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GPL-3.0-or-laterfreeRuns locallyImage & Design

Inkscape: Open-Source Illustrator Alternative

Free GPL vector editor for SVG illustration, logos, and print/web graphics.

Inkscape 1.4 editing the GTK logo, with toolbars, color palette, and canvas visible
Official project image. Source · License: CC-BY-SA-3.0.
License
GPL-3.0-or-later
Stars
4,012 (2026-10-19)
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
First seen
2017-06-09

TL;DR. Inkscape is Free GPL vector editor for SVG illustration, logos, and print/web graphics. License: GPL-3.0-or-later (verified). Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux. Price: free. Runs locally: yes. It is an alternative to Adobe Illustrator, Canva, Adobe Express.

NameInkscape
LanguageC++
LicenseGPL-3.0-or-later
Pricingfree
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux
Runs locallyYes
Stats4,012 stars · 1,973 forks (as of 2026-10-19)
First seen2017-06-09
Repositoryhttps://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape

Inkscape is a free vector graphics editor. Official hosts we opened on 2026-10-19: inkscape.org, the license page, canonical Git gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape, and the GitHub pointer inkscape/inkscape. It hangs off Adobe Illustrator alternatives and Canva alternatives. Those mappings are editorial. We have no sourced quality comparison against Illustrator or Canva.

Key facts (2026-10-19)

Field Value Source
Canonical repo gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape Project website / GitLab
GitLab stars / forks 4,012 / 1,973 GitLab API, 2026-10-19
GitLab created 2017-06-09T14:16:35Z same (the editor predates this GitLab project)
Last activity 2026-10-19T00:05:43Z GitLab last_activity_at
Latest tag INKSCAPE_1_4_4 (commit 2026-05-05) GitLab tags API
License (binaries) GPL-3.0-or-later COPYING
Language C++ (GTK4 / gtkmm listed as topics) GitLab topics
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux inkscape.org/release/
Job SVG vector illustration, logos, diagrams inkscape.org

The GitHub inkscape/inkscape listing (4,036 stars / 302 forks, created 2014-08-20) describes itself as a pointer to the GitLab tree. Its last push was 2022-03-03. Do not treat that star count as current development activity.

License

COPYING on master (opened 2026-10-19): most source is GPL-2.0-or-later; some third-party trees are LGPL/MPL; complete binaries are GPL-3.0-or-later. The public license page still pastes GPL-2 program text and says files you create are yours. Not legal advice.

What it is for

The project site describes Inkscape as a professional-quality vector editor using SVG as its native format. That is an upstream label. We have not independently enumerated path tools, live path effects, or print color management.

FAQ

Is Inkscape free and open source?

Yes. The GitLab COPYING file (opened 2026-10-19) says most source is GPL-2.0-or-later and complete binaries are GPL-3.0-or-later. The project license page still shows GPL-2 text for the program. Artwork you export is yours. Not legal advice.

Is it an active Illustrator-class project?

Yes in the 2026-10-19 check. gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape had 4,012 stars and 1,973 forks, last_activity_at 2026-10-19T00:05:43Z, latest protected tag INKSCAPE_1_4_4 (commit date 2026-05-05). The GitHub inkscape/inkscape pointer (4,036 stars) last pushed 2022-03-03 and is not the canonical tree.

Does it replace Adobe Illustrator?

We have no sourced bake-off. Inkscape is a local SVG vector editor. Illustrator is a paid Creative Cloud app. They overlap on paths, type, and export; they are not the same product.

Where do I download it?

inkscape.org/release/ lists Windows, macOS, and Linux packages. This page has not run those installers.

Sources & verification

Last verified 2026-10-19 · Last updated 2026-10-23· Edited by forkalt editors · Editorial policy

License notes are not legal advice. Read the original LICENSE. Trademark & disclaimer.