Adobe Illustrator vs Adobe Photoshop: Which One Is Better in 2024?

Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop are crucial tools for businesses and designers. Illustrator excels in creating scalable vector graphics, essential for branding and marketing, while Photoshop offers advanced photo editing and design capabilities. We'll compare these two to determine which best meets diverse creative needs.

A Quick Overview of Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop

What is Adobe Illustrator?

Adobe is a software company known for its creative and design tools. The company offers a wide range of products including Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, and Adobe Express.

Adobe Illustrator allows users to create custom logos, icons, and more using 3D effects, gradients, and type. Its ability to design vector graphics that scale infinitely without losing quality sets it apart from competitors.

What is Adobe Photoshop?

Adobe Photoshop is a product of Adobe Inc., a multinational software company known for its creative and multimedia software products. Adobe offers a suite of applications under the Adobe Creative Cloud, which includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and more.

Photoshop provides tools for image editing, design, and AI-powered features. Its Generative AI capabilities, such as Generative Fill and Generative Expand, allow users to make complex edits quickly and with more control, distinguishing it from competitors.

Features of Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop

Similarities

Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop share several key features that make them indispensable tools for designers and artists. Both are part of Adobe's Creative Cloud and offer powerful design and editing capabilities.

• Both software tools allow for the creation and manipulation of images, text, and graphics.
• They include AI-powered features that enhance creativity and productivity.
• Both support advanced typography and text manipulation.
• They offer integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps, ensuring a seamless workflow.
• Both tools are essential for professional-level design and editing tasks.

Differences

Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop each offer unique features tailored to different creative needs. Illustrator excels in vector graphics, while Photoshop is a powerhouse for image editing.

• Vector Graphics: Illustrator allows for infinite scaling without quality loss, ideal for logos and icons.
• Generative Shape Fill: Exclusive to Illustrator, this feature quickly fills vector outlines with matching options.
• Remove Background: Photoshop offers intuitive tools to replace backgrounds, enhancing image customization.
• Generative AI: Photoshop's advanced AI features like Generative Fill and Text to Image enable complex edits.
• 3D and Materials Panel: Illustrator's panel adds realistic effects, turning 2D art into 3D designs.

User Interface and Usability

Adobe Illustrator's user interface is described as intuitive, featuring tools like the Pen tool and Curvature tool for precise drawing. The user experience is enhanced by the ability to create scalable vector graphics, catering to both beginners and professionals. Overall, Illustrator's usability is bolstered by its compatibility with desktop and iPad, along with a supportive community and tutorials.

Photoshop's interface includes intuitive tools such as the Selection Brush and Generative Fill, designed for efficient complex edits. The user experience benefits from features like Text to Image and easy background removal, powered by Adobe Firefly. Photoshop's usability is highlighted by its advanced AI features and comprehensive support, making it accessible for all skill levels.

Neither company has a clear advantage in user interface and usability.

Collaboration

Adobe Illustrator, part of the Creative Cloud, offers features that can facilitate teamwork, such as the ability to create and edit vector graphics across various formats and platforms. The integration of tools like Generative Shape Fill and the 3D and Materials Panel allows for quick design modifications, which can be shared and edited by team members. However, the webpage does not explicitly mention the ease of collaboration.

Photoshop also integrates with Creative Cloud, suggesting it supports collaborative work environments. Features like Adobe Express, included in the Photoshop plan, offer quick edits and templates useful for team projects. Despite these tools, the webpage does not provide specific details on collaboration ease. Neither company has a clear advantage in collaboration.

Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop Pricing

Adobe Illustrator offers various pricing plans: £21.98/month for individuals, £16.24/month for students and teachers, and £27.99/month per license for businesses. The Creative Cloud All Apps plan, which includes Illustrator, costs £27.98/month for the first three months, then £56.98/month for individuals, and £65.49/month per license for teams.

Adobe Photoshop's standalone plan is NIS 81.00/month or NIS 924.00/year. The Photography Plan is NIS 70.00/month, while the Creative Cloud All Apps plan costs NIS 205.00/month or NIS 2,280.00/year. Students and teachers can get the Creative Cloud All Apps for NIS 70.00/month, and teams pay NIS 125.00/month per license for Photoshop.

Neither company has a clear advantage in pricing.

Comparing Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop to Piktochart

Piktochart transforms complex ideas into captivating visuals that inform and engage your audience. With Piktochart AI, you can create stunning infographics, reports, and presentations in seconds, perfectly aligned with your brand. No design experience required.

Pros of Piktochart

• AI-Powered Design Generator: Create stunning visuals quickly with AI, saving time and effort.
• Wide Range of Visual Tools: From infographics to social media videos, Piktochart offers tools for every need.
• Customizable Templates: Access a variety of templates that can be tailored to fit any project or industry.
• Automatic Transcription: Transcribe videos into any language automatically, enhancing accessibility and reach.
• Professional Quality: Produce professional-grade graphics and presentations effortlessly, ensuring your content always looks polished.

Piktochart's Pricing

• Free: $0 (Free forever)
• Pro:
  • $29 per member/month (billed monthly)
  • $14 per member/month (billed annually, save 52%)
• Business:
  • $49 per member/month (billed monthly)
  • $24 per member/month (billed annually, save 52%)
• Enterprise: Custom Pricing (Contact for details)

What Are Others Saying?

Adobe Illustrator Reviews

Adobe Illustrator has an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5. Users appreciate its powerful vector-based tools but find the steep learning curve and high subscription costs frustrating.

"The learning curve is steep, and it can be overwhelming for beginners." - John D., 3.5/5

"Resource-intensive, causing my computer to lag." - Sarah K., 3/5

"High subscription costs make it less accessible for freelancers." - Alex M., 3.5/5

Find more of Adobe Illustrator reviews on G2!

Adobe Photoshop Reviews

Adobe Photoshop has an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5. Users find the software powerful but are frustrated by its steep learning curve and high subscription costs.

"The power to do whatever you want in the palm of your hand." - Verified User, Small-Business, 3/5

"Photoshop is Amazing!" - Verified User in Religious Institutions, Small-Business, 3/5

"A Comprehensive Toolbox for Creative Professionals" - Tom V., Mid-Market, 3/5

Find more of Adobe Photoshop reviews on G2!

Piktochart Reviews

Our users have given Piktochart an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5. They appreciate the platform's ease of use and the professional quality of the visuals it helps create. Here are some of the sentiments shared by our users:

• "Easy to create content even if you're not a designer." - Jessica D.
• "My Go-To for ALL Professional Presentations!" - Jennifer K.
• "Incredibly intuitive design app." - Anirudh K.

Find more of our reviews on G2!

Why choose one over the other?

Why a consumer might want to use Adobe Illustrator over Adobe Photoshop:

• Consumers who need to create scalable vector graphics, such as logos and icons, would prefer Adobe Illustrator for its precision tools and infinite scalability. This makes it ideal for graphic designers, brand designers, and illustrators.

Why a consumer might want to use Adobe Photoshop over Adobe Illustrator:

• Consumers who require advanced photo editing and design capabilities would choose Adobe Photoshop for its powerful image manipulation tools and AI-powered features. This is particularly beneficial for photographers, graphic designers, and general creatives.

Why a consumer might want to use Piktochart over Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator:

• Consumers looking for an easy-to-use tool to create professional visuals quickly would opt for Piktochart, especially if they lack advanced design skills. This makes it perfect for educators, small businesses, and marketing professionals.

Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, or Piktochart: Which is the best platform for you?

Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop offer powerful tools to meet your creative needs. However, if you're looking for a user-friendly platform that allows you to create stunning visuals without the steep learning curve, Piktochart is your go-to solution. With its AI-powered features and customizable templates, Piktochart makes professional-quality design accessible to everyone.