Sketch is Mac only but is so highly regarded that I would be remiss not to mention it here. It can also import PSD and other file formats too.
It has a Windows and Mac app, works well on both systems and supports VG, EPS, PDF, PDF/X and FH files. You work with personas which streamline certain activities such as creation, editing, exporting and asset management. The UI is simple and uncluttered but contains lots of tools. It isn’t restricted to vectors either as it has been designed to be both a graphics and vector editing program and does both credibly well.
The UI and features are much more on par with Illustrator with many advanced tools available. At only $49, it is much more affordable too. It is very much like Gravit and has gone to great effort to simplify the creation process as much as possible to leave you open to begin creating.Īffinity Designer is a premium graphics editor that competes very favorably with Adobe Illustrator. You have the same suite of tools as Gravit, pens, slice, knife and so on and layers, shapes and the like. The UI is similar to Gravit and includes a central canvas surrounded by tools.
Unlike Gravit, Vectr also has a desktop app you can download and use locally should you prefer.
Like Gravit, it isn’t as in-depth or as feature-rich but has all of the basic tools you need to create good looking vectors. Vectr is also a browser-based vector graphics app that is also a viable alternative to Adobe Illustrator. If you value simplicity and ease of use and don’t think you will need some of the advanced features of Inkscape, this is a very viable alternative. You have a range of shape tools, filters, path editing tools, layer tools and multiple formats to use. Many of the basic and most common tools are available in Gravit, pen, line, knife, slice and so on. It works well in Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Opera and is compatible with other browsers too.
You need to sign up for a free account but in return you can work on your vector designs from any device with a browser and internet access. It is not as deep as Inkscape and is more suitable for light or casual projects but as a free vector tool is very useful indeed. This time it is web-based and runs out of your browser. Gravit is another free alternative to Adobe Illustrator. It does run a little slower than Illustrator but has none of the restrictions or account tie-ins either. Of all of these alternatives to Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape seems the most fully featured and competitive. Recent updates have introduced new tools and compatibility with CSS3 and SVG2 as well as specific tools for mesh gradients and spirals. Inkscape is open source and regularly updated by its large community. Inkscape is compatible with SVG format, EPS, PostScript, JPG, PNG, BMP or TIP images. It has the same quality interface, similar tools, methods of use and features. Inkscape is a free alternative to Adobe Illustrator that is almost as good. Fortunately for the rest of us, there are free or much cheaper alternatives. Like all Adobe products, the price is prohibitive for anyone who isn’t serious about graphics or who doesn’t make a living out of them. There is no avoiding the fact that Adobe Illustrator is the default standard for vector graphics but you really do pay for the privilege. Here are five great alternatives to Adobe Illustrator that allow you to do just that. Unlike raster graphics and images that you would utilize Photoshop for, vectors are pure math so require a specialized program to work with. There is no doubt that Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard for vector graphic editing. 5 Great Alternatives to Adobe Illustrator 5 Great Alternatives to Adobe Illustrator