Top 20 Illustrator Alternatives for Mac Users: Explore Your Creative Options

by | Apr 22, 2024 | Graphic Design

Hello, Today I wrote a blog about Illustrator Alternatives for Mac stands as a powerhouse for vector graphics creation. However, it’s not the only player in town. Mac users have a plethora of alternatives to explore, each offering its own unique set of features and advantages. Whether you’re a professional designer or an aspiring artist, this comprehensive list of 20 Illustrator alternatives for Mac will help you discover the perfect tool to unleash your creativity. See more blog

20 Top Illustrator Alternatives for Mac Users

1) Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a powerful Illustrator Alternatives for Mac used for editing and manipulating digital images. Photoshop is widely used by photographers, graphic designers, web designers, and other professionals in the creative industry.

Some of the key features:

  1. Layers: Photoshop allows users to work with multiple layers, enabling non-destructive editing and complex compositions. Layers can contain various elements such as images, text, shapes, and adjustments etc.
  2. Selection Tools: Photoshop provides a variety of selection tools, including the Marquee, Lasso, and Magic Wand tools, which allow users to isolate and manipulate specific parts of an image.
  3. Brushes and Painting Tools: Photoshop offers a wide range of customizable brushes and painting tools, allowing users to create digital paintings, illustrations, and textures with precision and control.

2) CorelDRAW

CorelDRAW is a Illustrator Alternatives for Mac editor developed and marketed by Corel Corporation. It’s widely used for creating vector-based illustrations, layouts, logos, and other types of graphic design projects.

Some of the key features:

  1. Vector Illustration Tools: CorelDRAW provides tools for drawing and editing vector shapes, lines, curves, and text, allowing users to create complex and detailed illustrations.
  2. Layout and Design Tools: The software includes features for page layout, such as arranging and aligning objects, managing layers, and creating grids and guidelines for precise positioning.
  3. Image Editing: CorelDRAW also includes basic image editing tools for adjusting colors,

3) Sketch

Primarily focused on user interface and web design, Sketch offers a streamlined interface and powerful Illustrator Alternatives for Mac editing capabilities, making it ideal for digital design projects.

Some of the key features:

  1. Vector Editing Tools: Sketch offers a comprehensive set of vector editing tools that allow users to create and manipulate shapes, paths, and text with precision.
  2. Artboards and Pages: Users can create multiple artboards within a single document to design different screens or variations of a design. Sketch also supports multiple pages for organizing larger projects.

4) Inkscape

As a free and open-source vector graphics editor, Inkscape is a popular Illustrator Alternatives for Mac users looking for an Illustrator alternative without breaking the bank.

Some of the key features:

  1. Drawing Tools: Inkscape provides a variety of drawing tools such as pencils, pens, shapes, and text tools, allowing users to create and manipulate vector shapes easily.
  2. Bezier and Spiro Curves: It supports Bezier and Spiro curves, which enable users to create smooth and precise curves and paths.
  3. Object Manipulation: Users can manipulate objects in various ways, including scaling, rotating, skewing, and flipping, as well as grouping and layering for organization.

5) Gravit Designer

Gravit Designer features a wide range of tools for Illustrator Alternatives for Mac, UI design, and illustration, all accessible through a clean interface.

Some of the key features:

  1. Vector Graphics Editing: Gravit Designer provides a comprehensive set of tools for creating and editing vector graphics, including shapes, paths, text, and gradients.
  2. Multiple Platforms: Gravit Designer is available as both a web application and a desktop application, making it accessible on various operating systems

6) Vectornator

A versatile vector Illustrator Alternatives for Mac available for Mac and iOS devices, Vectornator boasts an intuitive interface and a comprehensive set of tools suitable for both beginners and professionals.

Some of the key features:

  1. Intuitive Interface: Vectornator boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced designers.
  2. Vector Drawing Tools: It offers a comprehensive set of vector drawing tools including pen, pencil, shapes, and text tools, allowing users to create precise and complex vector graphics.

7) Clip Studio Paint

While primarily known as Illustrator Alternatives for Mac users, Clip Studio Paint also offers powerful vector tools, making it a viable alternative for illustrators looking for versatility.

Some of the key features:

  1. Natural Drawing Experience: Clip Studio Paint offers a variety of tools and features that simulate traditional drawing and painting techniques, providing users with a natural and intuitive drawing experience.
  2. Customizable Brushes and Tools: It includes a wide range of customizable brushes and tools for drawing, painting, inking, and coloring, allowing users to create artwork with unique styles and effects.

8) Vectr

Vectr is a great Illustrator Alternatives for Mac beginners dipping their toes into vector design, offering basic tools for creating illustrations and designs.

Some of the key features:

  1. Browser-Based: Vectr is entirely browser-based, meaning users can access it from any device with an internet connection without needing to download or install any software.
  2. Simple Interface: It features a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to navigate and start creating vector graphics quickly.

9) Pixelmator Pro

While not exclusively as Illustrator Alternatives for Mac, Pixelmator Pro includes vector tools alongside its powerful image editing capabilities, providing a versatile solution for designers.

Some of the key features:

  1. Non-destructive Editing: Pixelmator Pro allows users to edit images non-destructively, meaning changes can be undone or modified at any time without affecting the original image file.
  2. Advanced Image Editing Tools: It offers a wide range of advanced image editing tools, including selection tools, retouching tools, color adjustment tools, and effects etc.

10) Pixlr

Pixlr provides a user-friendly interface with tools for basic adjustments like cropping, resizing, and color correction, as well as more advanced features such as layers, filters, and effects.

Some of the key features:

  1. Web and Mobile Versions: Pixlr offers both web-based and mobile versions, allowing users to edit photos conveniently on various devices without the need for installation.
  2. User-Friendly Interface: It features an intuitive and easy-to-use interface with simple navigation and accessible editing tools, making it suitable for beginners and experienced users alike.

11) Artboard Studio

Tailored for UI/UX designers, Artboard Studio provides a comprehensive set of vector design tools along with features specifically geared towards creating mockups and prototypes.

Some of the key features:

  1. Pre-made Templates: Artboard Studio offers a wide range of pre-made templates for various design projects, including websites, mobile apps, social media posts, and product packaging, providing users with a starting point for their designs.
  2. Drag-and-Drop Interface: The platform offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for users to add elements, images, text, and graphics to their designs without any coding or design experience.

12) Adobe XD

Adobe XD includes a Illustrator Alternatives for Mac vector editing capabilities, making it a versatile tool for designers working on both web and mobile projects.

Some of the key features:

  1. Artboards and Design Canvas: Adobe XD provides a flexible design canvas where users can create multiple artboards to design various screens and layouts for web, mobile.
  2. Vector Design Tools: XD offers a range of vector design tools for creating shapes, paths, text, and other elements. Users can draw, edit, and manipulate vector graphics with precision to craft visually appealing and functional designs.

13) Figma

Figma is a Illustrator Alternatives for Mac design tool that allows multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously. It offers powerful vector editing tools along with features for prototyping and design collaboration.

Some of the key features:

  1. Real-time Collaboration: Figma enables numerous people to collaborate at the same time on a single design file. One user’s changes are immediately visible to other users.
  2. Cloud-based Design: Figma does not require manual file syncing or version control because it runs totally in the cloud. Online access is provided for saved design files.

14) GIMP

GIMP which stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, is a free and open-source raster Illustrator Alternatives for Mac editor used for tasks such as photo retouching, image composition, and graphic design.

Some of the key features:

  1. Customizable Interface: It offers a highly customizable interface, allowing users to rearrange and customize tool panes, menus, and keyboard shortcuts to suit their workflow and preferences.
  2. Layer Support: GIMP supports layers, enabling users to work with multiple layers within a single image, making it easier to organize and edit complex compositions.
  3. Selection Tools: It provides a variety of selection tools, including rectangular, elliptical, freehand, and intelligent selection tools, allowing users to isolate specific areas of an image for editing.

15) Canva

Canvas is a comprehensive technical illustration and a Illustrator Alternatives for Mac that offers advanced vector editing capabilities, making it a favorite among engineers, architects, and technical illustrators.

Some of the key features:

  1. Drag-and-Drop Interface: Canva features an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for users to add elements such as text, images, and graphics to their designs without any design experience.
  2. Pre-made Templates: It offers thousands of pre-made templates for various design projects, including social media posts, presentations, posters, flyers, business cards, and more, providing users with a starting point for their designs.

16) EazyDraw

A vector drawing programme called EazyDraw provides a plethora of tools for producing logos, diagrams, illustrations, and more. It is a best drawing tools for being flexible and easy to use.

Some of the key features:

  1. Vector Drawing Tools: EazyDraw offers a comprehensive set of vector drawing tools, including pens, pencils, shapes, text tools, and Bezier curves, enabling users to create precise and scalable vector graphics.
  2. Layer Support: It supports multiple layers, allowing users to organize and manipulate elements within their drawings easily. Layers can be reordered, hidden, locked, and grouped for efficient editing.

17) Scribus

Scribus is an open-source Illustrator Alternatives for Mac publishing software that includes powerful vector graphics tools, making it suitable for designing layouts for print publications, brochures, and posters.

Some of the key features:

  1. Color Management: Scribus provides robust color management tools, including support for CMYK, RGB, and spot colors, as well as color profiles and color management policies to ensure accurate color reproduction.
  2. PDF Support: The software supports importing and exporting PDF (Portable Document Format) files, as well as editing PDF content directly within Scribus, making it a versatile tool for creating print-ready documents.

18) Krita

Krita is a free and open-source digital Illustrator Alternatives for Mac and illustration software designed for artists, illustrators, and designers. It offers a wide range of features and tools specifically tailored for digital painting, sketching, and comic creation.

Some of the key features:

  1. Brush Engines: Krita offers a variety of customizable brush engines, allowing users to create unique brush presets. It includes brush engines for digital painting, sketching, inking, and more.
  2. Layer Support: Krita supports layers, masks, and layer groups, enabling non-destructive editing and complex composition of artwork. Users can organize and manipulate layers to create intricate designs and illustrations.

19) Affinity Designer

Affinity Designer has gained a strong reputation for being a robust Illustrator Alternatives for Mac. With its intuitive interface and powerful tools for vector design, it’s a favorite among many designers.

Some of the key features:

  1. Vector Drawing Tools: Affinity Designer provides a comprehensive set of vector drawing tools including pens, pencils, shapes, and text tools, allowing users to create precise and intricate vector graphics.
  2. Pixel Persona: It includes a Pixel Persona mode that allows users to switch seamlessly between vector and raster workflows, enabling them to combine vector shapes with pixel-based painting and editing.

20) Linearity (Formerly Vectornator) 

Linearity is a vector Illustrator Alternatives for Mac developed by Linearity GmbH. Formerly known as Vectornator, it offers a range of tools for creating illustrations, logos, icons, and other vector-based artworks directly on iOS devices.

Some of the key features:

  1. Vector Drawing Tools: Linearity offers a variety of vector drawing tools, including pens, pencils, shapes, and text tools, allowing users to create precise and detailed vector graphics.
  2. Bezier and Pen Tool: It supports Bezier curves and the Pen tool for creating smooth and precise paths and shapes.
  3. Boolean Operations: Linearity allows users to perform boolean operations such as union, difference, intersection, and exclusion to combine or modify shapes.

Conclusion:

These Illustrator Alternatives for Mac, all have something special to offer, whether it’s cutting-edge functionality, user-friendliness, or price. You can discover the ideal tool to meet your design requirements and unleash the full potential of your imagination by looking through these possibilities. If you’re a hobbyist, professional designer, or digital artist, there’s a Mac-compatible Illustrator substitute just waiting for you to find it.