Adobe Illustrator gives me the flexibility to create everything from simple graphics to detailed design work in one place. The vector-based workflow is the biggest advantage because designs stay sharp no matter where they are used. I also find it useful for creating logos, social media graphics, banners, and marketing materials without having to worry about quality issues when resizing. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The learning curve can be challenging for new users because there are many tools and settings to understand. Some tasks that seem simple at first can take time to learn properly. I have also noticed that larger files with many effects or artboards can slow things down on less powerful systems. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

It’s been my go-to partner for 16 years as a professional designer. Its interface is extremely well thought out, the drawing tools are powerful, and the newer A.I. improvements have helped streamline my workflow and give me time back to be more creative. There is always a reliability from a performance standpoint. I can count on it, and the pricing has remained competitive so that my organization can continue to offer it as a top performing program. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Sometimes I run into a few hiccups after updates, and there can be occasional glitches with the library features. That said, overall I really don’t have any complaints. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What I like most about Adobe Illustrator is the precision it offers when creating and editing vector graphics. Once you get used to the tool, you have a lot of control over each element of the design, which allows you to work with great detail and achieve very professional results.

I also greatly value its versatility. I use it for very different tasks, from creating icons and illustrations to materials for printing, banners, or resources for our websites. Additionally, the integration with other Adobe tools greatly facilitates the workflow when working on more complex projects. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What I like least about Adobe Illustrator is that it has quite a steep learning curve. Although it is a very powerful tool, at first it can be somewhat overwhelming due to the number of options, panels, and functionalities available. I have also noticed that some processes you frequently perform require several steps, especially if you don't have shortcuts or customized workspaces set up. Additionally, when working with very large files or complex projects, performance can be affected depending on the equipment you use. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

It never gets pixelated (The magic of vectors): This is its biggest advantage. Regular photos (like those on your phone or in Photoshop) are made up of tiny squares called pixels; if you enlarge them too much, they look blurry. Illustrator, on the other hand, draws using invisible mathematical formulas. This means you can design a logo the size of a penny, then enlarge it to print on a 20-story building, and it will always look 100% sharp.

Total and absolute control: Tools like the “Pen” let you draw and modify every tiny curve of a line exactly as you want. It’s like working with digital clay that obeys your hand perfectly and never loses its shape.

It’s a perfect puzzle: It lets you merge, cut, and combine basic shapes (like circles and squares) to create super-complex drawings in a matter of seconds using tools like the Pen Tool or the Shape Builder.

It works well with everything: Since it’s the standard program used by almost all designers, it’s very easy to take an Illustrator drawing and transfer it to Photoshop to add texture, or send it to an animation program to bring it to life. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Illustrator isn't intuitive. It's not the kind of program you open and immediately know how to use. It has a pretty steep learning curve because it has hundreds of tools, panels, and keyboard shortcuts. Even learning to use tools that seem basic, like the famous “Pen” tool (for drawing lines and curves), can be a real headache for beginners.

For someone who just wants to whip up a quick design, create a simple logo, or crop an image, opening Illustrator can be overwhelming. There are too many menus, buttons, and floating windows. While it’s great for professionals who need all those options, for the average user, it feels like stepping into the cockpit of a plane without knowing how to fly. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I've tried a lot of vector design tools over the years, and Illustrator remains my first choice without hesitation. Whether it's print collateral, icon systems, or complex vector illustrations, nothing else comes close to the control and confidence it gives you. Here's why:

- Performance across any dimension:

One thing that genuinely impresses me is how well Illustrator handles scale. Whether I'm working on a small icon at 16px or a large-format print piece at billboard dimensions, the software stays fluid and responsive. Lag is rarely an issue and for a vector tool, that consistency across canvas sizes is something competitors often struggle with.

- Seamless Adobe ecosystem integration:

The integration with the rest of the Adobe suite is one of Illustrator's quiet superpowers. I can open a PSD directly in Illustrator, or drop an AI file into Photoshop as a linked smart object, and everything just works- no conversion, no quality loss. For teams moving assets between tools daily, this kind of frictionless handoff genuinely saves hours over the course of a project.

- AI features that actually change your workflow

Recent updates have brought some genuinely exciting AI-powered capabilities. The 3D-like vector perspective tools add a whole new dimension to what's possible without leaving the vector environment. Generative Shape Fill lets you fill shapes using text prompts; great for rapid ideation. And Generative Expand extends artwork outward in a way that feels natural, not synthetic. These aren't just demo features; I find myself reaching for them in real projects.

- A UI that rewards commitment

I'll be honest Illustrator's interface has a learning curve. For beginners, the sheer density of tools and panels can feel overwhelming at first. But once you get past that initial climb, it becomes second nature. The logic behind the workspace is deep and consistent, and the creative flow you unlock once you're fluent with it is something I've never found matched in any other design tool. It's the kind of software you grow into, and never grow out of. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Illustrator is still my go-to tool, and I say that without hesitation. But no software is perfect and a few pain points do surface often enough to be worth talking about honestly. These aren't dealbreakers, but they do create friction in real working scenarios.

- Struggles with heavy PSD files:

When I bring large, complex PSD files into Illustrator, the software starts to buckle. It lags, becomes unresponsive, and on a few occasions has crashed entirely taking unsaved work with it. For a tool that's supposed to bridge seamlessly with Photoshop, this is a frustrating inconsistency. It doesn't happen every time, but when it does, it disrupts the flow badly enough to remember. Better memory management or a warning threshold before things collapse would go a long way.

- No integration with tools outside the Adobe family:

I understand that Adobe has its own ecosystem to protect, and Figma is effectively a competitor. But from a user's perspective, especially one paying for a Creative Cloud subscription, the lack of any Figma integration genuinely stings. A lot of UI/UX workflows involve constant back-and-forth between the two tools, and right now that handoff is manual and clunky. Even a basic plugin bridge or import/export compatibility would make a real difference. Locking users into one ecosystem while charging premium pricing feels like a trade-off that doesn't fully respect how designers actually work today.

- No choice of AI model for generative features:

Adobe has done a good job adding AI-powered vector generation, and I do use it. But one limitation stands out: you can't choose which AI model powers the output. Firefly is the default and the only option. For users who have experience with other generative models and want to compare outputs or use a model better suited to a specific style, this feels unnecessarily restrictive. Giving users even a basic model selector would signal that Adobe trusts its product enough to let it compete on merit, not just on lock-in. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What I like best about Adobe Illustrator is the flexibility it gives while creating vector graphics and logos. I’ve been using it since 2014, and for professional design work it still feels one of the most reliable tools. The pen tool, typography controls, layers, and artboards make it easy to handle both simple and detailed projects. I mostly use it for logo and banner design, and the best part is that the designs stay sharp in any size without losing quality. Once you get comfortable with the workflow, designing becomes very smooth and efficient. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

One thing I didn’t like in the beginning was the learning curve. Some tools, especially the pen tool and anchor point editing, can feel confusing for new users. Also, when working on very heavy files with lots of effects or multiple artboards, performance can slow down a bit on older systems. Other than that, I haven’t faced any major issues because overall the software has been reliable for my daily design work. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I use Adobe Illustrator to create and edit custom graphics, logos, icons, event materials, signage, social graphics, and other marketing assets. I love it when I need clean vector artwork that can be resized without losing quality. It solves the problem of needing custom, scalable assets that look professional, giving me more control than template-based tools. I appreciate the control Adobe Illustrator provides for building graphics, making them polished, professional, unique, and practical. I love that I can export in many formats at once and how easy all the features are. The image trace feature is something I use almost every time because it usually does a good job with flat graphics. I also like the tools available such as layers, artboards, alignment tools, and the ability to save and customize my workspace. The Creative Cloud library is very accessible, and I love how easy it is to integrate with other Adobe products. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I think it has a steep learning curve because some tools are not intuitive and it takes a lot of YouTube to discover features. The capabilities are endless, but it just takes a lot of time and learning to figure them all out. I mentioned before but Image Trace can be really hit or miss. Sometimes with a simple line drawing it will have so many paths when it could be a simple line. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I use Adobe Illustrator every day; for me, it is an indispensable tool in graphic design. I find the price excellent and, in addition, I have the entire Adobe suite, which I also generally consider excellent. The program's performance is impeccable, and you can tell that with each update they add more and more tools, especially those related to AI. Adobe Firefly is incredible: I always use it, and the results it generates seem excellent to me. Finally, Adobe's customer support is also excellent; they are usually very helpful and ready to assist you when you need it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Nothing. I love everything this tool has to offer and provide; everything is amazing, and they keep improving it more and more. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like that everything stays sharp no matter how big or small I need it. Drawing and editing paths feels straightforward once you get used to it, and I can hand off a PDF without worrying it’ll look wrong in print. It’s the tool I open when I need clean vector work done without overthinking it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

It can get slow and laggy on big files with lots of artboards or complex effects — fans spin up and simple moves start to stutter. Some tools and panels feel crowded unless you strip the workspace down yourself. And yeah, it’s another subscription, which stings when you only need it sometimes. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Familiarity, feels like home. Long time user, so the evolution of the software has also been impressive to watch. sometimes it's difficult to keep up with it. It's a bread and butter software for me. Can't live without it.

Integrates extremely well with other Adobe CC software. The similarity of of the UI across all of them is great and also fairly customisable. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Somewhat expensive, as the major value lies not in a standalone software but across the suite, and even though over the years it has paid for itself, one has to say that the pricing in my part of the world does pinch a bit. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.