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As a graphic designer, you need software that can help you create stunning visual designs with ease. But with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to decide which graphic editor is worth your time and money.
In this article, we will introduce you to the best graphic editors for Mac. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of which software is right for you.
Video Tutorial:
What is a Graphic Editor?
A graphic editor is a software application that allows you to create, edit, and manipulate visual graphics or images. These graphics or images can be used in a wide variety of contexts, such as digital marketing, social media, website design, or branding.
Graphic editors on Mac offer a wide range of features, such as vector graphics, raster graphics, or image manipulation. Each feature allows you to create different visual designs for specific purposes.
Top 8 Graphic Editors for Mac Recommendation in 2021
1. Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is one of the best graphic editors for Mac. It is the industry-standard software application for vector graphics creation. With Adobe Illustrator, you can create logos, icons, typography, infographics, and other promotional materials.
One of its best features is the ability to create vector graphics, which means the graphics can be resized without losing quality. Its user interface is also user-friendly, allowing beginners to learn quickly.
Download Link: https://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator.html
Pros:
- Industry standard software for vector graphics creation
- User-friendly user interface
- Ability to create vector graphics enables the graphics to be resized without losing quality
Cons:
- The monthly subscription fee may be expensive for some users
- Some functions may not be beginner-friendly
- Adobe Illustrator may experience performance issues on older Mac models
| FREE TRIAL | PRICE | EASE-OF-USE | VALUE FOR MONEY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Illustrator | 7-day free trial | $20.99/month | Beginner to Intermediate | Expensive |
2. Sketch
Sketch is a popular graphic editing software for Mac used by UI/UX designers and web designers to create visual designs. It offers a wide range of vector editing tools, including shapes, text, and image styles.
Sketch’s user interface is similar to Adobe Illustrator, making it easy for designers who are familiar with Adobe products to transition to Sketch. The application also has a plugin system with over 700 plugins available for designers to use.
Download Link: https://www.sketch.com/
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Easy for Adobe users to transition to Sketch
- Plugin system with over 700 plugins available for designers to use
Cons:
- May not be suitable for complex vector designs
- No option for CMYK color space
- No support for bitmap filters such as distortion or blur
| FREE TRIAL | PRICE | EASE-OF-USE | VALUE FOR MONEY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sketch | 30-day free trial | $9/month | Beginner to Intermediate | Reasonable |
3. Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is a vector graphic editor designed for Mac. It allows you to create illustrations, icons, logos, and other visual designs. It has powerful vector editing, a range of tools and features, and support for CMYK and RGB color modes.
One of its best features is the ability to create interactive and responsive graphic designs, which means the design adapts to different screen sizes and orientations.
Download Link: https://affinity.serif.com/en-gb/designer/
Pros:
- Ability to create interactive and responsive graphic designs
- Powerful vector editing, a range of tools and features
- Support for CMYK and RGB color modes
Cons:
- May experience issues with performance on older Mac models
- No bitmap manipulation tools
- May not be as user-friendly as Sketch or Illustrator for beginners
| FREE TRIAL | PRICE | EASE-OF-USE | VALUE FOR MONEY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affinity Designer | 10-day free trial | $49.99 | Intermediate to Advanced | Reasonable |
4. Canva
Canva is a tool that simplifies graphic design and allows users with no experience in design to create professional-looking graphics. Canva is a cloud-based software so you can access it anywhere.
Its user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, with pre-made templates, photos, and graphics available for you to use. It has a drag-and-drop design interface which allows you to create designs quickly and easily.
Download Link: https://www.canva.com/
Pros:
- Intuitive and user-friendly user interface
- Pre-made templates, photos and graphics available for you to use
- Quick and easy drag-and-drop design interface
Cons:
- Less customization compared to other graphic editors
- May not be suitable for complex designs
- Limited features for print designs
| FREE TRIAL | PRICE | EASE-OF-USE | VALUE FOR MONEY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canva | Free version available | $9.95/month or $119.40/year | Beginner to Intermediate | Reasonable |
5. Gravit Designer
Gravit Designer is a vector design tool that is available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It offers features such as vector graphics, raster graphics, and design templates.
Its user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, making it an excellent option for beginners. It also has a range of export options, including SVG, PDF, and Sketch.
Download Link: https://www.designer.io/
Pros:
- Intuitive and user-friendly user interface
- Range of export options
- Free download available
Cons:
- Limited features compared to Adobe or Affinity Designer
- May experience performance issues with complex designs
- No bitmap manipulation tools
| FREE TRIAL | PRICE | EASE-OF-USE | VALUE FOR MONEY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravit Designer | Free version available | $49/year | Beginner to Intermediate | Reasonable |
6. Inkscape
Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics editor available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It offers a range of features, such as text, shapes, gradients, and layers.
Its user interface is similar to Adobe Illustrator, making it a good option for those who are familiar with Adobe products. It also has a range of export options, including SVG, PDF, and PNG.
Download Link: https://inkscape.org/
Pros:
- Free and open-source software
- Range of features available
- User interface is similar to Adobe Illustrator, making it easy to use for Adobe users
Cons:
- May experience performance issues with complex designs or large files
- May not be suitable for complex designs or animations
- Less user-friendly compared to Sketch or Canva
| FREE TRIAL | PRICE | EASE-OF-USE | VALUE FOR MONEY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inkscape | Free and open-source software | Free | Beginner to Intermediate | Excellent |
7. Figma
Figma is a web-based vector graphics editor that allows you to create UI/UX designs and prototypes. It has a range of features, such as vector graphics, prototyping, and collaboration.
One of its best features is the ability to collaborate with team members in real-time, making it an excellent option for teams working remotely or across different locations.
Download Link: https://www.figma.com/
Pros:
- Real-time collaboration with team members
- Vector graphics, prototyping, and collaboration features available
- Cloud-based software means you can access it anywhere
Cons:
- May experience performance issues with complex designs or large files
- Less user-friendly compared to Canva or Sketch
- Some features may not be beginner-friendly
| FREE TRIAL | PRICE | EASE-OF-USE | VALUE FOR MONEY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Figma | Free version available | $12/user/month or $144/user/year | Intermediate to Advanced | Expensive for teams |
8. CorelDRAW
CorelDRAW is a vector graphics editor available for Mac and Windows. It offers a range of features such as layout, tracing, typography, and photo editing. It is suitable for professional graphic designers, photographers, and illustrators.
One of its best features is the AI-powered PowerTRACE tool that converts bitmap images into vector graphics accurately.
Download Link: https://www.coreldraw.com/en/
Pros:
- Range of features available
- AI-powered PowerTRACE tool that converts bitmap images into vector graphics accurately
- Support for CMYK and RGB color modes
Cons:
- May experience performance issues with complex designs or large files
- May not be suitable for beginners
- Monthly subscription fee may be expensive for some users
| FREE TRIAL | PRICE | EASE-OF-USE | VALUE FOR MONEY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CorelDRAW | 15-day free trial | $249/year or $33.25/month | Intermediate to Advanced | Expensive |
Our Thoughts on the Best Graphic Editors for Mac
In conclusion, these are the eight best graphic editors for Mac available on the market. Depending on your needs and budget, you can choose the best software that fits your design requirements.
If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly graphic editor, we recommend Canva or Gravit Designer. If you’re looking for vector graphics with professional features that are similar to Adobe Illustrator, then Adobe Illustrator or Affinity Designer is your best option.
For designers who want cloud-based software with real-time collaboration and prototyping features, Figma is the best option. Mac users who need bitmap manipulation tools to create digital paintings or photographic images should consider using CorelDRAW or Adobe Photoshop.
FAQs about Graphic Editors
Q1: Can I use my image editing software for graphic design?
A: Yes, you can use your image editing software for graphic design. However, image editing software is mainly designed for photo editing and retouching, whereas graphic editors are designed specifically for creating logos, icons, and other visual designs.
Q2: What separates professional graphic editors from other graphic editors?
A: Professional graphic editors have advanced features such as vector graphics, typography, and advanced effects and filters. They also have a steeper learning curve compared to more accessible software like Canva or Gravit Designer.
Q3: Can graphic editors be used for print designs?
A: Yes, most graphic editors allow you to create print designs with CMYK color space, which is required for printing.
Q4: What is the difference between vector graphics and raster graphics?
A: Vector graphics are created using mathematical formulas and are resolution-independent, meaning they can be resized without losing quality. Raster graphics, on the other hand, are made up of pixels and can lose quality when they are resized.
Q5: Can I get a free graphic editor for Mac?
A: Yes, some of the graphic editors we’ve mentioned, such as Gravit Designer and Inkscape, are available for free and Open Source.
In Conclusion
In summary, the best graphic editors for Mac are Adobe Illustrator, Sketch, Affinity Designer, Canva, Gravit Designer, Inkscape, Figma, and CorelDRAW. Choose the software based on your needs, budget, and design requirements to create stunning visual designs with ease!