When it comes to graphics software, Adobe is typically the name to beat. That’s why we were surprised at how easily CorelDraw turned our Illustrator-biased heads. In fact, the software has some features Illustrator can’t match—at least, not without the addition of purchased plug-ins or extra steps. For a graphics program primarily geared toward the non-designer production industry and Windows-based graphic artists, it packs some pro-level features along with its touted accessibility and ease of use. Still, Adobe Illustrator remains our Editors’ Choice winner for the category, partly because of its powerful integration with other Creative Cloud apps.
CorelDraw is for vector drawing and editing, as well as layout. It’s a global favorite, with predominant appeal to the apparel, garment, and textile industries. Formerly the app was only for Windows, but now that it’s available to macOS users, its audience is expanding. With its biggest competitor, Adobe Illustrator, having a significant foothold among the professional graphic design crowd, Corel is working to share the market space more evenly by making sure it sports modern requirements like facilitated centralized collaboration, expanded compatibility, and subscription-based extras.
