Linearity Curve
Formerly known as Vectornator, it's genuinely honest about its own scope — choose it over Illustrator for iPad-friendly workflows and lower cost, but if you need cross-platform support or the deepest pro feature set, Affinity Designer or Illustrator remain the better fit.
What is Linearity Curve?
Linearity Curve, formerly known as Vectornator, is a vector design app built specifically for illustrations, logos, icons, and UI work on Mac and iPad, offering capable vector editing tools with a genuinely native, touch-friendly Apple feel. It provides a full range of tools for creating, editing, and exporting high-quality vector graphics — 2D drawing, image tracing for working from existing visuals, text editing, customizable templates, and real-time collaboration — making it well-suited for social content, quick branding ideas, and detailed, scalable graphics alike. A genuinely useful AI feature, AI Grab, handles background removal automatically and is consistently praised for real time savings during everyday design work. It's worth flagging a real, notable inconsistency across sources about exactly which platforms it supports: while some listings mention iPad and iPhone, or even Android, the most consistent, detailed picture across independent reviews describes it as genuinely Apple-exclusive, running on Mac and iPad specifically — worth confirming current platform support directly given this real discrepancy.
It's genuinely refreshing that independent reviews are honest and specific about exactly where Linearity Curve fits, rather than overselling it as a universal replacement for every competitor. One detailed comparison puts it plainly: "choose Linearity over Illustrator for iPad-friendly workflows and lower cost without a subscription lock-in feel. Cross-platform users, or those needing the deepest pro feature set, should weigh Affinity Designer or Illustrator" — Adobe Illustrator, already covered elsewhere in this directory — "instead." The same honest assessment names the real limitations directly: platform lock to Apple devices specifically, and a learning curve that can genuinely challenge beginners, meaning it suits committed Apple-ecosystem users most. A separate, equally honest review flags a real, specific scope limitation worth understanding clearly: "Linearity Curve's strength lies in vector editing, and it lacks advanced raster image editing capabilities, making it unsuitable for projects requiring extensive image manipulation." On pricing, a free Starter tier lowers the barrier to trying it, with a Pro plan at $11.99 a month per user unlocking commercial use, priority support, unlimited collaborators, and unlimited files — though it's worth knowing that pricing for the higher Org tier specifically isn't publicly listed, requiring direct contact for a quote.
The honest "choose Linearity for iPad workflows, not cross-platform needs" positioning and its named platform limitations are drawn directly from Softwares.com's independent, dated June 2026 review. The "limited raster image editing" scope limitation is drawn directly from SelectHub's independent review. The AI Grab feature and Vectornator rebrand history are corroborated across multiple independent sources (Softwares.com, G2).
Key features
Precision vector editing
Native, touch-friendly tools for illustrations, logos, and icon work.
AI Grab background removal
Automatically removes backgrounds, praised for real time savings.
Image tracing
Convert existing raster visuals into clean, editable vector artwork.
Real-time collaboration
Marketing teams create and animate content together in one file.
iPad-native workflow
Genuinely touch-optimized, not a cramped port of a desktop app.
11-language support
Broad localization spanning English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and more.
Pricing
Starter (Free)
- No credit card required to start the trial
- Good for evaluating the iPad-native workflow before committing
- Core vector editing tools accessible at this tier
Pro
- Genuinely cheaper than Illustrator's subscription pricing
- Includes unlimited collaborators and unlimited files
- Priority support included at this tier
Org
- Contact directly for a current, accurate quote
- Best for larger organizations needing broader team management
- A real transparency gap worth confirming before budgeting
Confirm current platform availability directly, given real reported inconsistency about whether Android is genuinely supported alongside Mac and iPad. Prices reflect Linearity Curve's published pricing as of July 2026.
Available models
Integrations & platforms
Pros, cons & best for
Pros
- Genuinely native, touch-friendly iPad workflow, not a cramped desktop port
- Meaningfully cheaper than Illustrator, with a real free tier to start
- AI Grab background removal genuinely saves real time in daily use
Cons
- Genuinely limited raster image editing, vector-focused specifically
- Platform lock to Apple devices, a real barrier for cross-platform teams
- Org tier pricing not publicly listed, a real transparency gap
Best for
- Illustrators and designers in the Apple ecosystem wanting affordable vector tools
- iPad-first workflows for logos, icons, and quick branding work
- Not the pick for cross-platform teams or those needing the deepest pro feature set
Take a look inside
Alternatives
For cross-platform support or the deepest professional feature set instead:
Our verdict
Linearity Curve's genuine strength, carried forward from its earlier days as Vectornator, is a real, well-executed native iPad vector editing experience — touch-friendly, meaningfully cheaper than Illustrator, and backed by genuinely useful AI Grab background removal that saves real time in everyday work. What's refreshing is how honest independent reviews are about its real scope: it's the clear choice for iPad-friendly workflows and lower cost without Illustrator's subscription lock-in feel, but genuinely not built for cross-platform teams or those needing the deepest professional feature set, where Affinity Designer or Adobe Illustrator, already covered elsewhere in this directory, remain the better fit. Its honest limitation on raster image editing specifically, alongside a real platform lock to Apple devices and unlisted Org-tier pricing, are worth understanding clearly going in. For illustrators and designers already committed to the Apple ecosystem wanting affordable, genuinely native vector tools, Linearity Curve remains a solid, well-regarded choice.
FAQ
Is Linearity Curve the same app as Vectornator?
Yes — Linearity Curve is the current name for what was formerly known as Vectornator, a real rebrand worth knowing if you recognize the earlier name from previous reviews or usage.
Should I choose Linearity Curve over Adobe Illustrator?
It depends on your workflow — choose Linearity specifically for iPad-friendly work and lower cost without a subscription lock-in feel; for cross-platform needs or the deepest professional feature set, Illustrator or Affinity Designer remain the better fit.
Can Linearity Curve handle raster image editing?
Not extensively — its real strength lies in vector editing specifically, and it genuinely lacks advanced raster image editing capabilities, making it unsuitable for projects requiring heavy photo manipulation.
Does Linearity Curve work on Android?
Sources genuinely disagree — most detailed, consistent reviews describe it as Apple-exclusive (Mac and iPad specifically), though at least one listing mentions Android support, so confirming current platform availability directly is worthwhile.
How much does Linearity Curve cost?
A free Starter tier is available, with Pro priced at $11.99 a month per user, including commercial use rights, priority support, and unlimited collaborators and files; the higher Org tier's pricing isn't publicly listed.
What does AI Grab do?
It's an AI-powered background removal feature built directly into the vector editing workflow, consistently praised by real users for genuine time savings during everyday design work.