Brandwave

Adobe Illustrator vs Figma:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Figma had more branded searches than Adobe Illustrator among vector graphics software worldwide. Figma had about 5 million branded searches, while Adobe Illustrator had 568,000. Figma made up 69.4% of all vector graphics software searches we track, and Adobe Illustrator accounted for 7.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about vector graphics software, Adobe Illustrator appeared in all five answers and Figma in three. Adobe Illustrator was mentioned before Figma in every answer.

Among vector graphics software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Figma, about 9 searches for every 1 for Adobe Illustrator

Figma 5M searchesAdobe Illustrator 568K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Adobe Illustrator, mentioned in every answer we collected

Adobe Illustrator in 5 of 5Figma in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Adobe Illustrator, named ahead of Figma in every answer

Adobe Illustrator first in 4Figma never first

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Top vector graphics software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Adobe Illustrator appeared in all five answers. Figma was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Adobe Illustrator was listed before Figma in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Adobe Illustrator1st
  2. Affinity2nd
  3. Inkscape3rd
  4. Figma4th
  5. CorelDRAW5th
  6. Linearity Curve6th
  7. Boxy SVG7th
  8. Kittl–
  9. Amadine–
  10. Xara–
  11. +1 more

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Inkscape5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Adobe Illustrator5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Affinity5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • CorelDRAW4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Figma3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Linearity Curve2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Boxy SVG1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Kittl0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Amadine0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Xara0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

+1 more

See every answer about vector graphics software

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

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 Figma more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Adobe Illustrator and Figma by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 vector graphics software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Adobe Illustrator and Figma among vector graphics software worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthFigmaInkscapeAdobe IllustratorCorelDRAWAffinityKittlBoxy SVGLinearity CurveAmadineXaraVectr
Oct 202568.2%7.7%7.8%7%4.3%4.6%0.14%0.2%0.04%0.02%<0.01%
Nov 202563%7.2%7.2%6.5%12.2%3.5%0.13%0.15%0.03%0.01%<0.01%
Dec 202568.2%7.9%7.8%7.1%4.8%3.8%0.12%0.19%0.04%0.02%<0.01%
Jan 202665.9%9.3%7.5%8.3%4.2%4.5%0.11%0.22%0.04%0.02%<0.01%
Feb 202668.1%9.7%7.8%7.1%3.1%3.8%0.17%0.2%0.04%0.02%0.01%
Mar 202672%8.4%6.9%6.2%2.8%3.4%0.17%0.18%0.04%0.02%0.01%
Apr 202672.6%8.4%6.8%6.3%2.3%3.3%0.15%0.16%0.04%0.01%0.01%
May 202673.2%8.4%6.8%6.2%2.1%2.9%0.15%0.16%0.04%0.01%<0.01%
Jun 202671.2%8.3%6.7%7.4%2.7%3.3%0.16%0.2%0.04%0.01%0.01%
Jul 202671.2%8.3%6.6%7.6%2.5%3.3%0.12%0.18%0.04%0.01%0.01%
Aug 202667.4%9.5%7.7%8.6%2.6%3.8%0.14%0.18%0.04%0.02%0.01%
Sep 202669.4%9.8%7.9%7.2%2.8%2.6%0.14%0.14%0.03%0.02%<0.01%

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

3 findings

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

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Figma gained share of searches among vector graphics software worldwide, from 67.4% to 69.4%.

  2. In September 2026, Adobe Illustrator rose from 4th to 3rd among vector graphics software worldwide.

How are branded searches counted?

5 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Adobe Illustrator’s and Figma’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

4 branded search terms

  • adobe illustrator
  • adobeillustrator
  • illustrator ai
  • illustrator software

Figma

1 branded search term

  • figma

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among vector graphics software

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