Illustrator Alternatives for Mac Users: Finding the Best Fit for Your Workflow

When we first start in graphic design, we often end up using Adobe Illustrator, a mainstay in the creative sector. However, the subscription model that comes with obtaining an Adobe Certification is not to everyone’s taste. Mac users need not worry; Adobe Illustrator Alternatives are just waiting for your artistic input.

In this blog, we’ll show how to choose the ideal creative software, whether you’re an experienced designer looking for new challenges or a beginner hoping to get into graphic design without paying for Adobe products.

9 Best Illustrator Alternatives for Mac Users

Alternative	Features	Cost
Affinity Designer	Vector and raster design, one-time purchase	Paid
Inkscape	Free and open-source, comparable to commercial software	Free
CorelDRAW	Feature-rich, adaptable	Paid
Sketch	UI/UX design focus, efficient	Paid
Gravit Designer	Browser-based, sophisticated capabilities	Free/Paid options
Vectr	Collaborative platform, real-time collaboration	Free
Krita	Initially for digital painting, now flexible	Free
Pixelmator Pro	Mac-specific, seamless interface	Paid
Canva	User-friendly interface, extensive pre-designed elements	Free/Paid options

Affinity Designer

Of the alternatives to Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer is one of the strongest. It meets the demands of both vector and raster design and has an excellent feature set and clear interface. For those avoiding Adobe’s certification procedure, the one-time purchase price and lack of a subscription model may make it an attractive option.

Features

• Supports both vector and raster design.
• One-time purchase pricing without a subscription model.
• Clear interface with an excellent feature set.

Inkscape

Inkscape appeals to Mac users venturing into the open-source software world. It is a free alternative to Adobe Illustrator and has many design tools. Don’t be fooled by Inkscape’s open-source status; it can compete with commercial software and provide a creative exploration platform without charging the same price as competitors to Adobe Illustrator.

Features

• Free and open-source alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
• Offers many design tools comparable to commercial software.
• Provides a platform for creative exploration without the cost of competitors.

CorelDRAW

CorelDRAW has been around for a while and provides Mac users with a feature-rich visual creative experience. If you’re looking for a combination of accuracy and creativity, this Adobe Illustrator substitute may be the answer because of its adaptability and compatibility. Updates have made it available to Mac aficionados via virtualization or emulation, even though it was not created for the platform.

Features

• Feature-rich visual creative experience.
• Provides a combination of accuracy and creativity.
• Available to Mac users via virtualization or emulation despite not being created for the platform

Sketch

With a focus on user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, Sketch fills a particular need in graphic design. Those who create digital interfaces love this alternative to Adobe Illustrator because it emphasizes efficiency and simplicity. Sketch is excellent in its field, even if it isn’t as flexible in print design.

Features

• Focuses on user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design.
• Emphasizes efficiency and simplicity, particularly for digital interfaces.
• Great for UI/UX designers, though not as flexible in print design.

Gravit Designer

A browser-based substitute for Adobe Illustrator, Gravit Designer frees itself from the confines of downloads and installs. Its user-friendly design and platform independence make it a compelling option for Mac users. Despite being web-based, Gravit Designer’s availability of sophisticated design capabilities makes it a solid rival to Adobe Illustrator substitutes.

Features

• Browser-based, eliminating the need for downloads and installs.
• User-friendly design with platform independence.
• Offers sophisticated design capabilities comparable to Adobe Illustrator.

Vectr

With simplicity at its heart, Vectr enters the design space as a collaborative platform. This alternative to Adobe Illustrator for cooperation enthusiasts offers real-time collaboration tools. Vectr provides a convenient and cooperative workspace for your graphic design endeavors, regardless of whether you work remotely with a team or prefer a more streamlined solo experience.

Features

• Collaborative platform with real-time collaboration tools.
• Simplistic design with a focus on cooperation.
• Great for both remote team collaboration and streamlined solo experiences.

Krita

Krita was once intended for digital painting, but it has now developed into a flexible tool used for graphic design. Krita is an excellent option for Mac users who like digital art since it has a robust layer structure and an extensive collection of brushes. Although it may not fully replicate Illustrator’s vector capabilities, this alternative to Adobe Illustrator is nevertheless a valuable tool for visual artists to have in their toolbox due to its emphasis on digital art.

Features

• Initially intended for digital painting but now flexible for graphic design.
• Robust layer structure and extensive collection of brushes.
• Emphasizes digital art but may not fully replicate Illustrator’s vector capabilities.

Pixelmator Pro

Designed specifically for the Mac platform, Pixelmator Pro is a powerful visual design tool that both novices and experts can use. This alternative to Adobe Illustrator for macOS offers a native and seamless interface, integrating with Apple technologies for a smooth workflow. Because of its sophisticated capabilities and Mac-specific creativity, Pixelmator Pro is a compelling option for anybody looking for a creative tool that works well with their Apple products.

Features

• Designed specifically for the Mac platform with a seamless interface.
• Integrates with Apple technologies for a smooth workflow.
• Powerful visual design tool suitable for both novices and experts.

Canva

Offering a seductive fusion of user-friendly interfaces and an extensive collection of pre-designed pieces, Canva emerges as a cutting-edge force in graphic design. Canva has grown beyond its reputation as a social media graphics and presentation tool to include more complex design requirements. This substitute for Adobe Illustrator brings simplicity without compromising creativity, which makes it an excellent option for Mac users who want to go beyond the fundamentals.

Features

• User-friendly interface with an extensive collection of pre-designed elements.
• Initially known for social media graphics and presentations, but now offers more complex design features.
• Brings simplicity without compromising creativity, suitable for various design needs.

Conclusion

The search for the ideal match among Mac alternatives to Adobe Illustrator is thrilling and vital. The possibilities are as varied as your creative goals, whether you’re attracted to the elegant simplicity of Affinity Designer, the open-source charm of Inkscape, the seasoned expertise of CorelDRAW, the interface-centric approach of Sketch, or the browser-based miracle of Gravit Designer.

Design software has to be flexible to keep up with the changing world. Release yourself from the constraints of an Adobe certification and discover the wide range of alternatives to Adobe Illustrator. A canvas customized to your tastes and approach is appropriate for your creative journey. You have the freedom to choose; go ahead and create your masterpiece!

FAQs:

Are these alternatives compatible with Mac systems?

Yes, all the mentioned alternatives are compatible with Mac systems, offering solutions for graphic design needs.

Do these alternatives offer similar features to Adobe Illustrator?

While they may not replicate all features of Adobe Illustrator, each alternative provides a unique set of tools and capabilities suitable for various design tasks.

Are there free alternatives available for Mac users?

Yes, several alternatives such as Inkscape and Gravit Designer are free and open-source, offering powerful design tools without the cost.