Comparison between Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW come to our mind when we think about any graphic design project. Illustrator and CorelDRAW both are vector-based design software. They are giving support from the ‘90s and hope that it will also continue to contribute for the next decade.
Adobe Illustrator is now in its 25th version which was initially released in 1987. You can create everything from mobile and web graphics to symbols, logos, icons, book illustrations, product packaging, billboards, and so on. Illustrator is available both on desktop and iPad.
On the other hand, CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite 2020 is now in its 22nd version. It was initially released in 1989. CorelDRAW offers the designer the to break down any sort of creating barriers. As a designer, you can use all the professional vector illustration, layout, photo editing, and typography tools to complete your design projects from any device.
CorelDRAW is very often considered the alternative to Adobe Illustrator. So, what is the difference between CorelDraw and Adobe Illustrator?
However, here we draw an authentic Comparison between Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW.
Head-to-head Comparison
| Adobe Illustrator | CorelDRAW | |
| First Release | January 1987 | January 1989 |
| Mother Company | Adobe Inc | Corel Corporation |
| Origin Country | United States | Canada |
| Present version | 25th | 22nd |
| Product Name | Adobe Illustrator CC 2020 | CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite 2020 |
| Filename | .ai | .cdr |
| File Compatibility | Comparatively limited | More than 100 files |
| Upgradation | Regular routine work | Comparatively slow |
Features:
A lot of features are found in both of the software- Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw. So, get a comprehensive list of features here:
What’s New
Descriptive comparison
Therefore, get here the most useful descriptive comparison. You will get more information that you can use.
1. Optimization
Adobe Illustrator has been optimized for the visual aesthetic. There is no way to worry about dimensions. Illustrator, however, offers all kinds of digital rendering without losing quality.
Where CorelDRAW has been optimized for two-dimensional documentation. Furthermore, Illustrator is almost print-focused software.
2. Specialty
Adobe Illustrator has a customizable workspace. So, whatever you want to design, you can easily do it. The designers get support from the option of the smart guide. You can create live shapes in Illustrator. The software also has magnification, dynamic symbols, and transform tools. With its built-in templates and presets, one can easily do some outstanding smart designs without any hassle. The software has separate import & export settings. So, you can use various types of file formats.
CorelDRAW software has specialized vector illustration tools. Such as they are contour, envelope, blend, mesh fill, and so on. With its easily accessible collaboration tools, your job will also be more flexible. Cutting-edge typography, bitmap-to-vector trace, and AI-powered image solutions are the newest revolutionary attachment of CorelDRAW.
3. Compatibility
Illustrator is compatible both with Mac and Windows operating systems. It is available on iPad from October 2020. So, you can create logos, illustrations, and graphics with the precision of vectors. You will also enjoy the freedom of the Apple Pencil and the iPad.
CRD is also compatible both with Mac and Windows operating systems. It is available on iPad but the rating is too low. There is a CorelDraw app. You can access this app also from anywhere and edit without downloading or installing the software. You can make a quick edit or comment on a coworker’s project also.
4. Types of work
In Adobe Illustrator, you can create all sorts of graphic designs. They are icons, logos, posters, flyers, and more. It is very familiar to designers for Sketches and rough designs. If you are looking for Complex illustrations, Adobe Illustrator can be the best choice. You may also choose it for advanced typography and color schemes.
CorelDRAW is one of the best software. You can use it to create a holiday, greeting, thank you, party invitations, and birthday cards. You can also use it for photo compositing. CorelDRAW is the perfect software for creating full-screen PDF presentation graphics, pixel art illustrations, and double exposure collages. It is highly preferable for designing mascots and Testing tattoo designs.
5. Usability
Adobe Illustrator is a complicated software with complex functionality. It is highly recommended for experienced graphic design professionals. You can create a myriad of vector graphics.
On the other hand, CorelDRAW eases to use for hobbyists and new graphic designers. You can be a master in CorelDRAW quickly. Its learning curve is easier than other software.
6. Available Support
Adobe Illustrator has an individual help center. They will help you troubleshoot. It has also highly interactive community forums. The help center gives you 24/5 tech support by both- chat or call.
Similarly, CorelDRAW has a special Corel Discovery Center. The center contains video and written tutorials, galleries, tips, and eBooks. You can also purchase any solution from a dedicated store. For tech support, you can call or chat with them.
7. Uniqueness
Get some unique features of Illustrator and CorelDraw apps.
Illustrator- iPad version:
Illustrator has launched its iPad version. So, let’s take the Apple Pencil and iPad to create logos, illustrations, and graphics. Now, turn your natural drawing into a vector design. In the iPad version, there is the most comprehensive type of toolkit. You can bring about changes in monograms, wordmarks, and more. You can design from anywhere. Furthermore, you can work seamlessly across your devices. You can also keep synchronizing everything with Adobe Creative Cloud. The version is optimized for Apple Pencil. It has an expansive typography toolkit. You can also work with Photoshop on the iPad.
CorelDRAW App
CorelDRAW.app is a revolutionary step of CorelDRAW. This app will help your team and clients can collaborate with each other directly. It works as a central hub to share CDR files. Thus, you can save valuable time. Now, it’s easy to keep every assigned person on the same page by viewing. They can respond to and resolve issues with the new teamleader. It also saves valuable screen space by adding detailed Infos. It includes note icons, arrows, rectangles, and ellipses, as well as straight and free-form lines directly on the document. One can sign in on CorelDRAW.app with a Corel customer account. You can access the app as a guest in the web browser from any device.
8. Purchase option
You can use Adobe illustrator free for 7 days. But Illustrator has no lifetime purchase option. You can get it on a yearly basis for 20.99 US Dollars per month. . You can also buy the license only on a monthly basis at 31.49 US Dollars.
CorelDRAW has a suitable lifetime purchasing option at 785 US Dollars. You can also buy the license monthly at 33.25 US Dollars. But you have to pay the bill will annually. It will give you a one-month money-back guarantee. You can also use CorelDRAW free for one month.
9. Score
According to various online surveys, Adobe Illustrator gains a 9+ score out of 10 on an average. It has the utmost customer satisfaction.
On the other hand, CorelDRAW gains an 8.5+ score out of 10 on an average. The tool has also a good number of satisfied customers.
Pros and Cons
Undoubtedly, both Illustrator and CorelDRAW are dynamic design software. But, everything in the world has merits and demerits. In this sense, Illustrator and CorelDRAW have pros and cons also.
Now, we clarify them-
Adobe Illustrator
Pros:
- Available for both mac and windows operating systems
- The perfect option in the term of precisive work
- Infinite resolution accessibility
- Integrated with all adobe products
- Easy interface
Cons:
- Complex for the beginner
- Highly expensive
- Photo editing limitation
CorelDRAW
Pros:
- Relatively fastest software
- Easy interface
- Also Cost-effective
- Accepting other’s program file
- Effective learning tutorial
Cons:
- Low-quality print preview
- Less performance in photographic quality artwork
Are CorelDRAW File Formats compatible with Adobe Illustrator?
Every graphic design software has an individual file format. CorelDRAW and Illustrator also have their own format. But there is a usage limitation of any file on other software. But, you can import and export Ai files in CorelDRAW. Adobe Illustrator also gives you the option to import and export CDR files.
Is CorelDRAW easier than Illustrator?
CorelDRAW and Illustrator contain totally different kinds of software. So, it is hard to say which one is easier. If you are a beginner then CorelDRAW may be easy to learn quickly. In that sense, CorelDRAW is easier than Illustrator for beginners. But each software has an individual enhancement for experienced users.
File formats of the Illustrator and CorelDraw
One can easily convert the raster image file into a vector file. For this purpose, you have to use Illustrator or CorelDRAW. AI stands for Illustrator and CDR stands for CorelDRAW. AI and CDR are vector file formats. Illustrator and CorelDRAW also support other vector formats like SVG, EPS, PDF, etc.
Which software is more user-friendly- Illustrator or CorelDraw?
Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW both are the first choices of hobbyists and professionals. It varies from man to man. However, CorelDRAW is more user-friendly for entry-level designers with an easy learning curve. Whereas Illustrator is user-friendly for professional graphic designers for handling complex vector design.
Price factors of Illustrator or CorelDraw?
CorelDRAW is comparatively more affordable than Illustrator. CorelDRAW has a lifetime and monthly base payment system. But, the illustrator has only a monthly basis payment system. You can afford CorelDRAW for a lifetime period at 785 US Dollars. Its yearly subscription is 399 US Dollars. Illustrator takes 20.99 US Dollars per month according to their annual plan. It has also an annual prepaid plan and monthly subscription plan.
Which image creator is perfect for novice designers?
CorelDRAW and Illustrator are the leading graphic design software for more than 30 years. Both of them are trying their best to become perfect for the designers. But, the question is- which one is perfect for novice designers?. The answer depends on the user experience. Use first and then select the best one for you.
How CorelDraw is different from Photoshop and GIMP?
Photoshop and GIMP are photo editing and retouching software. Photoshop is a product of Adobe. GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is open-source and free software.
Whereas CorelDRAW is a vector-based image creator and it’s not free. So, when you think about creating images professionally, you can try CorelDRAW.
Can I use CorelDraw on my low-performing PC?
Software up-gradation is very important for graphic design software like CorelDRAW. It’s now on the 22nd version. Your computer needs up-gradation in a row. But it’s not affordable to update your pc regularly. So, can you use CorelDRAW on your pc? The answer is- that you have at least an Intel corei3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor, 4 GB RAM, and OpenCL 1.2 capable video card.
Which one is widely used by the professionals- Illustrator or CorelDraw?
Illustrator or CorelDRAW, which one is the best choice for professionals, really varies from designer to designer. Each software is used In the USA by professionals. A vast number of designers switch to CorelDRAW from Illustrator, also switch to Illustrator from CorelDRAW, and vice-versa.
How to create vector images in Illustrator and CorelDraw?
Creating vector images is the key role of Illustrator and CorelDRAW. Designers almost follow the same way in both software to vectorize their images.
- Pick a raster image to vectorize
- Select Image Trace; here you have options like low or high fidelity, color option, shades, art options, etc.
- Now, turn your raster image into a vector image by Image Trace.
- You need to fine-tune the traced image carefully for the conversion.
- Work with the color option, ungroup them and edit your vector image.
- Finally, save the image into a vector file format like AI, CDR, EPS, PDF, SVG, etc.
So, the final decision on the comparison between Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW is both have an individualistic specialty. In some options, Illustrator is the winner whereas CorelDRAW is the winner in other angles. But the common thing is, that both are suitable for professional vector-based graphic design.
