15 Illustration Tools Actually Worth Using in 2026
Quick answer
For most people, unDraw is the best illustration tool, Open-source illustrations for any idea, recolor to your brand. Isometric Studio and Iconscout are also excellent picks, depending on what you need. Below we rank all 15 illustration tools, explain how to choose, and answer the most common questions.
Key takeaways
- unDraw is the best illustration tool overall for most people, it's our number-one pick below.
- Isometric Studio is the strongest runner-up if unDraw isn't quite right for you.
- The right choice depends on your workflow, not the longest feature list. Match the tool to how you actually work.
- You only need one or two great illustration tools, not a dozen, a focused setup beats a bloated one.
Finding the right illustration tools can eat up hours you don't have. There are dozens of options, each promising to change how you work, and most reviews read like ads.
That's why we put this guide together. We curate hundreds of tools on DesignBookmark, and below are the 15 illustration tools we keep coming back to, the ones that earn their place in a real workflow rather than just a feature list.
We've kept the write-ups short and practical. Below the list you'll also find a quick buyer's guide and answers to the questions people ask most about illustration tools.
What is an illustration tool?
An illustration tool is software, or a website, that designers, developers and creators use to do a specific job faster, more consistently, and with far less manual effort.
Instead of doing the work by hand every time, you reach for a tool built precisely for that task, and it handles the repetitive parts for you. The difference shows up most when a job is something you do over and over, that's where the right illustration tool quietly pays for itself.
The best illustration tools do more than save a few clicks. They take something that used to be slow or fiddly and make it quick, repeatable, and genuinely pleasant, which adds up to real hours saved every week. You don't need a dozen of them either: one or two great illustration tools usually replace a pile of half-used ones and become a permanent part of how you work. The picks below are the ones worth building your workflow around.
At a glance
The 15 best picks
1
unDraw
unDraw earns the number-one spot, and it's easy to see why. Open-source illustrations for any idea, recolor to your brand. Everything sits roughly where you'd expect, which makes the first session feel familiar instead of frustrating.
Where it really shines is reliability: it does what it promises, release after release. Like any tool, it rewards a little time spent learning it, after which it mostly gets out of your way.
Best for: solo creators and small teams who value speed over endless configuration.
Visit unDraw2
Isometric Studio
Isometric Studio is another one worth your time. Create isometric illustrations fast in the browser, with pre-built shapes and SVG export. The result is a tool you can open without thinking. That's about the highest compliment you can pay software like this.
The team behind it ships steadily, so it keeps getting better rather than standing still. It won't be the perfect fit for everyone, but if its approach clicks with you, it's hard to give up.
Best for: anyone who'd rather get started than wade through documentation.
Visit Isometric Studio3
Iconscout
Iconscout is another one worth your time. Icons, illustrations, 3D assets and Lottie animations in one place. The result is a tool you can open without thinking. That's about the highest compliment you can pay software like this.
Its biggest strength is focus, it solves its core problem better than most of the alternatives. Give it a real project rather than a five-minute test, that's when its strengths actually show.
Best for: both beginners finding their feet and pros tightening an existing workflow.
Visit Iconscout4
Transhumans
Don't overlook Transhumans. Open-source illustrations of characters transcending their barriers. The result is a tool you can open without thinking. That's about the highest compliment you can pay software like this.
The team behind it ships steadily, so it keeps getting better rather than standing still. Give it a real project rather than a five-minute test, that's when its strengths actually show.
Best for: creators who care more about results than feature checklists.
Visit Transhumans5
Open Doodles
Don't overlook Open Doodles. A free set of loose, hand-drawn illustrations you can use anywhere. In practice, that means less time wrestling with setup and more time doing the work that matters.
Where it really shines is reliability: it does what it promises, release after release. No tool is flawless, but the trade-offs here feel reasonable for what you get.
Best for: anyone who wants a dependable default they won't have to second-guess.
Visit Open Doodles6
Humaaans
Next up is Humaaans. Mix-and-match illustrations of people by Pablo Stanley. The result is a tool you can open without thinking. That's about the highest compliment you can pay software like this.
It plays nicely with the rest of a modern illustration tools stack, so you won't have to tear out what already works. Like any tool, it rewards a little time spent learning it, after which it mostly gets out of your way.
Best for: anyone who wants a dependable default they won't have to second-guess.
Visit Humaaans7
Blush
Next up is Blush. Create and customize beautiful illustrations made by artists. In practice, that means less time wrestling with setup and more time doing the work that matters.
It plays nicely with the rest of a modern illustration tools stack, so you won't have to tear out what already works. No tool is flawless, but the trade-offs here feel reasonable for what you get.
Best for: people building a lean, modern illustration tools setup from scratch.
Visit Blush8
Lottie Files
Lottie Files is another one worth your time. The home of the best free, lightweight animations for products. The result is a tool you can open without thinking. That's about the highest compliment you can pay software like this.
Its biggest strength is focus, it solves its core problem better than most of the alternatives. It won't be the perfect fit for everyone, but if its approach clicks with you, it's hard to give up.
Best for: both beginners finding their feet and pros tightening an existing workflow.
Visit Lottie Files9
Storyset
Don't overlook Storyset. Awesome free customizable animated illustrations for your projects. It keeps the interface clean and the core workflow front and center, so you're productive almost right away.
Its biggest strength is focus, it solves its core problem better than most of the alternatives. Give it a real project rather than a five-minute test, that's when its strengths actually show.
Best for: creators who care more about results than feature checklists.
Visit Storyset10
Freepik
Next up is Freepik. Millions of free vectors, photos and PSD design resources. It keeps the interface clean and the core workflow front and center, so you're productive almost right away.
It earns its place by being genuinely useful day to day, not just impressive in a quick demo. Like any tool, it rewards a little time spent learning it, after which it mostly gets out of your way.
Best for: anyone who wants a dependable default they won't have to second-guess.
Visit Freepik11
Craftwork
Craftwork is another one worth your time. High-quality illustrations, UI kits and design assets. The result is a tool you can open without thinking. That's about the highest compliment you can pay software like this.
It plays nicely with the rest of a modern illustration tools stack, so you won't have to tear out what already works. No tool is flawless, but the trade-offs here feel reasonable for what you get.
Best for: solo creators and small teams who value speed over endless configuration.
Visit Craftwork12
Icons8
Icons8 is another one worth your time. Icons, illustrations, photos and tools for designers. Everything sits roughly where you'd expect, which makes the first session feel familiar instead of frustrating.
What pushes it up our list is how thoughtfully it's built, the small details add up fast. Give it a real project rather than a five-minute test, that's when its strengths actually show.
Best for: creators who care more about results than feature checklists.
Visit Icons813
Streamline
Streamline is another one worth your time. The world's largest icon and illustration library. The result is a tool you can open without thinking. That's about the highest compliment you can pay software like this.
Its biggest strength is focus, it solves its core problem better than most of the alternatives. Give it a real project rather than a five-minute test, that's when its strengths actually show.
Best for: creators who care more about results than feature checklists.
Visit Streamline14
DrawKit
Next up is DrawKit. Beautiful, free vector illustrations and icons for any project. It keeps the interface clean and the core workflow front and center, so you're productive almost right away.
It plays nicely with the rest of a modern illustration tools stack, so you won't have to tear out what already works. No tool is flawless, but the trade-offs here feel reasonable for what you get.
Best for: anyone who wants a dependable default they won't have to second-guess.
Visit DrawKit15
Absurd Design
Absurd Design has quietly become a favorite among illustration tools users. Surreal, free illustrations to give projects a unique edge. The result is a tool you can open without thinking. That's about the highest compliment you can pay software like this.
It earns its place by being genuinely useful day to day, not just impressive in a quick demo. No tool is flawless, but the trade-offs here feel reasonable for what you get.
Best for: people building a lean, modern illustration tools setup from scratch.
Visit Absurd Design
How they compare
| # | Tool | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | unDraw | solo creators and small teams who value speed over endless configuration |
| 2 | Isometric Studio | anyone who'd rather get started than wade through documentation |
| 3 | Iconscout | both beginners finding their feet and pros tightening an existing workflow |
| 4 | Transhumans | creators who care more about results than feature checklists |
| 5 | Open Doodles | anyone who wants a dependable default they won't have to second-guess |
| 6 | Humaaans | anyone who wants a dependable default they won't have to second-guess |
| 7 | Blush | people building a lean, modern illustration tools setup from scratch |
| 8 | Lottie Files | both beginners finding their feet and pros tightening an existing workflow |
| 9 | Storyset | creators who care more about results than feature checklists |
| 10 | Freepik | anyone who wants a dependable default they won't have to second-guess |
| 11 | Craftwork | solo creators and small teams who value speed over endless configuration |
| 12 | Icons8 | creators who care more about results than feature checklists |
| 13 | Streamline | creators who care more about results than feature checklists |
| 14 | DrawKit | anyone who wants a dependable default they won't have to second-guess |
| 15 | Absurd Design | people building a lean, modern illustration tools setup from scratch |
How to choose
It fits how you already work
The best illustration tools slot into your existing routine instead of forcing a new one. Look for sensible defaults, integrations with the apps you already use, and a workflow that feels obvious within the first few minutes.
Honest, predictable pricing
Free trials are nice, but check what happens after. A clear free tier or a fair flat price beats a cheap plan that locks the features you actually need behind a much higher one. Always click through to confirm current pricing, plans change often.
It's actively maintained
A tool is only as good as the team behind it. Recent updates, a responsive changelog, and an active community are strong signals that a tool will still be around, and still improving, a year from now.
It does one thing really well
Be wary of tools that try to do everything. The picks that last tend to be focused: they solve a specific problem better than anything else, and they play nicely with the rest of your stack.
How we picked
Every tool in this guide is part of the curated DesignBookmark directory, where we track hundreds of illustration tools and keep only the ones genuinely worth recommending. We prioritize tools that are useful day to day, actively maintained, and trusted by the design and developer community, not just whatever launched most recently. Rankings favor the strongest all-rounders first, and we refresh this guide as new tools appear and others change.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best illustration tools?+
For most people, unDraw is the strongest all-round choice, it's the first pick on our list above. Isometric Studio is also excellent and may suit you better depending on your needs. The honest answer is that the "best" one is whatever fits your workflow, so compare the full ranked list and try a couple.
Are there any free illustration tools?+
Yes, several options on this list offer a free plan or free tier, including tools like unDraw, Isometric Studio, Iconscout. Free plans usually cover solo use or smaller projects, with paid tiers unlocking more. Click through to each tool to check its current pricing, since plans change regularly.
What should I look for when choosing illustration tools?+
Focus on fit, pricing, and momentum: does it match how you already work, is the pricing fair and predictable, and is the tool actively maintained? Our buyer's guide above breaks down each of these. It's usually better to pick one focused tool you'll actually use than a do-everything app you won't.
Is unDraw better than Isometric Studio?+
Both are excellent, which is why they're at the top of this list. unDraw edges ahead for most people thanks to its all-round strength, but Isometric Studio can be the better fit depending on your specific workflow. They're easy enough to try side by side, so we'd test both before committing.
How many illustration tools do I actually need?+
Usually just one or two. It's tempting to collect tools, but a focused setup you know well beats a sprawling stack of half-used apps. Pick a reliable default from this list, add a second only if it covers a real gap, and skip the rest.
How often is this guide updated?+
We review this list regularly and refresh it as new illustration tools launch and existing ones change. It was last reviewed in 2026. DesignBookmark tracks hundreds of tools, so this guide reflects what's genuinely worth using right now.
The bottom line
In short, unDraw is the easiest pick to recommend, but there's no single right answer. Use the 15 options above as a shortlist, click through to whatever looks right for your situation, and don't be afraid to drop anything that doesn't pull its weight.