Alternatives to Adobe Creative Cloud for Graphic Designers

This report surveys major alternatives to Adobe Creative Cloud tools, covering both free/open-source and commercial options. For each Adobe application listed, we detail competing software, their key features, platforms, pricing/licensing, format compatibility, usability, community support, and ecosystem integration. Wherever possible, official sources and expert reviews are cited.

Photoshop (Raster Editing) Alternatives

• Affinity Photo (Serif) – A professional raster editor for macOS, Windows and iPad. Affinity Photo supports multi-layer editing, RAW development, retouching tools and GPU acceleration affinity.serif.comtechradar.com. It can import/export PSD (Photoshop) files, and supports formats like TIFF, PNG, and PDF. It has a one-time license (USD $69.99 per platform) with no subscription affinity.serif.com, or a bundled “Universal” license ($164.99) covering Designer/Photo/Publisher on all devices affinity.serif.com. The UI is similar in power to Photoshop but is often praised for speed (especially on Apple Silicon) creativebloq.com. A strong online community and tutorials exist (Serif’s forums, Affinity forums, many YouTube courses), and Affinity integrates with Designer/Publisher for a desktop publishing workflow.

• GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) – A free, open-source image editor available on Windows, macOS, and Linux gimp.org. It offers layers, masks, filters, and a plug-in architecture. GIMP supports many file formats (JPEG, PNG, TIFF, GIF, etc.) including PSD (with some limitations) gimp.orgtechradar.com. As a Linux-friendly tool, it appeals to open-source communities; extensive documentation and tutorials are available on gimp.org and community sites. The interface is less polished than Photoshop, and the learning curve can be steep, but no cost or vendor lock-in can be advantageous.

• Pixelmator Pro – A macOS-only photo editor (also iPad via Pixelmator Photo) that combines raster and some vector tools. Key features include a nondestructive layer-based workflow, ML-enhanced tools (Super Resolution, sky removal, etc.), and RAW support. Pixelmator Pro can open and export Photoshop (PSD) and Illustrator (AI) files pixelmator.com, plus TIFF, JPEG, PNG, SVG, PDF, etc. It is a one-time purchase ($49.99 on the Mac App Store) pixelmator.com. Its interface is designed for macOS conventions and is generally considered user-friendly and visually modern. Community support is smaller (no Linux/Windows versions), but many Mac-specific tutorials exist. Pixelmator Pro integrates well into the Apple ecosystem (e.g. iCloud, Photos import) and can work with Pixelmator Photo (raw editor) and Pixelmator Classic for broader tasks.

• Photopea – A browser-based, freemium image editor that closely mimics Photoshop’s look and function. It runs on any OS via a modern web browser. Photopea fully supports PSD and PSB files (open and save) and can also handle formats like AI (Illustrator), INDD (InDesign), Sketch, and 40+ others photopea.com. Key features include layers, masks, filters, smart objects (limited), and advanced selection tools. The free version is ad-supported; a premium subscription removes ads. Photopea’s UI is nearly identical to Photoshop’s, which lowers the learning curve for Adobe users. However, performance depends on browser/PC, and very large files can be slow. Community support is modest (some forum threads and the site’s blog), but its broad format compatibility makes it valuable for cross-application workflows.

• Paint.NET – A free Windows-only image editor. It offers a simplified layer-based interface, effects (blur, distort, noise, etc.), and basic retouching tools. Paint.NET supports common formats like PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF; PSD support comes from plugins (e.g. Imgur PSD Plugin). Its UI is straightforward and beginner-friendly, but it lacks Photoshop-level features (no CMYK, limited professional tools). It has an active community forum and plugin ecosystem. Suitable for casual editing or simple graphics work on Windows without cost.

• Krita – A free, open-source painting and image editor (Windows/macOS/Linux). Originally aimed at digital painting, Krita also does photo editing with layers and filters. It supports formats including PSD, PNG, JPG, and its own .kra. Krita offers advanced brush engines, vector layers, and a GUI oriented to illustrators. It may lack some photo-specific tools found in Photoshop. Krita’s community is strong among artists, with many tutorials. It is cross-platform, making it a versatile no-cost option, though its UI can be busy for non-painters.

• Corel PaintShop Pro – A commercial Windows-only photo editor (recent versions also require 64-bit Windows). PaintShop Pro provides photo management, RAW editing, layers/filters and AI enhancements (e.g. upsampling). It imports/export JPEG, TIFF, PNG, PSD (with layers), and basic RAW formats. The interface is more Windows-centric and can be cluttered. Licensing is perpetual or subscription; for example, PaintShop Pro 2024 retails around $70 (one-time) or a cheaper subscription techradar.com. Corel’s support includes tutorials and a user forum. It integrates with Painter (another Corel product) and supports some Photoshop plug-ins via compatibility layers.

• Luminar Neo (Skylum) – A commercial photo editor focused on AI-enhanced adjustments (sky replacement, skin retouching, etc.) and RAW support. Available on Windows and Mac. Luminar supports PSD, RAW, JPEG, and can export to PSD/TIFF. The UI is simplified for quick adjustments. It is sold via subscription or one-time license (often around $79 USD). It lacks advanced layer compositing like Photoshop. Community and tutorials (Skylum Academy) are good. Luminar integrates (as a plugin) with Lightroom/Photoshop for added functionality.

Illustrator (Vector Graphics) Alternatives

• Affinity Designer (Serif) – A professional vector editor for Windows, macOS and iPad. Affinity Designer offers sophisticated vector tools (pen, shapes, boolean operations, gradients, text on paths) and also switchable “Pixel persona” for raster touches. It imports/exports AI (Adobe Illustrator) and PSD files among many formats creativebloq.com. Key features include extremely high zoom (1,000,000%), advanced pen/curve tools, and retention of Pantone libraries without extra cost creativebloq.com. Pricing is one-time USD $69.99 per platform affinity.serif.com (with a $164.99 Universal Bundle option affinity.serif.com). Affinity Designer’s UI is intuitive but deep; it is often faster than Illustrator because it’s not burdened by legacy. It has an active user community, many tutorials, and integration with Affinity Photo/Publisher.

• Inkscape – A free, open-source vector graphics editor (Windows, macOS, Linux). Inkscape is fully SVG-based and provides object creation (shapes, paths, text) and manipulation tools (path operations, node editing). It can import/export SVG, PDF, EPS, PNG, and other formats. It does not natively read AI files (unless saved as PDFs), and PSD support is limited. Inkscape is licensed under GPL and has an extensive community (documentation, forums, extensions). Its interface is less polished, but powerful (e.g. clone clones, path effects). Many designers use Inkscape for logos, icons, and illustrations as a free alternative to Illustrator.

• CorelDRAW (CorelDRAW Graphics Suite) – A long-standing commercial graphics suite (Windows and Mac). CorelDRAW offers vector illustration, page layout, image editing (Corel PHOTO-PAINT) and font management. Its vector tools include advanced shaping, mesh fills, and perspective. CorelDRAW imports/exports AI, EPS, PSD, PDF, SVG and many raster formats product.corel.comproduct.corel.com. Licensing: available as perpetual or subscription (e.g. a one-year subscription ~$239/year or one-time purchase $499) coreldraw.comg2.com. The interface is mature and feature-rich, but can feel heavy. Corel has a large user base and good tutorials. Integration: works with PHOTO-PAINT for bitmap work and Corel Font Manager; supports plugins and Xara collaboration (Vector FX for AI).

• Sketch – A vector UI/UX design tool for macOS only. Sketch excels at screen design and prototypes rather than print/vector art. It supports Artboards, Symbols, plugins, and exports to SVG, PDF, PNG. Sketch’s pricing is subscription ($9/month per seat billed annually creativebloq.com). It offers collaboration via Sketch Cloud. Not a general illustration app, but widely used by designers for web/mobile UI. Sketch’s clean, Mac-native UI is praised for speed and simplicity creativebloq.comcreativebloq.com. Community support is strong (plugins ecosystem, developer handoff tools).

• Figma – A cloud-based interface design tool (Windows/macOS/Linux in browser, or desktop apps). Figma is free for individual use and subscription for teams. It allows real-time collaboration (“multiplayer editing”) figma.comfigma.com. Features include vector drawing, prototyping, components, and developer handoff. It uses its own .fig format and exports to SVG, PDF, PNG, etc. Figma has a modern UI and is intuitive. The free Starter plan covers basic use, Professional plan is ~$12/editor/month figma.com. The community is very active (plugins, templates, Figma Community files). It integrates with FigJam (whiteboard), and tools like Zeplin for dev export.

• Gravit Designer – A cross-platform vector editor (Windows, macOS, Linux, Web) with free and Pro ($48/yr) versions. Gravit supports SVG, EPS, PDF, AI (limited import), PNG, JPG, etc. It offers basic vector tools and is suited for graphics and UI design. The UI is simpler than Illustrator but less powerful. Gravit is no longer free as of 2022 (recently reintroduced with new pricing). Learning resources are modest.

• LibreOffice Draw – Part of LibreOffice (free suite, cross-platform). Draw can do basic vector tasks and layouts, and can open PDF for simple editing. It’s not as powerful as dedicated vector apps, but it’s free and integrates with other LibreOffice apps. It supports EMF/WMF, SVG, PDF and OOXML formats. Best for simple diagrams and page design in an open-source toolchain.

InDesign (Desktop Publishing) Alternatives

• Affinity Publisher (Serif) – A professional desktop publishing app for Windows, macOS and iPad. Affinity Publisher provides multi-page layouts, master pages, text flow, tables, and integrates seamlessly with Affinity Photo/Designer content techradar.com. It can import IDML (InDesign Markup) files support.serif.com (but not native INDD), and supports PDF, EPS, SVG, PSD, and other image formats. Pricing is one-time $69.99 affinity.serif.com (or included in the Universal bundle affinity.serif.com). The UI is similar to InDesign’s with some differences (Serif reports an easy learning curve). Its features include studio-grade typography, image placement, and color management. Affinity Publisher has a growing user community and documentation. It integrates with Photo/Designer (e.g. editing images and graphics across apps) and offers data merge capabilities.

• Scribus – A free open-source desktop publishing program (Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD). Scribus offers professional-grade page layout: CMYK color, ICC color management, PDF export, and vector drawing tools. It supports common formats (PNG, JPEG, SVG) and can import PostScript fonts. However, Scribus cannot import InDesign files techradar.com. Its UI resembles older versions of PageMaker/InDesign, which may feel dated. Scribus includes advanced features like color separations and PDF/X output techradar.com. Being GPL-licensed, it has an active community of volunteers and extensive documentation. It’s a popular choice for free publishing tasks (brochures, newsletters).

• QuarkXPress – A commercial DTP program (Windows and macOS). Quark is mature (since 1987) and still used in publishing. QuarkXPress 2024 introduced new palettes and the ability to export to IDML (InDesign format) en.wikipedia.org. It handles text and graphic layout with precision and now supports eBooks, HTML5, and image effects. Licensing: available as a perpetual license (about $699) or annual subscription ($279/year) g2.com. The interface is professional (though some find it complex). Quark’s user base is strong in some corporate markets. It offers extensive learning resources (Quark University, user forums) and supports plugins.

• Microsoft Publisher – A basic DTP for Windows (part of Office). It supports simple layouts, text flow, and exports to PDF. Not as robust as InDesign (no master page layers like InDesign), but familiar to many office users. It’s included in some Office suites or as standalone ($139 for Office Home & Business). Good for flyers, newsletters, but lacks professional typesetting features. Limited to Windows. Integration: works with other Office files (inserting Word/Excel content).

• Lucidpress (Marq) – A cloud-based, template-driven layout tool. Runs in browser (Windows/Mac/Linux). Offers drag-and-drop page design and supports PDF export. It can import InDesign libraries (via Indesign CC files). Pricing is subscription (free limited plan, paid plans from ~$10/user/month). Its ease of use is high (web templates), but it’s less suitable for complex multi-page print. Community: Web-focused, with integrations to Google Workspace.

• VivaDesigner – A lesser-known DTP tool (Windows/macOS/Linux) with a free Personal Edition. Commercial version from €299. Supports InDesign XML (IDML) import for some workflows. It has advanced typography controls and works well for catalogs and books. Community is small but it is professional-level with PDF/X export.

After Effects (Motion Graphics & VFX) Alternatives

• Blender – A free, open-source 3D creation suite (Windows, macOS, Linux) that includes a powerful node-based compositor and motion graphics capabilities blender.orgblender.org. It supports 3D modeling, animation, and also has video editing and tracking. Its compositor allows multi-layered nodes (similar to Nuke/Fusion) for VFX and motion graphics. Blender supports Python scripting for custom tools. It can handle image sequences, video clips, and render to formats like PNG or EXR for VFX. The UI is complex but highly customizable. Blender’s community is huge (forums, Blender StackExchange, many tutorials). It is popular for indie VFX and animation projects.

• Natron – A free, open-source node-based compositor (Windows, macOS Intel, Linux) specifically for 2D/2.5D VFX, akin to Nuke or Fusion natrongithub.github.ionatrongithub.github.io. Natron provides advanced keying, rotoscoping, tracking, and image processing tools. It imports/exports EXR, DPX, OpenEXR, image sequences, etc. The interface is a “node graph” where each node is an effect – familiar to Fusion/Nuke users natrongithub.github.io. Natron lacks the full editing timeline of After Effects, focusing solely on compositing. It is under active development with community plugins (Gizmos) natrongithub.github.io. Being OSS, it has a growing but niche user base; documentation and user support are improving.

• DaVinci Resolve (Fusion) – Blackmagic Design’s Resolve is a free, cross-platform (Windows/macOS/Linux) film editing and color grading suite that includes Fusion, a high-end node-based VFX compositor blackmagicdesign.com. The free version of Resolve supports editing, color correction, Fairlight audio and Fusion effects up to 4K blackmagicdesign.com. Fusion provides hundreds of 2D/3D tools (paint, keying, particles, planar tracking, etc.) in a node-based workflow blackmagicdesign.com. Resolve’s interface integrates timeline editing, color, and Fusion pages, so you can switch between cut/edit and VFX easily blackmagicdesign.com. The paid Studio version ($295, one-time) unlocks higher resolution, stereo 3D, and additional plugins. Community: very large (Resolve is industry-popular for editing/color), with many tutorials on Fusion. It also integrates with Fairlight (audio) and supports OpenFX plugins.

• HitFilm (FXhome) – A combined non-linear editor and VFX compositor (Windows, macOS). HitFilm Express is free, and HitFilm Pro (~$349 one-time) adds 3D model import, cinema-grade effects, and more. HitFilm offers layers, transitions, 3D particles, green-screen keying, and animation tools. It can edit on a timeline and apply over 800 built-in effects/generators. HitFilm imports typical video/image formats and can export to common codecs. The UI is somewhat complex but many presets ease use. There is an active online community (forums, tutorials, user-made presets). HitFilm’s integration: it aims to be an all-in-one, and exports compositions for editing in Premier or Resolve if needed.

• Apple Motion – A MacOS-only motion graphics tool ($49.99 one-time). Motion specializes in animated titles, transitions, and effects for Final Cut Pro projects. It offers real-time compositing, particle emitters, and shape generators. Key features include the “Tornado” and “Behaviors” for physics-based animation and face/object tracking apple.com. Motion can publish templates to FCP. It imports common image/video formats and can export to FCP compatible clips. The UI is polished and optimized for macOS/Apple Silicon apple.com. Learning resources include Apple’s tutorials and community plugins. While simpler than AE, Motion is fast and integrates tightly with Final Cut (e.g. drag-and-drop of titles).

Premiere Pro (Video Editing) Alternatives

• DaVinci Resolve – As above, Resolve is a complete NLE. The free version supports multi-track editing up to UltraHD and all major codecs blackmagicdesign.com. It offers a professional editing timeline, multicam, transitions, keyframed effects, and up to 8K on Studio. A standout is its integrated color grading suite. Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux. Licensing: free; Studio ($295) adds more formats and effects. The UI is modern but can be complex; it’s considered fast and robust. Community is very large (Resolve has become a top choice in pro editing). It integrates with Fusion (see above), Fairlight (audio), and can round-trip with other tools via XML/AAF.

• Final Cut Pro X – Apple’s professional NLE for macOS ($299.99 one-time apps.apple.com). Known for its “Magnetic Timeline,” background rendering, and optimized performance on Mac hardware. FCP supports multicam, 3D titles, and has AI features (automatic color balancing, speech-to-text for captions apps.apple.com). It imports nearly all video/audio formats used on Mac (ProRes, H.264, etc.) and can export XML for other systems. The interface is distinctive (e.g. skimming, range selections). It is fast and stable, but macOS-only. There’s a large user base and many online tutorials. Integrates with Apple Motion and Compressor for advanced effects and export.

• Avid Media Composer – A high-end NLE (Windows/macOS) long-used in film/TV. Media Composer offers advanced media management, multi-cam, and long-form editing. It supports DNxHD/HR and MXF formats. Licensing: subscription ($29.99/mo or $259.99/yr) or perpetual, with a free limited version (Media Composer First). The UI is modular (panels for bin, timeline, etc.) and considered professional but dated. Community: Avid has a niche of film editors with certified training and forums. It integrates well with Pro Tools for audio and offers shared storage workflows for studios.

• Vegas Pro (MAGIX) – A Windows-only NLE known for a drag-and-drop UI and real-time editing. It supports HDR, 360° video, and up to 8K. Vegas has some motion graphics and color grading tools. Licensing is a one-time purchase (e.g. ~$399 for Vegas Pro 19) or subscription. File compatibility is broad (many codecs, GPU acceleration). The UI is relatively user-friendly for beginners transitioning from consumer to pro editing. Community: Vegas has a smaller but dedicated fan base (forums, YouTube). Integrates with SOUND FORGE (audio editing) and Boris FX/Vegas Effects for motion.

• Lightworks – A cross-platform editor (Windows, macOS, Linux) with free and Pro tiers. Lightworks has a Hollywood pedigree (used on many films). It provides a traditional timeline, multicam, and basic effects. The free version limits export to 720p MP4; Pro ($24.99/mo or $174/yr) unlocks 4K and more formats. Its interface is less intuitive, but quite powerful when learned. It supports many codecs via Pro plugin. Community: active forums and official user videos. Integrates with Boris Graffiti for titling in the Pro version.

• HitFilm Express – The free edition of HitFilm (above) also functions as an editor. It provides up to two video/audio tracks, transitions, and some basic grading and titles. It’s aimed at newcomers, as advanced features require paid add-ons. As with Fusion, no third-party integration beyond importing/exporting common media files.

• Kdenlive – A free, open-source NLE (primarily Linux, also Windows/Mac). Kdenlive offers multitrack editing, keyframes, transitions and effects. It supports most formats via FFmpeg. UI is modular (movable panels). It’s stable for a free tool, but not as feature-rich as Resolve. It has a helpful community on forums and wiki. Good for Linux users needing a no-cost editor.

Lightroom (Photo Cataloging/Editing) Alternatives

• Darktable – A free, open-source RAW developer and photo manager (Linux/macOS/Windows) darktable.org. Darktable provides non-destructive editing on 16+ bit images, with modules for tone, color, zones, retouch, masks and more darktable.org. It has strong color management and supports tethered shooting. Darktable can import RAW formats from most cameras and export to JPEG, TIFF, etc. Its database can sort images by metadata (tags, ratings) and supports tagging and geolocation darktable.org. The UI is complex (darktable has many modules), but the open source community has extensive documentation and tutorials. It is a popular free alternative to Lightroom’s editing and catalog features.

• RawTherapee – Another free RAW editor (Windows/macOS/Linux) rawtherapee.com. RawTherapee offers high-fidelity demosaicing, non-destructive edits, advanced color processing and denoising rawtherapee.com. It excels at extracting detail and controlling noise. Like darktable, it is non-destructive and supports a wide range of camera RAWs. It lacks a built-in catalog (no database), so it’s best for processing folders of photos rather than managing large libraries. The UI is tabbed by function; it is powerful but has a learning curve. Community: active forums and manuals. RawTherapee is especially noted for its HDR and detail enhancement tools.

• Capture One (Phase One) – A professional-grade RAW converter and catalog (Windows/macOS). Capture One is renowned for its color accuracy and tethered capture (often used in studios). It supports high-bit editing, layers, and precise color tools. It reads virtually all RAW formats with high quality. Licenses: perpetual ($299) or subscription ($24.95/mo) for Pro; cheaper plans exist for specific cameras. Its cataloging is solid (sessions or catalogs), though less automated than Lightroom’s. The interface is customizable and industry-focused. Community: extensive (workshops, forums). Capture One integrates with Phase One medium-format cameras but also DSLR/mirrorless. It doesn’t offer mobile syncing, focusing instead on studio workflow.

• Luminar Neo (Skylum) – As above (see Photoshop section) – includes AI tools for sky replacement, skin retouch, etc. It can act as a batch RAW processor and supports catalogs (Photos). Platforms: Windows, macOS. Licensing: one-time or subscription. Good for creative edits; lacks Lightroom’s organizational power.

• ON1 Photo RAW – A Windows/macOS editor that combines raw processing with some catalog features. It offers layers, HDR merge, panorama merge, and AI effects (portrait enhancement, sky swap). Pricing: subscription ($7.99/mo) or perpetual ($99). It has an integrated library for sorting and can replace Lightroom for many workflow tasks. The interface is modern and geared toward photographers (with quick browse mode). ON1 integrates with Photoshop as a plug-in if needed.

• ACDSee Photo Studio – A Windows (and limited Mac) photo editor and organizer. It offers DAM (digital asset management) and raw editing. Recent versions include layers and neural filters. Pricing: subscription ($7.99/mo) or perpetual. It supports all major RAWs and many export formats. UI is Windows-centric. ACDSee has been popular for beginners; it includes face detection and RAW sub-bracket merge. Community support via forums and tutorials is moderate.

• Apple Photos (with Extensions) – On macOS/iOS, Photos.app provides basic photo management and editing. Using free extensions (like RAW Power or Retina/OtherRAW), it can handle RAW images and some advanced adjustments. It has no monthly fee, but lacks professional controls (no LAB color, limited dynamic range control). Useful for Apple-centric workflows; integrates with iCloud and other Apple apps.

XD (UI/UX Design) Alternatives

• Figma – A collaborative interface design tool (see Illustrator section). It is browser-based (or desktop) and free for personal use figma.com. Figma’s real-time collaboration makes it excellent for UX teams. It supports vector design, prototyping (hotspot links, animation between frames), and developer handoff (Inspect mode). Figma uses its own format but exports SVG, PNG, PDF, etc. Many UI kits and plugins exist (design systems, accessibility checkers). It lacks advanced pixel-editing (like Photoshop), focusing on UI. The Figma community is very active (community files, plugins). Integration: integrates with Slack, JIRA, Zeplin, and others for workflows.

• Sketch – (see Illustrator) – Although vector-based, Sketch is primarily used for UI/UX on macOS. It has artboards, symbols/components, and prototyping via plugins or Sketch Cloud. It exports to PNG, PDF, and you can generate HTML prototypes via integrations. Sketch’s strength is its simple interface and large plugin ecosystem (InVision Craft, Anima). Its collaboration is more limited (Shared Libraries via Sketch Cloud or third-party tools like Abstract). For Mac-based teams, it remains a common alternative to Adobe XD.

• Penpot – A free, open-source design and prototyping tool (web-based). Penpot is cross-platform and supports collaborative editing. It offers vector drawing, components, and an “Inspect” mode for devs. Being OSS, it allows self-hosting and theming. Penpot is usable via browser (no Mac/Win app needed). It can import SVG files and exports to SVG or PNG. Key feature: it embraces open web standards (SVG/JS) and is platform-agnostic. The UI is modern; onboarding is quick (browser login) penpot.app. It’s newer, so the user community is smaller, but growing (forums and GitHub).

• Axure RP – A professional wireframing/prototyping tool (Windows/macOS) with robust interactivity. Supports dynamic panels, conditional logic, and UI kits. More focused on mid/high-fidelity prototypes than final graphics. Pricing is subscription (~$29/mo) or perpetual. It exports HTML/CSS prototypes and PDFs. Axure integrates with Sketch/Photoshop via plugins and has enterprise features (version control, shared libraries). Learning curve is moderate; extensive documentation and courses exist.

• Framer – Originally a code-based tool, now Framer is a visual design/prototyping app (macOS, Web) that uses React under the hood. It offers vector tools and interactive components with smart animations. Free for basic use; paid plans add team features. Framer exports to web or can embed React code. It’s more technical (some coding possible) and is used for high-fidelity UI prototypes.

• Adobe XD (Honorable Mention) – For completeness, Adobe XD itself (Win/Mac) is a freeform design/prototyping tool with vector artboards, built-in prototyping and voice triggers. It uses artboards and design elements similarly to Sketch. It natively imports Adobe design assets (Photoshop, Illustrator) and exports to PNG/PDF/web. Licensing: XD is free with limited usage, or part of Creative Cloud ($9.99/mo). The UI is simplified compared to Illustrator, aimed at UX. Community: many plugins (Stark, Anima, etc.) and integration with Behance.

Acrobat (PDF Editing) Alternatives

• Nitro PDF Pro – A commercial PDF editor (Windows and Mac). Nitro allows PDF creation, editing text/images, conversion between formats, OCR, and e-signatures. It supports PDF/A, X, 3 standards. Pricing: one-time ~$179 (Standard) techradar.com or subscription. Nitro’s interface resembles Office (ribbon UI). It imports MS Office files, images, and exports to PDF. Reviewers note its feature parity with Acrobat techradar.com. Community: good help docs, support forums. Nitro also integrates with cloud storage (OneDrive, Google Drive).

• Foxit PDF Editor – Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile. Foxit is a lightweight, fast editor. It offers annotation, form filling, text/image editing, and collaboration (shared reviews). Foxit has a perpetual license option (to avoid ongoing fees) techradar.com. It can export to PDF/A, PPT, DOC, etc. The UI is ribbon-based. Foxit’s user base includes enterprise and education; it provides plenty of online tutorials. Integration: connects with popular cloud services and supports add-ons (e.g. PDF Connectors for ECM systems).

• PDF-XChange Editor (Tracker Software) – Windows-only, with a robust free tier. It allows viewing, annotation, OCR, and some editing of PDFs. The free version leaves a watermark on certain advanced features. PDF-XChange can import images and Office docs to PDF. It has a classic Windows UI. Its community includes a knowledge base and forums. Good for lightweight editing without cost.

• PDF24 Creator – A free Windows PDF suite techradar.com. It includes a virtual PDF printer, converter (image to PDF, PDF to images), and a simple editor (split, merge, page delete). No installation of Adobe needed. It’s modest in capability but sufficient for basic tasks. It’s only for Windows.

• LibreOffice Draw – Part of LibreOffice (free, cross-platform). Draw can open and edit PDFs (one page at a time) and export to PDF. Its editing capabilities are basic (text and graphics), but for free and open-source it’s notable. Community support via LibreOffice forums and documentation.

• Master PDF Editor (Code Industry) – A PDF editor for Windows, macOS, Linux. Free version (watermarks) or paid (~$49). Features include editing text/images, annotating, OCR (Linux/Windows). Interface is straightforward. It supports many PDF forms and allows digital signatures. Integrates with desktop environment, but has smaller community.

• PDFescape – A web-based free PDF editor. Allows annotation, form filling, and limited page edits (e.g. add text, images). It’s no-install and works in any browser. The free version has file size limits; a subscription ($2.99/month) offers more features. No file conversion support beyond what browser can handle. Useful for quick edits on the go, with minimal learning curve.

• Other Tools – Kofax Power PDF (Windows/macOS commercial, similar to Nitro/Acrobat); Sejda PDF (web/desktop, limited free use); Okular/Evince (Linux viewers with annotation, limited editing); SumatraPDF or Preview (macOS) (free viewers with basic markup). These are lighter solutions focused on viewing and minor editing.

Sources: Product documentation and official sites (e.g. Serif, Pixelmator, Darktable) and credible industry reviews (TechRadar, Creative Bloq, PCMag) were used to verify features, pricing, and compatibility gimp.orgaffinity.serif.com creativebloq.comaffinity.serif.com techradar.comblender.org blackmagicdesign.comblackmagicdesign.com apps.apple.comtechradar.com. Where information was unavailable in these sources, common industry knowledge and product pages were used. Each alternative above is a notable tool with active user communities and learning resources.