Inkscape
Open-source vector graphics editor for SVG illustration, diagrams and design work.
Liked as a versatile vector tool that combines freehand drawing with precise, CAD-like shape handling,12 and as a free replacement for Adobe graphics apps.34 Complaints are scattered: it rewrites the formatting of hand-written SVG files,5 CMYK and spot colour output is weak,6 and a former Creative Cloud user found it awkward.7
Why people recommend it
Versatile drawing · 3
Used for illustrations, slides, game art, PDF extraction, vectorising bitmaps and simple CAD work.
“Inkscape is awesome - I use it regularly for extracting design elements from PDFs and vectorising bitmaps.”
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“I love Inkscape! My game Enalim was made with Inkscape.”
Adobe replacement · 3
Several commenters use it with other free tools in place of Adobe's suite.
“Between Inkscape and Photopea I haven’t touched an Adobe graphics app in years.”
“Meanwhile Blender, ffmpeg, Krita, ZIM, and Inkscape are all free but which I support with donations.”
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“making personalised Christmas t-shirts in Inkscape. I love what you can do with open source tools!”
User interface · 3
Some commenters praise its UI and say it is easier to use than other open-source apps like GIMP.
“I do most of my graphics work in Inkscape these days (lots of vector icon design). Brilliant UI”
“why Inkscape feels qualitatively better than many open source apps”
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“I haven't have any issues with Inkscape”
Cutter plugins · 2
Extensions let it drive vinyl cutters and knife plotters without proprietary software.
“open source inkscape plugin that interfaces with the silhouette brand of knife plotters”
“I use an Inkscape extension to send my own designs to a vinyl cutter”
Caveats and dissent
SVG reformatting · 1
Editing a hand-crafted SVG rewrites its formatting, putting line breaks between attributes.
“Literally everything else about Inkscape is amazing!”
CMYK handling · 1
CMYK and spot colour output need workarounds such as editing EPS by hand or using Scribus.
“Inkscape is awesome - I use it regularly for extracting design elements from PDFs and vectorising bitmaps.”
Awkward workflow · 1
A former Creative Cloud user on Linux described it as awkward.
“deal with the awkwardness of GIMP and Inkscape”
HPGL support · 1
One user stays on version 0.92 because they believe HPGL support was removed in newer versions.
“Inkscape is a great program, keep up the good work.”
Often compared with
Who recommends it in their own words
Threads where it came up
- Inkscape 1.4.4 6 mentions
- AI being great at math makes human mathematicians more valuable, not less 1 mention
- Show HN: A fantasy map of my blog to replace the chronological feed 1 mention
- AI coding agents generate more code, but not more software 1 mention
- What ArtCraft's Vibe-Coded Apps Say About Adobe 1 mention
- Tell HN: GitHub refuses to remove cracked copies of my software after a month 1 mention
Data: inkscape.json. Quotes are verbatim; the verdict and theme labels are written by a model from these comments, and every clause links to its sources.
All comments 21
“Here's that chart redone in SVG with Inkscape”
“drew about 90% of the art myself in Inkscape”
“why Inkscape feels qualitatively better than many open source apps”
“I do most of my graphics work in Inkscape these days (lots of vector icon design). Brilliant UI”
“Between Inkscape and Photopea I haven’t touched an Adobe graphics app in years.”
“deal with the awkwardness of GIMP and Inkscape”
“and Inkscape (3s per screenful, smooth)”
“I haven't have any issues with Inkscape”
“QtCreator, Allegro, GIMP, Inkscape, Audacity, LMMS”
“But see how many professionals used Inkscape in their regular workflow.”
“Inkscape is a great program, keep up the good work.”
“Inkscape is an indispensable tool for me.”
“I use an Inkscape extension to send my own designs to a vinyl cutter”
“Inkscape is awesome - I use it regularly for extracting design elements from PDFs and vectorising bitmaps.”
“I love Inkscape! My game Enalim was made with Inkscape.”
“Literally everything else about Inkscape is amazing!”
“Meanwhile Blender, ffmpeg, Krita, ZIM, and Inkscape are all free but which I support with donations.”
“open source inkscape plugin that interfaces with the silhouette brand of knife plotters”
Very fun project :) Not seen this type of robot before that uses wires to push the pins. I got a little set of cheap transparent locks and tried placing the key in a flatbed scanner to image and think I used inkscape to generate an SVG, which I imported to FreeCAD to make a model that I 3D printed in plastic, which worked after a little filing.
“They're mostly /fine/ but it's one of the weaker software categories in FOSS-alternatives IMO.”
“making personalised Christmas t-shirts in Inkscape. I love what you can do with open source tools!”