We’ve all seen the trope on crime TV shows: a detective stares at a blurry security image and demands someone “enhance” it. The technician taps a keyboard, the image zooms in, and suddenly every detail is crystal clear.
In real life, that kind of enhancement usually isn’t possible, unless the image was created as a vector graphic.
Vector graphics are digital images made with mathematical paths rather than pixels. These paths specify shapes like lines, curves, circles, and polygons through coordinates. Since the images are defined mathematically, they can be scaled endlessly without any loss of sharpness.
In computer graphics, these shapes and figures are called primitives because they are the most basic figures to which a shape can be broken down. They can be combined to create more complex figures using graphics software.
Vector graphics software allows companies to create and edit images using mathematical equations and geometric commands. These solutions focus on delivering high definition, so quality is not lost while manipulating.
Vector graphics are widely used across industries because they remain sharp, editable, and consistent at any size. Below are some of the most common and practical use cases where vector graphics excel, and why they’re the preferred format.
With so many image file formats used in business and design, it’s easy to get confused about which ones are truly vector-based. While dozens of formats exist, the four vector file types used most often are AI, EPS, SVG, and PDF. Each serves a different purpose depending on how and where the graphic will be used.
A proprietary Adobe Illustrator file type that can only be created or edited with Adobe Illustrator. These files contain vector graphics on a single page and have a restricted and compact syntax.
Best used for: Logos, graphics and illustrations
A vector and raster (bitmaps) file may contain graphics, illustrations and text. .ESP files may also include an embedded preview image in a bitmap format. These kinds of files support several different kinds of drawing platforms.
Best used for: Saving and transmitting art between different file formats and graphics editors
A vector image format that supports interactivity and animation, defined by XML text files. Scalable vector graphics were developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) starting in 1998. SVG allows three types of graphics: vector, bitmaps, and text.
Best used for: Interactive graphics, which can be easily compressed (without loss of quality) because they are built of repeated text fragments
.SVG files are a widely recognized graphic format specifically designed to render two-dimensional images. They represent images using vector data, which allows them to be resolution-independent. As a result, users can resize SVG images without losing quality, making them ideal for responsive web design, icons, and illustrations that require flexibility and clarity across various display sizes.
.PDF is a file format used to present documents filled with text and images. PDF files contain all the information necessary to render the document, complete with bitmaps, vector graphics, text, and interactive layouts.
Best used for: Text-rich documents that may contain interactive forms
The main difference between vector and raster graphics lies in how the image is constructed and how it behaves when resized.
Raster graphics are pixel-based, built from a fixed grid of colored squares, also known as bitmaps. They are literal maps of bits or pixels arranged in a specific layout, with a certain number of pixels creating the image. Because they contain a limited number of pixels, raster images lose clarity when scaled beyond their original resolution. Common raster formats include JPG, PNG, GIF, and TIF, and they’re best suited for photographs and highly detailed imagery.
Vector graphics, on the other hand, are path-based. Instead of relying on fixed pixels, they’re recalculated mathematically at any size, which allows them to scale cleanly without distortion. This makes vectors more flexible for designs that need to adapt across formats and screen sizes.
Choose vector graphics when designs need to be scalable, reusable, or frequently edited, such as branding assets, icons, infographics, UI components, and print materials. Because vectors don’t degrade with resizing, they’re ideal for long-term design systems and multi-channel use.
Raster graphics are a better choice for photo editing, digital painting, and complex visual detail, where subtle color variation and texture are more important than scalability.
In practice, many workflows combine both formats: designers often create assets as vectors first, then export raster versions for specific use cases. Starting with vectors ensures maximum flexibility without locking designs into a single size or resolution.
One file format does not fit all. In some cases, vector file formats may not suit your needs. But if they are, here are some benefits of using vector graphics in your work:
Once you understand where vector graphics are most useful, the next step is choosing the right software to create and manage them. Different tools serve different needs. Some are built for professional graphic designers creating complex illustrations and branding assets, while others focus on UI design, motion graphics, or quickly converting images into vector formats.
Factors like ease of use, collaboration features, pricing models, and file compatibility often play a major role in choosing the right solution.
G2 helps users find the best vector graphics software by aggregating real user reviews, Grid® rankings, and feature comparisons, making it easier to evaluate tools based on real-world use cases.
To qualify for inclusion in the vector graphics software category, a product must:
* Below are the top five leading vector graphics software from G2’s Winter 2026 Grid® Report. Some reviews may be edited for clarity.
Adobe Illustrator remains one of the most widely used software programs for graphic designers with vector graphics. With a comprehensive range of tools to aid in creating and editing digital graphics for multimedia use, Adobe Illustrator has been the industry standard for more than 20 years. One key component of the software is Adobe’s Creative Cloud, which allows users to access new features as soon as they’ve been added to the solution.
“It has many tools to create beautiful graphics; it is easy to use once you get the hang of it. I love how the layers and artboards are displayed because they are very intuitive, and it's easy to visualize what is in each of them and fix anything that should be in another layer. I also love the tutorials and the Customer Support; they're super nice and solve any problem you have immediately.”
- Adobe Illustrator review, Maricarmen D.
“One area for improvement would be to streamline the learning curve for some of the more complex tools and features. While the software is user-friendly, some more advanced features may require more time to master. Additionally, the software can sometimes be a bit resource-heavy, which can impact performance.”
- Adobe Illustrator review, Aditya P.
From vector pros to design newcomers, see why these Adobe Illustrator alternatives are turning heads.
Adobe Capture is a photo-to-vector converter from Adobe Creative Cloud Libraries. Adobe Capture includes tools to build themes matching any image, create custom brushes, generate unique textures, identify fonts, record sound effects, and more.
“It's a fantastic tool that converts my sketches into vector pictures. I enjoy mixing and matching colors from various sources. It saves me a lot of time because it has a terrific user interface that is simple to use and comprehend. Consider it if you're looking for a better vector solution to become an artist.”
- Adobe Capture review, Ryan P.
“The only downside is that you need an Adobe account to work on files saved in Adobe Capture, which was a bit of a bummer because I don't have an account or see a reason why I would need one.”
- Adobe Capture review, Arifur R.
Sketch is a powerful design tool made primarily to meet website and app user-interface design challenges. Sketch allows users to design something once and reuse it as many times as necessary, which eases the process of working with repeated design elements. This vector graphics solution features many collaborative features and easy-to-use plugins to enhance functionality.
“The Sketch app is a user-friendly design tool that offers a range of features and a clean interface that makes it easy to use. It has a minimalistic approach to its UI, making it simple to navigate and find the tools you need. The app's vector-based design system allows for smooth and precise design work, with an intuitive process for creating, duplicating, and manipulating shapes and graphics. Additionally, Sketch offers a robust set of plugins and integrations with other design tools, making it a versatile option for designers.”
- Sketch review, Hayley G.
“Sketch has very limited support for creating design systems. It is not as robust as some other tools. This can make it difficult for designers to maintain consistency across their designs.”
- Sketch review, Riya J.
Affinity Designer is a dual-threat vector graphics and photo editing tool that touts shape control and vibrancy of color as two of its hallmarks. This design tool allows users to create in both raster and vector graphics.
“This isn't a subscription-based software platform. That's what I appreciate most about Affinity Designer. Moreover, the price tag is beyond reasonable, given the mature and comprehensive feature set it offers. While I'm not a professional graphic designer, I do ask a lot from a vector graphics software package. Affinity handles it effortlessly and (more importantly to me anyway) intuitively.”
- Affinity Designer review, Mark L.
“It has one of the hardest learning curves for me because my mind is locked into using other programs that all have similar settings and functions, but this one has a mind of its own, and it was all new for me, and I had to invest more time in it. It is now easy, but most folks have a stiff learning curve.”
- Affinity Designer review, Kevin O.
Inkscape is a free, open-source vector graphics editor widely used for illustration, diagramming, and logo design. It natively supports the SVG format and provides a comprehensive set of tools for creating and editing scalable graphics, making it a favored option among designers, educators, and hobbyists seeking professional capabilities without the need for a subscription or license fee.
“I really like how easy it is to recreate a customer's vision and clean up images with Inkscape. The quick ability to trace for easy CAD/CAM manipulation significantly simplifies our workflow. It makes it much smoother to accept customer images and drawings and convert them into patterns for our CNC machines. Inkscape's user-friendliness and straightforward usability make it cost-effective for us, and the initial setup was completely straightforward, with not much of a learning curve.”
- Inkscape review, Chris S.
“Since I started using it, although it handles vectors, it struggles to work with other types of files like Illustrator, and its export configuration is not entirely clear, sometimes causing the design to export blank.”
- Inkscape review, Oscar Alejandro N.
Got more questions? We have the answers.
Vector graphics aren’t inherently better than raster graphics; they’re better for different use cases. Vector graphics are ideal for designs that need to scale, be reused, or stay sharp at any size, while raster graphics are better suited for photographs and images with complex textures and color detail.
Yes. Vector graphics are commonly used on websites, especially in the form of SVG files. SVGs are resolution-independent, load efficiently, and scale cleanly across screen sizes, making them well-suited for icons, UI elements, and responsive web design.
The most common vector file formats are AI, EPS, SVG, and PDF. AI files are typically used as editable source files, SVGs are preferred for web use, EPS files are often used for print and file transfer, and PDFs are widely used for sharing and distribution.
Vector files can contain raster images, but the images themselves don’t become vector-based. For example, an EPS or PDF file may include a photo, but that photo will still behave like a raster image.
No. Vector graphics are resolution-independent, meaning they don’t have a fixed resolution like raster images. They’re rendered at whatever resolution is needed for the output device, which is why they can scale indefinitely without becoming blurry.
Vector graphics can be opened and edited using tools such as Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, Affinity Designer, Sketch, and other vector graphics software. Some formats, like SVG and PDF, can also be viewed in web browsers or basic document viewers.
Vector graphics are typically converted to raster formats when a specific file type is required, such as JPG or PNG for certain platforms, image-heavy layouts, or compatibility reasons.
Vector graphics are designed for longevity. When visuals need to scale, adapt, and stay consistent across formats, vectors provide a level of control that pixel-based images can’t. That’s why they’re the standard for logos, UI elements, illustrations, and any design asset meant to live beyond a single size or channel.
Knowing when to use vector graphics and how to choose the right formats and tools makes it easier to build visuals that hold up as projects evolve. For teams prioritizing flexibility and efficiency, vectors go beyond being just a file type; they serve as the foundation for scalable design.
Looking for the best graphic design software? Explore leading options to find software that fits your workflow, skill level, and creative goals.
This article was originally published in 2018. The content has been updated with new information.
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