How to Get Adobe Illustrator for Free

By Ann Young 2024-04-17, UK Blog

Adobe Illustrator

  • Rank
    (4.5/5)
  • Reviews: 415
  • License: Free Trial
  • License: Free
  • Downloads: 9.3k
  • Version: 3.6.6.
  • Compatible: Mac/Win

Don’t know how to get Adobe Illustrator for free but want to create professional designs without paying $20 per the month subscription? Check out these two safe ways of downloading Adobe Illustrator free without violating the law, its free alternatives, and all secret piracy dangers.

illustrator interface

Free Illustrator Benefits

  • Professional designing tools
  • Simple learning curve
  • Can be integrated with other Adobe products
  • Supports all kinds of formats
  • Easy access to Adobe Fonts
  • Can be used for presentations

Using Adobe Illustrator for free on a regular basis is unfortunately impossible, although you may test this vector editor for 7 days completely free of charge, or install a free Adobe Illustrator on your smartphone.

Adobe Illustrator Free Trial is a great way to test the program performance without any limitations for 7 days. This variant is suitable for those who have not decided what vector editor to download.

Adobe Illustrator Free Trial FAQ:

In case you have any questions about Adobe Illustrator Free Trial, look through the answers in the FAQ section.

  • Is it possible to download Adobe Illustrator CS6 trial?

No. Illustrator is the only and the most recent trial version of Adobe Illustrator which may be downloaded for free.

  • Is Adobe Illustrator free trial a full version of Illustrator?

Yes. It has all functions and updates of the recent Illustrator version.

If you’re interested in other Adobe products, read more about how to get Lightroom for free and use Photoshop free.

  • Will I get a discount for Adobe Illustrator if I am a student?

Yes. Students and teachers may buy a subscription on the whole Creative Cloud Collection with a 60% discount.

  • What to do if the trial period is over?

Go to the "Buy" section and select one of the available plans.

Another Way to Use Adobe Illustrator Free

Adobe Illustrator Draw

  • Rank
    (4/5)
  • Reviews: 205
  • License: Free
  • Downloads: 9.3k
  • Version: 3.6.6.
  • Compatible: Android/iOS
illustrator draw interface

Illustrator Draw Benefits

  • Layer support
  • Customizable brushes
  • Integration with other Adobe softwares
  • Simple UI

Adobe Illustrator Draw offers all popular tools and functions for vector drawing on a simple and modern interface. The app supports layers and various brushes. Since Draw belongs to Creative Cloud Collection, it is compatible with the following apps: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Capture, Adobe Photoshop Sketch, and Lightroom mobile app.

You may send created illustrations to your computer and continue vector editing in the form of vector contours in Illustrator or paste sketches into Photoshop. Illustrator Draw supports the newest software, such as Adobe Ink, Adonit Jot Touch with Pixelpoint, Wacom, Pencil by FiftyThree Company, and Apple Pencil. It allows creating pictures by means of pressure-sensitive styluses. Moreover, thanks to this application, you may publish your works on Behance, and the most important thing is that the app is completely free.

Why Shouldn’t You Use Adobe Illustrator Pirate Version?

Some users may think that there is nothing wrong about downloading and using torrents. Downloading a pirate program from Torrent, you will get Adobe for free. However, that’s where the benefits end and criminal responsibility begins. Below, I will describe the consequences of using unlicensed software.

  • Lawsuit

I believe that the most important consequence resulting from using pirate software is criminal liability. Probably, many of you haven’t even guessed about such a law, although ignorance of the law is no excuse, as you know.

The thing is that if you download unlicensed software, you will get several warning messages on your e-mail describing the consequences of the illegal downloading. In case you don’t stop and continue misusing the pirate app, the Internet connection deactivated by your provider, and you will get summons. As a result, you will have to pay a fine in the amount from $1000.

  • Viruses

Pirate software, as a rule, is one of the biggest virus distributors on your computers. Having downloaded Adobe Illustrator free from the unreliable source, you may get different viruses. The most harmless thing that may happen is the automatic installation of different unnecessary programs. Moreover, viruses may slow down the performance of your PC. The most serious consequences are that your operating system will be damaged or your personal data may be even stolen.

  • No updates

Adobe Company constantly pleases us with updates which correct various bags, enhance or add new tools. Having downloaded hacked Adobe Illustrator, you can’t update it to the recent version and will use it till you download another, unlicensed version (which rarely happens).

  • Limited functionality

In order to hack the program, hackers find weak points in the program to open source code and crack it. When the program is cracked, hackers change source code in such a way that software may be used constantly. When source code is changed, hackers may hurt some tools. As a result, they will not function correctly, or stop working at all. It is really common for hacked programs.

  • No customer support

Adobe is rather a serious company which takes care of its users. Purchasing their product, you will get 24/7 support, which you can address with various questions. The support team will assist while handling some program issues or explain how this or that tool works. Downloading a pirate image editor version, you will not be able to take advantage of this possibility.

3 Adobe Illustrator Free Alternatives

Not everyone can afford to pay from $10 to $80 per month for the vector editor. That is why many independent designers and regular users look for affordable alternatives. If you start studying the vector graphics, the programs which I have chosen as free alternatives to Adobe Illustrator may be ideal to satisfy your needs. Without doubts, Illustrator will win in all respects, although I tried to pick up the closest image editors which are suitable for basic vector operations.

1. Inkscape

inkscape logo
Pros
  • Hotkeys
  • Convenient image edit functions
  • Completely free
Cons
  • System resource-demanding
  • File import issues

Inkscape is a special program which is designed to create and process vector illustrations. It’s a perfect Adobe Illustrator free alternative, which is frequently used to design business cards, posters, schemes, logos, and diagrams. It allows creating and editing vector images by means of various tools. You may draw objects using such tools as a pencil, pen, and calligraphy. Moreover, there are different rectangles, ellipsis, polygons, spirals, text possibilities, and much more. You may also open and save graphics in GZIP format.

In addition, the program allows editing image of many popular formats, for example, SVG, PNG, OpenDocument, DXF, sk1, PDF, EPS, PostScript, etc. Inkscape is a great utility with many useful functions and a simple interface. I recommend this app for those, who need a reliable program to create and edit graphics.

2. Gravit

gravit logo
Pros
  • Big library of vector assets
  • Simple user interface
  • Available browser version
Cons
  • Relatively limited functionality

Initially, Gravit was designed as an online vector editor to create icons, banners, logos, and other graphic elements. However, developers introduced new functions and this alternative to Adobe Illustrator free trial became a powerful graphics tool which is now compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux platforms. The program has the full set of tools necessary for vector graphics processing.

It supports layers, curves, geometric figures, various tools for selecting and transformation, texts, and many other functions to work with objects. Gravit Designer library of vector assets includes badges, forms, emoji, and illustrations, which may be combined during photo editing. By the way, Gravit may be used as a raster graphics editor, since there are such functions as cropping, masking, blending, resizing, and filter adding. Edited works may be saved in PNG, JPG, or SVG formats.

3. Vectr

vectr logo
Pros
  • Completely free
  • Easy to use
  • Cross-platform
  • WordPress integration
  • Available browser version
Cons
  • Limited functions
  • Personal account is a must

Vectr is a relatively new app which is rapidly developing, adding and enhancing various functions. It’s a simple and understandable picture editor, which allows you to perform standard vector operations such as create and edit geometric figures, curves, etc. It has several levels and pages, which help organize the project. Vectr allows importing such format files as AI, EPS, SVG, PNG, and JPEG.

It is frequently used for annotation, image correction, and drawing mockups and diagrams. What is more, it may be used to create logos, watermarks, user interface design, website mockups, social networks banners, icons, and 2D images. Thanks to Vectr, you can create zoomed vector illustrations using simple and understandable functions. The program is easy to master and suitable for those, who start working with a vector and are completely satisfied with basic functions regarding illustration editing.

Download Adobe Illustrator Free

adobe illustrator free trial

To test this software for free, download the licensed trial version or use the mobile application.

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