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Head-to-head · Graphic Design Software

Adobe Illustrator vs Inkscape

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Adobe Illustrator #6 in Graphic Design Software 8.8/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 7 features Visit site
Inkscape #7 in Graphic Design Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 7 features Visit Inkscape

Adobe Illustrator leads on 1 check, Inkscape on 1, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAdobe Illustrator · 8.8/10
  • Free planonly Inkscape
  • Free trialonly Adobe Illustrator
  • Most featuresAdobe Illustrator · 4 of 7

Adobe Illustrator scores higher on our rubric for graphic design software: 8.8 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

Inkscape offers free plan; Adobe Illustrator doesn't. Adobe Illustrator offers mobile app; Inkscape doesn't.

Adobe Illustrator is the better fit for professional vector design and illustration. Inkscape is the better fit for free open-source vector design.

  • Adobe Illustrator fits best

    Professional vector design and illustration

  • Inkscape fits best

    Free open-source vector design

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Side by side

Feature Adobe Illustrator 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Inkscape 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.7
Ranking #6 in Graphic Design Software #7 in Graphic Design Software
Best for Professional vector design and illustration Free open-source vector design
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Adobe Illustrator 4/7 · Inkscape 3/7
Template library ✓ ✓
Presentation design Not checked yet Not checked yet
Illustration tools ✓ ✓
Brand kit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Real-time collaboration — Not checked yet
Desktop app ✓ ✓
Mobile app ✓ (best) —
Our review
Pros
  • Advanced vector, typography, artboard, effects, and illustration tools
  • Generative AI features for shape fills, recoloring, and vector graphics
  • Creative Cloud integrations with cloud documents and review workflows
  • Free GPL-licensed software with source code available
  • SVG editing with tracing, typography, Boolean, and path tools
  • Windows, macOS, and Linux support with broad file-format export
Cons
  • No free plan
  • Collaboration supports invited editing, not simultaneous real-time editing
  • The individual plan includes 100GB of cloud storage
  • SVG is the primary format for design workflows
  • Desktop applications may not fit browser-first work
  • The toolset may be broader than needed for simple graphics
Our verdict

Adobe Illustrator is vector graphics software for creating logos, icons, illustrations, packaging, typography, and other scalable artwork for print and digital use. It is suited to professional designers, illustrators, brand teams, and…

Read the review →

Inkscape is a free, open-source vector graphics editor for artistic and technical illustration. It is aimed at people creating logos, typography, diagrams, flowcharts, cartoons, clip art, and other scalable graphics. SVG is the primary…

Read the review →
  1. Adobe IllustratorGraphic Design Software 8.87-day trial
  2. InkscapeGraphic Design Software 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Adobe Illustrator — where it wins

    • Advanced vector, typography, artboard, effects, and illustration tools
    • Generative AI features for shape fills, recoloring, and vector graphics
    • Creative Cloud integrations with cloud documents and review workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan
    • Collaboration supports invited editing, not simultaneous real-time editing
    • The individual plan includes 100GB of cloud storage

  • Inkscape — where it wins

    • Free GPL-licensed software with source code available
    • SVG editing with tracing, typography, Boolean, and path tools
    • Windows, macOS, and Linux support with broad file-format export

    Where it doesn't

    • SVG is the primary format for design workflows
    • Desktop applications may not fit browser-first work
    • The toolset may be broader than needed for simple graphics
  • Adobe Illustrator8.8/10 · 7-day trial

    A deep vector design suite for professional artwork across desktop, iPad, and web.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • Inkscape8.7/10 · Free plan

    A capable free SVG editor for illustration, diagrams, typography, and technical graphics.

    Visit InkscapeFull verdict →

More comparisons

All graphic design software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update