What’s a good alternative to Adobe Illustrator? Breaking Up With Adobe.

Adobe Illustrator Alternatives aren’t what you think.

If you’re a working professional and you happen to use Adobe products, you’re kind of stuck. One you don’t want at all to break your workflow. When it comes to graphic design, and most jobs that require professional software, workflow is key to having a good day at work or during a project. Touching, moving or adjusting the workflow, is sometimes too a painful pill to swallow.

As the saying goes, don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

If you’re one of the ones that after reading Adobe’s new terms of service you’d just about had it with the company, don’t worry we got you.

Programs like Affinity Designer and Inkscape are ready to take you on that journey. These tools pack a punch with robust features that rival Adobe Illustrator without emptying your wallet.

You’ll find that each of these alternatives offers unique strengths. Affinity Designer, for example, provides a seamless experience with a user interface that feels like home. Inkscape, on the other hand, is open-source and completely free, making it perfect for those on a budget. Dive in and discover which one suits your creative needs!

In this post, well break the software down and let you know what we think would be an easy transition away from illustrator.

Let’s start off with the software that are not good alternatives.

• Krita
• Gimp
• VGI
• Graphite

These fall short, when it comes to their vector prowess, and are definitely not a good replacement for Adobe’s Illustrator. While they are great software within their own right, you’ll find that they’re pretty incomplete when it comes to a pro vector setting. We do however want to give a shoutout to Krita, and Gimp for being pretty good software’s for Digital Drawing.

Now for the mid-tier.

This software is good, but still leaves something to be desired. Not to mention that the transition would be a bit awkward.

• Amadine
• Linearity Curve
• Inkscape   

If your really wanted to, you could make either ones of those work and integrate with your creative process. The only problem is that we had to use the words “If you really wanted to.” More so for Inkscape than the rest. While Inkscape is a robust program, their pen tool works entirely different from  the one in Adobe Illustrator which will make a nightmare of a transition. Though if in your desing process, you don’t use the pen tool as often, you’ll want to take a look at this pretty amazing FREE software.  

Inkscape: The Open-Source Sweetheart

If Adobe Illustrator moved out and left you with an open-source rebound, it would be Inkscape. Free, versatile, and packed with features, Inkscape offers a playground for your creativity.

It supports SVG formats and a range of drawing tools, making it a strong contender for budding designers on a budget. Plus, if you like extensions and add-ons, Inkscape won’t disappoint.

Despite its charm, it can be a bit clunky and doesn’t always play well with CMYK colors. But hey, nobody’s perfect. Think of it as the quirky artist who lives next door; a little rough around the edges but incredibly talented.

Inkscape

• Price: Free
• Purchase Method: Download from website
• Pros: Zero dollars, constantly updated
• Cons: Might need a few extra coffee breaks figuring out the interface

If you can’t tell by now, we really like Inkscape, it’s just not a good replacement for Adobe Illustrator.

Now for the software we’re all here for:

Affinity Designer 2

This is the closest you’ll get to a seamless transition into a different software.

Watch me break it down in this video:

While Affinity Designer 2 is not a perfect transition and there is a slight learning curve. Overall it’s the most solid choice. Aside from the tools being scattered here and there, and not all keyboard shortcuts being there, this is where it’s at.

You’ll be able to download Affinity Designer 2 and take it for a spin, maybe design a logo or two without too much of a headache.

Affinity Designer: The Suave Competitor

Think of Affinity Designer as the James Bond of vector graphics. Smooth, sophisticated, and without a subscription fee, it’s almost too good to be true. You pay once, and it’s yours – no monthly bills haunting your inbox.

Its interface is user-friendly, beautifully designed, and undoubtedly intuitive. Plus, it supports both vector and raster workspaces, making it a two-in-one marvel.

Though Affinity Designer doesn’t come with all the collaborative bells and whistles of Illustrator, its performance and price make it an enticing alternative. If software could wear a tuxedo and sip martinis, this one definitely would.

“I’m Designer, Affinity Designer.”

Affinity Designer

• Price: One-Time Purchase ($69.99)
• Purchase Method: Direct from Affinity website or popular app stores
• Pros: No subscriptions, regular updates, smooth interface
• Cons: No iPad compatibility in a single purchase

And this was as close as we got to perfection.

At the end of the day if we’re being honest. Adobe Illustrator does beat out Affinity Designer, with its elegantly crafter and workflow-oriented UI. But hey, if you want to switch over, Affinity designer is waiting for you.

Illustrator is not the only one.

But what if, Adobe Illustrator is not the only one of Adobe Programs you use in your creative workflow. Photoshop is also one of them.

Luckily for you, there’s a Affinity Photo and it the same way ad Affinity Designer 2 is a great product. It’s almost like the folks at Serif (Which is now own by Canva) had this conversation.

Somewhere in Serif HQ

Something along those lines.

We really do hope that Canva acquiring Serif, doesn’t mean that we’ll end up with a Canva-like product and be back at square one.

If you want to take a look at some free Graphic design resources, looka here.

If you’re looking for a Pantone Alternative-ish looka here!