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Head-to-head · Graphic Design Software

Figma vs Adobe Illustrator

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 8 checks side by side
Higher score Figma #3 in Graphic Design Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 7 of 7 features Visit Figma
Adobe Illustrator #6 in Graphic Design Software 8.8/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 7 features Visit site

Figma leads on 2 checks, Adobe Illustrator on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 8 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFigma · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly Figma
  • Free trialonly Adobe Illustrator
  • Most featuresFigma · 7 of 7

Figma scores higher on our rubric for graphic design software: 9.2 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Figma offers free plan; Adobe Illustrator doesn't. Figma offers real-time collaboration; Adobe Illustrator doesn't.

Figma is the better fit for collaborative digital and interface design teams. Adobe Illustrator is the better fit for professional vector design and illustration.

  • Figma fits best

    Collaborative digital and interface design teams

  • Adobe Illustrator fits best

    Professional vector design and illustration

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Figma 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Adobe Illustrator 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.8
Ranking #3 in Graphic Design Software #6 in Graphic Design Software
Best for Collaborative digital and interface design teams Professional vector design and illustration
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 7 days
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS
Support Email, Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Figma 7/7 · Adobe Illustrator 4/7
Template library ✓ ✓
Presentation design ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Illustration tools ✓ ✓
Brand kit ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Real-time collaboration ✓ (best) —
Desktop app ✓ ✓
Mobile app ✓ ✓
Our review
Pros
  • Real-time editing, comments and branching support team collaboration.
  • Shared libraries and reusable components help keep designs consistent.
  • Dev Mode connects design files with developer handoff workflows.
  • 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
Cons
  • Professional's $12 per-seat monthly rate requires annual billing.
  • Organization and Enterprise cost more per seat than Professional.
  • Its design workflow centers on digital design, not every graphic-design task.
  • No free plan
  • Collaboration supports invited editing, not simultaneous real-time editing
  • The individual plan includes 100GB of cloud storage
Our verdict

Figma brings interface design, prototyping and team collaboration into a shared workspace. Vector drawing and shape editing support design work, while interactive prototypes can include transitions and interactions. Designers can edit…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. FigmaGraphic Design Software 9.2Free plan
  2. Adobe IllustratorGraphic Design Software 8.87-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Figma — where it wins

    • Real-time editing, comments and branching support team collaboration.
    • Shared libraries and reusable components help keep designs consistent.
    • Dev Mode connects design files with developer handoff workflows.

    Where it doesn't

    • Professional's $12 per-seat monthly rate requires annual billing.
    • Organization and Enterprise cost more per seat than Professional.
    • Its design workflow centers on digital design, not every graphic-design task.
  • 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
  • Figma9.2/10 · Free plan

    A shared workspace for interface design, prototyping, developer handoff and more.

    Visit FigmaFull verdict →
  • Adobe Illustrator8.8/10 · 7-day trial

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

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update