Adobe Illustrator is the default choice for anyone who needs high-quality graphic design software. But Adobe's subscription model is pretty expensive, and you can't use Illustrator online—it only works on Windows and Mac. If you're a hobbyist on a budget, use Linux or a Chromebook, or want a more mobile option, what can you do?

Fortunately, there are plenty of free, browser-based Adobe Illustrator alternatives you can try. Not only do you not have to pay for them, but they'll work on any device running any operating system. That makes them probably the closest you'll get to Adobe Illustrator online.

1. Vectr

vectr illustrator online alternative

With support for all major browsers as well as a downloadable extension for the Chrome browser, Vectr is a simple tool for creating quick vector designs. It isn't as feature-rich as some of its rivals, but that means there's a shorter learning curve. And it has strengths for particular types of usage.

Vectr is especially good for creating social media cover pages. There are preset document sizes, and it's easy to import photos and add your own text on top. There's seamless cloud integration too. Every image has its own URL that you can share with anyone, or you can export your finished work in the SVG, PNG, and JPEG formats.

2. Inkscape

Inkscape basic shapes

Inkscape has long been established as one of the best free Illustrator alternatives. While it's always been a desktop program, you can also use it in-browser through the RollApp service. The effect is a little strange, since you get the full desktop UI crammed into a browser window. However, once you switch the browser to full-screen mode, it works much better.

Inkscape is a powerful piece of software. There's a learning curve, both in terms of mastering its tools and in that it uses a whole different set of keyboard shortcuts.

It's also a tad slow. Using Inkscape with RollApp is ideal when you need to edit on the go, but in most cases, you're better off installing the desktop software.

3. Boxy SVG

Boxy SVG online vector editor

Boxy SVG is an SVG editor that works in the best Chromium-based browsers like Chrome or Brave. It also has a desktop version for Windows, Mac, and Chrome OS.

Boxy works natively with SVG files, so you never need to export your images when you're ready to use them, and can easily open them in other image-editing apps. It also means you can output HTML code for your images, which you can paste straight into a web page. If you prefer, you can create normal image files in JPEG, PNG, WebP, and GIF formats.

So what features do you get? All the basics are here. There are lots of shape drawing tools, plus a pen and various curve tools. You also get plenty of type options, including integration with Google Fonts. Plus, support for clipping masks gives you the power to create more complex works.

We found Boxy's interface to be a little tricky to master at first, but it's a fast and very capable online Illustrator alternative, so is worth persevering with.

4. SVGEdit

svgedit

SVGEdit is a free and open-source Illustrator alternative you can use to create, open, and save vector images in the SVG format. It offers all the core tools you'd expect. You can draw lines, create paths, add text, and design shapes, and there's a basic shape library to help. You can set strokes and fills, and view your image in wireframe mode.

There are no extras, though, and it's a pain to do even slightly more advanced things, like adding your own fonts. And there's no denying that it will take you a while to get your head around the interface.

But for creating quick web graphics it works just fine, especially as you can quickly copy the XML code for your image to paste into your website without needing to save.

5. Canva

Canva basic design

Canva is a very popular and easy-to-use browser-based design tool. It offers more than 250,000 free templates for every type of user and purpose. You can use it to create logos, eBook covers, posters, ads, and a lot more.

You don't get much control. There aren't any drawing tools, so it's not possible to create something from scratch. Instead, you just pick the template and customize it to taste. And that's the point. Canva is about simplification. You can create some beautiful, complex, and very professional-looking designs without any design skills.

The free version gives you a generous 5GB of cloud storage. You can upgrade that to 1TB with a paid plan, which gives you many more features and tools to use to really expand your work.

6. Figma

Figma design software

Figma is a great alternative to Canva. Aimed at professional or serious users who may already know how to use Illustrator, the app has a growing reputation. It comes with an Adobe-style subscription plan but has a free offering that lets you create three projects and work in a team with two members.

Figma is primarily built for interface design and fully supports files made in Sketch, another popular pro design tool. It also has mobile apps for iOS and Android that you can use to preview your designs on the fly.

The learning curve is steep with its online illustrator tool, but there's little you can't do with Figma. There's both support for Google Fonts and your own imported, offline fonts. It's easy to create shapes or design custom shapes through a Pathfinder-like tool, and there's full mask support. You can also save them as Components to reuse in your other projects.

When you're finished, you can export your work as PNG, JPEG, or SVG files, or just copy out your styles as CSS code.

7. Pixlr X

pixlr x

Pixlr X is another Canva-style design app that can replace Illustrator, and also offers Pixlr E as an alternative to Photoshop.

The app is built for creating things like posters, logos, and other quick designs, and works best if you have ready-made graphics to import or use the pre-supplied templates and other elements—some of which require a subscription to unlock fully. Without basics like a Pen tool, you can't create complex images from scratch.

It takes a little while to get used to. Pixlr X combines vector and raster image editing into the same screen, so you can use it to touch up your photos and then add text and shapes to complete your design. You can save in a number of formats including JPEG, PNG, WebP, and PDF.

There are also some neat animation features that let you fade items in or move them around on screen. You can export these as MP4 files.

8. Vecteezy Editor

Vecteezy editor

If you have an existing SVG file that you want to tweak, Vecteezy is a good choice. It's best for editing files or making very simple icons and logos rather than creating larger pieces of work.

This is due to the simplicity of the app. You get pen and type tools and not much else. Instead, there are heaps of pre-designed shapes and pre-drawn illustrations that you can import into your work. Templates are promised for the future, too. Saving files is trivial: just choose to export as either an SVG or PNG and your final image downloads instantly.

9. Janvas

janvas

Janvas is not free but it takes the final slot on our list because you can use it for free at a pinch. While you cannot save images without creating an account, which requires a subscription, you can export images as PNG or JPEG files without paying.

It isn't a free option for serious work, then, but if you just want to quickly open, tweak, and save an existing vector file, it's actually pretty good. Janvas has a solid set of features, including support for masks, and plenty of pen tool and text options.

It suits the beginner, thanks to a library of templates covering everything from icons and UI elements, to letter and photo book designs. An extra series of pre-made gradients, patterns and textures, and filters help to make common design features accessible with a single click. There's even some basic support for keyboard shortcuts.

Adobe Illustrator Isn't the Only Option!

None of these browser-based apps can match the full feature set that Adobe Illustrator has to offer.

But they're more than good enough to create things like posters, illustrations, logos, and the like. You can even use them to learn the principles of graphic design, since all the tools—the various drawing, text, color, and shape tools—work in the same way.