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Design Tools · head to head

Linearity Curve vs Principle

Linearity Curve logo

Linearity Curve

Design Tools

Professional vector design for Mac and iPad

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
P

Principle

Design

Animate your ideas, design better apps

From
$129/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Linearity Curve has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Linearity Curve limited to Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, iPhone) with no Windows or Linux support; Principle macOS only with no Windows or Linux editor available
  • They diverge on capability: Linearity Curve covers Vector editing, Principle covers Timeline-based animation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Linearity Curve and Principle actually diverge.

Attributes where Linearity Curve and Principle differ
AttributeLinearity CurvePrinciple
Starting priceFree$129/one-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMac, IosmacOS
CategoryDesign ToolsDesign
Founded20172015

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

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 Linearity Curve

  • Vector editing
  • Auto Trace
  • Typography tools
  • Pen tool
  • iCloud sync
  • Adobe Creative Cloud
  • iCloud encryption
  • Data protection

Only in Principle

  • Timeline-based animation
  • Interactive prototypes
  • Touch gestures
  • Component reuse
  • Video export
  • Sketch import
  • Figma import
  • Driver animations

Both cover

  • Sketch
  • Figma

What people use each for

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

Linearity Curve

  • Vector illustrationnot Principle
  • Logo designnot Principle
  • UI designnot Principle
  • Print designnot Principle

Principle

  • Mobile app prototypesnot Linearity Curve
  • Micro-interactionsnot Linearity Curve
  • Animation designnot Linearity Curve
  • User flow designnot Linearity Curve
  • Gesture-based interfacesnot Linearity Curve

Where each one falls short

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

Linearity Curve

  • Limited to Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, iPhone) with no Windows or Linux support
  • Requires annual or monthly subscription for commercial use, unlike competitors offering lifetime purchase options
  • Free plan is severely limited to only 3 Curve files and 5GB storage

Principle

  • macOS only with no Windows or Linux editor available
  • No vector morphing capability for complex shape transformations
  • Limited asset creation tools; cannot create vectors or shapes directly within Principle
  • Sketch import flattens certain properties including paths, fills, borders, masks, blur effects, and text layers
  • Limited variable support, logical loops, and data input capabilities compared to tools like ProtoPie or Origami

Pricing, plan by plan

Linearity Curve

Free
  • StarterFree
    • 50 lifetime credits
    • 3 Curve files
    • 5GB storage
  • Pro$11.99/month
    • 250 monthly credits
    • Unlimited files
    • 100GB storage
  • Business$65/month
    • 500 monthly credits
    • 500GB storage
    • Brand management

Principle

$129/one-time
  • License$129/one-time
    • One year of upgrades
    • Full access to all features
  • Upgrade License$99/year
    • Annual renewal for ongoing upgrades

Which should you pick?

Choose Linearity Curve if

  • You need vector editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac, Ios.
  • You also want auto trace.
Linearity Curve review

Choose Principle if

  • You need timeline-based animation.
  • You work on macOS.
  • You also want interactive prototypes.
Principle review

Questions people ask

Is Linearity Curve or Principle better?
Neither clearly leads. Linearity Curve starts at Free and Principle at $129/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Linearity Curve or Principle?
Linearity Curve has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Linearity Curve and $129/one-time for Principle.
Does Linearity Curve or Principle run on more platforms?
Linearity Curve runs on Mac, Ios. Principle runs on macOS.
Can I use Linearity Curve for free?
Yes. Linearity Curve has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Principle starts at $129/one-time.
What is Linearity Curve best used for?
Linearity Curve is most often used for vector illustration, logo design, ui design, print design. Of those, vector illustration and logo design are not what Principle is typically brought in for.
What can Linearity Curve do that Principle cannot?
Linearity Curve covers Vector editing, Auto Trace, Typography tools, Pen tool. Principle covers Timeline-based animation, Interactive prototypes, Touch gestures, Component reuse. Both handle Sketch, Figma.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Linearity Curve: Does Linearity Curve have a free plan?

Yes, Linearity offers a free Starter plan with 50 lifetime credits, 1 basic brand kit, and 5GB cloud storage. No credit card is required to access the free tier.

Source
Principle: Does Principle run on Windows or Linux?

No. Principle is macOS only and runs on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. There is no Windows or Linux editor available; however, prototypes can be shared and viewed on any platform via web link.

Source
Linearity Curve: Can I use Linearity Curve on multiple devices?

Yes, Linearity Curve is available on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, with real-time collaboration allowing teams to see changes instantly across devices.

Source
Principle: What is the cost of Principle?

Principle costs $129 for a one-time purchase with 1 year of upgrades included. After 1 year, upgrade licenses cost $99/year. A 14-day free trial is available with all features included.

Source
Linearity Curve: What file formats can I export from Linearity Curve?

Linearity Curve supports exporting to industry-standard formats including .ai, SVG, PDF, PNG, JPG, and TIFF, making it compatible with other design tools.

Source
Principle: Can I import designs from Figma or Sketch into Principle?

Yes. Principle supports importing designs from Figma and Sketch with intelligent merging of re-imported files. Some Sketch properties such as paths, fills, borders, blur effects, masks, and text layers are flattened upon import.

Source
Linearity Curve: Does Linearity Curve have AI-powered vectorization?

Yes, Linearity Curve includes an Auto Trace feature with three modes (Sketch, Photography, Illustration) that uses AI to instantly vectorize images into editable paths. It also includes AI-powered background removal.

Source
Principle: How do I share Principle prototypes with others?

Prototypes can be shared via web link with one click (File > Export > Share to Web). Recipients can view and interact with prototypes in any browser on any platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS. No installation required.

Source
Principle: Can I create vector shapes and morphing animations in Principle?

Principle does not support vector morphing, where vector objects transform into other vector shapes. It also has limited asset creation capabilities and editing is restricted to basic operations like scale and rotate.

Source
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