I see Inkscape more for hobbyists or creating basic graphic work, while Adobe Illustrator is more of a professional graphic design program. You can directly download and use Inkscape but if you want to use Adobe Illustrator, you need to choose a subscription plan and it can be expensive for some users.Īnother difference is that Inkscape uses nodes editing and Illustrator uses the direct selection tool, which gives more flexibility. The biggest difference between Inkscape and Adobe Illustrator is that Inkscape is free and open-source, but Illustrator isn’t. Inkscape vs Adobe Illustrator: What’s the difference? Logo, graphic vectors, drawing & illustrations, Print & digital materials Here’s a quick comparison table that shows the basic information about each of the two software.ĭrawing, create vector graphics for digital use

In short, Adobe Illustrator is best for professional graphic design and illustration work. You can publish your design online and print them out in good quality.Īdobe Illustrator is also many illustrators’ top choice for its sophisticated drawing tools and features. It’s the best tool for branding design because you can have different versions of your design in various formats, and it supports different color modes. In short, Adobe Illustrator is best for creating graphic design artwork for digital and print. Basically, anything you want to create from scratch. What’s Adobe Illustrator best for?Īdobe Illustrator is best for creating vector graphics, typography, illustrations, infographics, making print posters, and other marketing materials. In short, Inkscape is best for making vector graphics for digital use. Although you can save it as CMYK, you won’t be able to choose the color mode as you work, which can lead to serious color differences in print design. The main reason is that Inkscape doesn’t have CMYK color mode.

Inkscape is not ideal for desktop publishing, printing, or handling images.

Notice that I said digital work? That’s right.

It’s also ideal for designers and illustrators who are looking for free vector design programs for digital work. The program has a simple interface and the tools are easy to learn, which makes it a perfect choice for self-taught beginners who are new to graphic design.

Inkscape free version latest