Adobe Illustrator vs Microsoft Publisher: Which One Is Better in 2024?

Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Publisher are essential tools for businesses and designers. Illustrator excels in creating detailed vector graphics, while Publisher offers user-friendly desktop publishing. We'll compare these products to determine which one best meets your design needs.

A Quick Overview of Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Publisher

What is Adobe Illustrator?

Adobe is a software company known for its creative and design tools. It offers a range of products for individuals, businesses, and educational institutions.

Adobe Illustrator allows users to create custom logos, icons, and other designs using 3D effects, gradients, and type. Its integration of generative AI features, such as Generative Shape Fill and Text to Pattern, provides a variety of design options that match the user's style, setting it apart from competitors.

What is Microsoft Publisher?

Microsoft Publisher is a desktop publishing software developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft 365 suite and is designed to help users create professional-quality publications such as newsletters, brochures, and flyers.

Users can precisely layout and style text, pictures, borders, calendars, and more, ensuring that everything stays exactly as designed in print, online, or in an email. Publisher offers a wide range of pre-designed templates for creating various types of publications, from simple greeting cards to professional newsletters and marketing materials.

Features of Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Publisher

Similarities

Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Publisher share several key features that make them both powerful tools for creating professional-quality designs and layouts. Here are the most important similarities:

• Design Capabilities: Both allow users to create visually appealing designs, including flyers, posters, and infographics.
• Text and Image Integration: They support the precise placement and styling of text and images, ensuring a polished final product.
• Templates: Both offer a range of pre-designed templates to help users start their projects quickly and efficiently.
• User Interface: Each software features a user-friendly interface with toolbars and panels for easy access to design tools.
• Customization: Both allow for extensive customization, enabling users to tailor their designs to specific needs and preferences.

Differences

Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Publisher cater to different design needs, each offering unique features. Here are the most significant differences:

• Vector Graphics: Adobe Illustrator excels in creating scalable vector graphics, perfect for logos and detailed illustrations.
• Desktop Publishing: Microsoft Publisher focuses on desktop publishing, providing tools for creating layouts for print and digital publications like newsletters and brochures.
• Generative AI: Illustrator integrates generative AI features such as Generative Shape Fill and Text to Pattern, enhancing design capabilities.
• Pre-designed Templates: Publisher offers a wide range of pre-designed templates, making it easy for users to start their projects quickly.
• Publishing Options: Publisher allows users to share printouts, email publications, and export to non-editable formats, ensuring versatile distribution.

User Interface and Usability

Adobe Illustrator's user interface is described as intuitive and feature-rich, with tools like the Pen tool and 3D and Materials panel for adding realistic effects. The user experience is highlighted by the ease of creating scalable vector graphics and custom designs, even for those without drawing skills. Overall, Adobe Illustrator is portrayed as highly usable, offering professional-level precision and time-saving features.

Microsoft Publisher's user interface includes precise layout and styling tools, pre-designed templates, and options for sharing and exporting publications. The user experience is emphasized through the ease of creating professional layouts and specialized materials. Its overall usability is described as straightforward and efficient, with features that maintain the exact design across different mediums.

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

Collaboration

Adobe Illustrator, part of the Adobe Creative Cloud, supports collaboration through shared libraries and cloud documents. However, the software lacks robust built-in tools for real-time multi-user editing, which may limit its effectiveness for teams needing simultaneous collaboration. Integration with other Adobe apps can facilitate teamwork, but the absence of explicit real-time features is a notable gap.

Microsoft Publisher relies on OneDrive, OneDrive for Business, or SharePoint for collaboration, indicating that its collaborative capabilities are dependent on these external services. The software does not offer real-time collaboration features, and its availability for PC only further restricts its collaborative potential. Sharing and exporting options are available, but seamless teamwork within the app is limited.

Neither company offers a clear advantage for collaboration.

Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Publisher Pricing

Adobe Illustrator offers various subscription plans tailored to different user groups. Individuals can subscribe for £21.98/month for Illustrator alone or £27.98/month for the first three months, then £56.98/month for Creative Cloud All Apps. Students and teachers benefit from a discounted rate of £16.24/month for Creative Cloud All Apps. Business plans start at £27.99/month per license for Illustrator alone and £65.49/month per license for Creative Cloud All Apps.

Microsoft Publisher provides a one-time purchase option at £149.99, making it a straightforward choice for those who prefer not to commit to a subscription. Alternatively, users can opt for Microsoft 365, which includes Publisher and other Office apps, starting at £5.99/month for both Personal and Family plans. This flexibility in pricing can be more economical for long-term use.

Overall, Microsoft Publisher offers more cost-effective options for users who prefer a one-time purchase or a lower monthly subscription, making it a better choice for budget-conscious users.

Comparing Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Publisher 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 the help of AI, which generates designs tailored to your needs.
• Extensive Template Library: Access a wide variety of templates for different use cases, saving you time and effort in creating professional-quality designs.
• Video Customization: Easily change text properties, background colors, and aspect ratios to customize your videos to perfection.
• Comprehensive Visual Tools: Utilize tools like Infographic Maker, Banner Maker, and Brochure Maker to meet all your visual communication needs.
• Automatic Video Transcription: Transcribe videos to any language automatically, making your content accessible to a global audience.

Piktochart's Pricing

• Free: $0 (Free forever)
• Pro: $14 per member/month, billed annually (originally $29 per member/month)
• Business: $24 per member/month, billed annually (originally $49 per member/month)
• Enterprise: Custom Pricing (requires contacting for a quote)

What Are Others Saying?

Adobe Illustrator Reviews

Overall, users have given Adobe Illustrator a rating of 4.6 out of 5. While they appreciate its precision and versatility, many find the steep learning curve and resource-intensive nature frustrating.

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

"It crashes occasionally, which can be very frustrating during important projects." - Sarah K., 3.0 out of 5

"The subscription model is expensive, especially for small businesses." - Alex P., 3.8 out of 5

Find more of Adobe Illustrator reviews on G2!

Microsoft Publisher Reviews

Microsoft Publisher has received mixed reviews, with users appreciating its ease of use but finding its design options and features limited. The overall rating is 4.3 out of 5.

"The program lacks features that can make my work easier." - Verified User, 3.5 out of 5

"Useful for quick projects but lacks modern visualizations and unique solutions." - Przemek P., 3.5 out of 5

"Good integration with Office suite but needs more tools and promotion." - Juan N., 3.5 out of 5

Find more of Microsoft Publisher reviews on G2!

Piktochart Reviews

Our users have given Piktochart an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5. They appreciate its ease of use and the variety of templates available. Here are some of the sentiments from our customers:

• "Easy to create content even if you're not a designer." - Jessica D.
• "Piktochart is very easy and simple to use online graphics creation tool." - ASHESHWAR Y.
• "Excellent, easy way to create infographics." - Rachel L.

Find more of our reviews on G2!

Why choose one over the other?

Why Choose Adobe Illustrator:

• Consumers who need to create scalable vector graphics with professional-level precision, such as graphic designers and illustrators, will find Adobe Illustrator indispensable. Its advanced tools and features make it ideal for detailed illustrations and custom designs.

Why Choose Microsoft Publisher:

• Microsoft Publisher is perfect for users who need to produce professional-quality publications quickly and easily, such as small business owners and home users. Its pre-designed templates and straightforward layout tools make it a go-to for creating newsletters, brochures, and flyers.

Why Choose Piktochart:

• Piktochart is ideal for users who want to create engaging visuals without any design experience, such as content creators and educators. Its AI-powered design generator and extensive template library make it easy to produce stunning infographics, reports, and presentations in seconds.

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

Whether you're a seasoned designer or a beginner, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Publisher, and Piktochart each offer unique strengths to meet your design needs. While Illustrator and Publisher are excellent choices for specific tasks, we believe Piktochart stands out for its user-friendly interface and powerful AI-driven features. Give Piktochart a try and transform your ideas into captivating visuals effortlessly.