Brandwave

Adobe Illustrator vs Inkscape:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Inkscape had more branded searches than Adobe Illustrator among illustration software worldwide. Inkscape had about 673,000 branded searches, while Adobe Illustrator had 560,000. Inkscape made up 23.1% of all illustration software searches we track, and Adobe Illustrator accounted for 19.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about illustration software, Adobe Illustrator appeared in three of the five answers and Inkscape in two. Adobe Illustrator was mentioned before Inkscape in every answer that named either.

Among illustration software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Inkscape, about 20% more searches than Adobe Illustrator

Inkscape 673K searchesAdobe Illustrator 560K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Adobe Illustrator, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Inkscape in 2

Adobe Illustrator in 3 of 5Inkscape in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Adobe Illustrator, named ahead of Inkscape in 3 of 3 answers

Adobe Illustrator first in 3Inkscape never first

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Top illustration software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Adobe Illustrator was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Inkscape was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Adobe Illustrator was listed before Inkscape in every answer that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Procreate1st
  2. Clip Studio Paint2nd
  3. Adobe Illustrator3rd
  4. Krita4th
  5. Affinity5th
  6. Inkscape6th
  7. Adobe Fresco7th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Krita5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Procreate5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Clip Studio Paint5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Affinity4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Adobe Fresco4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Adobe Illustrator3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Inkscape2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about illustration software

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

Is Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Adobe Illustrator and Inkscape by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven illustration software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Adobe Illustrator and Inkscape among illustration software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthInkscapeKritaAdobe IllustratorProcreateClip Studio PaintAffinityAdobe Fresco
Oct 202522.1%18.1%22.5%18.1%9.9%6.9%2.4%
Nov 202520.8%17%21.1%17%11.3%10.1%2.8%
Dec 202519.7%19.7%20%19.7%13.2%5.1%2.6%
Jan 202623.6%19.3%19.6%19.3%10.6%5%2.6%
Feb 202626.5%17.7%22.1%17.7%9.7%3.8%2.4%
Mar 202623.4%19.1%19.5%19.1%12.8%4.1%2.1%
Apr 202625.8%21.1%21.5%17.2%9.4%3.1%1.9%
May 202626.8%17.9%22.3%17.9%9.8%3.2%2%
Jun 202623.3%19.1%19.4%19.1%12.8%4.1%2.1%
Jul 202624%19.6%20%19.6%10.7%4.2%1.8%
Aug 202623.1%23.1%19.2%18.9%10.3%3.3%2.1%
Sep 202623.1%23.1%19.3%18.9%8.5%4%3.1%

How has the Adobe Illustrator and Inkscape comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Inkscape took it in January 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Adobe Illustrator’s share of searches among illustration software worldwide moved from 22.5% to 19.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 685K to 560K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Inkscape’s share of searches among illustration software worldwide moved from 22.1% to 23.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 673K.

How did search popularity change for illustration software worldwide in September 2026?

1 change

  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Adobe Illustrator worldwide fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 685K to 560K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Adobe Illustrator’s and Inkscape’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Adobe Illustrator

2 branded search terms

  • adobe illustrator
  • adobeillustrator

Inkscape

1 branded search term

  • inkscape

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among illustration software

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