Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to CorelDRAW in 2025

As we move forward into 2025, the demand for powerful yet free graphic design tools continues to rise. Here are the top 10 open-source alternatives to CorelDRAW, each with unique features and advantages that cater to different user needs.

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1. Inkscape

Description: A powerful and versatile vector graphics editor, often cited as the best free alternative to Adobe Illustrator. It's suitable for a wide array of tasks, from creating logos to complex illustrations.
Key Features:
Drawing Tools: Pencil, pen, shape tools (rectangles, ellipses, stars, spirals), Bézier curves, and freehand drawing.
Object Manipulation: Extensive capabilities for moving, rotating, scaling, and skewing objects.
Fill and Stroke: Advanced color selectors (RGB, HSL, HSV, CMYK), gradient editor, pattern fills, and dashed strokes.
Text Tool: Multi-line text with full on-canvas editing and text-to-path conversion.
File Compatibility: Supports SVG (native), AI, EPS, PDF, PS, and PNG.
User Interface: Highly customizable with flexible dialog docking, themes, and keyboard shortcuts.
Link: Discover Inkscape

2. Gravit Designer

Description: A full-featured, free design tool that works both as a desktop application and in-browser. It’s known for its clean interface and wide range of features.
Key Features:
Tools: Anchors, auto-layouts, bleed, blending, booleans, knife tool, path graphs, pen shapes.
Effects: Shadows, overlays, mirror effects.
Text Engine: Robust text editing capabilities and Google Fonts integration.
Export Options: Supports PNG, SVG, and PDF formats.
Collaboration: Real-time collaboration for teams.
User Interface: Intuitive and easy to use, suitable for beginners and professionals.
Link: Learn more about Gravit Designer

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3. Vectr

Description: A free, user-friendly vector graphics editor ideal for beginners and professionals alike. It’s available as a web app and a desktop application.
Key Features:
Vector Graphics Creation: Scalable vector graphics (SVG) that maintain quality at any size.
Cross-Platform: Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chromebook.
Collaboration: Real-time collaboration for multiple users.
Ease of Use: Intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
Integration: Works well with other platforms and tools.
Pricing: Completely free with all features available without a subscription.
Link: Explore Vectr

4. Boxy SVG

Description: A user-friendly SVG editor designed to fully utilize SVG’s features. It aims to generate clean, efficient, and readable SVG files.
Key Features:
SVG Focused: WYSIWYG UI for the SVG language.
Drawing Tools: Pens, Bézier curves, text, and basic SVG shapes.
Panels: Fill, stroke, compositing, arrangement, typography, and geometry controls.
Resources: Manages reusable resources, masks, and symbols.
Export: Supports PNG, JPG, WebP, PDF, and HTML5 export formats.
User Interface: Clean and intuitive, inspired by Inkscape, Sketch, and Adobe Illustrator.
Link: Discover Boxy SVG

5. Skencil

Description: An interactive vector drawing application, implemented almost entirely in Python, making it flexible and powerful for illustrations and diagrams.
Key Features:
Drawing Primitives: Rectangles (with rounded corners), ellipses, Bézier curves, and external images.
Special Effects: Blend groups, text-to-curves conversion, and text along a path.
Image Support: Raster images (JPEG, PNG) and Encapsulated PostScript (EPS).
Transformations: Ability to rotate, scale, and shear all objects.
Implementation: Primarily in Python, with some modules in C for speed.
Link: Learn more about Skencil

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6. Sodipodi

Description: A general-purpose vector illustration application, using SVG as its native file format, and was a precursor to Inkscape.
Key Features:
SVG Native: Uses W3C SVG as its native format.
File Support: Imports and exports plain SVG, and exports raster images as PNG.
User Interface: CSDI interface similar to GIMP.
Cross-Platform: Runs on Linux and Windows.
Development: Sodipodi was forked into Inkscape, so it is not as actively developed.
Link: Explore Sodipodi

7. LibreCAD

Description: A free, open-source 2D CAD application known for its precision and lightweight design. It's particularly useful for architectural and technical drawings.
Key Features:
2D Drawing Tools: Lines, polylines, circles, arcs, and splines.
Layer Support: Organize your work with multiple layers.
Snap and Grid Systems: Ensure accurate drawing.
File Compatibility: Supports a variety of CAD file formats, including DXF.
Customization: Flexible interface with extensive customization options.
User Interface: Simple and intuitive for 2D design tasks.
Link: Discover LibreCAD

8. FreeCAD

Description: A parametric 3D CAD tool suitable for professionals in engineering, architecture, and product design, it also supports 2D drafting.
Key Features:
Parametric Design: Updates components when changes are made.
2D & 3D Modeling: Versatile for various types of technical designs.
Customizable Interface: Adaptable to specific drafting needs.
Open Source: Highly customizable and extensible.
Community Support: Active user and developer community.
User Interface: Designed for technical and industrial designs.
Link: Explore FreeCAD

9. Krita

Description: A powerful, open-source painting program, gaining popularity for its professional-grade features for illustrators and digital artists.
Key Features:
Brush Engine: Wide array of brush tools with customization options.
Vector Tools: Provides basic vector tools for creating shapes and lines.
Layers and Masks: Advanced layer management with layer styles and masks.
Drawing Aids: Stabilizers and drawing aids for better precision.
Open Source: Free to download and use.
User Interface: Designed for digital painting and illustration workflows.
Link: Learn more about Krita

10. OpenOffice Draw

Description: A part of the Apache OpenOffice suite, this vector graphics editor allows for creating diagrams and more complex drawings.
Key Features:
Vector Drawing Tools: Basic drawing tools for shapes and lines.
Integration: Works seamlessly within the OpenOffice suite.
File Support: Supports a variety of vector graphics formats.
User Friendly: Simple and easy-to-use interface.
User Interface: Simple and straightforward, suitable for general diagram creation.
Link: Learn more about OpenOffice Draw

These open-source alternatives provide a range of features suitable for various design needs in 2025, offering powerful capabilities without the cost of proprietary software.

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FAQ

1. What are some of the best open-source alternatives to CorelDRAW in 2025?

Inkscape is highly recommended due to its versatile vector graphics capabilities. Learn more about Inkscape

2. Which vector graphics editor is best for real-time collaboration?

Vectr offers real-time collaboration, making it an excellent choice for teams. Discover Vectr

3. Is there a free and versatile design tool that works both as a desktop application and in-browser?

Gravit Designer is a full-featured tool available for both PC and browser use. Explore Gravit Designer

4. Which open-source tool is ideal for creating SVG files?

Boxy SVG is designed to fully utilize SVG’s features. Learn more about Boxy SVG

5. What is a good alternative for creating technical drawings and blueprints?

LibreCAD is well-suited for 2D architectural and technical drawings. Check out LibreCAD

6. Are there alternatives that support both 2D and 3D modeling?

FreeCAD is a parametric 3D CAD tool that also supports 2D drafting. Discover FreeCAD

7. Which open-source tool is specifically designed for illustrators and digital artists?

Krita stands out as a powerful painting program for illustrators. Learn more about Krita

8. Is there a vector drawing application implemented in Python?

Skencil is an interactive vector drawing application implemented almost entirely in Python. Explore Skencil

9. What's a good open-source alternative that focuses on diagram creation within an office suite?

OpenOffice Draw, part of Apache OpenOffice, excels at diagram creation. Discover OpenOffice Draw

10. What is a historical vector illustration application that uses SVG as its native format?

Sodipodi, a predecessor to Inkscape, uses SVG natively. Learn more about Sodipodi

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.