Quick Overview
- 1#1: Adobe Photoshop - Industry-leading raster graphics editor for photo editing, compositing, and digital art creation.
- 2#2: Adobe Illustrator - Professional vector graphics software for designing logos, icons, illustrations, and typography.
- 3#3: Affinity Designer - High-performance vector and raster design tool for illustrations, UI design, and print graphics.
- 4#4: CorelDRAW - Comprehensive vector illustration and page layout software for professional graphic design.
- 5#5: Affinity Photo - Powerful raster image editor for photo retouching, compositing, and RAW processing.
- 6#6: Figma - Collaborative vector-based design tool for UI/UX prototyping and graphic creation.
- 7#7: GIMP - Free open-source raster graphics editor with advanced photo manipulation features.
- 8#8: Inkscape - Free open-source vector graphics editor for scalable illustrations and diagrams.
- 9#9: Krita - Professional free digital painting and 2D animation software for artists.
- 10#10: Canva - User-friendly online graphic design platform for creating social media visuals and marketing materials.
Tools were selected and ranked based on performance, feature depth, user experience, and value, ensuring they cater to diverse skill levels and professional needs.
Comparison Table
Graphic design and digital art workflows depend on specialized software, with options ranging from hobbyist to professional-level tools. This comparison table explores key graphics software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Affinity Designer, CorelDRAW, and Affinity Photo, outlining their unique features and best use cases to guide users in selecting the right fit for their projects. By examining these tools side-by-side, readers can compare capabilities and make informed choices to enhance their creative processes.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adobe Photoshop Industry-leading raster graphics editor for photo editing, compositing, and digital art creation. | creative_suite | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 2 | Adobe Illustrator Professional vector graphics software for designing logos, icons, illustrations, and typography. | creative_suite | 9.4/10 | 9.8/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | Affinity Designer High-performance vector and raster design tool for illustrations, UI design, and print graphics. | specialized | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 4 | CorelDRAW Comprehensive vector illustration and page layout software for professional graphic design. | creative_suite | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 5 | Affinity Photo Powerful raster image editor for photo retouching, compositing, and RAW processing. | specialized | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 6 | Figma Collaborative vector-based design tool for UI/UX prototyping and graphic creation. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 7 | GIMP Free open-source raster graphics editor with advanced photo manipulation features. | other | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 10/10 |
| 8 | Inkscape Free open-source vector graphics editor for scalable illustrations and diagrams. | other | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 10.0/10 |
| 9 | Krita Professional free digital painting and 2D animation software for artists. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 10/10 |
| 10 | Canva User-friendly online graphic design platform for creating social media visuals and marketing materials. | other | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 |
Industry-leading raster graphics editor for photo editing, compositing, and digital art creation.
Professional vector graphics software for designing logos, icons, illustrations, and typography.
High-performance vector and raster design tool for illustrations, UI design, and print graphics.
Comprehensive vector illustration and page layout software for professional graphic design.
Powerful raster image editor for photo retouching, compositing, and RAW processing.
Collaborative vector-based design tool for UI/UX prototyping and graphic creation.
Free open-source raster graphics editor with advanced photo manipulation features.
Free open-source vector graphics editor for scalable illustrations and diagrams.
Professional free digital painting and 2D animation software for artists.
User-friendly online graphic design platform for creating social media visuals and marketing materials.
Adobe Photoshop
creative_suiteIndustry-leading raster graphics editor for photo editing, compositing, and digital art creation.
Generative Fill: Revolutionary AI tool that intelligently generates or expands image content based on text prompts, transforming creative workflows.
Adobe Photoshop is the industry-standard raster graphics editor, renowned for its powerful tools in photo retouching, digital painting, compositing, and graphic design. It offers an extensive array of features including layers, masks, advanced selection tools, and AI-driven capabilities like Generative Fill for intelligent content creation and editing. Professionals worldwide rely on it for high-end image manipulation, with seamless integration into the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem for collaborative workflows.
Pros
- Unparalleled feature depth with AI innovations like Generative Fill and Neural Filters
- Excellent integration with Adobe Creative Cloud apps and vast plugin ecosystem
- Frequent updates ensuring cutting-edge tools for professionals
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners despite intuitive interface improvements
- Subscription-only pricing model lacks perpetual license option
- Resource-intensive, requiring powerful hardware for optimal performance
Best For
Professional photographers, graphic designers, and digital artists demanding the most advanced raster editing capabilities.
Pricing
Subscription via Creative Cloud: $22.99/month (Photoshop single-app plan) or $59.99/month (All Apps plan), with annual options and 7-day free trial.
Adobe Illustrator
creative_suiteProfessional vector graphics software for designing logos, icons, illustrations, and typography.
Advanced Pen Tool and Bézier curve mastery for unparalleled path precision and control
Adobe Illustrator is an industry-leading vector graphics editor designed for creating scalable logos, icons, illustrations, and typography with precision. It excels in path editing, shape manipulation, and advanced effects, making it ideal for both print and digital design workflows. Seamlessly integrated with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps, it supports complex projects from concept to final output.
Pros
- Unmatched vector precision and scalability
- Deep integration with Photoshop, InDesign, and Creative Cloud libraries
- Extensive plugin ecosystem and AI-powered tools like Generative Recolor
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Subscription-only model with no perpetual license
- High system resource demands on complex files
Best For
Professional graphic designers and illustrators requiring pixel-perfect vector artwork for branding, print, and UI/UX design.
Pricing
Subscription via Creative Cloud: $22.99/month (annual) for Illustrator alone; $59.99/month for full All Apps plan.
Affinity Designer
specializedHigh-performance vector and raster design tool for illustrations, UI design, and print graphics.
Switchable Personas for fluid transitions between Vector, Pixel, and Export modes in one app
Affinity Designer is a professional vector graphics editor that excels in creating illustrations, logos, icons, UI designs, and layouts with precision and speed. It uniquely combines vector and raster (pixel) editing in a single application through its innovative Persona system, allowing seamless workflow switching. Available on Mac, Windows, and iPad, it serves as a powerful, subscription-free alternative to Adobe Illustrator, emphasizing performance, stability, and one-time purchase value.
Pros
- One-time purchase with no subscription required
- Lightning-fast performance and stability even on large files
- Versatile Persona system for vector, pixel, and export workflows
Cons
- Limited native collaboration or cloud features
- Smaller third-party plugin ecosystem compared to Adobe
- Occasional file compatibility quirks with legacy formats
Best For
Professional graphic designers and illustrators seeking a high-performance, cost-effective Adobe Illustrator alternative without subscriptions.
Pricing
One-time purchase: $69.99 for desktop (Mac/Windows), $18.99 for iPad; Affinity Universal License or suite bundles available for multi-device use.
CorelDRAW
creative_suiteComprehensive vector illustration and page layout software for professional graphic design.
Advanced PowerTRACE AI-powered bitmap-to-vector conversion
CorelDRAW is a professional vector graphics editor and part of the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, offering tools for illustration, page layout, logo design, and typography. It includes companion apps like PHOTO-PAINT for raster editing and PowerTRACE for bitmap-to-vector conversion, making it a versatile all-in-one solution. Widely used in print and sign-making industries, it supports high-precision workflows and multipage documents natively.
Pros
- Powerful vector tools with non-destructive editing
- Native multipage support and excellent print/PDF output
- Perpetual license option for long-term ownership
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than some alternatives
- Limited third-party plugin ecosystem
- Mac version lags slightly behind Windows
Best For
Professional graphic designers and print production specialists needing a robust, cost-effective Adobe Illustrator alternative.
Pricing
Perpetual license $499 one-time or $269/year subscription for Graphics Suite.
Affinity Photo
specializedPowerful raster image editor for photo retouching, compositing, and RAW processing.
Persona-based workflow with seamless switching between Photo, Develop, and Liquify modes for efficient RAW-to-edit pipelines
Affinity Photo is a professional raster graphics editor designed for photo editing, retouching, compositing, and graphic design tasks. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools including RAW processing, advanced layer management, and non-destructive editing capabilities comparable to Adobe Photoshop. Available on Windows, macOS, and iPad, it emphasizes high performance and a one-time purchase model without subscriptions.
Pros
- Perpetual license with no recurring fees
- Extensive professional tools like RAW Develop Persona and Live Filters
- Lightning-fast performance and stability across platforms
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for absolute beginners
- Limited third-party plugin ecosystem compared to Photoshop
- Lacks robust cloud collaboration features
Best For
Professional photographers and designers needing a powerful, cost-effective Photoshop alternative without subscriptions.
Pricing
One-time purchase: $69.99 for desktop (Windows/macOS), $18.49 for iPad; free upgrades within the same major version.
Figma
specializedCollaborative vector-based design tool for UI/UX prototyping and graphic creation.
Real-time multiplayer editing where multiple users can work on the same design file simultaneously
Figma is a cloud-based vector graphics editor and prototyping tool designed primarily for UI/UX design, allowing users to create wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes. It excels in collaborative workflows, enabling multiple users to edit designs in real-time from any browser without software installation. With features like auto-layout, components, and variants, it's a versatile graphics solution for digital product design.
Pros
- Real-time multiplayer collaboration
- Extensive plugin ecosystem and integrations
- Free tier with robust core features
Cons
- Performance issues with very large or complex files
- Limited offline editing capabilities
- Advanced features require time to master
Best For
UI/UX designers and design teams prioritizing seamless collaboration and browser-based workflows.
Pricing
Free Starter plan; Professional at $12/user/month; Organization at $45/user/month; Enterprise custom pricing.
GIMP
otherFree open-source raster graphics editor with advanced photo manipulation features.
Open-source extensibility through a vast plugin library and built-in scripting (Python, Script-Fu) for unlimited customization
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open-source raster graphics editor available at gimp.org, designed for photo retouching, image composition, and graphic design tasks. It provides professional-grade tools such as layers, masks, channels, customizable brushes, and advanced filters, rivaling paid alternatives like Adobe Photoshop. Highly extensible via plugins and scripting languages like Python and Script-Fu, GIMP supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide audience.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no licensing costs
- Rich feature set including layers, masks, and advanced selection tools
- Extensive plugin ecosystem and scripting for customization
Cons
- Steep learning curve and non-intuitive default multi-window interface
- Lacks native non-destructive editing and robust vector support
- Performance can lag on complex projects compared to commercial software
Best For
Budget-conscious hobbyists, students, and professionals needing a powerful free Photoshop alternative for raster image editing.
Pricing
Entirely free (open-source with no paid tiers or subscriptions).
Inkscape
otherFree open-source vector graphics editor for scalable illustrations and diagrams.
Native, full-featured SVG editing with advanced path manipulation and extensibility via scripts
Inkscape is a free, open-source vector graphics editor designed for creating and editing scalable vector graphics (SVG) files with precision. It provides professional-grade tools for drawing paths, shapes, text, and gradients, along with advanced features like bitmap tracing, cloning, and extensions for custom functionality. Cross-platform compatibility on Windows, macOS, and Linux makes it accessible for a wide range of users, from hobbyists to professionals.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no subscriptions
- Extensive vector tools including Live Path Effects and node editing
- Strong SVG support and active community for extensions and tutorials
Cons
- Interface feels dated compared to modern commercial alternatives
- Performance can lag with very complex documents
- Steeper learning curve for beginners unfamiliar with vector graphics
Best For
Budget-conscious designers, illustrators, and educators seeking a powerful, no-cost alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
Pricing
100% free with no paid tiers or limitations.
Krita
specializedProfessional free digital painting and 2D animation software for artists.
The highly customizable brush engine with engine-agnostic presets and real-time blending modes that mimic traditional art media
Krita is a free, open-source digital painting and illustration software tailored for artists, offering professional-grade raster graphics tools. It excels in customizable brushes, layer management, color management, and features like animation timelines and wrap-around canvas for seamless patterns. While not a full Photoshop replacement, it shines in creative painting workflows and is actively developed by a passionate community.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no paywalls
- Exceptional brush engine with realistic traditional media simulation and thousands of presets
- Built-in animation tools and assistant features for perspective and symmetry
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to dense interface and customization options
- Weaker vector and typography tools compared to Adobe Illustrator
- Can be resource-intensive on lower-end hardware with large files
Best For
Digital painters, illustrators, and concept artists seeking a powerful, no-cost alternative for raster-based creative work.
Pricing
Free (open-source; optional donations via krita.org)
Canva
otherUser-friendly online graphic design platform for creating social media visuals and marketing materials.
Magic Studio AI tools for auto-generating designs from text prompts
Canva is a web-based graphic design platform that allows users to create social media graphics, presentations, posters, videos, and more using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. It provides access to millions of templates, stock photos, icons, fonts, and elements, enabling quick customization without advanced design skills. Canva supports collaboration, animations, and integrations with tools like Google Drive and social media platforms for seamless workflows.
Pros
- Vast library of customizable templates and stock assets
- Real-time collaboration and team features
- Generous free plan with powerful Pro upgrades
Cons
- Limited advanced vector editing compared to pro tools like Adobe Illustrator
- Watermarks on some premium elements in free version
- Occasional performance lag with complex, large designs
Best For
Non-designers, marketers, educators, and small teams needing quick, professional visuals without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free forever plan; Canva Pro at $14.99/month or $119.99/year (billed annually) per user, with team and enterprise options.
Conclusion
The list of graphics software showcases a range of tools for diverse creative needs, with clear leaders and strong contenders. At the top, Adobe Photoshop stands out as the industry benchmark, excelling in raster editing, compositing, and digital art. Adobe Illustrator and Affinity Designer follow, offering exceptional vector design capabilities and flexible workflows to suit different professional and personal goals.
No matter your skill level or creative focus, Adobe Photoshop remains a top choice—explore its features to unlock new possibilities in bringing your visual ideas to life.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison