Difference Between Illustrator and CorelDRAW (With Table)

We come across many logos, flyers, posters, fliers, beautiful graphics on packing boxes and wrappers, etc., in our day-to-day life. Did you ever think where do these perfect graphics come from? Illustrator and CorelDRAW are software used for these graphic drawings and illustrations. Adobe Illustrator(Ai) and CorelDraw are vector-based software used by graphic designers for making graphics and designs.

Illustrator vs CorelDRAW

The main difference between illustrator and CorelDRAW is their functionality. Though both are vector-based graphic and drawing software, Adobe illustrator is used for making illustrations. Whereas CorelDRAW is used for desktop publishing. Both are similar software used for editing and making graphics in various sectors like printing media, logo graphics.

Adobe Illustrator is a vector-based graphics editor software owned and developed by Adobe Inc. Initially developed for Apple Macintosh. The development of this graphic software started in the year 1985. And the first release was on 19th March 1987. Adobe illustrator provides functionality in logo graphics and Typesetting.

CorelDRAW is also a vector-based graphic program owned by Corel Corporation. The initial release for this software was on 16th January 1989. This graphic software is used in desktop publishing. Editing two-dimensional images like posters and logos can be done with this software. It is also a vector-based software similar to Adobe Illustrator.

Comparison Table Between Illustrator and CorelDRAW

Parameters of Comparison

Illustrator

CorelDRAW

Developer(s) and Owned by

Adobe Inc

Corel Corporation

Initial or First release

March 19th, 1987

January 16th, 1989

Last stable release

October 26th,2021

March 9th,2021

Common Uses

Logo graphics, Map designs, illustration drawings, etc.

Printing media from huge banners to visiting cards.

Collaboration

We can’t share us through links in the illustrator application.

In CorelDRAW, you can share the link of your work to other CorelDRAW collaborators to review and comment.

Subscription type

Monthly subscription. Prices may vary with the updated versions.

One-time suite subscription.

What is Illustrator?

Illustrator is a vector-based graphic designing software owned by Adobe Inc. This software is focused on vector-based graphic techniques, which means the graphics are drawn by the computer mathematically. With this advantage, we can get the image of our work at any resolution without loss in quality. For instance, We want to get the logo graphics at higher resolution and size with the same clarity at the smaller size, this software does this task.

Adobe Illustrator has many powerful tools for editing like pen tool, curve tool. This software uses Bezier tool handles through which we can get the utmost precision graphics. Adobe Illustrator has a large variety of templates for banners, flyers, brochures, and many more and with the flexibility to organize these templates during output. Adobe Illustrator is the best program for making logos.

Illustrator has compatibility with both Windows and Mac platforms. Adobe Illustrator also features a Library tool, through which we can create new font styles, colour palettes, and more. You can also integrate your Adobe Illustrator with your cloud to save your work from app crashes. Adobe autosaves your work to your cloud through which you can access your work from anywhere. Adobe Illustrator has another feature of hiding and unhiding the tools according to the designer’s needs, through which workflow increases and one can complete his work with ease.

What is CorelDRAW?

CorelDRAW is a vector-based graphic program owned and marketed by Corel Corporation, Ottawa, Canada. Michel Bouillon and Pat Beirne, two Corel engineers developed a vector-based illustration software in the year 1987. The first version of this software was released in 1989. It uses a sequence of mathematical equations or commands to develop high-resolution digital images. Creates computer-generated images for desktop publishing and logo graphics.

CorelDRAW is available for both the operating systems i.e., Mac and Windows. The latest update of Corel was on March 9th,2021. This software has many useful tools for the best graphic output. Unlike Adobe illustrator, it facilitates the creation of many pages in a single file. It possesses a variety of editing tools for contrast management, through which balancing of colours or changing the colours format to CMKY from RGB. CorelDRAW software offers you a speedy and instinctive workflow.

CorelDRAW suite features various editing tools. Some of the tools are Mesh Fill tools, ideal for creating realistic-look images. Freehand tool and Bezier tool for precision. Colour Harmonies features to change the colours of your artwork with a single click. CorelDRAW has an online application too, through which you can remotely work on any device and save your work to the cloud by integrating it into your cloud space.

Main Differences Between Illustrator and CorelDRAW

  1. Adobe Illustrator(Ai) is developed and owned by Adobe Inc. Adobe Illustrator was released in the year 1987. CorelDRAW is owned and marketed by Corel Corporation. CorelDRAW was released in the year 1989 invented by two Corel engineers Michel Bouillon and Pat Beirne for their desktop publishing.
  2. Both are vector-based graphic developing software programs. The difference in their uses is, Adobe Illustrator is mainly used for logo graphics and typesetting. CorelDRAW is used for desktop publishing. Both the software can be used for creating brochures, cards, packaging stuff, logo designs, etc.
  3. Adobe Illustrator supports Windows and Mac operating systems. In the year 2020, Adobe launched its Illustrator iPad application. Designers can even work on their iPad seamlessly. CorelDRAW also supports both platforms but the interesting feature of CorelDRAW is its online application. One can even work on any device and anyplace with this online application feature.
  4. Collaboration is also a noticeable feature. CorelDRAW has the feature of collaboration, with this one can share his work by generating a link in this application. This link gives the access to review the work and even comment about the work. Adobe Illustrator lacks in this in-app feature.
  5. Pricing, one of the important factors to look into. Adobe Illustrator has monthly and yearly subscriptions. Whereas CorelDRAW has an on-time fee or one-time subscription. Hence, Adobe Illustrator is a bit costly. Adobe comes with more regular updates than CorelDRAW.

Conclusion

Both Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW software are vector-based graphic designing programs. Both these software features tons of editing tools. Choosing which software to go with depends on the need always. Adobe is the best software in the market that helps you to design from flyers to logos. Adobe Illustrator is a mighty software that has connectivity with the Adobe applications like Adobe Creative Cloud.

This is one of the reasons why designers use Adobe Illustrator. But still, CorelDRAW has been updating its features over years to compete with Adobe. CorelDRAW is mainly designed for 2D work and is easy to learn. And CorelDRAW has a great value in pricing points.

References

  1. https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20123415957
  2. https://search.proquest.com/openview/b70e69a1b101f469ccbedfa8b81a12df/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=35418