The Cheapest Way to Get Adobe Illustrator in 2025

By Ann Young, Tetiana Kostylieva 11 days ago, Photo Editing Tips

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I recommend opting for Adobe’s Student or Teacher Plan if
you qualify. Otherwise, you can subscribe to Illustrator by the
month to keep costs low. If you need the program briefly, use
the 7-day free trial.

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Many of our FixThePhoto followers ask us how to get started with Adobe Illustrator without spending a fortune. Such queries prompted me to shed light on the cheapest way to get Adobe Illustrator.

The program is very popular among beginners, creatives, and small business owners who need a reliable, professional design tool. Besides, if you get a subscription, you can take advantage of handy extras like cloud storage, Adobe Fonts, and a library of free resources.

Recent Adobe Illustrator Updates

Performance enhancements. The menus and Links panel have become more responsive. Moreover, effects load faster. While it may not seem like a huge change at first, it seriously helps when working with heavy files. You can cope with the task much faster.

Generative Shape Fill. I tried the Generative Shape Fill on a plain leaf shape. It filled my design with cool styles and colors in no time. I received several variations that fit right into my project’s vibe. I particularly appreciate the possibility to tweak the result if I want.

Text to Pattern. With Adobe Firefly built in, all I have to do is describe what I want using the Text to Pattern function. Next, Illustrator turns it into a seamless, editable pattern. I used it for packaging mockups, which turned out professional and scalable. If you’re into design for brands, fashion, or interiors, this tool is a must-try.

Text to Vector Graphic. Eva, my colleague from FixThePhoto, used the Text to Vector graphics feature to design some custom icons. She got clean, sharp, and aligned results. She particularly appreciated the possibility of editing each shape afterward.

Objects in Path. With the Objects in Path tool, I was able to attach text, shapes, or icons to a curved path. Thus, designing a complex logo was rather quick.

Typography updates. The program brags about better controls and font rendering. Therefore, working with type and maintaining consistency across multiple designs has become easier.

Thanks to the listed updates, this free vector graphics software has become even more in demand among users. Creatives enjoy AI-based features most of all, as they can cope with regular tasks several times faster.

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Ways to Buy Illustrator

What is the cheapest way to get Adobe Illustrator? In fact, there are three main options of how to receive the software at little expense. They vary depending on what you need and how much you want to spend.

You can use the Illustrator-only plan, the full Creative Cloud plan, or the discounted student/teacher version of the All Apps plan. All of them include a 7-day free trial, so you can test Illustrator for free.

Illustrator Single App Plan

Price: $22.99/month (billed annually)

Includes: Full version of Illustrator, 100GB of cloud storage, Adobe Fonts, Adobe Express, Adobe Portfolio, Behance, Creative Cloud Libraries, access to the latest features, and 500 monthly generative credits

Best for: Freelancers, solo designers, or small businesses who only need Illustrator for vector work

As the name implies, you receive only Adobe Illustrator. The plan doesn’t include other Adobe tools like Photoshop, Lightroom, or Premiere Pro. So, if you’re interested in using only Illustrator, this version will work for you perfectly.

When I first started my career, I used this plan because I was focused on designing logos and illustrations. It’s a budget-friendly option if you don’t need Photoshop or other Adobe tools. I know that many users like the possibility to use a free 7-day Adobe Illustrator trial.

How to get Illustrator for free?

Head to the Adobe website and click “Free Trial.”
Choose any plan (just make sure to cancel before the trial period ends).
Enter your email ID and payment details.
Use the program for 7 days for free and cancel before the trial expires.

Creative Cloud Pro Plan

Price: $59.99/month (annual, billed monthly)

Includes: 20+ Creative Cloud apps, 100GB cloud storage, Adobe Fonts, Portfolio, Behance, Creative Cloud Libraries, access to the latest features, and 1,000 monthly generative credits

Best for: Designers and creative professionals who use multiple Adobe apps across photo, video, and print work

This is the all-in-one plan that includes over 20 free Adobe software. By choosing it, you get access to Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, InDesign, After Effects, and more.

This is my current favorite option. Since I work with both Illustrator and Photoshop a lot, and sometimes dabble in video editing, this plan satisfies all my needs. Frankly speaking, this is the cheapest way to get Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop together.

Creative Cloud All Apps Plan for Students & Teachers

adobe illustrator creative cloud plan for students teachers

Price: $19.99/month for the first year, then $34.99/month after that

Includes: All 20+ Adobe apps (including Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, Acrobat, etc.), 100GB cloud storage, Adobe Fonts, Portfolio, step-by-step tutorials, access to the latest features, 1,000 monthly generative credits, etc.

Best for: Students in design programs, beginners learning Adobe tools, and teachers needing creative software

If you’re studying or teaching, this plan is a terrific option. You get all Adobe apps, Illustrator included, with a 66% Adobe discount. I believe this plan is a wonderful solution for every aspiring designer who wants to hone their skills without spending an insane amount.

To get a discount, visit an official site and create a personal account. You will have to fill in the form in the Discount section. Before you get a discount, make sure that you are officially registered at one of the following educational establishments: a university or college, an elementary or secondary school, or a homeschool.

To get a discount, you should be over 13 years old and be registered at one of the institutions mentioned above (as a teacher or a student).

Fill in the form indicating the full address of the educational institution
Type in the current e-mail address of the institution or any other mail domains
Attach a scan of a document that proves that you work or study at this institution. It may be: school ticket, report card, transcript, tuition bill, or statement
That’s it. Confirm the order and wait for an email with instructions

Adobe CC Price Hike: How Illustrator Users Are Affected

Starting on June 17, 2025, Adobe plans to update some of its Creative Cloud subscriptions in North America. Users will face higher prices and new names that showcase added AI features. For everyone outside North America, everything stays the same for now.

The main changes are:

The popular All Apps plan is getting a name change to Creative Cloud Pro, along with a new price tag of $69.99/month for individuals.
If you're a student or teacher, you’ll pay just $29.99/month your first year, then $39.99/month after that, with full access to all Adobe apps.
Creative Cloud Pro brings new tools - unlimited AI tools, the new Firefly Boards, and support for third-party AI models.

$69.99/month feels steep, particularly for people looking for the cheapest way to get Adobe Illustrator. Still, considering all the AI tools Adobe’s added, it’s not just about the price anymore.

I’ve tried Generative Fill in Photoshop and Generative Shape Fill in Illustrator. They helped me handle my tasks faster than ever before. If you work fast or handle a lot of design tasks, these features will definitely please you.

If you aren’t interested in AI advancements, Adobe’s new Creative Cloud Standard plan could be a better fit at $54.99/month.

You’ll still have over 20 essential apps, including favorites like Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
The plan offers limited AI capabilities and credits
However, it doesn’t come with premium web or mobile versions of the apps

Good news for people using a single Adobe app. Your current price won’t change, as long as you don’t cancel and re-subscribe after June 17, 2025. But after that date, new users of Illustrator, Photoshop, or Premiere Pro will only get 25 generative AI credits each month.

FAQ

How much do I need to pay for Adobe Illustrator?

It’s $22.99 a month with an annual plan or $34.49 a month for individuals. If you prefer paying for the full year in advance, that’ll be $263.88. For teams, it’s $37.99 per month.

Is there a way to use Adobe Illustrator for free forever?

Unfortunately, no. Adobe only offers a 7-day free trial of Illustrator. After that, you’ll need to choose a paid plan to keep using it.

While it might be tempting to go for a free Adobe Illustrator crack, it’s definitely not worth it. These illegal copies can put your computer at risk of viruses and malware, and you won’t get any updates or support. Plus, using them can lead to legal trouble. It’s always safest to stick with Adobe’s official website or trusted resellers.

Can I get Adobe Illustrator at a discount?

Yes. Adobe sometimes offers special deals on its website, so it’s worth checking the Special Offers page regularly. Also, if you’re a student or teacher, you can get a big discount through the Creative Cloud plan for Students & Teachers.

Moreover, Adobe tends to offer big Adobe Black Friday discounts, Cyber Monday bonuses, and more. Visit their official site during those times to see what deals are available.

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When should I use Photoshop versus Illustrator?

Use Photoshop if you’re editing photos or doing retouching. But if you’re designing logos, icons, or web graphics that need to stay sharp at any size, Illustrator is your best bet. Photoshop and Illustrator are both powerful tools, but each of them has its own strengths depending on the project.

Can I work with Adobe Illustrator on more than one device?

Yes, if you have an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, you can use Adobe Illustrator on up to two devices, like computers, laptops, tablets, etc. We test such compatibility across several platforms, and our settings and preferences stayed the same across all our devices. If you want to activate and use your app(s) on a third computer, you first have to deactivate them on one of your previous devices.

Is it possible to stop my Adobe Illustrator subscription?

Yes, you can stop your Adobe Illustrator subscription whenever you want. But before you do, make sure to check Adobe's rules about canceling and any fees you might have to pay.

What are some budget-friendly alternatives to Illustrator?

If you want to save money or your trial expires, you can try Adobe Illustrator alternatives with similar features. Krita, Inkscape, Affinity Designer, and CorelDRAW are popular options. For basic vector tools like pens and shapes, check out the Boxy SVG vs Illustrator comparison.

Ann Young

Retouching Guides Writer

Ann Young is an expert photographer, retoucher, and writer with over 9+ years of working at FixThePhoto. Her career in digital community began after earning her degree from New York University. She believes AI can be a real helper if you know how to use it properly. Unlike many photographers, she isn’t afraid that AI tools can replace human experts in different spheres.

Read Ann's full bio

Tetiana Kostylieva

Photo & Video Insights Blogger

Tetiana Kostylieva is the content creator, who takes photos and videos for almost all FixThePhoto blog articles. Her career started in 2013 as a caricature artist at events. Now, she leads our editorial team, testing new ideas and ensuring the content is helpful and engaging. She likes vintage cameras and, in all articles, she always compares them with modern ones showing that it isn’t obligatory to invest in brand-new equipment to produce amazing results.

Read Tetiana's full bio