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Software · head to head

Adobe Illustrator vs Vectr

Adobe Illustrator logo

Adobe Illustrator

Software

Professional vector graphics software

From
$22.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Vectr logo

Vectr

Software

Free vector graphics editor for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Vectr 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; Vectr performance issues: slowness during edits is a recurring complaint, especially problematic for complex designs
  • They diverge on capability: Adobe Illustrator covers Bezier tools, Vectr covers Gradient tools.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Adobe Illustrator and Vectr differ
AttributeAdobe IllustratorVectr
Starting price$22.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Macos, IosWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook
Founded19822014

Identical on both: 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

  • Bezier tools
  • Gradients & effects
  • Symbols & instances
  • Artboards
  • 3D capabilities
  • Photoshop
  • InDesign
  • XD

Only in Vectr

  • Gradient tools
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Cloud storage
  • Export options
  • Simple interface
  • Google Drive
  • Cloud storage
  • Cloud deployment

Both cover

  • Vector drawing
  • Shape tools
  • Typography
  • Dropbox
  • Desktop deployment

What people use each for

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

Adobe Illustrator

  • Logo design
  • Vector illustration
  • Icon designnot Vectr
  • Print designnot Vectr

Vectr

  • Logo design
  • Vector illustration
  • Web graphicsnot Adobe Illustrator
  • Learning designnot Adobe Illustrator

Both are used for logo design, vector illustration, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

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

Vectr

  • Performance issues: slowness during edits is a recurring complaint, especially problematic for complex designs
  • Limited advanced features: lacks some features available in paid tools like Adobe Illustrator including complex shape manipulation
  • Internet dependency: requires constant internet connection with no offline capabilities limiting use in unreliable connectivity areas
  • Limited export options: fewer export formats compared to other vector graphics software
  • Limited integration: does not offer seamless integration with other design tools and lacks third-party extension support

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

Vectr

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1GB storage
    • Basic tools
    • Limited AI credits
  • Plus$1.99/month
    • 1GB storage
    • 600 AI credits
    • Single-session access
  • Premium$4.99/month
    • 5GB storage
    • 2,400 AI credits
    • Three concurrent sessions

Which should you pick?

Choose Adobe Illustrator if

  • You need bezier tools.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Ios.
  • You also want gradients & effects.
Adobe Illustrator review

Choose Vectr if

  • You need gradient tools.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook.
  • You also want real-time collaboration.
Vectr review

Questions people ask

Is Adobe Illustrator or Vectr better?
Neither clearly leads. Adobe Illustrator starts at $22.99/month and Vectr at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adobe Illustrator or Vectr?
Vectr has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $22.99/month for Adobe Illustrator and Free for Vectr.
Does Adobe Illustrator or Vectr run on more platforms?
Adobe Illustrator runs on Windows, Macos, Ios. Vectr runs on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook.
Can I use Vectr for free?
Yes. Vectr 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, icon design and print design are not what Vectr is typically brought in for.
What can Adobe Illustrator do that Vectr cannot?
Adobe Illustrator covers Bezier tools, Gradients & effects, Symbols & instances, Artboards. Vectr covers Gradient tools, Real-time collaboration, Cloud storage, Export options. Both handle Vector drawing, Shape tools, Typography, Dropbox.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Vectr: Is Vectr free to use?

Vectr offers a free plan with 1GB storage, basic tools, and limited AI credits for essential vector editing. Paid Plus and Premium plans provide additional storage, AI credits, and concurrent sessions.

Source
Vectr: Can you collaborate in real-time with Vectr?

Yes, Vectr features built-in real-time collaboration with live workspace sharing through custom URLs and integrated chat for team communication, enabling distributed creative teamwork.

Source
Vectr: Does Vectr require an internet connection?

Yes, Vectr requires constant internet connection as it is cloud-based. It does not have offline capabilities, which can be limiting for users in areas with unreliable connectivity.

Source
Vectr: What file formats can you export from Vectr?

Vectr supports exporting in SVG, PNG, JPG, and Vectr SVG formats. Compared to other vector graphics software, export options are somewhat limited.

Source
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