Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Adobe Illustrator VS Darktable

Compare Adobe Illustrator VS Darktable and see what are their differences

Adobe Illustrator logo Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor.

Darktable logo Darktable

darktable is an open source photography workflow application and raw developer.
  • Adobe Illustrator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-15
  • Darktable Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-18

Adobe Illustrator features and specs

  • Vector Graphics
    Illustrator allows for the creation of infinitely scalable graphics without loss of quality, making it ideal for logos, icons, and other detailed illustrations.
  • Precision
    The program offers precision drawing tools, providing exact control over shapes, lines, and text, which is essential for professional work.
  • Integrations
    Seamlessly integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications, enhancing workflow efficiency among platforms like Photoshop, InDesign, and After Effects.
  • Extensive Toolset
    Adobe Illustrator features a vast array of tools and features that cater to various design needs, from simple sketches to complex illustrations.
  • Regular Updates
    Adobe regularly updates Illustrator, introducing new features, improving performance, and enhancing user experience.
  • Industry Standard
    As an industry-standard tool, Adobe Illustrator is widely recognized and used by professionals, making it an essential skill for graphic designers.

Possible disadvantages of Adobe Illustrator

  • Cost
    Adobe Illustrator is subscription-based software, which can become costly over time, especially for hobbyists or small businesses.
  • Complexity
    The software has a steep learning curve with many features and tools that can be overwhelming for beginners.
  • Performance
    Illustrator can be resource-intensive, requiring a powerful computer to run smoothly, which might be a limitation for those with older hardware.
  • Subscription Model
    The subscription-only model can be a disadvantage for users who prefer a one-time purchase rather than ongoing payments.
  • Limited Raster Capabilities
    While excellent for vector graphics, Illustrator's capabilities for raster images are limited compared to software like Adobe Photoshop.
  • User Interface
    New users might find the user interface to be cluttered and less intuitive, which can complicate the initial learning process.

Darktable features and specs

  • Open Source
    Darktable is open-source software, meaning it's free to use and its source code is available for users to modify and improve. This can appeal to those who prefer community-driven projects.
  • Non-Destructive Editing
    The software ensures that the original image files are never altered. All edits are stored in a separate file, allowing users to revert to the original image at any time.
  • RAW Processing
    Darktable supports a wide range of RAW file formats from numerous camera manufacturers, offering high-quality RAW image editing capabilities.
  • Extensive Toolset
    Darktable offers a comprehensive set of tools for color correction, retouching, and other adjustments, comparable to other professional photo editing software.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows, Darktable allows users to work on their preferred operating system without compatibility issues.
  • Active Community
    Darktable has an active community of users and developers who regularly contribute to forums, create tutorials, and develop plugins, providing robust support.

Possible disadvantages of Darktable

  • Learning Curve
    Darktable has a steep learning curve, which can be daunting for beginners who are not familiar with photo editing software.
  • Less Intuitive UI
    Compared to some commercial alternatives, Darktable's user interface is less intuitive, which may make it harder for new users to navigate and utilize all features efficiently.
  • Slower Performance
    Some users have reported that Darktable can be slower compared to other photo editing software, especially when working with very large files or complex edits.
  • Limited Integration
    Darktable does not integrate as seamlessly with other software in the Adobe ecosystem, which could be a drawback for those who rely on multiple Adobe products for their workflow.
  • Infrequent Updates
    Although the software is updated, it does not receive updates as frequently as some commercial alternatives, which can delay the release of new features or bug fixes.
  • Limited Documentation
    While there is a community and some documentation available, new users might find comprehensive guides and official tutorials lacking compared to more mainstream software.

Analysis of Adobe Illustrator

Overall verdict

  • Adobe Illustrator is generally regarded as one of the best vector graphic design tools available due to its extensive features, reliability, and continuous updates from Adobe. However, it may have a steep learning curve for beginners and is relatively expensive, which might be limiting for those with budget constraints.

Why this product is good

  • Adobe Illustrator is considered a powerful vector graphics editor widely used by professionals for creating logos, icons, drawings, typography, and complex illustrations. It offers a comprehensive set of tools and features, including precision drawing tools, advanced color management options, gradient effects, and support for large canvas sizes. It also integrates seamlessly with other Adobe products, allowing for a smooth workflow for professionals who rely on the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem.

Recommended for

  • Graphic designers focusing on vector illustrations.
  • Professional artists working on branding projects.
  • Designers who require precise and scalable graphics.
  • Users who need seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps.

Adobe Illustrator videos

Adobe Illustrator CC 2019 NEW Features!

More videos:

  • Review - Adobe Illustrator Draw with iPad Pro & Apple Pencil | Adobe Creative Cloud

Darktable videos

Free Lightroom Alternative: Darktable Review

More videos:

  • Review - darktable 3.0 How Good is it in comparison to other editing programs?
  • Review - Lightroom vs Darktable - the Key Difference ? 2019

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Adobe Illustrator and Darktable)
Graphic Design Software
71 71%
29% 29
Image Editing
69 69%
31% 31
Design Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Digital Drawing And Painting

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Adobe Illustrator and Darktable

Adobe Illustrator Reviews

  1. peterhorne

    Adobe Illustrator is my go to tool for creating professional vector graphics. The precision and flexibility are unmatched.

    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    Excellent for scalable vector artwork|A wide range of tools
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž Cons:    Price is too high.

10 Best Photopea Software Alternatives in 2024 (Free & Paid)
When you want to make images, icons, illustrations, or logos, Adobe Illustrator is one of the best Photopea alternatives. It helps artists make designs, work together, and share them in various forms. It includes features like pattern creation, perspective drawing, and the ability to turn sketches into polished designs.
10 Best Adobe Illustrator Alternatives
Adobe is without a doubt the industry standard for graphic design, and Adobe Illustrator is one of the most popular.
6 Best Free Adobe Illustrator Alternatives For Designers
Adobe Illustrator has been the best friend for many graphics designers while creating vector graphics. But as it is an expensive tool, designers usually look for less expensive or free alternatives especially when their needs are simple. Thus, hereby presenting before you the best free Adobe Illustrator alternatives that can prove as brilliant picks especially when you have...
Source: wethegeek.com
The best free Adobe Illustrator vector alternatives in 2022
The best vector editor overall is Adobe Illustrator CC (opens in new tab) If you're a professional designer or illustrator, there's no beating the industry standard vector editing software. Adobe Illustrator is available as a standalone app, or as part of the Creative Cloud suite along with Photoshop, Lightroom and much more. Whether you're creating app icons or billboards,...
10 Best Procreate Alternatives For Windows & Mac [Top Picks]
The best vector and graphic designing software and the best Procreate alternatives for Windows is hands down, Adobe Illustrator. This is the most well known and most used software in the designing arena. It has an impressive collection of colors and gradients along with some designing tools, typographies, and other advanced tools and features up on its sleeves.
Source: fixingport.com

Darktable Reviews

Our 6 Favorite Free Photoshop Alternatives (2022 Update)
Darktable is a free, open-source photo editing software that is used by photographers and editors and is a wonderful alternative to the likes of Photoshop and Lightroom.
5 Best Linux Photo Management Software
Darktable is more of a photo editing application than an organizer. Darktable stands out for its own user interface regardless of the desktop environment you might be using, and of course for its editing capabilities. The basic features include:
Source: itsfoss.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Darktable seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 8 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Adobe Illustrator mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Adobe Illustrator yet. Tracking of Adobe Illustrator recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Darktable mentions (8)

  • Photomator for Mac
    I'm pretty new to photography. I understand a lot of the basics (ex-wife shot as a professional hobbyist for a few years) but never really paid much attention to her editing workflow. Adobe already gets me for $20/mo for Illustrator (because designers) and I looked at alternatives. I've been using darktable http://darktable.org since I got my camera about a month ago and it's nice enough for me. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • Nudibranch (Nembrotha cristata), Verde Island, Philippines, April 2023
    Thank you! The shot was gently edited in darktable. More TG-5 / single strobe examples here. Source: about 3 years ago
  • I've seen it with Adobe
    No, unfortunately not. But check out the free Darktable app which is similar on darktable.org and also this list https://petapixel.com/best-free-raw-editing-programs/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Exporting a RAW file. Is it possible without the format changing? If I export to another folder on my mac it becomes a .jpeg, to Lightroom it becomes a .jpg, to Photoshop it becomes a .tiff. I want to be able to edit the RAW file, a .dng in another app that is not Apple proprietary.
    It sounds like you might want non-destructive editing. Look at something like darktable.org or Lightroom. You can edit your RAW files in multiple different ways, i.e., effectively keeping multiple copies of edited RAW files around. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Software to edit and enhance Photos (JPG and RAW).
    If you're looking to learn more complicated software without having to rent it while you do, there's Darktable. Rawtherapee is another app in the same category, and usually appeals to people who don't like Darktable's interface. Source: over 4 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Adobe Illustrator and Darktable, you can also consider the following products

Sketch - Professional digital design for Mac.

Adobe Photoshop - Adobe Photoshop is a webtop application for editing images and photos online.

Inkscape - Inkscape is a free, open source professional vector graphics editor for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.

GIMP - GIMP is a multiplatform photo manipulation tool.

Krita - Krita is a professional FREE and open source painting program. It is made by artists that want to seaffordable art tools for everyone. Concept art. texture and matte painters, illustrations and comics.

Affinity Designer - Professional creative software, exclusively for Mac.