Adobe Animate vs. Adobe Illustrator CC

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Adobe Animate
Score 8.1 out of 10
N/A
Adobe Animate (or Animate CC) supports but replaces the former Adobe Flash, and allows users to design interactive animations for games, TV shows, and the web. With it, the vendor states users can bring cartoons and banner ads to life, create animated doodles and avatars, and add action to eLearning content and infographics. With Animate, users can publish to multiple platforms in many formats, and reach viewers on any screen.
$20.99
per month
Adobe Illustrator
Score 9.3 out of 10
N/A
Adobe Illustrator CC is a vector-based graphic design software.
$20.99
per month
Pricing
Adobe AnimateAdobe Illustrator CC
Editions & Modules
Annual Plan, Paid Monthly
$20.99
per month
Monthly Plan
$31.49
per month
Annual Plan, Prepaid
$239.88
per year
Yearly - Billed Monthly
$20.99
per month
Monthly
$31.49
per month
Yearly - Billed Upfront
$239.88
per year
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Adobe AnimateAdobe Illustrator
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Adobe AnimateAdobe Illustrator CC
Considered Both Products
Adobe Animate
Chose Adobe Animate
i can say Adobe Animate is far better in results of animation among cartoon animator or toon boom harmony. but it is lot more difficult to animate and learn how to animate in Adobe Animate. so if you want to learn quick cartoon animator is easy but if you need industry standard …
Chose Adobe Animate
Adobe Animate was always the preferred software as the support was much better than the competition. And the ease of rendering was also a deciding factor. Results with character animations are much more crisp with Adobe Animate than in any other 2d based animation software.
Chose Adobe Animate
Adobe Animate is a powerful and versatile animation software that offers a wide range of tools and features. When compared to other animation software, it stacks up well in terms of its capabilities and functionality. Here are a few reasons why one might select Adobe Animate …
Chose Adobe Animate
We initially used after effects for many of our animations because it was part of our creative cloud subscription and some teammates had experience. We discovered some of the all-in-on features of Animate and decided to migrate a large percentage of our training video …
Chose Adobe Animate
I find After Effects more difficult to learn. Both are in the same Adobe CC subscription and both have a great interface. But the possibilities in features make After Effects more difficult. Therefore I like to use Animate when the assignment does not need to much complexity, …
Chose Adobe Animate
Adobe Animate works best for advanced animation and cuts and works well with the entire Adobe suite. There is nothing that compares when it comes to working within the same product.
Chose Adobe Animate
We haven't used any other animation software to compare. We only use Adobe Animate because it was included with our software suite. We do sometimes use Canva to create animated collateral and graphics, but they are already designed templates for the most part, so it's not a …
Chose Adobe Animate
Adobe Animate is extremely coordinated across different stages and programs, versus its rivals. Like Adobe Animate, HTML5 incorporates playing highlights for sound inside sites. It additionally has versatile help. In any case, I don't believe it's very there yet and is by all …
Chose Adobe Animate
As mentioned earlier, Photoshop is an easier program to work with and you can use it to make animated images for digital marketing. It's usually easier to just use Photoshop because the controls are not as cumbersome and there is a minimal learning curve.
Chose Adobe Animate
Nowadays we use HTML5 products whenever possible but when you need to use Flash because an application calls for it it works.
Chose Adobe Animate
Other software we have evaluated include Toon Boom Harmony (which we also use in our classroom) and OpenToonz. Toon Boom and Adobe Animate are the industry standard software used professionally.
Chose Adobe Animate
We previously used Audacity for sound editing but have found Adobe's Soundbooth functioning to be easier to use. That being said, Soundbooth is being phased out and we are looking for alternatives.
Chose Adobe Animate
Adobe Flash is very integrated across various platforms and browsers, versus its competitors. Like Adobe Flash, HTML5, includes playing features for audio within websites. It also has mobile support. However, I don't think it's quite there yet and seems to be a few steps behind …
Chose Adobe Animate
Unfortunately, it doesn't! While there are some disadvantages to HTML5, it's overall just cleaner. Since it's cleaner, browsers prefer it. And again, Flash animations will no longer be supported in a couple years, so users really don't have a choice but to part ways with the …
Chose Adobe Animate
Adobe Flash is being used in my company and my freelance work because it is the most universal tool used by all. It is able to be used on multiple applications and platforms and it is fairly easy to use once you have been trained. You can also get it with Adobe Suite which is …
Chose Adobe Animate
I have tried synfig, but go back to Flash because of ease of use and integration with other Adobe products (and familiarity).
Chose Adobe Animate
The only major alternative is to run your media on HTML5 and find mobile sites (or others) that can run on mobile devices. HTML5 tends to run directly on the browser faster (and doesn't crash very often). I would only select Adobe Flash if a specific website that I needed for …
Chose Adobe Animate
Adobe Illustrator has a lot more drawing capabilities and features than Flash, but for most tasks, I prefer to use Flash.

For cross-platform development, Xamarin offers a true full, native development environment, but Flash is good for prototyping. The big diadvantage here is …
Chose Adobe Animate
ToonBoom Harmony has a lot of the compositing stuff from AfterEffects built in and it has much stronger rigging tools than Flash. It's great because it lets you do a mix between both puppeted and animation that is tweaked by hand. However documentation on how to use the program …
Chose Adobe Animate
It is not easy to talk about software that can be compared as an alternative to Adobe Flash. It all depends on the need and the use that you want. I can recommend doing a thorough analysis of all software that can develop the kind of work you have to do, surely the fact that we …
Chose Adobe Animate
Adobe Flash is more universally accepted and larger variety of formats accept Flash over Vimeo Pro. We find it easy to promote Flash as the standard for use in our offices because no matter which software is used we can easily integrate into Adobe Flash.
Chose Adobe Animate
If you need to deliver on a laptop or PC, Flash is okay. iOS/macOS development trumps Flash easily if you have the capability. Developing for iOS and macOS can be just as fast or faster than developing for Flash. Apple Swift has great momentum - Flash is a dying technology …
Adobe Illustrator
Chose Adobe Illustrator
I have been using all of these tools for years. Illustrator is usually my go to tool. Once you learn Illustrator, it makes using all of the other programs easier to learn and it integrates with them beautifully. For the most part, each tool has it's own strengths - InDesign …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
We selected Adobe Illustrator CC as a company because of it's wide array of other programs that we can bundle together. It's a tool that most our vendors are also familiar with so it simplifies our workflow to use it. I like the functionality and the fact it's a tool I'm super …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
I use both of those programs together at times.
Chose Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator CC is the best program to use for creating vector illustrations and graphics, whereas Photoshop is best for pixel-based digital pieces. Indesign is best for printed pieces and Adobe Illustrator CC is a great collaborator tool to use for Indesign projects. The …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
The integration with Creative Cloud Libraries and Adobe Fonts, combined with the powerful array of tools offered in Adobe Illustrator makes up for the high price compared with other tools that are often free. You even get an outstanding 3D renderer built in with excellent …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator gives you much more control over every aspect of the design process. Canva has several limitations like being unable to customize gradients or creating clipping masks. Inkscape only works in RGB space and has a less intuitive user interface. They benefit from …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
Gimp does not have a lot of reference information, so it takes time to solve problems. Illustrator takes less time because there is a lot of reference information on the Internet and in books. Also, Gimp does not allow batch processing, so the work must be repeated. Illustrator …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
Illustrator is far ahead of Xara with features and manage images better than Corel Draw
Chose Adobe Illustrator
There are so many things you can create in Adobe Illustrator CC. It's easy to use and the options for saving and exporting are fantastic. Fortunately, this is the only software of its kind that I have used. I know other people that have used lesser quality products and turned …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
Both are powerful design/vector art tools. And they do the same things - just in a little different way. Tools and interface are a little different. Illustrator thinks like a designer, Corel thinks like an architect. I picked Illustrator mostly due to integration with …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
I know a lot of designers that like to work in Photoshop, when text is involved I prefer Adobe Illustrator CC. You can outline your text and kern and correct there, it is crisp and easy. I would rather push vector points than pixels. I also really appreciate the multiple boards …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
Illustrator has never let me down recently. There have been times where the program didn't do things I wanted it, but over the years the updates gradually modified how I used the program to the point where everything we need to do can be done.Whatever the situation is, Adobe …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
Simply stated, Adobe Illustrator CC just offers more. Not all projects require 'more', but when you need it, it is nice that you don't have to jump programs and start over on a project. Inkscape is simple to use, but so is Canva. Point being, just because a program has a great …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
This is free. But if Adobe is charging then it gives you the best quality and work.
Chose Adobe Illustrator
I chose Rhinoceros 3D because it is accurate to make drawings in it and it is better to make drawings in Rhinoceros 3D and then put them in Adobe Illustrator. But while printing or scaling it is much easier to put it in Adobe Illustrator. This makes the whole printing aspect of …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
For customized designs where text and some artistic touches are needed Adobe Illustrator CC is the best.
Chose Adobe Illustrator
Illustrator has a wide capability for editing ability and can be used in combination with any of the other programs I've listed and used. This makes it incredibly versatile and one of my favorites. Each of the other products have specific purposes, making them less likely for …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
Before using Adobe Illustrator CC, I was using other design tools and struggled with the lack of control over my artwork. Adobe Illustrator CC has given me so much more control over my designs. The interface is beautiful and easy to use; new features like Live Shape and the …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
They complement each other, each with its own specific characteristics, but within a marketing sector, an experienced designer knows that the use of these tools in sets makes all the difference. It is possible to combine their uses and create really relevant materials that will …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
All these software integrate and each one has a purpose, I, particularly, always work with almost all of them together and I don't see competition between them, [but rather] an integration [with] different purposes and uses. I use them all and they all serve me in the best way …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
with ease and many features offered as well as very easy vendor support
Chose Adobe Illustrator
Adode Illustrator is better for the design work in the company, sice it works with vectors and easy shortcuts, the other adobe software is not so useful because we do not work with video editing or rendering. Adobe Illustrator CC meets all our needs and expectations and that is …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
Honestly, Adobe illustrator is the best in the market in terms of what the software is capable of doing. I've used other software in my career, and honestly, I just haven't found anything that has the tools and the capabilities like adobe illustrator. I honestly will pay extra …
Chose Adobe Illustrator
I have not used any other graphic design software but I have used Photoshop and InDesign. If you're looking to create graphics, especially scalable vectors, Adobe Illustrator CC is, hands down, the best tool out there. Photoshop is much better for photo editing and …
Best Alternatives
Adobe AnimateAdobe Illustrator CC
Small Businesses
Autodesk Maya
Autodesk Maya
Score 8.4 out of 10
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
Score 7.5 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Adobe After Effects
Adobe After Effects
Score 9.1 out of 10
GIMP
GIMP
Score 7.9 out of 10
Enterprises
Adobe After Effects
Adobe After Effects
Score 9.1 out of 10
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
Score 7.5 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Adobe AnimateAdobe Illustrator CC
Likelihood to Recommend
8.0
(0 ratings)
9.3
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.0
(0 ratings)
9.4
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
5.0
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Adobe AnimateAdobe Illustrator CC
Likelihood to Recommend
Adobe flash is best to use for developing applications specifically for desktop and laptop PC websites. We use it a lot with clients who send us content from other countries to stream and/or view video, audio and multimedia. Since there is no mobile browser or device support, it can not be used for any app related projects.
Read full review
Adobe Illustrator is used to help make drawings look good but not make them. It is easy to add color or texture but it is hard to actually make the drawings in it. I would recommend using other software to make the lines for plans and sections and using Adobe Illustrator to make it look good.
Read full review
Pros
  • it makes 2d animation a lot better than any other programs.
  • it is loaded with a lots of features enabling the creative freedom for animators.
  • rigging is very seamless process while doing in Adobe Animate
  • it brings the feel of classic handrawn 2d animations that we all love.
Read full review
  • Vector graphics for scaling to large sizes
  • Filling an object with a texture
  • Easily adjusting and expanding an artboard to fit the size of the content (especially for infographics)
  • Compatibility with other Adobe CC programs, but also exporting for PPT graphics
Read full review
Cons
  • It's being replaced in 2020 so it most likely is not worth learning for anyone who hasn't used it before. Apple devices don't play nice with Flash videos either, and that's a large user base.
  • Its battery consumption for mobile devices is poor, and probably won't be addressed due to HTML5 replacing it in a year
  • One of our original reasons for using Flash was for animation, but Toon Boom (a competitor) is really better set up for that task. With built-in mouth synch capabilities, it does a lot of the busywork for you, that Flash made you do yourself.
Read full review
  • Illustrator Files can get large/cumbersome when you begin to incorporate high resolution photography, especially if you 'place' the photo instead of linking to it's source file
  • Typography can sometimes be a challenge, especially if you working on different machines that may not always have the font you need installed or sending the file to a commercial printer
  • OLDER versions of Illustrator can be a bit temperamental about being backward compatible though this issue has been greatly reduced with Adobe's move the Cloud Based subscription model
  • Not great for large print layouts (books, magazine etc) you're better off to move the project to Adobe InDesign in that case.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
No answers on this topic
While Adobe Illustrator CC is one of the only true design software out there, it really stands heads above the other products. It's clean UI and menu structure is easy to navigate.
Read full review
Usability
Flash is usable but definitely has a learning curve that a novice user may need to Google a few tutorials prior. The seamless integration with other Adobe software products is nice for loading content from the cloud. Plus it's great for storing and saving work on the go.
Read full review
There's a bit of a learning curve to this software vs other similar tools that can take some time to learn and get familiar with but the amount of functionality that Adobe Illustrator CC offers is quite large compared to simpler tools.
Read full review
Support Rating
No answers on this topic
I normally already know how to do whatever I'm trying out, but the documentation (as well as a simple Google search) makes any question quick to resolve. The Adobe boards themselves are a fantastic resource, especially for resolving questions between new programs and iterative releases.
Read full review
Implementation Rating
No answers on this topic
It was very easy to purchase and download.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
Adobe Animate is a powerful and versatile animation software that offers a wide range of tools and features. When compared to other animation software, it stacks up well in terms of its capabilities and functionality. Here are a few reasons why one might select Adobe Animate over other animation software: Support for a wide range of platforms and devices: Adobe Animate allows you to create animations and interactive content for a wide range of platforms and devices, such as web, mobile, and TV. This makes it a versatile option for creating animations for different platforms. Advanced 2D animation features: Adobe Animate's bone rigging and inverse kinematics features make it easy to create advanced 2D character animations. This makes it a great option for creating animated shorts, explainer videos, and interactive games. Interactive features: Adobe Animate's support for HTML5 Canvas and WebGL allows for the creation of interactive animations and games that can be played on web browsers without the need for any plugins.
Read full review
I have been using all of these tools for years. Illustrator is usually my go to tool. Once you learn Illustrator, it makes using all of the other programs easier to learn and it integrates with them beautifully. For the most part, each tool has it's own strengths - InDesign for layout, Photoshop for pixels, etc., but for me, working with vectors is my prime need.
Read full review
Return on Investment
  • Negative, any individual who invested energy learning the program presently feels miserable that it's disappearing.
  • Activity that was done on Adobe Animate yet would now be able to be made with Toon Boom or even Adobe After Effects.
  • In addition to the side, since it's an Adobe item, you can lease it as opposed to purchasing the full permit. That implies conceivably individuals could utilize it somewhat more without dishing out as much cash.
Read full review
  • Improved engagement in employee programs that are now represented in documents created using Illustrator.
  • Improved customer outcomes/interest as a result of materials created using Illustrator.
  • Better ROI on the programs we have developed or introduced due to the higher engagement and involvement.
Read full review
ScreenShots