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Design · head to head

Inkscape vs Xara Designer Pro+

Inkscape logo

Inkscape

Design

Free and open-source vector graphics editor

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Xara Designer Pro+ logo

Xara Designer Pro+

Design

Desktop publishing, web design, photo editing and graphic design in one workspace

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Inkscape has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Inkscape no CMYK color mode support, making it unsuitable for professional print workflows requiring full color management; Xara Designer Pro+ compatible with Windows only; the product page states no Mac version

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Inkscape and Xara Designer Pro+ actually diverge.

Attributes where Inkscape and Xara Designer Pro+ differ
AttributeInkscapeXara Designer Pro+
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreeone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, macOS, WindowsWeb
Founded2003Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Design).

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 Inkscape

  • Vector editing
  • Bezier curves
  • Text tools
  • Object manipulation
  • Path operations
  • Extensions
  • Scripting
  • Import/export filters

Only in Xara Designer Pro+

Nothing recorded that Inkscape does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Inkscape

  • Logo designnot Xara Designer Pro+
  • Icon creationnot Xara Designer Pro+
  • Web graphicsnot Xara Designer Pro+
  • Print designnot Xara Designer Pro+

Xara Designer Pro+

  • Desktop publishing and professional layout workflowsnot Inkscape
  • Web design and e-commerce site creation without codenot Inkscape
  • Photo editing and image retouching for visual projectsnot Inkscape
  • Graphic design and illustration in single workspacenot Inkscape
  • Multi-discipline creative work with unlimited flexibilitynot Inkscape

Where each one falls short

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

Inkscape

  • No CMYK color mode support, making it unsuitable for professional print workflows requiring full color management
  • Lacks advanced features like 3D effects, Live Paint, and Live Trace found in Adobe Illustrator
  • Extension ecosystem is smaller and more fragmented than Illustrator's built-in advanced capabilities

Xara Designer Pro+

  • Compatible with Windows only; the product page states no Mac version

Pricing, plan by plan

Inkscape

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Complete vector editor
    • SVG native format
    • Professional tools

Xara Designer Pro+

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Xara Designer Pro+ review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Inkscape if

  • You need vector editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want bezier curves.
Inkscape review

Choose Xara Designer Pro+ if

Nothing in the data separates Xara Designer Pro+ from Inkscape on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Xara Designer Pro+ review

Questions people ask

Is Inkscape or Xara Designer Pro+ better?
Neither clearly leads. Inkscape starts at Free and Xara Designer Pro+ at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Inkscape or Xara Designer Pro+?
Inkscape has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Inkscape and On request for Xara Designer Pro+.
Does Inkscape or Xara Designer Pro+ run on more platforms?
Inkscape runs on Linux, macOS, Windows. Xara Designer Pro+ runs on Web.
Can I use Inkscape for free?
Yes. Inkscape has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Xara Designer Pro+ starts at On request.
What is Inkscape best used for?
Inkscape is most often used for logo design, icon creation, web graphics, print design. Of those, logo design and icon creation are not what Xara Designer Pro+ is typically brought in for.
What can Inkscape do that Xara Designer Pro+ cannot?
Inkscape covers Vector editing, Bezier curves, Text tools, Object manipulation.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Inkscape: Is Inkscape free and open source?

Yes, Inkscape is completely free and open source under the GPL license. There are no licensing fees or subscription costs.

Source
Xara Designer Pro+: Does Xara Designer Pro offer a free trial?

Yes, Xara Designer Pro offers a free trial download, allowing users to test the software before purchasing.

Source
Inkscape: What file formats does Inkscape support?

Inkscape's native format is SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics). It can import and export AI, EPS, PDF, PS, PNG, and many other formats.

Source
Inkscape: Can Inkscape be used for professional print design?

Inkscape lacks CMYK color mode, which is required for professional print work. Adobe Illustrator is better suited for print design due to superior color management and CMYK support.

Source
Inkscape: What platforms does Inkscape run on?

Inkscape is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It runs on all major operating systems and is fully cross-platform.

Source
Inkscape: Does Inkscape have extensibility and plugins?

Yes, Inkscape has an extension system with community-built plugins. Extensions can be installed from the Extension Manager or downloaded manually, including tools for GCode generation, embroidery design (Inkstitch), and more.

Source
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