# Alternatives to Inkscape The open source vector editor. Inkscape ranks #3 of 6 in Vector graphics editors, with an Alt Score of 73. It is licensed under GPL-3.0-or-later, free from Free and available on Windows, macOS and Linux. 10 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source. Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/inkscape/ Category: Vector graphics editors ## Where Inkscape stands out - **Open source** — 1 of 5 apps with a verified answer have this - **Plugins / extensions** — 3 of 6 apps with a verified answer have this ## Overview - **Who it's for**: Designers, illustrators, and hobbyists who need to create or edit vector graphics — logos, icons, illustrations, diagrams — without paying for Illustrator. - **What you get**: A full-featured vector drawing application with shape, bezier/pen, calligraphy, and text tools, plus path operations (union, intersection, boolean ops), gradients, patterns, clipping and masking, and layer management. It reads and writes SVG natively and can import/export PNG, PDF, EPS, and other formats. Extensions (many written in Python) add batch processing, plotting, and specialized export options. It's free, open-source, and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. - **How it works**: You draw and edit paths and shapes on a canvas using node-based bezier editing, then save directly to SVG (the app's native format) or export to raster/other vector formats; functionality can be extended through a Python-based extensions system. ## Profile - **License**: GPL-3.0-or-later (verified 2026-07-09) - **Pricing model**: Free (verified 2026-07-09) - **Starts at**: Free (verified 2026-07-09) - **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, Linux - **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-09) ## Ranked alternatives | # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms | |---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------| | 1 | [CorelDRAW](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/coreldraw.md) | 82 | ? | Windows, macOS, Web | | 2 | [Illustrator](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/illustrator.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, iOS, Web | | 3 | [Boxy SVG](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/boxy-svg.md) | 64 | Proprietary | macOS, iOS, Android, Linux | | 4 | [Linearity Curve](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/linearity-curve.md) | 64 | Proprietary | macOS, iOS | | 5 | [Affinity Designer](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/affinity-designer.md) | 50 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS | Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/ ## Feature comparison Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified). | Vector graphics editors checklist | Inkscape | CorelDRAW | Illustrator | Boxy SVG | Linearity Curve | Affinity Designer | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Pricing model | Free | Subscription | Subscription | Freemium | Freemium | Free | | Starts at | Free | ? | ? | $9.99/year | Free | Free | | License | GPL-3.0-or-later | ? | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | | Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Web | Windows, macOS, iOS, Web | macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Web | macOS, iOS | Windows, macOS | | SVG fidelity | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Boolean operations | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Gradient meshes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | | CMYK / print output | Partial | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | | AI file compatibility | Partial | Partial | Yes | Partial | Yes | Partial | | One-time purchase option | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | | Plugins / extensions | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | No | No | | Runs in browser | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | | Open source | Yes | ? | No | No | No | No | | Pen tool quality | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ## Sources Sources for Inkscape. Each alternative is sourced on its own page. - **Starts at**: Free — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “Inkscape is a Free and open source vector graphics editor” - **License**: GPL-3.0-or-later — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “the complete binaries of Inkscape are currently covered by the terms of GNU GPL version 3 or later” - **Pricing model**: Free — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “Inkscape is a Free and open source vector graphics editor” - **Status**: active — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “2026-07-08T19:10:28+00:00 — Feature: Group Translucency and display cleanup” - **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, Linux — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “it will only be available in the pre-packaged builds (for macOS, Windows and for the Linux AppImage)” - **SVG fidelity**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “Inkscape uses the standardized SVG file format as its main format, which is supported by many other applications including web browsers” - **Boolean operations**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “Boolean Operations The mode 'division both' has been added. Its result only becomes visible when you convert the resulting object to a path” - **Gradient meshes**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “Mesh Gradients are now supported.” - **CMYK / print output**: Partial — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “Limited support for color palettes with CMYK colors has been added. The transformation from CMYK to RGB has been improved, even without a proper ICC profile.” - **AI file compatibility**: Partial — (verified 2026-07-09) - Note: AI import via extension, not native. - Quote: “The Document → Process Illustrator SVG... extension assists with importing Adobe Illustrator documents with layers and the correct scale” - **One-time purchase option**: No — (verified 2026-07-09) - Note: Free software; no purchase option exists. - Quote: “Inkscape is a Free and open source vector graphics editor” - **Plugins / extensions**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “a lightweight core with powerful features added as extensions” - **Runs in browser**: No — (verified 2026-07-09) - Note: Desktop application only. - Quote: “it will only be available in the pre-packaged builds (for macOS, Windows and for the Linux AppImage)” - **Open source**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “Most Inkscape source code is available under the GNU General Public License, version 2 or later” - **Pen tool quality**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “Pen Tool A new option has been added to automatically convert the currently drawn shape to guides” --- Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/