Adobe Illustrator vs Figma: Which Design Tool Should You Choose in 2025?

The design software landscape has evolved dramatically in recent years, with cloud-based tools challenging traditional desktop applications. Among the most significant rivalries is between Adobe Illustrator, the long-established vector graphics standard, and Figma, the collaborative design platform that has revolutionized UI/UX workflows.

For graphic designers, UI/UX designers, and creative professionals, choosing between these powerful tools requires understanding their strengths, limitations, and ideal use cases. This comprehensive comparison will help you determine which platform best suits your specific design needs in 2025.

Quick Comparison Summary

	Adobe Illustrator	Figma
Price Model	Subscription ($20.99/mo)	Free tier / Subscription ($12-45/mo)
CheapCC Price	From $9.99/mo	N/A
Professional Standard	★★★★★ (print, illustration)	★★★★★ (UI/UX)
Feature Depth	★★★★★ (vector capabilities)	★★★★☆ (UI-focused)
Collaboration	★★★☆☆	★★★★★
Best For	Print design, illustration, complex vector work	UI/UX design, interactive prototyping, team collaboration

Bottom line: Illustrator remains the gold standard for print design, illustration, and complex vector manipulation, while Figma excels in UI/UX design with unmatched collaboration features. Many professionals maintain access to both, with CheapCC providing an affordable way to complement Figma's capabilities with Illustrator's powerful vector tools.

Price Comparison

Total Cost Analysis

Plan	Initial Cost	3-Year Cost
Adobe Illustrator (Standard)	$20.99/mo	$755.64
Adobe CC Complete	$54.99/mo	$1,979.64
Adobe via CheapCC	$14.99/mo	$539.64
Figma Starter	Free	$0
Figma Professional	$12/mo per editor (annual)	$432 per editor
Figma Organization	$45/mo per editor (annual)	$1,620 per editor

Value Considerations

Adobe Illustrator (Standard Price):

• Full vector editing capabilities
• Integration with Adobe ecosystem
• Regular feature updates
• Adobe Fonts access
• 100GB cloud storage
• Value score: ★★★☆☆ (High capability, premium price)

Adobe Illustrator (via CheapCC):

• Same features and updates as standard subscription
• Same ecosystem benefits
• Significantly lower cost
• Value score: ★★★★★ (High capability, competitive price)

Figma Starter:

• Free for individuals (3 files)
• Core design features
• Basic collaboration
• Limited version history
• Value score: ★★★★★ (Excellent capability at zero cost)

Figma Professional:

• Unlimited files
• Enhanced collaboration
• Team libraries
• Advanced prototyping
• Value score: ★★★★☆ (Excellent team value)

Feature Comparison

Vector Editing Capabilities

Feature	Adobe Illustrator	Figma
Path precision	★★★★★	★★★★☆
Shape building	★★★★★	★★★☆☆
Pen tool	★★★★★	★★★★☆
Anchor point manipulation	★★★★★	★★★☆☆
Boolean operations	★★★★★	★★★★☆
Path effects	★★★★★	★★★☆☆
Variable width strokes	★★★★★	★★☆☆☆
Category winner	Adobe Illustrator

Typography

Feature	Adobe Illustrator	Figma
Text on path	★★★★★	★★☆☆☆
Type styling	★★★★★	★★★★☆
OpenType features	★★★★★	★★★★☆
Variable fonts	★★★★★	★★★★☆
Text effects	★★★★★	★★☆☆☆
Font management	★★★★★	★★★★☆
Category winner	Adobe Illustrator

UI/UX Design

Feature	Adobe Illustrator	Figma
Component system	★★★☆☆	★★★★★
Auto layout	★★☆☆☆	★★★★★
Responsive design	★★☆☆☆	★★★★★
Prototyping	★★☆☆☆	★★★★★
Design systems	★★★☆☆	★★★★★
Dev handoff	★★☆☆☆	★★★★★
Category winner		Figma

Collaboration Features

Feature	Adobe Illustrator	Figma
Real-time co-editing	★★☆☆☆	★★★★★
Comments & feedback	★★★★☆	★★★★★
Version history	★★★★☆	★★★★★
Design libraries	★★★★★	★★★★★
Permissions & roles	★★★☆☆	★★★★★
Presentation mode	★★★☆☆	★★★★★
Category winner		Figma

Key differences: Illustrator excels in advanced vector manipulation, print design capabilities, and traditional illustration workflows. It offers significantly more precision and control for complex vector artwork. Figma prioritizes modern UI/UX design with powerful component systems, prototyping, and unmatched real-time collaboration. The tools have fundamentally different focus areas, making them complementary for many professionals.

Performance & System Requirements

System Requirements

	Adobe Illustrator	Figma
Windows Minimum	Windows 10 (64-bit)	Chrome/Edge browser
macOS Minimum	macOS 10.15+	Chrome/Safari browser
Processor	Multi-core Intel or AMD	Modern dual-core
RAM	8GB (16GB recommended)	4GB minimum
GPU	OpenGL 4.0 compatible	Integrated graphics sufficient
Internet	Required for activation	Required for all functionality
Offline Mode	Available	Limited offline capability

Performance Analysis

Adobe Illustrator:

• CPU-intensive for complex operations
• File size scales with document complexity
• Performance slows with extremely complex artwork
• Hardware-dependent performance
• Performance score: ★★★★☆

Figma:

• Browser-based with optimized performance
• Hardware-agnostic (runs consistently across devices)
• Performance can degrade with very large files
• Internet connection quality impacts performance
• Performance score: ★★★★☆

User Experience Comparison

Interface & Workflow

Adobe Illustrator:

• Traditional desktop software interface
• Panel-based organization
• Deep tool hierarchy with extensive options
• Customizable workspace
• Steep learning curve with high mastery ceiling
• UX score: ★★★★☆ (Powerful but occasionally complex)

Figma:

• Modern, simplified interface
• Context-aware property panels
• Streamlined toolset focused on common actions
• Consistent UI across platforms
• Easier initial learning curve
• UX score: ★★★★★ (Intuitive and accessible)

Learning Resources

Adobe Illustrator:

• Extensive official documentation
• Decades of tutorials and courses available
• Large community of experts
• Adobe-provided learning content
• Learning resources score: ★★★★★

Figma:

• Growing official documentation
• Active community resources
• Official YouTube channel with tutorials
• Interactive learning through templates
• Learning resources score: ★★★★★

Ecosystem & Integration

Plugin Support

Adobe Illustrator:

• Extensive third-party plugin ecosystem
• Integration with Adobe Exchange
• Deep scripting capabilities
• Long history of extension development
• Plugin ecosystem score: ★★★★★

Figma:

• Rapidly growing plugin community
• Simple plugin development process
• Widget support
• Focus on workflow enhancements
• Plugin ecosystem score: ★★★★☆

File Compatibility

Format	Adobe Illustrator	Figma
AI	Native	Limited import support
SVG	Excellent	Excellent
PDF	Excellent	Import only
EPS	Excellent	No support
Sketch	Limited	Excellent
Compatibility	★★★★★	★★★☆☆

Creative Workflow Integration

Adobe Illustrator:

• Seamless integration with Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects
• Creative Cloud Libraries for asset sharing
• Mobile companion apps (Illustrator for iPad)
• Industry-standard print workflow
• Integration score: ★★★★★ (within Adobe ecosystem)

Figma:

• Developer handoff features
• Design system documentation
• API for custom integrations
• Growing third-party tool connections
• Integration score: ★★★★☆ (excellent for digital workflows)

Professional Considerations

Industry Standard Status

Adobe Illustrator:

• Undisputed standard for print design and illustration
• Expected knowledge for traditional graphic design positions
• Industry-standard file formats (.ai, .eps)
• Used by ~85% of professional illustrators and print designers
• Industry standard score: ★★★★★ (for print/illustration)

Figma:

• Dominant platform for UI/UX design
• Increasingly required for digital design positions
• Standard for collaborative design teams
• Used by ~70% of UI/UX designers
• Industry standard score: ★★★★★ (for UI/UX)

Professional Testimonials

"As a packaging designer, I need Illustrator's precision and print capabilities daily. Getting it through CheapCC has been a game-changer for my budget while keeping my professional toolkit complete." — David Chen, Packaging Designer

"Our design team lives in Figma for UI work, but I maintain Illustrator through CheapCC for creating complex illustrations and icons that I then import into our Figma libraries. The combination is perfect." — Aisha Johnson, Senior Product Designer

"After years as an Illustrator-only designer, I've moved most of my UI work to Figma while keeping Illustrator for specialized vector tasks. The hybrid approach gives me the best of both worlds." — Michael Rodriguez, Freelance Designer

Use Case Recommendations

Best for Design Specialties

Print Design (Brochures, Packaging, etc.):

• Recommendation: Adobe Illustrator via CheapCC
• Rationale: Print-ready output, CMYK color, precise vector control, industry-standard

UI/UX Design:

• Recommendation: Figma
• Rationale: Component systems, prototyping, collaboration, developer handoff

Logo & Brand Identity:

• Recommendation: Adobe Illustrator via CheapCC
• Rationale: Precise vector control, color accuracy, print/digital versatility

Icon Design:

• Recommendation: Either tool works well
• Rationale: Both have strong vector capabilities; choose based on workflow integration needs

Best for Team Types

Solo Designers:

• Recommendation: Depends on specialty - Illustrator via CheapCC for traditional graphic design, Figma free tier for UI work
• Rationale: Cost-effectiveness balanced with capabilities

Small Teams (2-5 designers):

• Recommendation: Figma Professional + Illustrator via CheapCC for specialist needs
• Rationale: Collaboration benefits of Figma with specialized vector capabilities of Illustrator

Enterprise Design Teams:

• Recommendation: Figma Organization + Adobe CC for specialized tasks
• Rationale: Standardized collaboration platform with access to specialized tools as needed

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Figma replace Illustrator completely?

For UI/UX designers focused primarily on screen-based designs, Figma can replace most Illustrator functionality. However, designers working on print projects, complex illustrations, or requiring precise vector control will find Figma limiting. Figma lacks many advanced vector manipulation features, print preparation tools, and the precision required for complex illustration work.

Is it worth maintaining both applications?

Many professional designers find value in using both tools for their respective strengths. Figma excels at UI design and collaboration, while Illustrator provides superior vector editing capabilities. For designers who work across both digital and print mediums, having access to both tools (with Illustrator available through CheapCC to minimize costs) provides the most versatile toolkit.

Can I move files between Illustrator and Figma?

Yes, with some limitations. SVG is the most reliable interchange format between the two applications. Complex Illustrator effects, blends, and certain path operations may not translate perfectly to Figma. Many designers create base artwork in Illustrator, export as SVG, and then import into Figma for UI implementation and collaboration.

Which is better for icon design?

Both tools are capable of creating excellent icons, but they excel in different aspects:

• Illustrator provides more precise vector control, better pathfinder operations, and advanced shape manipulation
• Figma offers better component management, instant collaboration, and direct implementation into design systems

For creating complex, highly detailed icons, Illustrator typically offers more control. For designing consistent icon systems that integrate with UI, Figma's component features provide advantages.

How difficult is it to switch from Illustrator to Figma?

The learning curve when switching from Illustrator to Figma is relatively gentle for basic operations. Figma's interface is more simplified and intuitive in many respects. However, experienced Illustrator users may find themselves missing advanced vector manipulation features and may need to adjust their workflow. The most successful transitions typically involve learning Figma's component system, auto layout, and collaboration features while potentially maintaining Illustrator access for specialized vector work.

The Bottom Line: Which Should You Choose?

Choose Adobe Illustrator (standard price) if:

• You work primarily in print design or illustration
• You need maximum vector editing precision and control
• You're in an enterprise environment with established Adobe workflows
• Budget is not a primary concern

Choose Adobe Illustrator via CheapCC if:

• You need professional-grade vector capabilities
• You work in both print and digital design
• You want to complement Figma with specialized vector tools
• You're looking to optimize costs while maintaining professional capabilities

Choose Figma if:

• Your work focuses primarily on UI/UX design
• Real-time collaboration is essential to your workflow
• You need strong component and design system features
• You want the best prototyping and developer handoff capabilities

Choose Both (Figma + Illustrator via CheapCC) if:

• You work across multiple design disciplines
• You create complex vector artwork that feeds into UI designs
• You need both collaboration features and advanced vector capabilities
• You want a cost-effective solution that doesn't compromise capabilities

For many designers in 2025, maintaining access to both platforms provides the most versatile toolkit, with CheapCC making the combined approach financially viable by providing Adobe Illustrator access at a fraction of the standard subscription cost.

Ready to enhance your design toolkit? Check out our affordable Adobe plans and get professional-grade design tools without breaking the bank.