Head-to-head · facts checked 21 Sept 2026
Adobe Illustrator vs Linearity Curve
2 tools, 12 differing data points, mostly pricing and positioning.
From
$22.99/mo (billed annually)
Free plan
No
The verdict
Adobe Illustrator or Linearity Curve?
Section 01
Pricing, plan by plan
Every plan each vendor publishes, monthly and yearly where both are offered.
Adobe Illustrator
Illustrator (single app)
$22.99/mo
Annual plan, billed monthly
LLinearity Curve
Free
Free
For individuals
Pro
$10/mo · $8/mo billed yearly
Includes Curve, Move and Linearity AI
Studio
$30/mo · $25/mo billed yearly
Business
$80/mo · $65/mo billed yearly
Section 02
Pros and cons
From each tool's full review, written from the same checked facts.
Adobe Illustrator
Pros
- Its AI tools turn a sketch or written prompt into editable vector artwork, rather than a flat image.
- The Pathfinder panel handles boolean path operations, combining or dividing overlapping shapes into one.
- It opens and saves native .ai files as well as .eps and .pdf, and exports to a wide range of formats including svg, png and webp.
- Adobe does not train Firefly on Creative Cloud subscribers' personal content.
Cons
- There is no free plan, only a 7-day free trial.
- Illustrator is sold only as a subscription, with no perpetual licence or one-time purchase option.
- Its generative tools make vector artwork only; it does not generate raster images from a prompt.
LLinearity Curve
Pros
- Free to download outright, with a Free plan account needing no card and never expiring.
- Auto Trace converts an image, logo or sketch into editable vector paths in one click.
- AI Grab, Background Removal and Magic Eraser handle subject isolation and cleanup inside the app.
- Prompts, content and generated output are not used to train its models unless you separately opt in.
Cons
- No CMYK colour mode or Pantone spot colour support for print work.
- No real-time co-editing; simultaneous edits by more than one person create a duplicate file instead of merging.
- Every paid plan bundles Curve with Linearity Move and Linearity AI, billed per seat, with no way to pay for Curve alone.
Side by side
| Company | ||
| Founded | 1982 | 2017 |
| HQ | USA | Germany |
| AI model | Adobe Firefly, plus GPT-4o, Gemini 2.5 and Imagen 4 | — |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, Web, iPad | Mac, iPad, iPhone, Web |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Free plan | No | Yes, for individuals |
| Free trial | 7 days | No |
| Starting price | $22.99/mo (billed annually) | Free; paid from $10/mo (Pro) |
| All plans | Illustrator (single app) — $22.99/mo | Free — Free Pro — $10/mo Studio — $30/mo Business — $80/mo |
| Positioning | ||
| Best for | Brand and print designers who need precise vector artwork, spot colour and .ai and EPS files, with vectors generated from a prompt | Mac and iPad designers who want a free vector app with auto trace and AI background removal |
| Differentiator | Illustrator combines precise vector tools, spot colour and .ai and EPS files with Firefly vector generation from a prompt. | Linearity Curve, formerly Vectornator, is a free vector app for Mac and iPad with auto trace built in. |
| Competitors | Inkscape, CorelDRAW | Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, CorelDRAW |
Section 03
Adobe Illustrator vs Linearity Curve: common questions
Is Adobe Illustrator or Linearity Curve cheaper?
Adobe Illustrator's cheapest paid plan is $22.99/mo (billed annually) and Linearity Curve's is Free; paid from $10/mo (Pro). Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
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