Adobe Illustrator is a popular tool for designing vector graphics, logos, symbols, and more.
But if you’re a web or graphic designer on a budget, you probably can’t afford Adobe Illustrator’s high pricing of $ 239.88 / year.
Fortunately, there are plenty of top notch free alternatives out there, some of which offer features unparalleled by Illustrator. In this post, we’re going to share the seven best free Adobe Illustrator alternatives to help you create beautiful designs on a budget.
How to Download Adobe Illustrator for Free
If you want to use Adobe Illustrator but are hesitant to purchase the full version, you can try a free seven-day trial of the product first. Simply go to the Adobe Illustrator product page and click on “Start Free Trial”.
If you’re looking for a program that offers features that are qualitatively comparable to Adobe’s product, check out our list of the best free alternatives to Illustrator.
1. Inkscape
As one of the most comparable alternatives to Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape has many similar sketching, illustration, and editing tools, including buttons for moving and rotating by screen pixels, bitmap tracing, painting over objects, and manipulating gradients with handles.
You can also create complex textures and gradients in Inkscape. Unlike some free tools, this tool allows you to layer, group, and lock objects so you can fully customize the look and feel of a project while maintaining a streamlined workflow.
Inkscape is a quality product for professional or semi-professional web designers working in the SVG file format. It also offers an open source vector graphics package. So if you have the technical skills, you can integrate Inkscape with your other software programs.
Best for:
Professional and semi-professional illustrators and web designers
Platform:
Mac, Windows, Linux
Image source
2. GIMP
GIMP, which stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, has limited vector capabilities but has tools similar to Photoshop, making it a stunning image editor with powerful image manipulation options. Better still, GIMP has customization options and third-party plug-ins. So if your photo editing needs are special, this tool should be tried out.
GIMP is free and open source, so there is a market for third-party plugins to improve your productivity and design skills. If this sounds technically advanced, GIMP offers tutorials for newbies to the tool so you can get the most of it.
Best for:
Advanced designers who need a custom tool for creating illustrations and graphics
Platform:
Mac, Windows, Linux
3. BoxySVG
BoxySVG runs as an extension in Google Chrome, so you can easily save vector graphics such as symbols, diagrams and illustrations on the web. It has options for integrating Google Fonts and has an Open Clip Art Library as well as Illustrator tools like pens, Bézier curves, groups, shapes, text and more.
Ultimately, BoxySVG is simpler than Illustrator, and while that means less advanced tools, it also means a faster and easier process for creating vector graphics files.
The intuitive user interface gives you a clean work area so you can complete your workflow without clutter or overlapping toolboxes. Keyboard shortcuts keep tools accessible without switching tabs or searching through multiple icons.
The 15-day free trial includes these features. After that, you have the option to purchase either the Premium or the Standard plan.
Best used for:
Designers who produce a small volume of designs but still need a quality tool
Platform:
Mac app, Windows app, Chrome app, web app
4. Pixlr
Pixlr offers many functions for editing, creating and sharing creative images. Although less advanced in function than Illustrator, it is cloud-based and supported on mobile, desktops, or the web.
Pixlr offers two options: Pixlr E for photo editing and Pixlr X for graphic design. Pixlr X includes regularly updated templates for social media, presentations, resumes, business cards, newsletters and event invitations. Pixlr E includes a photo collage maker that combines your favorite photos into a clean, cohesive design.
Best used for:
Individuals whose position requires working from different devices to create images
Platform:
Windows, Mac, Web, Mobile
5. Gravitation
Gravit is home to many of your basic vector editing tools, including pen, line, knife, disc, Bezigon, and gradient editor. It also has advanced features like Boolean operations, symbols, international text support, and more.
It also has a user-friendly interface and offers video tutorials. Gravit works right in any browser, which means you can edit and export your files anywhere with WiFi. It also supports CMYK rendering so you can print high quality images without downloading anything.
You can also import and export files in a variety of formats including pdf, png, jpg, svg, and sketch – making this option more flexible than Illustrator.
Best used for:
Freelance illustrators and designers who need a robust design tool
Platform:
Mac, Linux, Windows, Chrome, any browser
6. Affinity designer
With grid controls, infinite zooming, a precision-engineered pen tool, automatic snap points, bright colors, and an extensive array of vector editing tools, this system is truly comparable in design and function to Adobe Illustrator. The full version is $ 49.99, but the 90-day trial is free and has many full-version tools.
What’s special about this tool is that it supports vector and raster workspaces – with one click you can switch between the two for a versatile design experience.
Your workflow is the foundation of great design, so Affinity Designer gives you unlimited artboards, detailed version history, customizable keyboard shortcuts, and the ability to save your file in the most popular vector and raster formats.
Best used for:
Experienced designers in need of advanced vector and raster tools
Platform:
Mac, Windows, iPad
7. DesignEvo
Although this design tool is free, it brings a lot of value. With over 10,000 design templates to get you started, this app is ideal for designers who are just starting out. DesignEvo helps you perfect your style, develop your workflow and build your portfolio – all without spending a dime on expensive software.
You have access to royalty-free fonts, color schemes, and an easy-to-use logo editor (plus dozen of logo categories). When you’ve designed the perfect vector, logo, or icon, export it from DesignEvo and to your favorite storage cloud in the most popular high-resolution formats.
Best used for:
People starting a business who need a logo and other assets
Platform:
Mac
Adobe alternatives for every budget
Creating professional-quality vector graphics doesn’t have to be an expensive line item on your budget. If you’re just starting out in graphic design or are a seasoned designer looking for budget-friendly tools, one of these free alternatives is sure to work well for you.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in June 2018 and has been updated for completeness.
