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Software · head to head

Adobe Illustrator vs ProtoPie

Adobe Illustrator logo

Adobe Illustrator

Software

Professional vector graphics software

From
$22.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ProtoPie logo

ProtoPie

Software

Create advanced interactive prototypes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only ProtoPie has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Adobe Illustrator listed on UK G-Cloud as part of Adobe Creative Cloud (which bundles Illustrator) at £58 to £80 per licence per month, via reseller ServiceKey; ProtoPie the free plan allows 2 prototypes, 8 scenes per prototype and 50MB of cloud storage
  • They diverge on capability: Adobe Illustrator covers Vector drawing, ProtoPie covers Interactive prototyping.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Adobe Illustrator and ProtoPie actually diverge.

Attributes where Adobe Illustrator and ProtoPie differ
AttributeAdobe IllustratorProtoPie
Starting price$22.99/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Macos, IosWindows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android
Founded19822013

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Adobe Illustrator

  • Vector drawing
  • Bezier tools
  • Shape tools
  • Typography
  • Gradients & effects
  • Symbols & instances
  • Artboards
  • 3D capabilities

Only in ProtoPie

  • Interactive prototyping
  • Data binding
  • Advanced interactions
  • Animation
  • Collaboration
  • Cloud sharing
  • Device testing
  • Code export

Both cover

  • Figma
  • SOC2
  • GDPR
  • Desktop deployment

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Adobe Illustrator

  • Logo designnot ProtoPie
  • Vector illustrationnot ProtoPie
  • Icon designnot ProtoPie
  • Print designnot ProtoPie

ProtoPie

  • Building high fidelity interactive prototypes without codenot Adobe Illustrator
  • Prototyping multi device and hardware interactionsnot Adobe Illustrator
  • Sharing prototypes with stakeholders for testingnot Adobe Illustrator

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Adobe Illustrator

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud as part of Adobe Creative Cloud (which bundles Illustrator) at £58 to £80 per licence per month, via reseller ServiceKey

ProtoPie

  • The free plan allows 2 prototypes, 8 scenes per prototype and 50MB of cloud storage
  • Free prototypes carry a watermark and shareable links require the Basic plan
  • Saving prototypes locally requires the Pro plan
  • Team libraries and handoff recordings require the Pro plan
  • Basic caps storage at 500MB and prototypes at 20
  • Single sign on, private servers, custom fonts and custom hardware integrations are Enterprise only
  • Enterprise requires a minimum of 3 seats and is priced by quote
  • Connect Core is a paid add on at $20 per user per month

Pricing, plan by plan

Adobe Illustrator

$22.99/month
  • Single App$22.99/month
    • Illustrator desktop app
    • 100GB cloud storage
    • Adobe Fonts
  • All Apps$59.99/month
    • All Creative Cloud apps
    • 100GB cloud storage
    • Adobe Stock trial

ProtoPie

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited prototypes
    • Cloud storage
    • Basic sharing
  • Professional$25/month
    • Unlimited prototypes
    • Advanced interactions
    • Collaboration
  • Enterprise$75/month
    • Everything in Professional
    • Team features
    • Advanced security

Which should you pick?

Choose Adobe Illustrator if

  • You need vector drawing.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Ios.
  • You also want bezier tools.
Adobe Illustrator review

Choose ProtoPie if

  • You need interactive prototyping.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want data binding.
ProtoPie review

Questions people ask

Is Adobe Illustrator or ProtoPie better?
Neither clearly leads. Adobe Illustrator starts at $22.99/month and ProtoPie at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adobe Illustrator or ProtoPie?
ProtoPie has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $22.99/month for Adobe Illustrator and Free for ProtoPie.
Does Adobe Illustrator or ProtoPie run on more platforms?
Adobe Illustrator runs on Windows, Macos, Ios. ProtoPie runs on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use ProtoPie for free?
Yes. ProtoPie has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Adobe Illustrator starts at $22.99/month.
What is Adobe Illustrator best used for?
Adobe Illustrator is most often used for logo design, vector illustration, icon design, print design. Of those, logo design and vector illustration are not what ProtoPie is typically brought in for.
What can Adobe Illustrator do that ProtoPie cannot?
Adobe Illustrator covers Vector drawing, Bezier tools, Shape tools, Typography. ProtoPie covers Interactive prototyping, Data binding, Advanced interactions, Animation. Both handle Figma, SOC2, GDPR, Desktop deployment.
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