--- title: Inkscape Reviews meta_title: 'Inkscape Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta_description: Filter 417 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how Inkscape works for a business like yours. aggregate_rating: rating_value: 4.4 review_count: 417 scale: '5' date_modified: '2026-08-09' parent_category: name: Graphic Design url: https://www.g2.com/categories/graphic-design --- # Inkscape Reviews **Vendor:** Inkscape **Category:** [Vector Graphics Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/vector-graphics) **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 417 ## About Inkscape Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor available for GNU/Linux, Windows, and macOS. It is widely used for creating both artistic and technical illustrations, including cartoons, clip art, logos, typography, diagrams, and flowcharts. By utilizing vector graphics, Inkscape ensures sharp printouts and renderings at any resolution, unlike raster graphics that are limited by pixel count. The software employs the standardized Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format as its primary format, which is supported by many other applications, including web browsers. Key Features and Functionality: - Object Creation: Inkscape offers a variety of tools for drawing and shaping objects, such as the Pencil tool for freehand drawing, the Pen tool for creating Bézier curves and straight lines, and the Calligraphy tool for producing filled paths that mimic calligraphic strokes. It also includes shape tools for rectangles, ellipses, stars, polygons, and spirals. - Object Manipulation: Users can perform transformations like moving, scaling, rotating, and skewing objects both interactively and by specifying exact numeric values. Inkscape supports grouping objects, layering, and aligning and distributing objects for precise design control. - Text Support: The software provides a comprehensive text tool that allows for multi-line text, full on-canvas editing, and the ability to flow text along a path or into a shape. Users can adjust font, spacing, kerning, and more. - File Format Compatibility: Inkscape can import and export various file formats, including SVG, AI, EPS, PDF, PS, and PNG, facilitating interoperability with other graphic design tools. - Extensibility: Designed to be extensible, Inkscape allows users to customize its functionality with add-ons, enhancing its capabilities to meet specific needs. Primary Value and User Solutions: Inkscape provides a powerful, free alternative to proprietary vector graphics editors, enabling users to create high-quality illustrations without financial barriers. Its support for the SVG standard ensures compatibility and ease of sharing across different platforms and applications. The software's comprehensive feature set, combined with its user-friendly interface and multi-lingual support, makes it accessible to a broad audience, from beginners to professional designers. By offering tools for precise object creation and manipulation, robust text support, and compatibility with various file formats, Inkscape addresses the diverse needs of users seeking a versatile and cost-effective solution for vector graphic design. ## Inkscape Pros & Cons **What users like:** - Users love Inkscape for its **user-friendly interface** , making it easy to learn and enhancing their design experience. (13 reviews) - Users commend Inkscape for being **totally free** , providing essential features comparable to paid software like Adobe Illustrator. (9 reviews) - Users love Inkscape for its **free access to essential vector graphic features** and excellent scalability without quality loss. (8 reviews) - Users love Inkscape for its **intuitive UI** , making vector design accessible even for beginners. (6 reviews) - Users love the **powerful vector design capabilities** of Inkscape, appreciating its free access and community support. (5 reviews) - Users find Inkscape **intuitive and easy to use** , making it accessible for beginners and experienced designers alike. (4 reviews) - Logo Design (4 reviews) - Quality (4 reviews) - Simple (4 reviews) - Tutorials (4 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users find Inkscape lacking essential features like **gradient mesh and free transform** , affecting their overall experience and efficiency. (6 reviews) - Users note the **limitations in essential tools** like gradient mesh and shape building, impacting their design tasks. (5 reviews) - Users report **performance issues** with Inkscape, including slow processing, crashes, and limited file format compatibility. (4 reviews) - Users experience **slow performance** with Inkscape, noting sluggishness with large files and frequent crashes during use. (4 reviews) - Users note the **limited features** of Inkscape, lacking advanced tools found in software like Adobe Illustrator. (3 reviews) - Users find the **interface not intuitive** , making it difficult to navigate and utilize Inkscape's features effectively. (3 reviews) - Technical Issues (3 reviews) - Users find the **color limitations** of Inkscape challenging due to lack of Pantone support and RGB mode only. (2 reviews) - Users note a significant **learning curve** , but find the tool beneficial once they become familiar with its features. (2 reviews) - Limited Image Editing (2 reviews) ## Inkscape Reviews ### 1. A decent workaround for low budgets, an extra machine or in a pinch, not a daily driver **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Kyler B. | Co-Owner / Developer, Design, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 12, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** It's free! And it's methods are pretty open, so there's no proprietary restrictions like its commercial counterparts. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** Its UI is clunky, ugly and what you'd expect from a free product. HEY! The price is right! But it doesn't have the refinement of Illustrator at all. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** Don't plan on this being your daily driver. It's a workaround or an extra tool to have in your box. It's free, so you get more than you pay for. Definitely install it but don't expect a lot! **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** When I need to work on an extra machine without deactivating a creative cloud machine or to open a file that Illustrator is having trouble with. ### 2. As photoshop, but free! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Mauro G. | Coordinatore e-commerce, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 29, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Inkscape is software with many graphical uses. Thanks to the svg format, it is possible to create images that can be modified later in the color/objects/text. it's a great and easy help for the all graphical aspects. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** To use Inkscape on Mac a utility (XQuartz) must be installed. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** Thanks to Inkscape I can create an model banner for my advertising (and modify every time which is need), icons product and all graphic component for my business. ### 3. Clunky, but functional. **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Design | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 06, 2018 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Price is ideal... free. Solid tool set **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** Buggy, minor instability and 4k resolution issues. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** All in all a workable alternative to illustrator, made better by the difference in price. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** Having to work on projects, but with no budget for adobe products. ### 4. Good and powerful vector graphics editor. **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Pablo Estuardo A. | Lecturer, International Affairs, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 07, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** It's an open software that allows you create, edit, import and export vector graphics. If you have the expertise, it could be a good replacement of Adobe Illustrator. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** It has a steep learning curve. It is necessary to check online documentation, manuals and tutorials in order to use it. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** Inkscape requires time and effort from you in order to learn how to use it. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** This software fulfills our graphical design needs. It's a good example of free and open source that works. ### 5. Difficult to start with but very efficient **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Software | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 17, 2018 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Because it is free, we can find good information from the big online community **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** There is not much documentation and tutorials installed locally with the software. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** This is a very specific software which requires time to learn how to be properly used. It is powerful and provide a lot of features. Make sure you take part of the online community and ask your question to take full advantage of it. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** I create and modify images and logo ### 6. Best app and easy to use! **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Arts and Crafts | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 21, 2018 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** I can convert any file to a SVG file to use with my Cricut machine. These is a lot of other file extensions that you can use as well. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** Some of the features being on the sides of the work area. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** Convert files to SVG for customers. ### 7. Inscape for the Basics **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Graphic Design | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 13, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** This program has easy tools to use. It has a very user friendly layout. Easy palettes for drawing. Can save to many different format. Decent for drawing basic vector files and illustrations. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** It has limited abilities and not as many add on tools as Adobe Illustrator. It can import ai files but files are difficult to manipulate and only import on one layer. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** does not have all the brushes and tools as illustrator but has a decent layout and the tools necessary for basic illustration , digital painting and vector work. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** It is a good substitute if you do digital illustrations ### 8. A little clunky, but gets the job done **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Retail | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 27, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** As far as free to use vector creating/editing software goes, you can't beat it. Does all the basic vector editing you could ask for without busting your wallet. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** The learning curve is kind of steep, but once you are over that hurdle, it gets much easier. Perhaps in future versions it will be easier to navigate all the functions. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** Online tutorials are very much your friend. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** Ideal for creating scalable graphics, which benefit us by taking a lot of guess work out of resolution sizes and display across multiple ISPs and interfaces. ### 9. Great functionality, not a lot of support **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Katherine F. | Instructor of Anthropology, Higher Education, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 30, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Inkscape has (at least as far as I've used either program) very comparable functionality to Adobe Illustrator. But, it's free. It's got great flexibility in terms of file formats, as well. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** There is not a lot of support/ documentation available for teaching yourself how to use Inkscape, especially if you are not familiar with vector-based programs. If you are already competent in AI or something similar, you should have no problem picking up Inkscape with the tutorials that are available. However, if you're brand-new, it will be much more difficult. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** If you are new to vector graphics, you should probably familiarize yourself with another program that has more documentation available first. At the very least, sign up for a Skillshare class on Inkscape. There are very few free tutorials floating around, unlike Adobe products. But, the program itself is FREE. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use Inkscape for basic graphic design functions, and for pattern design for my small business. ### 10. Good experience. Takes time to get into it, but works exceptionally well **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Construction | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 01, 2018 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** I really enjoy that this program, although free, can do everything that I need it to do for me. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** I do not know if there is anything bad that I can say about this program. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** Do yourselves a favor and go online to youtube or elsewhere. It will make a VAST difference to your productivity if you know even just the basics **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** I can now create my own logos and do freelancing work. ### 11. Capable Beta **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Design | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 26, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Inkscape is surprisingly very capable for being both free and a beta. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** The developer community is volunteer so the extensions and updates are lacking. It also does not work with .eps files. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** It's great for both personal and business use. Just know that the developers are all volunteers and doing this in their spare time. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** I have been able to use Inkscape to develop complex vector graphics and edit many non-native file types without loss of assets. ### 12. Great open source alternative to Adobe products **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Julie F. | Architect, Architecture & Planning, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 22, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** I like that it is free so I can instantly download and start using it without having to submit a purchase order. It's easy to use and I love that there is open source software for designers. Most design software is very expensive. It was great back when I was a student and had zero money for software. This is part of the suite with Gimp and Scribus. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** It is easy to get used to Adobe's interface and tool shortcuts, so having to remember that they are slightly different is a mild challenge but not worth being negative about. Sometimes X11, required to use Inkscape, needs updating - that's another thing - Inkscape requires that you download XQuartz to use it, which is also free but one more thing to keep track of. At least for Mac. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** I would recommend anyone download it since it is free. However, sometimes iOS and X11 (quartz) don't get along so you have to download it a few times. But that's fairly easy. Also Adobe Creative Suite is subscription based so that may be more appealing to people. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** We use Inkscape as part of our process of making architectural drawings and packages for clients and contractors. It is helpful in rendering. These days we have the Adobe creative suite so I do not use it as much, but I would still use it if I needed design software outside of my office, aka for personal use. ### 13. Inkscape is really easy to use and you get excellent results **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Raymond Z. | Publisher, Publishing, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 18, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Inkscape is really easy to get into, but you do need to know how to draw, obviously. However, the basic tools are there - just like with similair illustration programs, so novice users still can have something ready within minutes. And since the program is open source, there is a lively user base to show you the way if you get lost. I've found a few nice tutorials on youtube. I can't wait for the next update. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** Sometimes the options you need are hard to find and the program structure can be slightly different then you might expect, especially if you are used to Adobe programs. I also had some memory problems. The color management is again not hard to find, but for me I still have no clue how to use the Alpha (opacity). So at some point you do need to read the manual :) **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** Well, Inkscape is a free program with most of the features used by paid programs. It has a slow learning curv, so everyone can use it. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use it mainly for creating art and logo's, and that works. I create book illustrations with Inkscape. In the beginning it was hard to find out how everything worked, but now - less then a year later - I can almost make identical illustrations as I would on paper, but with the benefit that I can easily scale the image. ### 14. Free, and very easy to use! Download product immediately! Get rid of paying so much for licensing. **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Amanda H. | School Sports/Events Editing and Production, Education Management, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 01, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** I really like that it's free. I started using is for creating templates for Student ID's as a school photography company. I was able to go to youtube and find out how to use it in minutes. It is easy to download and get any computer/user up and running in only minutes. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** I have difficulties with bringing images in without backgrounds. You can trace image, but I run into some issues with the layers. Otherwise, the program is so easy to use and I had no problems with using it for what the company needs to use it for. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** You should download this to save yourself fees for licensing using adobe. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** Free and easy way to do simple design work. The tutorials are very easy and so easy to follow. Anyone can pick up using this program for simple to advanced design work. I would recommend this program to any business looking to stop paying so much for licensing on design software. ### 15. Great software! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 18, 2018 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** The best part of this software is that it is free! Also, there are tons of videos online to learn how to use it **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** The software is a bit of a learning curve in the beginning but once you learn it, it gets easier **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** I can create some designs and edits photos with the software. The benefit I realized is that it doesnt cost a dime. ### 16. Basically a free version of Illustrator **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Graphic Design | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 18, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** I basically get premium graphic design software and pay nothing to use it. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** Sometimes processing can take minute but it's not on the clock so it can pretty much do what it wants. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** We need to preserve and advance our graphics but need to preserve and grow our fundage, which with Adobe you are shelling out around $700. And it doesn't take up a lot of room. Its download isn't even 50 Mb. ### 17. Inkscape is highly capable, and also highly free! **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Joshua D. | Assistant Marching Band Director, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 21, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Inkscape is an excellent vector graphics manipulation program, and it's FREE! For my purposes, it has all the functionality of Illustrator. But free. Free is good. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** I worked in digital print production for a few years, during which time I got spoiled by Adobe Illustrator. You can't beat the elegant design of that interface. Inkscape is lacking in attractiveness and intuitiveness of design, but again, you can't beat FREE. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** If you require the beautiful, elegant, ease-of-use you get with the Adobe Creative Suite, then Inkscape is not going to impress you. That said, I have not found any functionality from Adobe Illustrator that is missing in Inkscape. It's just as capable, but in simpler packaging. In my book, that's worth it! The team that created Inkscape has done a remarkable job. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** I work for a nonprofit, and only have moderate design needs. As such, it doesn't make sense to drop hundreds of dollars per year on a Creative Cloud subscription. Inkscape does everything I need it to do, and it's...you guessed it--FREE. Not having to pay for design software allows me to create signage, flyers, business cards, etc. and leverage the added possibilities those graphics offer us, without the overhead of Adobe or another design suite. ### 18. A powerful opensource Vector Graphics Editing Softawre **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Telecommunications | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 30, 2018 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** I enjoy the fact that this freely available software allows me to powerfully edit vector graphics! **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** The interface tends to be a bit clunky especially if you are used to the paid alternative. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** Give this software a try, you will be amazed! **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** The ability to edit logos, and other non-photo images effectively! ### 19. Inkscape is Awesome for Vectors! **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jennifer S. | Primary Photographer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 28, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** It is extremely useful for turning images into vector files. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** It's a little clumsy at times and takes a bit to get used to. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** If you have some time to learn the program it is really useful and has a lot of features. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** I do a lot of logo design and this program helps me make SVG and other vector related files. ### 20. Great free program! **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Massimo N. | Teaching Assistant, Environmental Services, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 14, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** I like the ability to use Inkscape as a tool to modify PNG files that I have saved from R Studio. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** I dislike that some of the tools are not very intuitive and that certain graphic types are not equal with what can be done with each in Inkscape **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** I have been able to use it in order to make my graphs and tables more pleasing after they are exported out of R Studio. The benefit that I have realized is that it can make R Studio more powerful than it already is, allowing for graphics to be improved from the level they are already at. ### 21. Great vector editing tool for personal and work use **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Chad C. | Solutions Engineer, Information Technology and Services, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 22, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** I've been using Inkscape for several years now both personally and professionally. When I tell someone about it, I usually refer to it as "a poor man's Illustrator". Now, granted it doesn't have all the features and power of Illustrator, but Inkscape is still a great piece of free software suitable for use by anyone needing to edit vector graphics. What I like the most: * It's free * You can import .ai files * Pretty easy to learn **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** Remember folks, we are talking about free software here, and I'm not a graphic designer by any stretch, but since you asked: * Interface a little outdated and clunky * When you dock toolbars, the scrolling within them gets annoying **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** Give Inkscape a shot. It's free, what do you have to lose. Google around for tutorials, and there is a ton of stuff on YouTube as well. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use Inkscape at home (on OSX) to create Christmas cards, business cards, assorted simple web graphics from scratch, and logos. At work I use it mainly hack up vector icons. I have created icons at iconsflow.com and brought the vectors into Inkscape to further enhance them. Inkscape is a great piece of software for the occasional graphic artist. ### 22. DXF Conversion is awesome **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Arts and Crafts | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 17, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** I love how easily this software converts images to dxf files **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** For what I use it for I cannot find a flaw **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** If you are looking for easy JPEG, PNG or other image conversion to DXF files this is the right software and its free so whats to loose **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** Converting JPEG to DXF ### 23. Good software with a bit of a learning curve **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Evans W. | Research & Development Research Associate I, Medical Devices, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 28, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Inkscape is able to produce some really professional-looking vector images, if you take some time to learn to learn the ins and outs of its features. The fact that it's free is great, too, considering the high price of other vector graphics software. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** The first few times you use the software, you'll likely end up taking an hour or two just figuring out how to do something simple. The software has a bit of a learning curve, but the payoff is worth it. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** Search around for tutorials online. People have taken a lot of time to document how to perform various tricks. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** This software is great for producing images for scientific papers and posters, where figures need to be rescaled quite a bit. ### 24. Everything I need at the best price of free **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Environmental Services | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 28, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** I am able to create high quality graphics easily. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** The software does crash sometimes particularly when using 3rd party extensions and user installed fonts. Ctrl S is my best friend. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** Why not try it out? - its free! **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** Creation/optimization of graphics for converting into embroidery formats. ### 25. Great for the Price **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Elizabeth W. | Administrative, Marketing, and Communications Coordinator, Writing and Editing, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 29, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Many image and vector editing features. The fact that it's free! **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** It can hang up sometimes on saving and reopening. It doesn't have all the features that Illustrator does. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** Give it a try! It doesn't have a terribly steep learning curve, and it will probably have most of the functions you need if you are a basic user. (If you are a professional graphic designer, your mileage may vary.) **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** Creating logos and vector advertisements. The main benefit is giving us the ability to do it since spending money on software was not in our budget. ### 26. Free vector software that can do most anything you want **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Greg M. | Project Coordinator, Architecture & Planning, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 09, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Inkscape is free, so no need to spend a large amount of money for your vector image tools. Free also means that you can start learning Vector with a competent tool without any financial investment. This is my second corporate position that includes graphic design, and inkscape has been capable of handling everything I have needed to do - from icons to technical drawings to construction cut-sheets to promotional materials to logo design. Every time I needed inkscape to do something, it could. All I had to do was open up youtube and watch a tutorial on how to use that specific tool. I absolutely love this program. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** The only thing I can think of that I dislike is that Inkscape isn't completely stable, so it crashes sometimes. If it crashes and you haven't saved recently, that can suck. But even then it isn't too bad. Inkscape creates a temp recovery save upon crash that you can use to get right back to where you were. Probably don't miss more than a couple minutes of work. It's great. But it would be better if it didn't crash at all. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** As long as you don't mind teaching yourself how to use a piece of software, inkscape is just terrific. Support and training are admittedly lacking compared to an established and paid software like Illustrator, but that's the trade-off you accept by using free software. I really can't tell you how much I love this software and how many different things I use it for. It's just great. One piece of advice. Learn the keyboard shortcuts. Inkscape prides itself on how there are shortcuts for basically everything. Once you have these down by memory, your efficiency can be truly incredible. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** The biggest problem Inkscape has solved for me was providing an easy, inexpensive, accurate way to create drawings to scale. I zoom all the way in and create drawings as if 1 pixel = 1 inch. Accurate scale drawings are invaluable as we provide installation instructions to third-party technicians. Inkscape makes it so easy to create and modify those drawings and then export them to different file types easily. Love it. ### 27. Powerful free open source vector graphics editor **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Michael H. | Inside Sales Representative, Computer Software, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 29, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Adobe Illustrator is one of the truly great works of software ever. With its tremendous power and flexibility and precise, pixel level control over every element on the page, it is simply perfect for producing brochures, flyers - any complex page layout job you can think of. And with all the print and production options - including saving text as curves which ensures fonts are always rendered exactly the way you want them to look - your finished piece can be printed, published to the web or delivered in any required electronic format. Illustrator, however, presents two big problems. The first is cost - it is a very expensive professional tool, and it is priced accordingly. And the second is the learning curve. Using a large vector graphics program is different in many ways from other image editors, and the concepts are often significantly different. This is where Inkscape comes in. Inkscape is a free open source vector graphics program. It originated in 2003 from the Sodipodi project, and has been in constant development since. It is much simpler to use than Illustrator, but it has virtually all of the capabilities and features most people would ever need. It implements the SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) specification as its native file format, but can import and export most other proprietary and publishing formats. Inkscape runs natively on Linux and Windows, but the OSX version requires the XQuartx X Windows server. Whether you use it for Illustration or page layout, Inkscape will work very well. You can precisely control the placement, location and paths of all objects on the page, allowing tremendous flexibility in producing publications and collateral that cannot be approached by even modern word processors. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** The primary challenge to using Inkscape is its rather clunky handling of .eps (Encapsulated PostScript) files. .eps is the standard interchange format for the printing industry, and I found I was better off just using the SVG native format and avoiding .eps altogether **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** It's free. Download it, install it and poke it with a stick. I think you'll find a lot more uses for it than think you will. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** If you want to create a professional complex document - with columns, images, text boxes, pull quotes etc - the first time you use Inkscape will be a revelation. You just dump all your page elements onto the artboard and start arranging them. In no time you can effortlessly produce a document just as you visualized it, without any of the typical frustration and compromises. ### 28. Love Inkscape **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Apparel & Fashion | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 23, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** I love everything on inkscape, especially the tutorals **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** there is nothing I dislike about inkscape **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** if you need a easy way to make a vector image this is the way to go! **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** all different, helps when I make logos, easy way to make vector images ### 29. Inkscape the alternative to illustrator **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Apparel & Fashion | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 13, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Inkscape is a good alternative because it has the same capabilities as Illustrator and CorelDraw, the programs par excellence for managing vector files. Inkscape is a free program, Files created in Illustrator open without problems in Inkscape and allow to be edited **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** It does not have the Pantone palette, possible problems of compatibility with some files, no preview of effects and filters, certain functions that do not exist. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** Is a great tool for vectorization **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** Ink scape is my backing for when illustrator fails, I do not use it much per me to solve almost the same amount of problems when designing as illustrator. ### 30. Pleasantly surprised **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Research | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 14, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Inkscape has some very nice features relating to path and object selection. Opacity control of the layers and objects is likewise stable and useable. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** Inkscape is an excellent product for the price:-), but for me, the CMYK colour management leaves a lot to be desired. The process of automatically substituting black for the third component trichromatic subtractive colour is most annoying. I understand that Cyan, Magenta and Yellow make a theoretical black; but in reality the resulting colour is a very dark brown and in the printing process blacK is used for tonal depth and shade. This short-cut to on-screen colour matching denies the user the opportunity to make the colour profile one really wants. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** Charts, diagrams and maps are the main areas of use. ### 31. Inkscape, best free vector graphics editor **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Sergio S. | Marketing Digital y Analista de Datos, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 13, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Inkscape allows me to edit images with great flexibility. It also allows me to vectorize bitmaps in a very simple and perfect way. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** There is no direct compatibility with adobe illustrator. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** I usually edit many images for projects and web design. ### 32. Inkscape is Awesome **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Internet | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 20, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** The best thing about Inkscape is it look as if it's like Adobe InDesign or something because of the fact with it you can create logos, vector-based drawings, flyers and other print-based creations. This is very easy to use, especially if you're a beginner in graphic design. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** There is nothing bad about this program. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** If you are new to graphic design and your speciality as either a freelancer or whether you work for a design firm, take advantage of Inkscape. It's very user-friendly and let your Design Director know (if you work for a design firm) as well. They would be pleased! **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** For business problems, there aren't any. If there were, they would be solved. For example, needing that logo tweaked, and it would be corrected. The benefits I would realize from this is the fact that Inkscape can be a solution to designer's problems for business that's why I find it useful. ### 33. Good open source svg editor **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Fernando G. | Research & Development Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 29, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** The utilities to manipulate svg on a free software **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** Some tasks are not easy to find for the first time **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** The creation of high quality images ### 34. A more-than-adequate stand-in for Adobe Illustrator **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Taylor M. | Web Designer / Developer, Computer Software, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 19, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Inkscape handles vector graphics creation on a number of platforms. It borrows some (but not all) of the features from Adobe Illustrator, and has its own take on vector design as well with several unique tools. Once you understand the point of vector-based design and how to navigate some of the basic tools, you find that Inkscape works remarkably intuitively. I have created dozens of posters, flyers, and logos using this software and almost never have I felt that it was missing a feature. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** On occasion, Inkscape struggles to handle large files and you may find them corrupted. It operates using the vector SVG file format, which is essentially a large XML file. When my files have become corrupt (again, rarely) I have sometimes been able to go into the file itself and find an issue. Inkscape is also not great at importing non-Inkscape files (.eps, .ai) although it does its best. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** If you can afford the Adobe Illustrator cost, it is better from a stability and compatibility point of view. If you cannot, Inkscape will fit the bill. You will not be constantly wishing you could get Illustrator, and in time will be quite happy with Inkscape in spite of its occasional flaw. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** Inkscape allows me to create both simple and complex designs for digital and print publications. Using a vector format, these designs are extremely flexible and can be easily repurposed. ### 35. Inkscape: More than just the poor man's Illustrator. **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Steph H. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 09, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** What I like most about Inkscape is the fact that it's fairly simple to learn. While it doesn't have all the functions of its paid counterparts, it has a lot of features and it fun to work with. I would say that it is also worth the time and effort to learn, simply because it's free. It also has both PC and Mac platforms, so it's easy to find a version that's compatible with your computer! **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** The only downside that I've found to working with Inkscape is that it doesn't support imported files well. I began working with Inkscape by attempting to alter previously created images, and there were a couple of clashes with fonts and colors. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** It's free, it's relatively simple, and I think it'd be worth your while to give it a try! **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** Inkscape provides a free, simple, fairly comparable alternative to paying hundreds of dollars for programs like Adobe's Creative Suite. From what I can tell, it's possible that it may also take the place of programs like InDesign that are created for layout design. ### 36. The best (free) vector app you will ever need **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Phillipe C. | Owner, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 03, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** It is a very easy to use application. It has a clean interface, very similar to Corel Draw, so Corel Draw users will feel (almost) at home; Adobe Illustrator users, not that much. Since it is an open-source application, it can be improved by plugins that you can find that help you or by creating your own (if you have the development skills for that). The "Trace Bitmap" tool is a very useful tool. You can import Adobe Illustrator files with a good acuracy (most of the times). It is free (what more can you ask for?) **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** There are still some issues with Inkscape: 1. The .AI file import is not always useful (but that seems more like Adobe's fault) 2. There is only PNG export. That is usually good, since you want to export a quality image, but a JPEG export would be nice when you want to show just a preview of the work. 3. I like the interface, but some dialogs can get a visual improvement. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** If you are new in vector design, Inkscape is definitely a great tool to start with since it is free and powerful. If you are experienced, you can also take advantage of it to create great vector graphics. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** When you work as a freelancer (like me), something you struggle when it comes to buy software. With applications like Inkscape you can get a powerful application at no cost at all. ### 37. Inkscape review **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Research | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 23, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** I love inkscape! It is a great product, i use the program R/R Studio frequently, and one of the issues with it is that it produces images and plots that do not have a good or high resolution. Inkscape allows you to fix that issue by boosting the resolution to whatever you need, in addition, to being able to easily fix or edit your image when saved to a file such as a .svg file. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** Some of the commands and applications can be confusing to use or understand at first. I played around with the program for awhile before completing understanding it, but once i got past the learning curve it was easy to use. In saying this there are some functions i still do not fully understand. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** If you need a program that is capable of editing images along with many other possibilities, then this is your program. It is capable of using many different file types, which is a great function of this program. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** As i previously said, I use this program a lot in conjunction with the program R. I use it frequently to boost the resolution of my images and to edit my images when need be, such as changing a colour. ### 38. Great Software - Even Better Price **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Bruce H P. | Lead Project Manager, Information Technology and Services, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 12, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** This is a very powerful vector graphics tool, for a very low price. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** As with any free product there is no structured support. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** We use this for creating and editing vector based graphics. ### 39. Best for fun, not for professionals though. **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Dimitrios A. | UX Designer, Furniture, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 14, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** It's the only program that can give illustrator a hard time, since it's free while the later is quite very expensive. It has a really good image trace feature and zoom tool is great. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** Though it does have most of the necessary functional features required for vectors, it seems that there wasn't much attention given to the usability and overall design of the app. A small UX interview cycle with professional designers while creating a logo / a wireframe etc would really improve it. Also, I tried to install plugins more than 20 times, it NEVER worked. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** Good for amateur use or early professionals. Needs improvements in order to be used for commercial purposes by mid or senior level designers. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** Inkscape helped me create vector graphics and sell them while I was an early professional and couldn't afford Adobe suite. I am a UX/UI Designer and I created logos, wireframes and hi-fi prototypes with various programs like Inkscape, Gimp, Illustrator, Photoshop and Sketch. Inkscape can really shake the market if it acquires some essential features from illustrator and moves towards the whole prototyping scene that sketch has. Since sketch doesn't have a windows app, Inkscape can totally acquire that userbase. ### 40. Mac user love-hate relationship with Inkscape. **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Szymon L. | Analytics Specialist, Banking, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 23, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Inkscape lives up to it's promise. Over the years I've been using several apps for vector graphics but Inkscape has always been the most reliable tool. Apart from that it's full featured and contains tons of useful extensions and gives me possibility to write my own extensions in Python. It's also very lightweight which is great if you cannot afford running a feature-stuffed solution that takes half of you RAM away, **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** Inkscape for Mac OSX is running on X11 which makes it look and feel very alien in this environment. It doesn't have that lean and nice unterface which is common to almost any OSX app. While this might not be an issue for most users it alone is what drives me away from Inkscape. Mainly to my own doom, since everything else I try fails from a technical point. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** If you are a didicated OS X user you might find Inkscape a bit ugly but it's a very reliable and mature tool. It provides a simple yet powerful interface that is easy to grasp if you are a beginer but is also very flexible and provides a good extensions mechanism for power users. For all your questions and issues you can always turn to a helpful and experienced Inkscape community. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** I turn over to Inkscape for creating and manipulating simple vector graphics, logos and website elements. For some repeatable tasks I either find a community extensions or easily write my own. ### 41. Interesting Open Source Alternative **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Kev Z. | Creativo Gráfico, Marketing and Advertising, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 06, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Inkscape is a open source vector graphics editor, and as such is a free alternative to Illustrator or Corel Draw. One of the most interesting aspects of Inkscape, of course, is the price. You can get the most up to date version of Inkscape for free and you will get a masive amount of resources, tutorials and support from its huge community. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** Inkscape is a very complete software but it lacks the massive powerhouse of development that Adobe has. That reflects in the fact that Inkscape is missing several critical features, such as a proper CMYK color space support. Also, the user interface is really dated and needs some improvement, not only on the functional level but antithetically. It's pretty cool what a community can accomplish working for free just for the love for programming and sharing, but make no mistake, this is no Illustrator. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** Don't expect a bulky program like Illustrator. Inkscape is much more modest, but it has enough merit and a very interesting set of tools that might help you to solve certain problems on a digital medium. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** I've been using Inkscape, mostly, for personal projects. Vector Illustrations for web and some other design works that are not made to be printed on a physical media. ### 42. When you get used to, the best. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** César V. | Diseño web , Design, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 11, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** The way the interface works, even with some little flaws I find it more comfortable than Adobe Illustrator. To explain a little this, the accessibility of some functions that i think are the most important when working with vector graphics. After this it would be the lovely color picker, It's just the best. Then it would be the text tool, with everything that I need at one or two clicks. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** Some bugs with some fonts, sometimes if the font has not well defined weights, only one weight is visible. Even when in my personal computer I run only linux based OS, in the office I have mac, so it really annoy me that there is no decent osx version. The last complain is actually a little one, the keyboard shortcuts by default are not intuitive at all. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** Forget all but the basic concepts of vector graphics, this is not illustrator and it foes not take a similar approach. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** First of all, no piracy. In mexico, where I live and work, there is almost no one that are willing to purchase a license of any software. Also, the ease when making interactive vector graphics for web, it's just way easy than with other software. ### 43. Amazing App **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Whelyton C. | Ilustrador freelancer, Design, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 17, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Inkscape is free. And one of the best free applications . Is possible make professional works on this program . It is very intuitive and has a friendly interface . it has responsive and functional tools . Bitmap automatic vectorization works better than in other programs . **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** Just Three things I do not like in Inkscape. The Pen Tool - is not as functional as the adobe illustrator pen tool for example. because in adobe illustrator it is possible to do sequential curves with the pen tool. In the inkscape is not . Absence of Smart Guides. It is guides that help us to align with precision the shapes. on Inkscape have a similar tool but it is not too functional and simple as Illustrator Smart Guides . CMYC Support - Is not possible work with CMYC profile in Inkscape . This limits very much this app. Because for many designers this function is indispensable . **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** Inkscape is free. And one of the best free applications . Is possible make professional works on this program . It is very intuitive and has a friendly interface . it has responsive and functional tools . Bitmap automatic vectorization works better than in other programs . Just Three things I do not like in Inkscape. The Pen Tool - is not as functional as the adobe illustrator pen tool for example. because in adobe illustrator it is possible to do sequential curves with the pen tool. In the inkscape is not . Absence of Smart Guides. It is guides that help us to align with precision the shapes. on Inkscape have a similar tool but it is not too functional and simple as Illustrator Smart Guides . CMYC Support - Is not possible work with CMYC profile in Inkscape . This limits very much this app. Because for many designers this function is indispensable . **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am studying and learning the better way to work with Inkscape . But I still do not make money with this app . I think if the problem with pen tool and smart guides and CMYC support were solved, all designers and illustrators could work with the Inkscape instead adobe illustrator or Corel Draw, because this app is very good and free . ### 44. Good tool for vectorial images **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Software | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 14, 2017 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** It is easy to draw vectorial figures. The aligning tool is also really useful. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** The gradient tool. It is hard to work with gradients. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use inkscape for prototyping apps. I can create high fidelity prototypes. ### 45. Inkscape does it all **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Nuno C. | Lead UI/UX Architect, Information Technology and Services, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 28, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** The easy to use and simple UX allows a short learning curve and a good experience for anyone that wants to do graphic / web design. It's really great to do vector graphics. Inkscape is from the community, to the community, so, expect very user-friendly tools (most is more easer and faster to use than some of Adobe's) that makes it fun and a joy to work with. Major features that I like best: - UX - tools - SVG capabilities - XML editing - easy exporting options **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** - lack of color options, like (real CMYK) and Pantone, so it isn't very printable friendly - lack of artboards **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** From my past experience, with Inkscape, I managed to: - design mockups for web apps - webdesign - logo design - flyers - icons - posters Other major feature that was very helpful: the ability to edit PDFs, it came very handy. Also, Inkscape allows to edit / export to XML, which was very important to work for some web apps. Back in the old 2.1 CSS days, I managed to do some gradients directly in the html by using SVG from Inkscape, using classes for the different objects, so I could change them, via CSS. This example shows what I managed to do with Inkscape to design and help releasing a product in the area of physiotherapy: https://www.behance.net/gallery/4111667/bioPLUX-clinical ### 46. The most convenient vector editor with the average functionality **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Руслан . | ui/ux, Internet, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 17, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** For version Inkscape 0.46 (because it is the fastest version) 1) I love inkscape for extremely fast and convenient editing of curves and gradients on the fly. Changing the type of node in curve, rounded rectangle, the position adjustment of colors and transparency in the gradient. And also in the stroke. In general, everything that is often used is made very convenient. This is the reason why I use inkskape rather than an illustrator. 2) "Drawing in a text editor" and it's true! All that is in the document can be edited in notepad. Conveniently in the development of mobile applications and sites. I use it to automatically replace the color, fill color, gradient color node, stroke color, letters, make AutoCorrect text in the entire document. Automatically process the document and export certain areas 3) clones and linked images are ideal for repetitive buttons, windows and so on. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** In order of priority: - all that above version 0.46 work slowly (for windows). Цith each version slower and slower. - there is no easy way to make a group of multi-colored objects darker, has a long and rough function "more darker". And so on: light, dark, change the shade of all selected objects :( - no gradient mesh - you can't underline text, but you will have to manually make a dash for it :( - you can't make a different width strokes in different parts of it, but you can apply - a multi-colored and transparent gradient - you can't make a custom stroke, only predefined dashed/dotted - hotkeys via text editor - no pixel-perfect auto-align, but it can be done with autohotkey **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** If you do not need advanced features such as custom brushes and gradient mesh, ready to deal with the hot keys, this is the perfect vector graphics editor with everything you need. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** With the inkscape I make almost 80% of all tasks. Designing interfaces and websites, illustration, simply jot down ideas, all here to do quickly and easily. 20% is a photoshop. ### 47. Inkscape, a great tool for the freelance designer **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Roberto D. | Programador y administrador de sistemas, Internet, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 19, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** This is a great tool for any small company or freelance designer who can’t afford (or doesn’t want to pay) the licenses of the Adobe Creative software. Inkscape is free and open source, it’s available in all major operating systems and you can donwload it and start working in minutes. It's intuitive and easy to master for anyone who has experience in vector drawing software. CorelDraw users will find it extremely familiar, but it will be easy too for those who come from Freehand or Illustrator. His set of tools and features cover most of the needs in everyday design work. It is rare to find something that Inkscape can not do, either natively or with an addon. I really like the Trace Bitmap tool, very useful to create icons or line art which I use in my desktop publishing and design projects. Inkscape is developed by the open source community and in recent years has become very active. That means that users can report their problems or the functionalities they would like to see implemented in future releases. There is a lot of documentation online to answer questions about common tasks or to help in the migration if we come from Illustrator. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** The user interface needs polishing, sometimes it feels a little bit old. A redesign to unclutter the space would be good. Some properties windows, like the one to export to PNG, are so big that whe you use them the working space left seems very small (in an standard screen). Anyway, you can detach them and arrange them as you wish. Right now there is no easy way to create multipage documents, but I believe they are going to implement this feature in next releases. I you want to create a PDF with more than one page, you have to do it by yourself. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** My advice is to consider what kind of design work you do in a daily basis. If you don’t do specialized tasks requiring very specific tools (CMYK support, gradient meshes or multiple pages for example), Inkscape will cover all your needs. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** When you work as a freelance designer one of the problems is the price of the software. With Inkscape you can create professional projects from day one without any investment. There are other tools like Photoshop that are standard among designers and it’s difficult (if not impossible) to find them a substitute. However Inkscape is a real and fully functional alternative to Illustrator. ### 48. Inkscape made me love vector graphics **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Shubham S. | Senior Creative Designer, Information Technology and Services, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 19, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** I love the simple interface and the fast functionality. I always wanted to enter into the world of vector graphics but was afraid of illustrator. When someone introduced me to inkscape, it seemed so easy and fun. You can focus on the design going in your mind without worrying about the tools and the interface because it is so easy. To end with, the size of inkscape is nothing when compared to illustrator. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** Umm... I dislike rhe fact that it crashes. I dislike the fact that it lacks vector brushes. I dislike the fact that it can't export jpegs standalone. I dislike the fact that the it doesn't show whether an update is available. I dislike the fact that inkscape people don't roll out updates. There have been just one update till now, from .48 to. 91 **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** Must try. It's fastest when comes to seeing your concepts on screen instantly. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use it to make UI for mobile apps. I use it to make logo concepts and then final logos too. ### 49. The Best Way to Get Started with Vectors **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jordan L. | Graphic Designer and Illustrator, Media Production, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 18, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Inkscape offers a fantastic way to get started creating professional vector graphics. Contrary to popular belief, this software is not merely a freeware alternative to Adobe Illustrator, but rather a fully functional, viable solution. Admittedly my first experience with Inkscape came while searching for a way to explore vector graphics without making the steep investment to acquire Adobe Illustrator, but having now used both Inkscape and Illustrator extensively to create major projects I can honestly say that Inkscape competes very well and even has some notable advantages. I feel the interface is very natural and easier to use when compared to other programs. For example I am very fond of the default node size. Editing paths and altering bezier handles is a breeze! Not so with Adobe's tiny edit points. Inkscape also comes packaged with many great extensions and filters for creating complex vector items such as gears, calendars, barcodes, and even fonts. All of which have proved to be a major help when working on detailed, technical projects. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** Every once in a while Inkscape does tend to show its freeware nature. It is occasionally buggy and perhaps more prone to crashes than industry standard software. Some extensions seem to be glitchy at times or require more computing resources than expected. Regarding functionality, my only wish would be for a CMYK mode. Overall the pros far outweigh the cons and the drawbacks listed here have not occurred frequently enough to be a major problem. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** Inkscape works great as a stand alone software for many vector graphic projects. Yet, even if you already have a preferred vector editor Inkscape is a great compliment to any design software suite. I encourage every digital designer to download it and experiment with its unique features. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** While my exposure to Inkscape began with a quest to use good software without having to break the bank or use pirated material, it quickly proved to be a completely professional tool that I have grown to love. Inkscape is now a standard part of my design software arsenal. ### 50. Inkscape: the priceless but free design tool **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Elizabeth H. | French Tutor, Graphic Design, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 17, 2016 **What do you like best about Inkscape?** Inkscape is a vector graphics tool that allows users to create and manipulate designs just about as well as any Adobe software. The platform works very well with Windows and Linux operating systems. The software is also free for download from source forge. There is not another software out there like Inkscape that can stand on its own two feet in face of Adobe softwares. For me, Inkscape was a must-have as a young designer who couldn't afford brand-name software. As I compare Inkscape to the industry standard, Adobe Illustrator, I often realize that there are functions of Inkscape that are far easier to perform than certain Illustrator functions. Inkscape is a powerful platform and I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in design or computer graphic arts. **What do you dislike about Inkscape?** The biggest con for me with Inkscape was that it does not have very good compatibility with Mac operating systems. When I transitioned from Windows to Mac, it was difficult to find the extra add-ons that had to be installed in order to put Inkscape on my Mac. I hope Inkscape continues developing better support for Mac computers. Additionally, since Adobe is now the industry platform in the design world, I think it would be very beneficial for Inkscape to implement better compatibility when switching between softwares by allowing for a wider range of file extensions. **Recommendations to others considering Inkscape:** If designing for a customer, make sure that you will be able to save and export Inkscape files to be compatible with the customer's needs. If working with multiple designers, make sure before beginning that file extensions will be supported across all platforms as many designers use Adobe software. **What problems is Inkscape solving and how is that benefiting you?** I originally heard about Inkscape when I was in high school. At that point, it was the most reasonable option since it allowed all the functionality needed in a vector program at an undeniable rate: free. I now have over 5 years of experience with the program and feel very confident when recommending it to friends and students. When I began teaching into to graphic design classes to middle school and high school aged students, I would always use Inkscape because it was a software platform that they could go home an install and continue learning as opposed to a program like Adobe, which many young students would probably be unable to afford. I think that Inkscape provides a great educational opportunity and allows users to experience the world of design and vector imaging without a financial commitment. ## Inkscape Discussions - [Is there an image trace function?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-there-an-image-trace-function) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [how to save files and can edit with other design software](https://www.g2.com/discussions/39930-how-to-save-files-and-can-edit-with-other-design-software) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [how can you deal with freezing and slowdowns.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/37764-how-can-you-deal-with-freezing-and-slowdowns) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [Is there an easy way to import .eps and .ai files?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/24732-is-there-an-easy-way-to-import-eps-and-ai-files) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [Can you upgrade to other versions?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/can-you-upgrade-to-other-versions) - 4 comments, 1 upvote - [View Inkscape pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/inkscape/reviews?page=7&qs=pros-and-cons§ion=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-08-10+06%3A31%3A09+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=a0b9a620-ce50-459f-8476-428f6811a352&secure%5Btoken%5D=17fe0e8c28ffb51c2df2249e151570839e5d35f7433ea15e2b31aba4ed97d81f&format=llm_user) ## Inkscape Integrations - [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) - [GIMP](https://www.g2.com/products/gimp/reviews) ## Inkscape Features **Additional Functionality** - Third-Party Integrations - To-Do List - @mentions - Single Sign On - File Management - Activity Dashboard - Drag & Drop - Alerts/Notifications - Prioritization - Access Controls/Permissions - Screen Sharing - Content Management - Brainstorming - AI Copilot - File Transfer - Calendar Management - Status Tracking - Real-Time Notifications - Version Control - Task Management - Activity Tracking - Real Time Editing - Communication Management - Chat/Messaging - Tagging - Generative AI - Assignment Management - Task Scheduling - Project Management - Collaboration Tools - Workflow Management - Secure Data Storage - File Sharing - Document Storage - Task Progress Tracking - Discussions/Forums - Commenting/Notes - Reporting & Statistics - Contact Management - Video Conferencing - Progress Tracking - Mobile Access - API - Document Management - Customizable Branding **Additional Functionality** - Data Visualization - Mobile App - AI Copilot - Commenting/Notes - Text Editing - Custom Brushes - Generative AI - Watermarking - Engagement Tracking - Pattern, Color & Art Storage - Version Control - API - Third-Party Integrations - Collaboration Tools - Design Templates - Search/Filter - Secure Data Storage - Workflow Management - Data Storage Management - Interactive Content - Drag & Drop Editor - Video Editing - Preview Functionality - Multi-Language - Image Editing - Content Import/Export - Customizable Branding - Content Management - CAD Tools - Content Library - Custom Fonts - 3D Digital Asset Management - Design Management - Presentation Tools - Social Media Integration - Print Management **Additional Functionality** - Document Imaging - Categorization/Grouping - Animation - File Management - Design Management - Document Templates - Configurable Workflow - Image Library - Custom Development - Activity Dashboard - Document Storage - Data Import/Export - Application Management - Templates - For Websites - Labeling - Multiple Format Support - 2D Drawing - Synchronous Editing - Project Management - Pattern, Color & Art Storage - Customizable Templates - Collaboration Tools - Activity Tracking - Image Editing - Third-Party Integrations - Preview Functionality - Tagging - WYSIWYG Editor - Generative AI - Image Tracing - Rendering - Sketching and Annotation Tools - Text Editing - Traceability - Workflow Management - AI Copilot - Reporting/Analytics - Drag & Drop - Content Library - For Vector Illustrations - Data Extraction **Design** - Graphics - Templates - Themes **Collaboration** - Multi-User Collaboration - Real-Time Communication **File Types** - Export - Import - Web Publishing **Edit & Revise** - Revision History - Suggestion Mode - Document Editor **Integrate & Embed** - Calendar - Website - Applications **Operating System** - PC Operating System - Mac Operating System - Linux Operating System **Generative AI** - AI Text Generation - AI Text Summarization - AI Text-to-Image - AI Text-to-Speech - AI Image-to-Text **Agentic AI - Document Creation** - Proactive Assistance ## Top Inkscape Alternatives - [Adobe Illustrator](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-illustrator/reviews) - 4.6/5.0 (6,063 reviews) - [Sketch](https://www.g2.com/products/sketch/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (1,209 reviews) - [CorelDRAW](https://www.g2.com/products/coreldraw/reviews) - 4.3/5.0 (540 reviews)