Fe/male Switch: Your Startup Facilitator & Incubator for Women

Top 10 Alternatives to Adobe Illustrator in 2025: A Comprehensive Comparison

As Adobe Illustrator continues to be a leader in the vector graphics editing landscape, 2025 has brought forth a wave of powerful alternatives, each offering unique features and capabilities. Whether you're looking for specialized tools, better pricing, or enhanced integration, this article explores the top 10 Adobe Illustrator alternatives, comparing them on key data points like pricing, ease of use, use cases, and key features.

Boost Your SEO by Getting Featured in Our Blogs and get a backlink.

We publish content about startups, education, tech, funding, etc. that ranks well not only in Google but also in Perplexity, ChatGPT, Grok and other AI tools.

👉 Get featured now!

1. Affinity Designer

Description: A professional vector graphics editor often cited as a direct competitor to Adobe Illustrator, known for its speed, performance, and one-time purchase model.
Key Features:
Dual Environment: Seamlessly switch between vector and raster workspaces.
Performance: Offers real-time rendering even with complex projects.
File Compatibility: Supports various file formats, including AI, PSD, PDF, SVG, and EPS.
Cross-Platform: Available on macOS, Windows, and iPad.
One-Time Purchase: Unlike Adobe, it uses a one-time payment rather than a subscription.
Pricing: Around £65.29 (one-time purchase)
User Reviews: Praised for its value, speed, and feature set, with many users reporting it as a great alternative to Illustrator. Learn more about Affinity Designer

2. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

Description: A comprehensive graphic design suite for vector illustration, layout, photo editing, and typography. It is considered an industry standard, particularly in the printing sector.
Key Features:
Versatile Tools: Includes tools for illustration, page layout, photo editing, and font management.
LiveSketch: Converts freehand drawings into vector graphics on touch-enabled devices.
File Compatibility: Supports various file formats including AI, PSD, PDF, JPG, PNG, SVG, DWG, DXF, EPS, and TIFF.
Industry Standard: Well-established in the printing industry.
Subscription or Perpetual License: Offers both subscription and one-time purchase options.
Pricing: Annual subscription around £198 or a one-time purchase around £669
User Reviews: Users appreciate its intuitive design, multipage support, and feature-rich environment. Learn more about CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

Get your FREE Landing Page Analysis!

Insert your landing page link and get a super useful analysis and easy fixes to get more clicks!

👉 Get Your Analysis Here!

3. Inkscape

Description: A free, open-source vector graphics editor, considered a robust and capable alternative to Illustrator, especially for those on a budget.
Key Features:
Free and Open-Source: No cost to use, with access to source code for customization.
SVG Focused: Primarily focused on the SVG format.
Cross-Platform: Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Versatile Tools: Includes a wide range of tools, including drawing, shape, calligraphy, pencil, and pen tools, as well as bitmap tracing and Boolean operations.
File Support: Supports importing a variety of formats, including SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, and CDR.
Pricing: Free
User Reviews: Often praised for being a powerful, free alternative with a large feature set, although some users note performance issues with lag. Learn more about Inkscape

4. Sketch

Description: A vector graphics editor focused primarily on UI/UX design, offering a streamlined approach for creating interfaces and prototypes.
Key Features:
UI/UX Focus: Designed specifically for user interface and experience design.
Ease of Use: Known for its user-friendly interface and low learning curve.
Artboard Organization: Excellent capabilities for organizing artboards and creating detailed wireframes.
Prototyping: Advanced tools to test designs in live environments.
Cloud-Based: Cloud-based software for easy collaboration.
Pricing: Subscription-based, specific pricing may vary.
User Reviews: Users often highlight its ease of use, speed in creating mockups, and focus on UI/UX design, making it a strong option for web and app design. Learn more about Sketch

5. Gravit Designer (Now Corel Vector)

Description: A versatile vector graphics tool that operates both as a desktop application and a browser-based platform, now part of the Corel family.
Key Features:
Cross-Platform: Available on macOS, Windows, Linux, and ChromeOS, with a web-based version.
Cloud Integration: Automatic synchronization with cloud storage.
File Compatibility: Supports importing and exporting files in multiple formats including SVG, PDF, PNG, and JPEG.
User-Friendly: Intuitive interface, with a library of icons and non-destructive editing features.
AI and Sketch File Support: Can work with AI and Sketch files.
Pricing: Subscription-based (Previously offered a free version as Gravit Designer, but now requires a subscription as Corel Vector) - Annual subscription around $69.99.
User Reviews: Praised for its accessibility across platforms, easy-to-use interface, and cloud-based capabilities. Learn more about Corel Vector

Validate your startup idea with the unique borrowed authority approach: we publish articles about your product in our blog and you get traffic and testers for your MVP

Prove Market Demand: See real organic traffic and waitlist conversions

Unlock High-Potential Keywords: Receive a curated list of top-performing keywords directly from Google Search Console data.

Estimate Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Gain financial foresight with an estimated CAC based on real keyword performance data.

🔗 Start validating your startup now

6. Boxy SVG

Description: An SVG editor designed to create clean and efficient SVG markup, intended for web developers and designers alike.
Key Features:
Clean SVG Output: Preserves IDs, classes, titles, and other metadata when exporting.
Web Focused: Chromium-based rendering engine with an SVG/CSS code inspector.
Cross-Platform: Available as a browser app, and as a licensed version for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
User Interface: Simple, attractive, and powerful user interface inspired by Inkscape, Sketch and Adobe Illustrator.
Pixabay and Google Fonts Integration: Integrates with Pixabay for stock photos/vectors and Google Fonts for typography.
Pricing: Has both subscription and one-time purchase options depending on platform.
User Reviews: Users rave about its clean output, focus on SVG standards, usability, and responsiveness of the developer. Some users note a lack of SVG filter support. Learn more about Boxy SVG

7. Vectornator

Description: A free vector graphic design software for mobile, tablet, and desktop, focuses on user-friendliness and accessibility.
Key Features:
Cross-Platform: Available on iOS (iPhone and iPad) and macOS.
User-Friendly: Known for its intuitive interface and streamlined tools.
Real-time Collaboration: Allows for team projects and real-time collaboration.
Auto Trace: Automatically converts bitmap images to vector graphics.
Free: Is completely free.
Pricing: Free
User Reviews: Often praised for being a solid free option for creating high quality vector graphics. Learn more about Vectornator

8. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Description: A cross-platform, open-source image editing software, often used as a free alternative to Photoshop, but can also handle some vector tasks.
Key Features:
Free and Open-Source: No cost to use, with access to source code.
Cross-Platform: Available on GNU/Linux, OS X, Windows, and other operating systems.
Image Editing: Offers a variety of sophisticated tools for professional image editing.
Customizable: Open-source nature allows users to edit the source code to meet unique needs.
Plugin Support: Extendable functionality through plugins and scripts.
Pricing: Free
User Reviews: While primarily a raster editor, some users utilize it for basic vector design as a free option. Learn more about GIMP

9. Vectr

Description: A free, browser-based vector graphics editor, ideal for beginners or those needing quick edits.
Key Features:
Browser-Based: Can be used directly in a web browser.
Free: Completely free to use.
Real-Time Collaboration: Provides options for collaboration and sharing work.
Simple UI: Has an intuitive and simple user interface, great for new users.
File Support: Can import EPS, PNG, JPG and SVG files.
Pricing: Free
User Reviews: Praised for its accessibility and ease of use, particularly for simple vector editing tasks. Learn more about Vectr

10. Linearity Curve (formerly known as Vectornator)

Description: An all-in-one design tool for both vector graphics and animation.
Key Features:
Animation Tools: Includes a range of animation capabilities.
Cross-Platform: Available on iOS (iPhone and iPad) and macOS.
AI Powered: Has tools that take advantage of AI to streamline processes.
Real-time Collaboration: Allows for team projects and real-time collaboration.
User-Friendly: Intuitive UI with a focus on an easy to use work environment.
Pricing: Free with premium paid features available.
User Reviews: Users appreciate its modern UI, and powerful design toolset. Learn more about Linearity Curve

Join ElonaHunt (like ProductHunt but for women) and explore the coolest women-focused startups out there!

Discover your next big inspiration and connect with like-minded female entrepreneurs!

👉 Join the Hunt Here

FAQ

1. What is Affinity Designer best known for?

Affinity Designer is best known for its professional vector graphics capabilities, real-time rendering, and a one-time purchase model. Learn more about Affinity Designer

2. What makes CorelDRAW Graphics Suite a good alternative to Adobe Illustrator?

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite offers versatile tools, live sketch capabilities, extensive file compatibility, and multiple licensing options, making it a strong competitor in the graphic design industry. Discover CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

3. Is Inkscape a viable free alternative to Adobe Illustrator?

Yes, Inkscape is a powerful, free, open-source vector graphics editor that offers extensive tools and cross-platform availability. Check out Inkscape

4. Who should use Sketch as an alternative?

Sketch is ideal for UI/UX designers due to its ease of use, artboard organization, and prototyping tools. Explore Sketch

5. How has Gravit Designer evolved under Corel?

Gravit Designer, now known as Corel Vector, offers cross-platform support, cloud integration, and an intuitive interface, with subscription-based pricing. Explore Corel Vector

6. What is unique about Boxy SVG?

Boxy SVG specializes in creating clean SVG markup and integrates with various web tools, making it a valuable tool for web developers and designers. Learn more about Boxy SVG

7. Is Vectornator completely free to use?

Yes, Vectornator is a free vector graphic design software known for its user-friendly interface and real-time collaboration features. Discover Vectornator

8. Can GIMP serve as an alternative for vector graphics?

While GIMP is primarily a raster editor, it is a versatile and free tool that can handle some vector tasks through its open-source platform. Check out GIMP

9. Is Vectr suitable for beginners?

Yes, Vectr is a simple, browser-based vector editor that is free to use and ideal for beginners or quick edits. Explore Vectr

10. What additional capabilities does Linearity Curve offer?

Linearity Curve, formerly known as Vectornator, now includes animation tools and AI-powered features, available on iOS and macOS with optional premium features. Discover Linearity Curve

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.

Violetta Bonenkamp

2025-06-29 07:40 Top Alternatives