Directory · 20 tools reviewed

Best Design Software

Find the best design software for retouching images, developing and organising photos, and drawing vectors: the editors designers and photographers have worked in for decades, from paid suites to free open-source apps. Photo editors, raw photo editors and vector editors are each ranked only against their own kind, on what they add beyond the basics, the files you get out, what the cheapest usable plan costs and whether it runs on your machine. How we score.

Logo makers, website builders, UI, slide and diagram tools are ranked on Best AI Design Tools →

Choose the kind you need

9 Photo editors ranked

Ranked by score · price shown: cheapest plan you can edit in, monthly

★ Top photo editorof 9 photo editors

Adobe Photoshop$19.99 · 98% published

8.5/10

Photographers and retouchers who want raw editing, generative fill and plug-ins in one editor on desktop, web and phone

Opens and saves layered Photoshop filesGenerative fill and expandGenerates images from a promptSelects a subject or sky by itselfAI image editingOne-action background removalAI upscalingWorks in CMYK for printTemplate library5export formats5platforms3integrations+7 more

What makes up the score8.5

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basics9.8

Workflow and output8.5

Pricingweakest7.0

Privacy and trust8.0

Read the Adobe Photoshop review

PhotopeaBest free plan100% published8.1/10FreeBest forAnyone who needs to open, edit and save PSD files in a browser tab, with nothing to install

Opens and saves layered Photoshop filesGenerative fill and expandGenerates images from a promptSelects a subject or sky by itselfAI image editingOne-action background removalAI upscalingWorks in CMYK for printPressure sensitivity from a tablet or stylusTemplate library+9 more

What makes up the score8.1

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest7.4

Workflow and output9.0

Pricing10.0

Privacy and trust5.5

Read the Photopea review

Affinity88% published6.9/10FreeBest forDesigners who want photo, vector and layout tools in one free desktop app, with AI features on a paid Canva plan

Opens and saves layered Photoshop filesGenerative fill and expandGenerates images from a promptSelects a subject or sky by itselfAI image editingOne-action background removalAI upscalingWorks in CMYK for printPressure sensitivity from a tablet or stylus4export formats+9 more

What makes up the score6.9

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basics8.1

Workflow and outputweakest5.0

Pricing8.5

Privacy and trust4.5

Read the Affinity review

Krita100% published6.6/10FreeBest forArtists who want a free, open-source painting and image editor with PSD support and CMYK painting

Opens and saves layered Photoshop filesGenerative fill and expandGenerates images from a promptSelects a subject or sky by itselfAI image editingOne-action background removalAI upscalingWorks in CMYK for printPressure sensitivity from a tablet or stylusTemplate library+6 more

What makes up the score6.6

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest3.5

Workflow and output7.0

Pricing10.0

Privacy and trust7.5

Read the Krita review

Pixelmator ProLowest price97% published6.4/10$12.99Best forMac photographers and designers who want raw editing and AI cleanup tools in an app they can buy once

Opens and saves layered Photoshop filesGenerative fill and expandGenerates images from a promptSelects a subject or sky by itselfAI image editingOne-action background removalAI upscalingWorks in CMYK for printPressure sensitivity from a tablet or stylusTemplate library+9 more

What makes up the score6.4

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basics6.5

Workflow and outputweakest4.0

Pricing8.5

Privacy and trust6.2

Read the Pixelmator Pro review

Corel PaintShop Pro75% published5.9/10$79.99 onceBest forWindows photo editors who want raw editing, PSD support and AI tools in an app they buy once

Opens and saves layered Photoshop filesGenerative fill and expandGenerates images from a promptSelects a subject or sky by itselfAI image editingOne-action background removalAI upscalingWorks in CMYK for printPressure sensitivity from a tablet or stylusTemplate library+6 more

What makes up the score5.9

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest5.3

Workflow and output4.5

Pricingnot published–

Privacy and trust5.0

Read the Corel PaintShop Pro review

GIMP100% published5.9/10FreeBest forPhoto editors who want a free, open-source desktop editor they can extend with their own plug-ins

Opens and saves layered Photoshop filesGenerative fill and expandGenerates images from a promptSelects a subject or sky by itselfAI image editingOne-action background removalAI upscalingWorks in CMYK for printPressure sensitivity from a tablet or stylusTemplate library+6 more

What makes up the score5.9

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest2.2

Workflow and output6.0

Pricing10.0

Privacy and trust7.5

Read the GIMP review

Procreate82% published5.3/10$12.99 onceBest forIllustrators who paint on an iPad and want to buy the app once, with no subscription and no generative AI

Opens and saves layered Photoshop filesGenerative fill and expandGenerates images from a promptSelects a subject or sky by itselfAI image editingOne-action background removalAI upscalingWorks in CMYK for printPressure sensitivity from a tablet or stylusTemplate library+6 more

What makes up the score5.3

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest3.5

Workflow and output3.0

Pricingnot published–

Privacy and trust5.0

Read the Procreate review

Paint.NET100% published4.6/10FreeBest forWindows users who want a free, lightweight image editor with layers and plugins

Opens and saves layered Photoshop filesGenerative fill and expandGenerates images from a promptSelects a subject or sky by itselfAI image editingOne-action background removalAI upscalingWorks in CMYK for printPressure sensitivity from a tablet or stylusTemplate library+6 more

What makes up the score4.6

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest0.5

Workflow and output4.5

Pricing10.0

Privacy and trust5.0

Read the Paint.NET review

6 Raw photo editors ranked

Ranked by score · price shown: cheapest plan you can edit in, monthly

★ Top raw photo editorof 6 raw photo editors

Adobe Lightroom$11.99 · 96% published

8.1/10

Photographers who want their raw library and edits synced across computer, phone and web

Shoots tethered to the computerRemoves an object by itselfMerges HDR or panoramasAI upscalingEvery edit can be undone laterGenerates from a prompt5platformsSyncs photos or edits to other devicesThird-party pluginsDeveloper or scripting API3support channelsDoes not train AI on what you upload+4 more

What makes up the score8.1

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basics9.2

Workflow and sharing9.0

Pricingweakest6.0

Privacy and trust8.0

Read the Adobe Lightroom review

ON1 Photo RAWLowest price100% published7.6/10$7.49Best forPhotographers who want raw editing, a photo library and AI tools in one app they buy once

Shoots tethered to the computerRemoves an object by itselfMerges HDR or panoramasAI upscalingEvery edit can be undone laterGenerates from a prompt4platformsSyncs photos or edits to other devicesThird-party pluginsComments or review with clients+3 more

What makes up the score7.6

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basics9.2

Workflow and sharing7.0

Pricing9.5

Privacy and trustweakest2.5

Read the ON1 Photo RAW review

darktableBest free plan100% published7.3/10FreeBest forPhotographers who want a free, open-source raw developer and library with on-device AI tools

Shoots tethered to the computerRemoves an object by itselfMerges HDR or panoramasAI upscalingEvery edit can be undone laterGenerates from a prompt2platformsSyncs photos or edits to other devicesThird-party pluginsComments or review with clients+3 more

What makes up the score7.3

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basics6.9

Workflow and sharingweakest4.5

Pricing10.0

Privacy and trust7.5

Read the darktable review

Luminar Neo65% published6.9/10$129 onceBest forPhotographers who want quick AI edits like sky replacement and object removal in an app they can buy once

Shoots tethered to the computerRemoves an object by itselfMerges HDR or panoramasAI upscalingGenerates from a prompt3platformsSyncs photos or edits to other devicesThird-party pluginsDeveloper or scripting API4support channels+6 more

What makes up the score6.9

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest7.1

Workflow and sharing5.5

Pricingnot published–

Privacy and trust5.5

Read the Luminar Neo review

Capture One100% published6.2/10$18Best forStudio and commercial photographers who shoot tethered and need precise color

Shoots tethered to the computerRemoves an object by itselfMerges HDR or panoramasAI upscalingEvery edit can be undone laterGenerates from a prompt3platformsSyncs photos or edits to other devicesThird-party pluginsComments or review with clients+3 more

What makes up the score6.2

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest5.3

Workflow and sharing8.5

Pricing6.5

Privacy and trust5.0

Read the Capture One review

DxO PhotoLab82% published4.7/10$159.99 onceBest forPhotographers who want top raw quality and lens corrections in software they buy once

What makes up the score4.7

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest3.5

Workflow and sharing1.5

Pricingnot published–

Privacy and trust5.0

Read the DxO PhotoLab review

5 Vector editors ranked

Ranked by score · price shown: cheapest plan you can edit in, monthly

★ Top vector editorof 5 vector editors

Adobe Illustrator$22.99 · 95% published

7.7/10

Brand and print designers who need precise vector artwork, spot color and .ai and EPS files, with vectors generated from a prompt

Opens Illustrator .ai and .eps filesGenerates artwork from a promptTraces a raster image into vector pathsSpot colour for printWorks in CMYK for printUnion, subtract and intersect on shapesAI image editing13export formats4platforms5integrationsThird-party pluginsComments and approval+6 more

What makes up the score7.7

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basics9.7

Workflow and output9.5

Pricingweakest3.5

Privacy and trust7.2

Read the Adobe Illustrator review

CorelDRAW98% published7.7/10$22.42Best forDesigners who want a full vector suite they can buy once and own, instead of a subscription

What makes up the score7.7

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basics10.0

Workflow and output7.7

Pricing6.5

Privacy and trustweakest5.0

Read the CorelDRAW review

Linearity Curve89% published6.7/10$10Best forMac and iPad designers who want a free vector app with auto trace and AI background removal

Generates artwork from a promptTraces a raster image into vector pathsSpot colour for printWorks in CMYK for printUnion, subtract and intersect on shapesAI image editingTemplate library4export formats4platforms3integrations+8 more

What makes up the score6.7

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest6.4

Workflow and output6.0

Pricing7.5

Privacy and trust7.2

Read the Linearity Curve review

InkscapeBest free plan100% published6.6/10FreeBest forDesigners who want a free, open-source vector editor with auto-trace, boolean paths and text on a path

What makes up the score6.6

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest4.8

Workflow and output4.7

Pricing10.0

Privacy and trust7.5

Read the Inkscape review

Boxy SVGLowest price91% published4.1/10$0.83Best forWeb designers who edit SVG files directly and want a low-cost editor that runs in a browser

What makes up the score4.1

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest1.7

Workflow and output5.5

Pricing6.0

Privacy and trust4.5

Read the Boxy SVG review

published yespublished nonot published, scored at the midpoint

Photo editors9Raw photo editors6Vector editors5

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Buying guide

How to choose design software

Three questions settle it: what kind of work you do, whether you want a subscription, and whose files you need to open.

01
Photo editor, raw photo editor or vector editor
Retouching, compositing and cleaning up product shots happen in a photo editor such as Photoshop, which works on the pixels with layers. If you shoot raw and need to develop and organise thousands of photos, a raw photo editor such as Lightroom, Capture One or darktable does that job instead. A logo, an icon or an illustration that has to print sharp at any size is made of paths, and belongs in a vector editor.
02
Subscription or free
Adobe sells Photoshop and Illustrator by subscription, with generative fill and the widest file support. Affinity is free to download, with Canva’s AI tools on a paid Canva plan. GIMP and Inkscape are free and open source, and Photopea runs in a browser tab and opens Photoshop files at no cost.
03
The files you trade
If you work with clients or a print shop, check compatibility before price: whether the editor opens and saves layered Photoshop files, and whether it works in CMYK for print. The checks under How we rate show which ones do.

Scoring

How we rate design software

Every score on this page is out of 100 and worked out from what each vendor publishes, never from a demo or a sponsor. Each kind is scored on its own split of the points. Below: where the points go, every check behind them, and how the tools above did on each. Every rule, in full

Photo editorsRaw photo editorsVector editors

Photo editors: where the 100 points go

35What it adds beyond the basics 25Pricing 22Workflow and output 18Privacy and trust

35/ 100

Biggest share

What it adds beyond the basics

Every editor here does layers, masks, raw files, non-destructive edits and batch processing, so none of those earn a point. What is left is what separates them: opening and saving layered Photoshop files, generative fill, selecting a subject by itself, upscaling, removing a background, working in CMYK for print, pressure from a tablet, and a template library.

Opens and saves layered Photoshop files5.9 pts

Adobe PhotoshopCorel PaintShop ProGIMPKritaPhotopeaPixelmator ProProcreateAffinityPaint.NET

Generative fill and expand4.9 pts

Adobe PhotoshopAffinityPhotopeaCorel PaintShop ProGIMPKritaPaint.NETPixelmator ProProcreate

Generates images from a prompt4.2 pts

Adobe PhotoshopAffinityCorel PaintShop ProGIMPKritaPaint.NETPhotopeaPixelmator ProProcreate

Selects a subject or sky by itself4.2 pts

Adobe PhotoshopAffinityPhotopeaPixelmator ProCorel PaintShop ProGIMPKritaPaint.NETProcreate

AI image editing (erase, relight)3.2 pts

Adobe PhotoshopAffinityCorel PaintShop ProPhotopeaPixelmator ProGIMPKritaPaint.NETProcreate

One-action background removal3.2 pts

Adobe PhotoshopAffinityCorel PaintShop ProPhotopeaPixelmator ProGIMPKritaPaint.NETProcreate

AI upscaling3.1 pts

Adobe PhotoshopAffinityCorel PaintShop ProPixelmator ProGIMPKritaPaint.NETPhotopeaProcreate

Works in CMYK for print3.1 pts

Adobe PhotoshopAffinityKritaPhotopeaProcreateCorel PaintShop ProGIMPPaint.NETPixelmator Pro

Pressure sensitivity from a tablet or stylus1.8 pts

AffinityCorel PaintShop ProGIMPKritaPaint.NETPixelmator ProProcreatePhotopea

Template library1.4 pts

Adobe PhotoshopCorel PaintShop ProKritaPhotopeaPixelmator ProProcreateGIMPPaint.NET

Highest here Adobe Photoshop 9.8lowest Paint.NET 0.5 out of 10

25/ 100

Pricing

What the cheapest plan you can actually edit in costs each month, and whether you may use the results commercially. Free software scores the top of the band, because free is a price.

Cheapest plan you can edit in, monthly17.5 pts

Affinity$0GIMP$0Krita$0Paint.NET$0Photopea$0Pixelmator Pro$12.99Adobe Photoshop$19.99

Commercial use allowed7.5 pts

Adobe PhotoshopGIMPKritaPaint.NETPhotopeaPixelmator ProProcreate

Highest here Photopea 10.0lowest Adobe Photoshop 7.0 out of 10

22/ 100

Workflow and output

Getting work out: the file formats it exports, how many platforms it runs on, whether you can install third-party plugins, and the apps it connects to.

File formats it exports6.6 pts

Photopea7 export formatsAdobe Photoshop5 export formatsGIMP6 export formatsKrita5 export formatsPixelmator Pro6 export formatsProcreate5 export formatsAffinity4 export formatsCorel PaintShop Pro3 export formatsPaint.NET3 export formats

Where it runs6.6 pts

Adobe Photoshop5 platformsKrita3 platformsPhotopea3 platformsAffinity2 platformsGIMP2 platformsPixelmator Pro2 platformsCorel PaintShop Pro1 platformPaint.NET1 platformProcreate1 platform

Third-party plugins4.4 pts

Adobe PhotoshopCorel PaintShop ProGIMPKritaPaint.NETPhotopeaAffinityPixelmator ProProcreate

Apps it connects to4.4 pts

Affinity4 integrationsPhotopea5 integrationsAdobe Photoshop3 integrationsCorel PaintShop Pro0 integrationsGIMP0 integrationsKrita0 integrationsPaint.NET0 integrationsPixelmator Pro0 integrationsProcreate0 integrations

Highest here Photopea 9.0lowest Procreate 3.0 out of 10

18/ 100

Privacy and trust

Does it train AI on what you open, does it hold SOC 2 and state GDPR, is the source published under an open licence, and how many ways are there to reach support? Software you install and run yourself is not asked the first three: there is no service holding your work, and answering no would read as a failed audit rather than a question that does not apply.

Does not train AI on what you upload6.3 pts

Adobe PhotoshopPhotopeaPixelmator ProAffinityopt-out only

Source published under an open licence3.6 pts

GIMPKritaAdobe PhotoshopAffinityCorel PaintShop ProPaint.NETPhotopeaPixelmator ProProcreate

Ways to reach support3.6 pts

Adobe Photoshop3 support channelsCorel PaintShop Pro3 support channelsPaint.NET3 support channelsPhotopea3 support channelsProcreate3 support channelsAffinity2 support channelsGIMP2 support channelsKrita2 support channelsPixelmator Pro2 support channels

SOC 22.7 pts

Adobe PhotoshopPhotopea

GDPR1.8 pts

Adobe PhotoshopAffinityPixelmator ProPhotopea

Highest here Adobe Photoshop 8.0lowest Affinity 4.5 out of 10

Raw photo editors: where the 100 points go

35What it adds beyond the basics 25Pricing 22Workflow and sharing 18Privacy and trust

35/ 100

Biggest share

What it adds beyond the basics

Every raw photo editor here develops raw files, keeps a photo library, masks a subject or sky by itself, removes noise with AI, corrects lenses from profiles and edits in batches, so none of those earn a point. What counts is shooting tethered to the computer, removing an object by itself, merging HDR or panoramas, AI upscaling, edits you can always undo, and generating from a prompt.

Shoots tethered to the computer8.1 pts

Adobe LightroomCapture OnedarktableON1 Photo RAWDxO PhotoLabLuminar Neo

Removes an object by itself8 pts

Adobe LightroomDxO PhotoLabLuminar NeoON1 Photo RAWCapture Onedarktable

Merges HDR or panoramas6.3 pts

Adobe LightroomCapture OnedarktableLuminar NeoON1 Photo RAWDxO PhotoLab

AI upscaling5.6 pts

Adobe LightroomdarktableLuminar NeoON1 Photo RAWCapture OneDxO PhotoLab

Every edit can be undone later4.2 pts

Adobe LightroomCapture OnedarktableDxO PhotoLabON1 Photo RAW

Generates from a prompt2.8 pts

Luminar NeoAdobe LightroomCapture OnedarktableDxO PhotoLabON1 Photo RAW

Highest here Adobe Lightroom 9.2lowest DxO PhotoLab 3.5 out of 10

25/ 100

Pricing

What the cheapest plan you can edit in costs each month, whether anyone will still sell you a licence you own outright, and whether there is a free plan. Free software scores the top of the band, because free is a price.

Cheapest plan you can edit in, monthly17.5 pts

darktable$0ON1 Photo RAW$7.49Adobe Lightroom$11.99Capture One$18

Sells a licence you own outright6.3 pts

Capture OneDxO PhotoLabLuminar NeoON1 Photo RAWAdobe Lightroom

Free plan1.2 pts

Adobe LightroomdarktableCapture OneDxO PhotoLabLuminar NeoON1 Photo RAW

Highest here darktable 10.0lowest Adobe Lightroom 6.0 out of 10

22/ 100

Workflow and sharing

Syncing photos or edits to your other devices, third-party plugins, how many platforms it runs on, comments or review with clients, and a developer API.

Where it runs6.6 pts

Adobe Lightroom5 platformsON1 Photo RAW4 platformsCapture One3 platformsLuminar Neo3 platformsdarktable2 platformsDxO PhotoLab2 platforms

Syncs photos or edits to other devices4.4 pts

Adobe LightroomCapture OneLuminar NeoON1 Photo RAWdarktableDxO PhotoLab

Third-party plugins4.4 pts

Adobe LightroomCapture OnedarktableON1 Photo RAWDxO PhotoLabLuminar Neo

Comments or review with clients4.4 pts

Capture OnedarktableDxO PhotoLabON1 Photo RAW

Developer or scripting API2.2 pts

Adobe LightroomdarktableCapture OneDxO PhotoLabLuminar NeoON1 Photo RAW

Highest here Adobe Lightroom 9.0lowest DxO PhotoLab 1.5 out of 10

18/ 100

Privacy and trust

Does it train AI on your photos, does it hold SOC 2 and state GDPR, is the source published under an open licence, and how many ways are there to reach support? Software you install and run yourself is not asked the first three.

Does not train AI on what you upload6.3 pts

Adobe Lightroom

Source published under an open licence3.6 pts

darktableAdobe LightroomCapture OneDxO PhotoLabLuminar NeoON1 Photo RAW

Ways to reach support3.6 pts

Adobe Lightroom3 support channelsCapture One3 support channelsDxO PhotoLab4 support channelsLuminar Neo4 support channelsdarktable2 support channelsON1 Photo RAW2 support channels

SOC 22.7 pts

Adobe Lightroom

GDPR1.8 pts

Adobe LightroomLuminar Neo

Highest here Adobe Lightroom 8.0lowest ON1 Photo RAW 2.5 out of 10

Vector editors: where the 100 points go

35What it adds beyond the basics 25Pricing 22Workflow and output 18Privacy and trust

35/ 100

Biggest share

What it adds beyond the basics

Gradient meshes, type on a path and artboards are in all of them and earn nothing. What counts is opening Illustrator .ai and .eps files, generating artwork from a prompt, tracing a raster into vector paths, spot colour and CMYK for print, boolean operations on shapes, AI image editing and a template library.

Opens Illustrator .ai and .eps files6 pts

Adobe IllustratorCorelDRAWInkscapeBoxy SVG

Generates artwork from a prompt6 pts

Adobe IllustratorCorelDRAWLinearity CurveBoxy SVGInkscape

Traces a raster image into vector paths4.9 pts

Adobe IllustratorCorelDRAWInkscapeLinearity CurveBoxy SVG

Spot colour for print4.9 pts

Adobe IllustratorCorelDRAWBoxy SVGInkscapeLinearity Curve

Works in CMYK for print4.9 pts

Adobe IllustratorCorelDRAWBoxy SVGInkscapeLinearity Curve

Union, subtract and intersect on shapes3.5 pts

Adobe IllustratorBoxy SVGCorelDRAWInkscapeLinearity Curve

AI image editing2.4 pts

Adobe IllustratorCorelDRAWLinearity CurveBoxy SVGInkscape

Template library2.4 pts

Boxy SVGCorelDRAWInkscapeLinearity Curve

Highest here CorelDRAW 10.0lowest Boxy SVG 1.7 out of 10

25/ 100

Pricing

What the cheapest paid plan costs each month, whether anyone will still sell you a licence you own outright rather than rent, whether there is a free plan, and how long the trial runs. The monthly figures here sit within a dollar of each other, so owning the licence counts for more than the difference between them.

Cheapest plan you can edit in, monthly12.5 pts

Boxy SVG$0.83Inkscape$0Linearity Curve$10Adobe Illustrator$22.99CorelDRAW$22.42

Sells a licence you own outright6.3 pts

CorelDRAWAdobe IllustratorBoxy SVGLinearity Curve

Free plan3.7 pts

InkscapeLinearity CurveAdobe IllustratorBoxy SVGCorelDRAW

Free trial2.5 pts

Boxy SVG15 daysCorelDRAW15 daysAdobe Illustrator7 days

Highest here Inkscape 10.0lowest Adobe Illustrator 3.5 out of 10

22/ 100

Workflow and output

The file formats it exports, how many platforms it runs on, the apps it connects to, third-party plugins, and comments and approval.

File formats it exports6.6 pts

Adobe Illustrator13 export formatsCorelDRAW11 export formatsBoxy SVG6 export formatsInkscape4 export formatsLinearity Curve4 export formats

Where it runs6.6 pts

Adobe Illustrator4 platformsBoxy SVG5 platformsLinearity Curve4 platformsCorelDRAW3 platformsInkscape2 platforms

Apps it connects to4.4 pts

Adobe Illustrator5 integrationsCorelDRAW1 integrationLinearity Curve3 integrationsBoxy SVG0 integrationsInkscape0 integrations

Third-party plugins2.6 pts

Adobe IllustratorCorelDRAWInkscapeBoxy SVGLinearity Curve

Comments and approval1.8 pts

Adobe IllustratorBoxy SVGCorelDRAWInkscapeLinearity Curve

Highest here Adobe Illustrator 9.5lowest Inkscape 4.7 out of 10

18/ 100

Privacy and trust

Does it train AI on your work, does it hold SOC 2 and state GDPR, is the source published under an open licence, and how many ways are there to reach support? Software you install and run yourself is not asked the first three.

Does not train AI on what you upload6.3 pts

Adobe IllustratorCorelDRAWLinearity Curve

Source published under an open licence3.6 pts

InkscapeAdobe IllustratorBoxy SVGCorelDRAWLinearity Curve

Ways to reach support3.6 pts

Adobe Illustrator3 support channelsLinearity Curve3 support channelsBoxy SVG2 support channelsCorelDRAW2 support channelsInkscape2 support channels

SOC 22.7 pts

CorelDRAW

GDPR1.8 pts

Adobe IllustratorBoxy SVGLinearity Curve

Highest here Inkscape 7.5lowest Boxy SVG 4.5 out of 10

✓ full points◐ some✕ none

Design head-to-head

All comparisons →

The matchups readers in this category weigh most often, lined up row by row.

Adobe Illustrator vs Boxy SVG Adobe Illustrator vs CorelDRAW Adobe Illustrator vs Inkscape Adobe Illustrator vs Linearity Curve Adobe Lightroom vs Capture One Adobe Lightroom vs DxO PhotoLab Adobe Lightroom vs Luminar Neo Adobe Lightroom vs ON1 Photo RAW Adobe Lightroom vs darktable Adobe Photoshop vs Affinity Adobe Photoshop vs Corel PaintShop Pro Adobe Photoshop vs GIMP

All 36 Design matchups

Frequently asked

What is the best design tool?

It depends on the kind you need: our top photo editor is Adobe Photoshop, our top raw photo editor is Adobe Lightroom and our top vector editor is Adobe Illustrator. Each has the highest Spec Score of its kind.

Is there a free design tool?

Yes, Adobe Lightroom, Affinity, GIMP and 6 more offer a free plan. Check each tool's page for what's included.

How do you rate design software?

Each kind is scored out of 100 on its own criteria, all worked out from what the vendor publishes. Photo editors: what it adds beyond the basics 35, pricing 25, workflow and output 22, privacy and trust 18. Raw photo editors: what it adds beyond the basics 35, pricing 25, workflow and sharing 22, privacy and trust 18. Vector editors: what it adds beyond the basics 35, pricing 25, workflow and output 22, privacy and trust 18.

How much does a design tool cost?

Paid plans start from about $9.99 to $159.99/mo across the tools we track, depending on features and usage.

9 Photo editors ranked

6 Raw photo editors ranked

5 Vector editors ranked

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Lightroom

Photopea

Adobe Illustrator

CorelDRAW

ON1 Photo RAW

darktable

Affinity

Luminar Neo

Linearity Curve

Inkscape

Krita

Pixelmator Pro

Capture One

Corel PaintShop Pro

GIMP

Procreate

DxO PhotoLab

Paint.NET

Boxy SVG

How to choose design software

Photo editor, raw photo editor or vector editor

Subscription or free

The files you trade

How we rate design software

Photo editors: where the 100 points go

What it adds beyond the basics

Pricing

Workflow and output

Privacy and trust

Raw photo editors: where the 100 points go

What it adds beyond the basics

Pricing

Workflow and sharing

Privacy and trust

Vector editors: where the 100 points go

What it adds beyond the basics

Pricing

Workflow and output

Privacy and trust

Design head-to-head

Frequently asked

What is the best design tool?

Is there a free design tool?

How do you rate design software?

How much does a design tool cost?