Its big selling point is a wide range of scalable vector brushes plus the inclusion of some of the tools that are missing in other alternatives to Adobe Illustrator, such as shape builder, a blend tool and pattern tool. Initially available only for Mac, it's now available for Windows too. VectorStyler is a relative newcomer among the best vector software.
See our full CorelDRAW review for a more detailed evaluation.
If you've never used either and you have the time, we'd suggest signing up for the free trial of both so you can compare them for yourself. The main reason to choose one over the other however is because you prefer the interface and workflow.
That said, there's no issue with importing and exporting AI and PDF files to CorelDRAW. While fans of CorelDRAW insist that it's easier to use than Illustrator, the fact remains that Illustrator is the industry-standard tool, and in many jobs, you'll be expected to use it. Both have tons of features, but the interfaces are quite different. So why is CorelDraw lower on our list of the best graphic design software? It's actually hard to decide which is whether CorelDRAW or Illustrator is the 'better' tool. You have more flexibility in how you pay too since you can choose between a one-off payment or a subscription. Long available for Windows only, a Mac version has been available since 2019, serving to broaden the appeal of a package that now has a lot of Illustrator's features, and at a slightly more affordable price.
See our guide to how to download Adobe Illustrator for more.įirst launched in 1989, CorelDRAW lost some of its popularity to Adobe Illustrator but it still has legions of fans, and the 2021 version of the software introduced some major updates. The downside is that it's fairly pricey, although Adobe does run regular offers and there's a discount for students. The advantage of the subscription model is that you automatically get the latest updates to the software. Illustrator is part of Adobe Creative Cloud, and to use it you'll need to subscribe, either for Illustrator alone or to Adobe's full suite of creative apps, which includes Photoshop, InDesign and many more. Compatible with PC, Mac and even the iPads, Illustrator allows you to create everything from illustrations to logos with all the creative freedom you could wish for, while it has tons of features and shortcuts to help speed up your workflow. It remains the industry-standard software for a reason and still offers the most powerful range of tools and features for vector editing. If you want the best graphic design software for vector drawing and editing, there's little need to look further than Adobe Illustrator.
And for more software options for other purposes, see our guides to the best digital art software and the best video editing apps. Meanwhile, if you're looking for design inspiration, see our pick of the best graphic design books. We've also linked to more in-depth reviews of many of the products to prove a more detailed analysis.įor pointers on how to choose the best graphic design software for you, see the questions section at the bottom of the guide. Our reviewers have spent time exploring and testing the features of each piece of software to evaluate how they measure up on usability, power and function, compatibility and use of resources and value for money. In each case, we've weighed up the strengths and weaknesses of each program to help you find the best one for you. We've divided the guide into sections for different types of tools, from the best vector software to the best image editing software, the best 3D software, and the best software for data visualisation.
In the guide below, we'll evaluate both the best graphic design software overall and the best free graphic design software based on our reviewers' experiences with the programs. That said, while you'll absolutely want to pay for professional software if you work, or plan to work in graphic design, the best free graphic design software has its place, especially if you're only interested in designing occasional pieces for personal projects that don't justify paying for a more comprehensive package.įree graphic design software is also useful for anyone wanting to dip their toes and isn't quite ready for the learning curve associated with more complex tools.
The best free graphic design software has come on a long way but it still can't compete with the breadth of tools offered by professional packages. Developing, maintaining and updating powerful tools like these involves a lot of work. Most of the best graphic design software comes with a cost, as you'd expect.