Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Inkscape VS Adobe Illustrator CC

Compare Inkscape VS Adobe Illustrator CC and see what are their differences

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Inkscape logo Inkscape

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

Adobe Illustrator CC logo Adobe Illustrator CC

Adobe Illustrator CC is a commercial vector graphics editor.
  • Inkscape Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21
  • Adobe Illustrator CC Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-14

Inkscape features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    Inkscape is completely free to use, and its source code is publicly available, allowing for community contributions and customization.
  • Cross-Platform
    Inkscape is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Powerful Vector Editing Tools
    Inkscape offers a wide array of vector graphic editing tools, including bezier and spiro curves, and supports advanced path operations.
  • Extensive File Format Support
    Inkscape supports various file formats for both import and export, including SVG, PDF, EPS, PNG, and more.
  • Rich Documentation and Community Support
    Inkscape has a wealth of documentation, tutorials, and a supportive user community that can assist with troubleshooting and skill development.
  • Customizable Interface
    The user interface of Inkscape is highly customizable, allowing users to set up their workspace to their preference.

Possible disadvantages of Inkscape

  • Performance Issues
    Inkscape can experience performance slowdowns, especially with very complex or large files, which can affect workflow efficiency.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    While powerful, Inkscape's extensive features can be overwhelming for beginners, making it harder to learn compared to simpler graphic design tools.
  • Limited Support for CMYK Color
    Inkscape has limited support for CMYK color profiles, which can be a drawback for professional print work requiring precise color management.
  • Fewer Advanced Features Compared to Commercial Software
    Inkscape lacks some advanced features found in commercial vector graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator, such as more sophisticated typography tools and real-time collaboration.
  • Inconsistent User Experience Across Platforms
    The performance and reliability can vary across different operating systems, with some features potentially being less stable on certain platforms.
  • Dependency on Extensions for Some Features
    Some functionalities rely heavily on third-party extensions, which can sometimes be less reliable or harder to integrate into regular workflows.

Adobe Illustrator CC features and specs

  • Industry Standard
    Adobe Illustrator CC is widely recognized as the industry standard for vector graphic design, making skills and files easily transferable to other professionals and clients.
  • Advanced Tools
    Offers a comprehensive suite of advanced tools and features for creating intricate and scalable vector designs.
  • Regular Updates
    Regularly receives updates that add new features, improve performance, and fix bugs, ensuring the software stays current.
  • Creative Cloud Integration
    Integrates seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications, like Photoshop and InDesign, for a streamlined workflow.
  • Extensive Learning Resources
    Extensive tutorials, forums, and a large community make it easier for beginners to learn and for professionals to find advanced techniques.
  • Cross-Platform
    Available on both Windows and macOS, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Possible disadvantages of Adobe Illustrator CC

  • Cost
    Requires a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, which can be expensive for freelancers and small businesses over time.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Can be intimidating and complex for beginners due to its array of advanced tools and features.
  • Resource Intensive
    Can be resource-intensive, requiring a powerful computer to run smoothly, especially with large and complex files.
  • Interface Clutter
    The extensive features can lead to a cluttered interface, making it harder to find and use essential tools.
  • File Compatibility
    While it integrates well with other Adobe software, files may not always be fully compatible with non-Adobe applications.
  • Subscription Model
    The subscription model can be a turn-off for users who prefer one-time purchases over ongoing payments.

Analysis of Inkscape

Overall verdict

  • Inkscape is a robust tool for vector graphic design, suitable for users who need professional-grade vector editing capabilities without the cost associated with commercial software.

Why this product is good

  • Inkscape is considered good because it is a powerful free and open-source vector graphics editor. It offers a comprehensive set of features including flexible drawing tools, broad file format compatibility, and strong support for SVG standards. Its active community also provides a wealth of tutorials, extensions, and online resources.

Recommended for

    Graphic designers, artists, and hobbyists who are looking for a cost-effective solution for creating and editing vector graphics, especially those familiar with or willing to learn about SVG and free graphic design tools.

Analysis of Adobe Illustrator CC

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Adobe Illustrator CC is considered a good choice for professionals and hobbyists who need a robust platform for vector design. Its capabilities make it a leading tool in the design industry, supporting complex projects with ease.

Why this product is good

  • Adobe Illustrator CC is widely regarded as a powerful vector graphic design tool. It provides an extensive range of tools for creating detailed and scalable graphics. Users appreciate its precision, diverse feature set, and integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications. The software is frequently updated, ensuring it remains current with the latest design trends and technology advancements. Additionally, Adobe Illustrator is supported by a vast resource of tutorials and community forums, which can be beneficial for both beginners and advanced users.

Recommended for

    Adobe Illustrator CC is recommended for graphic designers, artists, and illustrators looking for detailed and scalable graphic design capabilities. It's particularly useful for those involved in digital illustration, logo design, web graphics, and print production.

Inkscape videos

Illustrator vs Inkscape: 3 Popular Features Compared

More videos:

  • Review - Illustrator Alternatives: Affinity Designer, Inkscape and Figma
  • Review - Inkscape Review

Adobe Illustrator CC videos

Adobe Illustrator CC 2019 NEW Features!

More videos:

  • Review - Adobe Illustrator CC 2019 NEW FEATURES (AWESOME)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Inkscape and Adobe Illustrator CC)
Graphic Design Software
88 88%
12% 12
Digital Drawing And Painting
Image Editing
83 83%
17% 17
Vector Graphic Editor
86 86%
14% 14

User comments

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Reviews

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

Inkscape Reviews

10 Best Photopea Software Alternatives in 2024 (Free & Paid)
The free vector graphics tool Inkscape is a great free Photopea software alternative for making, changing, and styling things that can hold text. People who work in marketing, tech, computer graphics, and cartooning use Inkscape, one of the best Photopea alternatives. It supports various file formats, including SVG, making it easy to share and export projects. Inkscape also...
The 13 Best Free PDF Editors (February 2024)
In the context of PDF editing, you should consider this software only if you want to delete or edit the images or text in the PDF. I suggest using a different tool in this list to edit forms or add shapes, and then plug that PDF into Inkscape if you need to actually edit the preexisting text.
7 BEST Procreate Alternatives for Android (2023)
Inkscape is a free-to-download program for creating and altering vector graphics. It is open-source software and encourages its active community to develop and program functionality-improving extensions and add-ons to troubleshoot bugs. Inkscape offers a vector drawing program that enables you to create works of art like photorealistic drawings and statistical charts.
Source: www.guru99.com
10 Best Adobe Illustrator Alternatives
Inkscape is the perfect tool for you if you're seeking for editing program that can work on even the most basic computers.
6 Best Free Adobe Illustrator Alternatives For Designers
Inkscape is an open-source software. Thus, users with technical know-how can edit Inkscape and customize it as per their needs. Although some users complain about its sluggish behavior, its performance entirely depends upon the device you are using. Click here to download Inkscape.
Source: wethegeek.com

Adobe Illustrator CC Reviews

We have no reviews of Adobe Illustrator CC yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Inkscape seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 492 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.

Inkscape mentions (492)

  • Unleashing Creativity with Open Source Tools for Musk-Themed NFTs
    Inkscape is a powerful vector graphic editor that enables artists to create scalable, high-quality images—ideal for capturing the sleek, modern aesthetic associated with Musk’s brand. Whether you're drafting a minimalist portrait or designing complex geometric patterns, Inkscape’s precision tools make it a go-to choice for NFT creators. Additionally, the software’s strong community of users provides a wealth of... - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Indie Hacking with Open Source Tools: Innovating on a Budget
    Tools such as GIMP and Inkscape offer robust features for graphic design. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Create your own jigsaw puzzle from any image
    I like the following jigsaw plug-in for Inkscape: https://inkscape.org/~Neon22/%E2%98%85lasercut-jigsaw. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • From Zero to Hero, My Qt/Python Journey
    Inkscape is a rich and clean application for creating and modifying vector graphics, and good for creating icons. I was looking forward to applying my (very limited) art skills to create icons for the application. I fired up Inkscape and began throwing prompts at the LLM:. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Vector image conversion
    For those who don't know the nice application, here is a brief introduction. It is a free software that allows us to work on design and illustration with intuitive and easy-to-understand operation, just like Adobe Illustrator. Please see the official site for deteials. - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
View more

Adobe Illustrator CC mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

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

Sketch - Professional digital design for Mac.

Adobe Illustrator - Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite - Empower your creativity with CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2018, packed with powerful features and updates to transform creative ideas into visually stunning designs! Learn more or download a free trial today!

Affinity Designer - Professional creative software, exclusively for Mac.

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

Gravit Designer - A cross-platform vector graphics tool, runs as desktop application and in-browser too.