Inkscape is an open-source alternative to Adobe Illustrator for Linux. Although it's possible to run Adobe products on Linux using compatibility layers and virtual machines, when you're serious about performance, using a native Linux app is the best way to go.
Installing and setting up Inkscape on Linux is easy. All you need to do is use the package manager that comes preinstalled on your Linux machine. Here's how to get started.
Install Inkscape on Ubuntu and Debian
Inkscape is available in the official Ubuntu and Debian repositories and you can install it using APT by running:
sudo apt install inkscape
To download the Inkscape snap package on Ubuntu, run:
snap install inkscape
Install Inkscape Graphically Using Ubuntu Software
If you're not fond of the terminal and don't like typing lengthy commands, you can install Inkscape graphically, using Ubuntu Software.
To begin, launch Ubuntu Software from the applications menu and click the Search button in the top-left. Type "Inkscape" and wait for the results to pop up.
Select Inkscape from the list and on the following page, click Install to get the package.
Ubuntu Software will download the snap version of Inkscape by default. To install the DEB package from the official repositories instead, switch software sources by selecting the Universe repository from the dropdown menu located at the top-right corner.
You can also install the Inkscape development version by selecting the appropriate source from the list.
How to Install Inkscape on Arch Linux
On Arch Linux-based distributions, you can install Inkscape using Pacman by typing:
sudo pacman -S inkscape
You can also install the development version with the latest updates from the Arch User Repository (AUR) using yay:
yay -S inkscape-git
Get Inkscape on Fedora and RHEL
Installing Inkscape on Fedora and other RHEL-based Linux distros is a piece of cake. All you need to do is run:
sudo dnf install inkscape
Install the Inkscape Flatpak on Linux
Some Linux distributions, Fedora Silverblue for instance, have adopted Flatpak and offer it as the default package manager. On such distros, you can install Inkscape by running:
flatpak install flathub org.inkscape.Inkscape
This command will work on all Linux distros, provided you've Flatpak installed on your machine.
How to Uninstall Inkscape on Linux
When you're done with Inkscape and want it off your system, run the following uninstallation commands depending on the distro you're using.
To remove the Inkscape DEB package on Ubuntu and Debian, run:
sudo apt autoremove inkscape
Uninstall the Inkscape snap version on Ubuntu by typing:
snap remove inkscape
For those who've downloaded Inkscape from Ubuntu Software, search for it in the installed apps list and click Uninstall to remove the package.
You can remove Inkscape from Arch Linux using this one-liner:
sudo pacman -Rns inkscape
On Fedora and RHEL, run:
sudo dnf remove inkscape
To remove the Inkscape Flatpak from your system, run:
flatpak uninstall flathub org.inkscape.Inkscape
Inkscape is the open-source equivalent of Adobe Illustrator on Windows and macOS. Switching to another software and adapting to the change can be hard, but only until you stumble upon the right tool that gets the work done as efficiently as the last one. There are plenty of Adobe Illustrator alternatives for Linux other than Inkscape.
Designing Vector Graphics on Linux With Inkscape
Linux distros are light on resources and perform better in comparison to Windows. That, combined with open-source tools like Inkscape makes Linux a dream come true for digital artists.
You don't have to stop at Inkscape. Linux has a plethora of open-source software geared toward graphic designers and illustrators. The best part? They're all available to download for free, with no hidden costs whatsoever.