GIMP, or GNU Image Manipulation Program is a very feature rich photo editing and creative tool that can do almost everything that Photoshop can, and brings in everything from the popular Adobe software to a free and open-source software. There are plenty of tools on the market aimed at helping you to create unique pieces of digital art or mimic traditional effects.There's software for Windows and macOS, There are also free and paid options, depending on your budget. Inkscape is professional quality vector graphics software which runs on Linux, Mac OS X and Windows desktop computers. Mac OS X and Linux. It's free and open source. Current stable version: 0.92.3. This year's Kiel Hackfest was one of the best yet, thanks in no small part to Maren Hachmann, who is coordinator for Inkscape's. Open-source free graphic design software that debuted on Unix-based platforms, GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program. Today it's available in versions for Linux, Windows and Mac. GIMP's interface differs somewhat from Photoshop, but a version of GIMP is available that mimics Adobe's look and feel, making it easier to migrate over if.

Adobe Illustrator is often considered the gold standard of vector software for Mac. However, you can use alternatives to create crisp artwork and beautiful diagrams. Illustrator alternatives exist, and they give you some compelling options when you’re short on cash.

If you’re looking for a Mac vector editor to use in your next project you should try one of these free vector editors or cheap Adobe Illustrator alternatives first. This is the best vector software for macOS that you can use for free or buy on a budget.

What Are Vector Graphics?

For those who are still new to the concept, Vector graphics use mathematical equations along a 2D axis to draw lines and shapes inside a fixed space. This differs from raster images, which are pixel-based. When you scale a raster image past its max resolution, it “stretches” and becomes blurry. With vector graphics, you can scale up and down infinitely.

This flexibility means that vector graphics are incredibly useful for design purposes. They are great for creating icons, logos, diagrams, charts, posters, magazines, and other scalable artwork.

1. Inkscape (Free)

Inkscape is probably the most versatile free vector editor for Mac. With a long history of development and a keen fanbase, Inkscape works on all three major operating systems and costs nothing.

Inkscape uses an open-source development model (like these other free open-source mac apps15 Free Open-Source Mac Apps You Must Install15 Free Open-Source Mac Apps You Must InstallWant to use some open source software on your Mac? These macOS apps are open-source, awesome, and best of all.. free!Read More), and as a result its technological progress is often slower than that of its commercial rivals. Inkscape prides itself on its full compatibility with the W3C open standard SVG, and strives to make itself one of the most user-friendly SVG editors for Mac on the market.

Despite this user accessibility, newcomers may feel a little out of their depth when trying it out. To help, there’s extensive documentation and answers to your questions within the Inkscape forums.

Note: Mac users may need to download XQuartz in order to run Inkscape. So if you’re not a fan of additional downloads, this might be a hassle.

Verdict: Inkscape is the best open-source vector graphics software for Mac, and the closest you’ll come to Adobe Illustrator if your budget is zero.

Download:Inkscape (Free)

2. Vectr (Free)

Vectr is a free vector editor built on web technology. You can download Vectr for Windows, Linux, or Chrome OS, or run the browser version through macOS.

The app comes with a promise of being “free forever,” and its tools are mostly focused on creative vector drawings, such as logos, brochures, and posters.

Best of all? Vectr includes a comprehensive user guide and tutorials, so you can learn how to use it effectively in very little time.

Verdict: A free, web-based tool with excellent customer support via online tutorials.

Download:Vectr (Free)

3. LibreOffice Draw (Free)

LibreOffice is a popular open-source alternative to Microsoft Office, and it comes with its own vector drawing program called “Draw”. Unfortunately LibreOffice Draw isn’t as feature-rich as some of the other programs on this list, but it does have a few accessories.

The free vector editor seems to be aimed at users who want to create flowcharts or diagrams. It also has the ability to create technical drawings and brochures. LibreOffice Draw is also a great Mac vector editor for those looking to create network diagrams—all without a high degree of artistic skill.

Note: If you’re looking to create artwork, then Inkscape might be a better choice.

Verdict: Lacks the polish of some other programs. If you were previously using LibreOffice, you might already have it installed.

Download:LibreOffice (Free)

4. DrawBerry (Free)

DrawBerry won’t “wow” you with its features or extensive help documentation, but it still works on the latest version of macOS, so it may be worth a shot.

This free vector editor for Mac is very lightweight, and although it lacks the features of more advanced programs, its simplicity is key to its appeal. While seasoned graphic designers will be pining for more advanced features, if you need a logo for your low-to-no-budget project, you can do a lot worse than DrawBerry.

Verdict: Despite being ancient and lacking in features, it still works. It’s also still free, and it might do the job if you don’t need a hefty vector editor.

Download:DrawBerry (Free)

5. Boxy SVG ($9.99)

Boxy is a type of vector graphics software for Mac with similar functionality to Inkscape. It has its own Mac app available through the App Store, and can import and support SVG file extensions. It can also support PNG, JPEG, and GIF.

When you’re using Boxy, transform tools, grouping tools, and painting tools are all supported with preset shapes, along with support for gradients and patterns.

Verdict: Boxy is a nice entry to the vector graphics category built on web technology. It’s lightweight and begging to be played with.

Download:Boxy SVG ($9.99)

6. Autodesk Graphic ($29.99)

Previously known as iDraw, Autodesk Graphic is a great lightweight vector editor for Mac. It’s more expensive than it used to be, but it still maintains a robust feature set with full support for SVG, PDF, and AI (Illustrator) formats. It also has layered PSD imports and exports for photoshop users.

Featuring a good range of tools for drawing and sketching, Autodesk Graphic makes for a great choice for a SVG editor when you’re a designer on a budget. You can also download Autodesk Graphic for iPad, which uses iCloud to sync. This way you can access your designs on the go.

Verdict: A proper vector editor above all else.

Download:Autodesk Graphic ($29.99)

7. Pixelmator ($39.99)

Pixelmator is one of our favorite vector editor alternatives on this list. The app provides limited support for vector drawing with shape and lines.

Pixelmator has a range of in-built shapes and tools for mapping out vectors, though professional users who are used to the advanced features in Illustrator will probably be left wanting more.

Verdict: A great app that can perform many common tasks.

Download:Pixelmator ($39.99)

Best Free Graphic Design Software – Graphic Design is the field, which is growing as fast as technology is growing. It is one of the fastest evolving fields. Graphic designers designs most of the digital pictures, logos, banners, posters, visiting cards etc. To provide the fairest comparison of software, we evaluated entry-level graphic design software that falls between $20 and $130. We also offer reviews on photo editing software, which is similar in design and function to graphic design software. This graphic design software for Mac is equipped with professional-grade drawing tools, natural brushes and helpful integration with Adobe CS Live online services. With such features, the graphic design software for Mac is an agile program to support all types of project from logo or icon designing to infographics.

Best Free Art Program For Mac