Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Inkscape in 2025

As the demand for vector graphic editing grows, designers are continuously seeking robust and versatile tools. While Inkscape remains popular, 2025 has introduced some remarkable open-source alternatives. This article delves into the top 10 alternatives to Inkscape, highlighting their key features, file formats, operating systems, and licenses.

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1. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Description: While primarily a raster graphics editor (like Photoshop), GIMP offers some vector capabilities and can work with SVG files created in other programs.
Key Data Points:
Primary Use: Raster image editing, photo retouching, and digital painting, with limited vector support.
File Formats: Supports a wide range of formats, including JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, and PSD. It can load and handle SVG files, and export limited SVG.
Features: Layers, masks, filters, color correction, and painting tools. Non-destructive editing via plugins, customizable interface.
Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
License: Free and open-source.
Learn more about GIMP

2. Krita

Description: A free and open-source painting program that also has vector tools, well suited for illustration, comics, and animation.
Key Data Points:
Primary Use: Digital painting, illustration, comic creation, and animation with vector capabilities.
Features: Over 100 brushes, stabilizers, vector tools, drawing aids, layer management, animation tools, customizable brushes. AI capabilities through the Stable Diffusion Plugin.
File Formats: Supports SVG as well as other raster formats.
Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
License: Free and open-source.
Explore Krita

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3. Vectr

Description: A free, user-friendly vector graphics editor with a focus on simplicity and real-time collaboration.
Key Data Points:
Primary Use: Vector graphic design, logo creation, web graphics.
Features: Real-time sharing and collaboration tools, scalable graphics, simple interface, cloud based.
File Formats: SVG, PNG, and JPEG.
Operating Systems: Runs in the browser, but also has desktop versions for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
License: Free with some advanced features requiring payment.
Discover Vectr

4. Boxy SVG

Description: A scalable vector graphics editor with a focus on web developers and designers, emphasizing clean SVG output.
Key Data Points:
Primary Use: Editing SVG files, creating web graphics, user interface design.
Features: Keyboard shortcuts, pattern and gradient manipulation, direct canvas editing. Can synchronize app preferences between devices.
File Formats: SVG.
Operating Systems: macOS, Windows, Linux and web based.
License: Free trial available; paid versions start at $9.99.
Explore Boxy SVG

5. Gravit Designer

Description: A free, full-featured vector graphics editor suitable for a range of design tasks.
Key Data Points:
Primary Use: Vector graphics, UI design, icon design, marketing materials.
Features: Extensive vector tools, path editing, boolean operations, powerful text engine, cloud storage, cross-platform.
File Formats: SVG, EPS, PDF, PNG, JPG.
Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, Linux, and web-based.
License: Free for all users, with no feature limitations.
Discover Gravit Designer

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6. Synfig Studio

Description: A free and open-source 2D animation software that uses vector graphics.
Key Data Points:
Primary Use: 2D animation creation, with vector-based tweening.
Features: Vector tweening, various layers and filters, bone system for character rigging, ability to create complex animations.
File Formats: Supports various image and video formats, and its native format is .sif.
Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
License: Free and open-source.
Explore Synfig Studio

7. Lunacy

Description: A free vector graphic software focused on UI, UX, and web design, with AI-powered tools.
Key Data Points:
Primary Use: UI/UX design, web design, graphic design.
Features: Works offline, AI tools for background remover, image upscaler, and text generation. Supports .sketch files natively. Includes thousands of built in icons, illustrations, and photos.
File Formats: Supports .sketch files, SVG, PNG and more.
Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
License: Free.
Discover Lunacy

8. Penpot

Description: An open-source design and prototyping platform.
Key Data Points:
Primary Use: UI/UX design, prototyping, vector graphics.
Features: Designed for teams and collaboration, vector drawing tools, prototyping capabilities, open-source platform.
File Formats: Supports SVG and other common formats.
Operating Systems: Web-based, can be self-hosted.
License: Free and open-source.
Explore Penpot

9. Amadine

Description: A vector drawing and illustration app that is versatile and has a clean UI.
Key Data Points:
Primary Use: Vector drawing and illustration, with a clean and user-friendly interface.
Features: Wide range of tools, Apple Pencil support, path editing, and versatile exporting options.
File Formats: Supports various vector formats including SVG.
Operating Systems: iPad, iPhone and Mac.
License: Free to download, but offers in app purchases.
Explore Amadine

10. SVG Edit

Description: A web-based, open-source SVG editor for creating and editing vector graphics directly in a browser.
Key Data Points:
Primary Use: Creating and editing SVG files in a web browser.
Features: Basic drawing tools, path editing, object manipulation, text support.
File Formats: SVG.
Operating Systems: Runs in any web browser.
License: Free and open-source.
Discover SVG Edit

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FAQ

1. What is GIMP primarily used for?

GIMP is primarily used for raster image editing, photo retouching, and digital painting, with limited vector support. Learn more about GIMP

2. What are some key features of Krita?

Krita offers over 100 brushes, stabilizers, vector tools, drawing aids, layer management, animation tools, and customizable brushes. Explore Krita

3. How does Vectr support real-time collaboration?

Vectr provides real-time sharing and collaboration tools, allowing multiple users to work on the same design simultaneously. Discover Vectr

4. What unique feature does Boxy SVG offer for web developers?

Boxy SVG emphasizes clean SVG output and includes features like keyboard shortcuts, pattern and gradient manipulation, and direct canvas editing. Learn more about Boxy SVG

5. What file formats does Gravit Designer support?

Gravit Designer supports SVG, EPS, PDF, PNG, and JPG formats, catering to a wide range of design tasks. Check out Gravit Designer

6. What kind of animations can you create with Synfig Studio?

With Synfig Studio, you can create 2D animations, using vector-based tweening, various layers and filters, and a bone system for character rigging. Read about Synfig Studio

7. What AI-powered tools does Lunacy offer?

Lunacy offers AI tools for background removal, image upscaling, and text generation, alongside a wealth of built-in icons, illustrations, and photos. Discover Lunacy

8. What is Penpot designed for?

Penpot is designed for UI/UX design and prototyping, providing vector drawing tools and collaborative capabilities. Learn more about Penpot

9. What are the supported operating systems for Amadine?

Amadine is available on iPad, iPhone, and Mac, making it versatile for vector drawing and illustration. Explore Amadine

10. What can you do with SVG Edit?

SVG Edit allows you to create and edit SVG files directly in a web browser, featuring basic drawing tools, path editing, object manipulation, and text support. Learn more about SVG Edit

References

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.