Adobe Illustrator and Vectornator are essential for businesses and designers due to their robust vector graphic capabilities. We'll compare these tools to determine which one excels in features, usability, and overall value for creative professionals.

A Quick Overview of Adobe Illustrator and Vectornator

What is Adobe Illustrator?

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Adobe is a software company known for its creative and multimedia software products. Adobe Illustrator is designed for creating vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations with professional-level precision.

Adobe Illustrator offers features like Generative Shape Fill, which quickly fills vector outlines with detailed patterns. Its scalability of vector graphics allows designs to be resized without losing quality, setting it apart from competitors.

What is Vectornator?

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Linearity (formerly Vectornator) provides software tools for creating designs and animations. Their products, Linearity Curve and Linearity Move, allow users to create professional-quality illustrations, animations, and marketing assets.

Vectornator offers unique features like real-time collaboration through Linearity Cloud, enabling teams to work together seamlessly. Additionally, the software's AI-powered tools accelerate the design process, making it distinct from many competitors.

Features of Adobe Illustrator and Vectornator

Similarities

Adobe Illustrator and Vectornator share several key features that make them both powerful tools for vector graphic design. These similarities ensure that users can create professional-quality illustrations and animations with ease.

  • Both offer advanced vector graphic design tools for creating scalable graphics.
  • They provide robust tools for designing custom logos, icons, and illustrations.
  • Both applications support the use of shapes, lines, and curves to craft detailed vector graphics.
  • They include features for adding text to designs and creating various media layouts.
  • Both support real-time collaboration, allowing teams to work together seamlessly.

Differences

Adobe Illustrator and Vectornator (Linearity Curve) each offer unique features that cater to different aspects of vector graphic design. Here are the most significant differences:

  • 3D Effects: Adobe Illustrator includes a 3D and Materials Panel for adding realistic effects, lighting, and textures, which is not available in Vectornator.
  • Generative Shape Fill: Illustrator's ability to quickly fill vector outlines with detailed patterns is a feature not found in Vectornator.
  • AI-Powered Tools: Vectornator accelerates the design process with AI-powered tools, a feature that Adobe Illustrator does not emphasize.
  • Real-Time Collaboration: Vectornator offers real-time collaboration through Linearity Cloud, whereas Adobe Illustrator does not have this built-in feature.
  • Figma Plugin: Vectornator provides a Figma plugin for compatibility with other design formats, a feature not available in Adobe Illustrator.

User Interface and Usability

Adobe Illustrator's user interface is feature-rich but can be overwhelming for new users. The software includes a variety of tools like the Pen tool and 3D and Materials panel, which require a learning curve. The user experience is enhanced by AI-powered features such as Generative Shape Fill, but the complexity of the interface may hinder usability for beginners. Overall, Adobe Illustrator's usability is high for experienced designers but may pose challenges for novices.

Vectornator, now Linearity Curve, offers a more intuitive and user-friendly interface. The software's AI-powered tools and real-time collaboration features simplify the design process, making it accessible for users of all skill levels. The seamless integration with other design tools like Figma and the availability on Apple devices further enhance the user experience. In terms of overall usability, Vectornator provides a more approachable and efficient platform for a broader range of users.

Vectornator has a better user interface and usability over Adobe Illustrator.

Collaboration

Adobe Illustrator, part of the Creative Cloud suite, offers some collaborative features but lacks real-time collaboration capabilities. Users can share files and projects, but the process is not as seamless as it could be. The software is more geared towards individual use, with collaboration features being secondary.

Vectornator, on the other hand, is designed with collaboration in mind. It allows users to invite collaborators, share projects, and work together in real-time through Linearity Cloud. This makes it easier for teams to stay in sync and work efficiently. Overall, Vectornator is better suited for collaboration than Adobe Illustrator.

Adobe Illustrator and Vectornator Pricing

Adobe Illustrator offers various subscription plans tailored to different user groups. Individuals can subscribe for £21.98/month, while students and teachers enjoy a discounted rate of £16.24/month. Businesses can opt for a license at £27.99/month. The Creative Cloud All Apps plan is available at £27.98/month for the first three months, then £56.98/month.

Vectornator provides a more straightforward pricing structure. The Starter Plan is free, while the Pro Plan costs $9.99/month or $119.99/year, offering a 33% discount for annual subscriptions. The Org Plan is custom-priced and available through a demo. Educational discounts are also available, with a 58% reduction on the yearly Pro Plan.

Vectornator offers more affordable and flexible pricing options compared to Adobe Illustrator.

Comparing Adobe Illustrator and Vectornator to Piktochart

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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: Piktochart's AI-powered design generator allows users to create stunning visuals quickly and effortlessly, saving valuable time and effort.
  • Wide Range of Visual Tools: From infographics to social media videos, Piktochart offers a comprehensive suite of tools that cater to various visual communication needs.
  • Customizable Templates: Piktochart provides a vast array of customizable templates, making it easy to create professional-quality designs tailored to specific requirements.
  • Real-Time Collaboration: The platform supports real-time collaboration, enabling teams to work together seamlessly and efficiently on projects.
  • Versatile Video Tools: Piktochart includes versatile video tools such as a screen recorder, video cropper, and video to text converter, enhancing its utility for multimedia projects.

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)
  • Campus: Custom Pricing (Minimum 3000 seats, contact for details)

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 too steep for beginners, and it crashes often." - John D., 3.5/5

"Expensive subscription model and some tools are cumbersome to use." - Sarah K., 3.8/5

"Performance issues on less powerful computers make it hard to work efficiently." - Alex P., 3.7/5

Find more of Adobe Illustrator reviews on G2!

Vectornator Reviews

Overall, users have given Vectornator a rating of 4.4 out of 5. While they appreciate its affordability and intuitive design, some find the learning curve and platform exclusivity frustrating.

"Good but could be better." - Verified User in Graphic Design, 3.5/5

"Useful but not enough." - Cecilia V., 3.5/5

"Makes vector design accessible to the masses." - Aiesha M., 4.0/5

Find more of Vectornator 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, customizable templates, and real-time collaboration features.

  • "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." - Andrea V.
  • "Piktochart offers good looking pre-built templates for creating graphics." - Ganesh P.

Find more of our reviews on G2!

Why choose one over the other?

Why Choose Adobe Illustrator:

  • Consumers who need professional-level precision and scalability in their vector graphics will prefer Adobe Illustrator. This software is ideal for graphic designers and illustrators who require advanced tools for creating detailed and high-quality designs.

Why Choose Vectornator:

  • Consumers looking for an intuitive and cost-effective design tool with real-time collaboration features will find Vectornator appealing. This software is perfect for freelancers and small businesses that need to create professional-quality designs without a steep learning curve.

Why Choose Piktochart:

  • Consumers who need to quickly create and customize a variety of visual content, including infographics and presentations, will benefit from using Piktochart. This platform is ideal for content creators and educators who require easy-to-use tools for producing engaging visuals without design experience.

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

While Adobe Illustrator and Vectornator offer robust tools for professional designers, Piktochart stands out for its ease of use and versatility. Whether you're a seasoned designer or a beginner, Piktochart's AI-powered features and customizable templates make creating stunning visuals a breeze. We believe Piktochart is the best choice for anyone looking to transform complex ideas into captivating visuals effortlessly.