Inkscape is consistently chosen as the best alternative to Adobe Illustrator alongside other open-source tools which compete with the rest of the Adobe suite. Using Inkscape alongside Krita makes a great open-source alternativeto the major functions of Adobe’s most popular tools, Illustrator and Photoshop. With many similarities, there are great reasons Inkscape often comes out on top for alternatives to Adobe’s best vector design tool. You should use vector-specific software for logo design and graphics rather than creating vectors in a raster-based program like Krita, which may not offer as versatile results.

5 Global community

Inkscape is the most popular Illustrator alternative

The open-source community is something to be admired. While there is a global community of Illustrator users, and it’s easy to engage with them to ask for advice or resources for Illustrator, there’s a much bigger community of Inkscape users, developers, and contributors.

Since Inkscape is community-driven, you’ll be able to troubleshoot any issues much faster and easily by engaging with users or developers directly. You can raise issues on Inkscape’s GitHub repository and be more involved with the software development than you might feel with Illustrator.

If you’ve ever looked for an alternative to Illustrator before, Inkscape is usually number one on the list. There’s a good reason for that. It’s popular worldwide, and contributors and users believe in Inkscape as vector design software.

4 More platform availability

Open-source has more options

For computer-based platform availability, you’ll find more options for Inkscape than Illustrator. As with many open-source projects, Inkscape is available primarily for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. Illustrator is only available for Windows and Mac systems, cutting out a large proportion of users.

While you won’t find native apps for iPads or Android devices, there are forks of Inkscape which offer workaround apps you could use. Of course, the open-source nature of Inkscape also allows you to access the source code and create your own version of Inkscape to use where and how you want — although this does require some coding knowledge and skills that not everyone possesses.

Compared to Illustrator, you’re not losing many platform opportunities for tablets. Illustrator is available for iPad, but the app isn’t as comprehensive as the desktop version, and most illustrators would prefer to use other software like Procreate on the iPad, anyway.

3 Professional import and export options

No limitations

Inkscape is versatile in its support for import and export formats. You can open many different formats, including Illustrator’s .ai file type, for a fully editable experience.

To export your projects, you’ll benefit from SVG — scalable vector graphics — as Inkscape’s main export format, alongside its native Inkscape SVG format. You’ll also be able to export in PDF or EPS for further vector support, as well as PNG, JPEG, TIFF, and other formats for raster support.

Using Inkscape is as versatile as Illustrator for format types. You can open and edit all the file types you’ll need to use without compatibility issues.

2 Most of the same tools

Inkscape doesn’t leave much to be desired

As a vector design tool, Inkscape offers all the tools you’d expect to find. There are text, brush, and shape tools for native vector creation. Alongside these are pathfinder tools to merge shapes together for endless creation, merging, and shape-building options.

Other than Illustrator’s AI features — which you may be looking to avoid — there aren’t many features of Illustrator that aren’t available in Inkscape.

You’ll find layers for easy graphics composition design, Shape Builder for merging or separating shapes, gradient and mesh tools, bezier pen tools for free drawing, and many other tools you’d expect to find in a vector-based program.

For other similar alternatives to Illustrator, you might want to consider non-open-source tools. Proprietary software like Affinity Designer is a good option if you're looking to leave Adobe's ecosystem, but Vectorpea is a great free toolthat straddles the border between proprietary and open-source vector design software.

1 Live path effects

Non-destructive path editing

Drawing vector graphics often leads to a destructive workflow. Illustrator has a handful of non-destructive tools hidden within its toolbox, and to make Inkscape a great alternative, you can also find non-destructive live path editing tools here.

Non-destructive path modification allows you to revert to previous versions of your vector drawings, which is great if you change your mind, make a mistake, or want to experiment throughout your creative process.

There are numerous path effects which are non-destructive in Inkscape:

• Rounded corners
• Offset
• Simplify
• Knot
• Power stroke
• Tiling
• Rotate copies
• Symmetry
• Bend
• Pattern along path
• Roughen
• Hatches
• Sketch
• Perspective
• Envelope deformation

There are further path effects that might not be considered non-destructive but are still great features available for your graphic creations. These include bitmap tracing — similar to Illustrator’s Image Trace feature — converting to path, and path simplification, to name a few.

Inkscape makes a great Illustrator alternative

While it’s a given to include Inkscape’s free model as a reason it makes a great alternative to Illustrator for vector designs, that's only one reason you should consider making the switch. With many tools and features similar to Illustrator itself, Inkscape is a great choice for hobbyists or non-industry professionals who wish to learn graphic design or only require occasional use of vector-based software. Inkscape’s interface is different to Adobe’s software, so there’s a slight learning curve; however, it’s a fantastic tool with similar offerings and the same high-quality results.