. In the event you do need more advanced photo editing options, Affinity sells Affinity Photo for the exact same price as Affinity Designer at $49.99. You could purchase both programs and come out spending less than half of what you would spend on a yearly subscription to Adobe Illustrator.
All in all, Affinity Designer is a powerful alternative to Illustrator. It has a popular following and the awards to prove it.
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2. Sketch – Best for the seasoned Mac user
- Website: sketch.com
- Free version: No
- Price: $9/month or $99/annually
Sketch, like Illustrator, is a vector graphic software from the Dutch company Sketch B.V. It was released in 2010 and has since gained tremendous popularity. Their website showcases a handful of logos from prominent companies Sketch has worked with including Facebook, Google, MIT, Xbox, and Stripe.
Similarly to Adobe Illustrator, Sketch uses a subscription service for access to the program. Unlike Illustrator, Sketch charges a mere $9 a month for full access with the option to save a few bucks by paying $99 annually. While not free, the savings in comparison to Illustrator make Sketch a cost-friendly alternative.
Sketch offers a Mac app and web app only, so if you are a Windows or Linux user, Sketch is not for you. However, for Mac users, Sketch runs seamlessly. Sketch’s website markets their program as native to MacOS and promotes a UI that will feel comfortable and familiar to the seasoned Mac user.
For those of you looking for a more simplified layout, many users report that Sketch’s program layout is superior in comparison to Adobe Illustrator because you can use one canvas for your entire project. If you are looking to simplify or lessen the number of files you are working with for your webpage, Sketch may be the option for you.
Sketch has a reputation for being superior for UI design. Artists and illustrators may want to stick to Adobe Illustrator or another product geared towards hand sketching or pencil integration.
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3. CoreIDraw – Best for the seasoned Windows user
- Website: corel.com
- Free version: No
- Price: $20.75/month or $499.00 one time fee
CorelDraw was released not long after Adobe Illustrator in 1989 and is considered the first graphics software for Windows operating system. Since its inception, CorelDraw has expanded its compatibility to include Mac, web, iPad, and other tablets.
Like Illustrator, CorelDraw is a vector based illustration software used in comparable industries. Users who have used both simultaneously say there isn’t an argument to be had about which is better than the other, but that it comes down to a personal preference. Ultimately, CorelDraw users tend to be print media specialists in comparison to Illustrator which includes a large user base of graphic design professionals.
It’s newest features include draw in perspective, a more flexible design space, progressive imaging editing, and next generation collaboration. With more individuals working remotely now than ever, the updated collaboration tool allows you and your team to leave real-time notes and annotations right within the file. CorelDraw does a great job of releasing detailed, instructional videos on all new features to assist in you using the updates to their fullest potential.
If you are looking for a less expensive monthly alternative to Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw is not it. Its monthly subscription is only slightly competitive at $20.75 a month versus Illustrator’s subscription at $20.99 a month. Unlike Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw offers lifetime access at $499.00. If you are committed to the software and know you’ll be using it for more than 2 years, the one-time fee may be worth it in the long run if you prefer the interface.
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4. Graphic – Best for the iPad user
- Website: graphic.com
- Free version: No
- Price: $29.99 one time fee
Graphic is an application for the iPad and MacOS. At its release, it was an iPad app only but has since been purchased a few times and changed names. What you can currently purchase is the application, Graphic, owned by Picta, Inc. You can own the product for a one time fee of $29.99 on both your iPad and Mac.
Graphic has a clean, professional, and straightforward interface that is user-friendly. Basic features include a bezier pen tool, shape tool, and multi-style text boxes. Graphic offers users only the standard tools, but they do what they need to do. The Apple Pencil is compatible with Graphic, so you can create unique and precise strokes with full path and node editing capabilities.
For the technical designers and illustrators, Graphic allows you to create customizable grids and margins for your designs. From there you can add custom dimension labels to tailor your design process to your liking. The auto-calculated dimensioning will help you speed up the process for labeling length, width, height, and area.
Graphic boasts a handoff feature that allows you to work on the same project using multiple devices. If you like to work with both an Apple Pencil and a trackpad, Graphic allows you to work simultaneously between your iPad and Mac. You can draw with the Apple Pencil and then switch back to your Mac with seamless updates.
Graphic integrates with both iCloud and Dropbox. So, whatever your preference, your artwork will always be safe and secure. Graphic can import PSD, AI, SVG, PDF, PNG, GIF, TIFF and JPEG files. Export options are PDF, SVG, PSD, PNG, and JPEG.
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5. Figma – Best for collaborative teams
- Website: figma.com
- Free version: Yes, limited features
- Price: $15/month or $144/year
Figma is the brainchild of two students from Brown University who wanted to create a strong vector graphic design SaaS. Beta testing was released in 2015, and the product was made available to the public in 2016. You can still use Figma free of charge, but you’ll be limited on features. Altogether, Figma offers three levels of access: the free starter account, a professional subscription, and an organization subscription.
Subscriptions are charged per editor, so a single professional subscription costs $144 a year or $15 billed monthly. The organization subscription will run you $540 a year per editor with no option to bill monthly. If you have a team of 5, this can really add up. However, if you are looking for an alternative to Illustrator for just yourself, the free starter account will serve you well as a starting point. It includes unlimited files in drafts, unlimited viewers and commenters, unlimited editors on 3 team files, 1 team project, 30 day version history, and unlimited cloud storage. If you end up enjoying the starter account, you can easily upgrade to the professional subscription for less than half of an Illustrator subscription.
If you are already using Sketch, you should know that Figma supports Sketch file imports in addition to PNG, JPG, and GIF. Your export options with Figma are PNG, JPG, PDF, and SVG. For the colorpicker, you are looking at HEX, RGB, HSB, HSL, AND CSS.
Originally, Figma was created for teams which is why a lot of their marketing is focused on it’s SaaS platform. If you are in need of a graphic design software for a group of 9+ people, users say that Figma’s team features are unmatched, but as mentioned, a team subscription is pricey. The organization access offers teams organization wide systems, private plug-ins, advanced security, and design system analytics.
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6. Inkspace – Best for community support
- Website: inkspace.org
- Free version: Yes
- Price: $0.00
Inkscape is a free, open-source program compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. It was released in 2003 as a unique vector-based software alternative to the likes of Illustrator and CorelDraw. Inkscape has a simple and user-friendly interface that is great for beginners. What it lacks in features, it makes up for in ease of use.
Ultimately, any vector graphic made in Illustrator can be made in Inkspace. Inkspace’s shape and text tools allow you to emulate any shape or text you would in Illustrator. The drawing tool includes a pencil tool for freehand drawing, a pen tool for bezier curves and straight lines, and a calligraphy tool for artistic strokes.
While the free open-source software is great for your pocketbook, you may come across bugs more than you would with Adobe Illustrator. On the upside, Inkspace developers have a positive reputation and are known to address and quickly fix issues reported by users. When you create a user account, you gain access to the Inkspace community forum and chat feature. When you come across a bug, jump over to the chat feature and send a message to the developers.
You can also search workarounds through the Inkspace forums. Inkspace hosts their own community forum through their website. Fun fact: the Inkspace community is often regarded as the friendliest and most welcoming vector graphic users on the web. If you are new to the vector graphic design community, the Inkspace community may be a great fit for you.
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7. Vectr – Best for the minimalist
- Website: vectr.com
- Free version: Yes
- Price: $0.00
Another free Adobe Illustrator alternative is Vectr. Founded in 2014, Vectr has since acquired a large following of users, and a common resounding review from users is that it is a simple yet powerful tool that gets the job done. Vectr is most commonly used by project managers, engineers, bloggers, and social media specialists who need quality graphics but can’t justify the cost of a monthly subscription.
Vectr is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux and SaaS making it a versatile option for a variety of users. Vectr will automatically sync your work for you, so if you are creating in the desktop mode, you can pick it back up in a web browser. Additionally, Vectr offers a unique URL feature that will help partners and teams work simultaneously. Each design is assigned it’s own URL that can be used for real-time collaboration whether you are working through a browser or the desktop mode.
Design features include a pen tool, shape tool, pathfinders, and gradients as well as the ability to arrange elements, align elements, and create custom fills and strokes. Some downsides to Vectr are the limited color picker and export options. Vectr supports RGB and Hex only. If you are looking to create printable media, you’ll need to incorporate another program for CMYK. Vectr supports only three different types of export formats: JPG, PNG, and SVG.
Because Vectr is an open source software, you may encounter bugs; unlike Inspace, you’ll have to put in a ticket to request a fix. At this time, Vectr integrates with WordPress. Overall, Vectr is a great tool to use for your website design.
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8. Boxy SVG – Best for easy HTML reading
- Website: boxy-svg.com
- Free version: Yes
- Price: $0.00
Boxy SVG is a free tool for creating vector graphic files that includes a list of basic and advanced tools that will get the job done including pens, bezier curves, text, basic shapes, stroke and fill. You can create layers, groups, and paths. Boxy SVG supports importing and exporting of SVG, JPEG, and PNG.
The most attractive feature of Boxy SVG is its simple design making it a great option for users looking to work quickly and efficiently. Boxy writes clean and easy to read HTML. If you are interested in learning about the building blocks of your vector graphics, Boxy makes it easier than most other alternatives out there.
Like other free platforms, Boxy SVG takes a proactive approach to bugs using a general ticket system. To report a bug, you simply login and fill out the “new bug” form. In addition to their general FAQ section, Boxy SVG also hosts a bugs thread where you can review and filter through bugs reported by other users to see if what you are encountering is truly a bug or user error.
BoxySVG does not have all the bells and whistles that Adobe Illustrator has, but if you are looking to make smart vector graphics for your webpage, Boxy SVG is a great option.
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Bottom Line
Illustrator has significant skin in the game, but these alternate options will give you big results for less than a Creative Cloud subscription. If you are an SVG beginner and looking to learn a program quickly, Gravit Designer, Graphic, Vectr, or Inkscape have the most user friendly interface and a consistently easy learning curve. If you are an experienced Adobe Illustrator user and looking to try out something new, CorelDraw, Affinity Designer, or Figma offer more advanced tools that you may be used to working with. Overall, any of the above listed programs will serve you well as an alternative to Adobe Illustrator.