Categories:

#2

Adobe Illustrator is ranked #2 on the top 10 Vector Graphics Software leaderboard based on a comprehensive analysis performed by SelectHub research analysts. Compare the leaders with our In-Depth Report.

Adobe Illustrator Pricing

Based on our most recent analysis, Adobe Illustrator pricing starts at $23 (Monthly).

Price
$
$
$
$
$
i
Starting From
$22.99
Pricing Model
Monthly
Free Trial
Yes, Request for Free

Training Resources

Adobe Illustrator is supported with the following types of training:

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars

Support

The following support services are available for Adobe Illustrator:

Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Help Desk
Knowledge Base
Tickets
Training
24/7 Live Support

Adobe Illustrator Benefits and Insights

Why use Adobe Illustrator?

Key differentiators & advantages of Adobe Illustrator

  • Scalability: Adobe Illustrator allows for the creation of vector graphics that can be scaled infinitely without losing quality, making it ideal for logos and branding materials that need to be resized for different applications.
  • Precision: The software offers precise control over anchor points and paths, enabling designers to create intricate and detailed artwork with exact measurements.
  • Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications like Photoshop and InDesign, facilitating a smooth workflow for projects that require multiple types of media.
  • Versatility: Supports a wide range of file formats, allowing designers to export their work for various uses, from print to web to mobile applications.
  • Efficiency: Features like artboards and reusable symbols streamline the design process, saving time and effort when working on complex projects with multiple components.
  • Customization: Offers extensive customization options for brushes, effects, and styles, enabling designers to tailor their tools to fit specific project needs and personal preferences.
  • Collaboration: Cloud-based features allow for easy sharing and collaboration with team members, ensuring that feedback and revisions can be managed efficiently.
  • Consistency: The ability to create and apply styles and templates ensures brand consistency across different design elements and projects.
  • Learning Resources: A wealth of tutorials, forums, and community support is available, making it easier for users to learn new techniques and solve problems.
  • Innovation: Regular updates introduce new tools and features, keeping the software at the forefront of design technology and allowing users to stay competitive in the industry.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on both Mac and Windows, ensuring that teams with diverse hardware setups can work together without compatibility issues.
  • Professional Output: Produces high-quality, print-ready files that meet industry standards, crucial for professional designers working with clients and print shops.
  • Time-Saving Automation: Features like actions and scripts automate repetitive tasks, increasing productivity and allowing designers to focus on creative aspects.
  • Color Management: Advanced color tools ensure accurate color representation, essential for projects that require precise color matching, such as packaging and branding.
  • Accessibility: Offers tools and features that help create designs accessible to a wider audience, including those with disabilities, aligning with inclusive design practices.

Industry Expertise

Adobe Illustrator is a powerful tool for creating vector graphics, making it ideal for professionals who need to produce scalable designs for various applications, such as logos, icons, and illustrations. This software is particularly well-suited for graphic designers, web designers, and artists who require precise control over their artwork and the ability to resize it without losing quality.

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Based on an aggregate of Adobe Illustrator reviews taken from the sources above, the following pros & cons have been curated by a SelectHub Market Analyst.

Pros

  • Scalable Graphics: Create graphics that can be resized without losing quality, making them ideal for various uses like logos and print media.
  • Industry-Standard Precision: Design with precise control over shapes, lines, and colors, ensuring professional-level results.
  • Versatile Toolset: Utilize a comprehensive set of tools for drawing, editing, and typography, enabling diverse creative expressions.
  • Seamless Integration: Experience smooth workflow integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications, streamlining design processes.

Cons

  • Cost: The subscription-based payment model can be expensive, especially for individuals or businesses with limited budgets.
  • System Requirements: The software's demanding system requirements may necessitate hardware upgrades for optimal performance, potentially leading to additional expenses.
  • Learning Curve: Beginners may find the software's extensive features and interface challenging to learn, requiring a time investment to become proficient.
  • Performance Issues: Working with large or complex files can lead to performance issues like lag and freezing, potentially impacting project deadlines.

Researcher's Summary:

Is Adobe Illustrator truly an illustrious choice for vector graphics, or does it fall flat? User reviews from the past year paint a largely positive picture of Adobe Illustrator, highlighting its position as a leading industry standard for vector graphic design. Users consistently praise its robust toolset, particularly for creating logos, illustrations, and typography, emphasizing its versatility across various design needs. The software's seamless integration with other Adobe products like Photoshop and InDesign is also frequently commended, streamlining workflows for many. A standout feature is its ability to handle complex vector editing, ensuring designs remain crisp and scalable for any application, from web graphics to large-format printing.

However, the subscription-based model draws criticism for its cost, particularly for individual users and smaller businesses. Some users find the software resource-intensive, requiring powerful hardware for optimal performance. While the learning curve can be steep for beginners, the abundance of tutorials and online resources helps mitigate this challenge. Overall, Adobe Illustrator emerges as the go-to choice for professionals and aspiring designers seeking powerful vector editing capabilities and industry-standard compatibility, despite its subscription cost and resource requirements.

Key Features

Notable Adobe Illustrator features include:

  • Vector-Based Design: Create scalable graphics that maintain quality at any size, ideal for logos and illustrations.
  • Artboards: Work on multiple canvases within a single document, streamlining project management and organization.
  • Pen Tool: Draw precise paths and shapes with control over anchor points and curves, essential for detailed vector artwork.
  • Shape Builder Tool: Combine, edit, and merge shapes easily to create complex designs without switching tools.
  • Gradient Mesh: Add depth and dimension to objects with smooth color transitions, enhancing realism in illustrations.
  • Live Paint: Apply colors to any section of your artwork, even if it's not a closed path, for flexible coloring options.
  • Type Tools: Access a wide range of typography features, including kerning, tracking, and vertical text alignment.
  • Image Trace: Convert raster images into editable vector graphics, preserving detail and allowing for further customization.
  • Symbols: Reuse elements across projects by creating symbols, which update automatically when edited.
  • Appearance Panel: Manage multiple fills, strokes, and effects on a single object, offering advanced styling capabilities.
  • Blend Tool: Create smooth transitions between objects and colors, useful for gradients and complex shapes.
  • Perspective Grid: Draw and align objects in perspective, making it easier to create realistic 3D-like illustrations.
  • Clipping Masks: Control the visibility of artwork by using shapes to mask other objects, useful for creating intricate designs.
  • Pathfinder Panel: Perform complex shape manipulations like unite, subtract, and intersect to refine your designs.
  • Brushes: Customize strokes with a variety of brush types, including calligraphic, scatter, and pattern brushes.
  • Creative Cloud Libraries: Access and share assets across Adobe applications, ensuring consistency and collaboration.
  • Integration with Adobe Stock: Search and license high-quality images and graphics directly within the application.
  • Customizable Workspace: Tailor the interface to fit your workflow, with options to save and switch between different layouts.
  • Export Options: Save your work in multiple formats, including SVG, PDF, and EPS, for versatile use across platforms.
  • Live Shapes: Adjust properties of shapes dynamically, such as corner radius and side count, without losing editability.
  • Isolation Mode: Focus on a specific part of your design by isolating objects, simplifying complex editing tasks.
  • Smart Guides: Align and position objects with precision using dynamic guides that appear as you work.
  • Asset Export Panel: Export individual elements or entire artboards quickly, optimizing for web and mobile use.
  • Color Guide Panel: Generate harmonious color schemes and explore variations to enhance your design's palette.
Compare products
Comparison Report
Just drag this link to the bookmark bar.
?
Table settings

Compare Vector Graphics Software

These are the top products most often compared.