Adobe Illustrator CC vs. Clip Studio Paint

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Adobe Illustrator
Score 9.3 out of 10
N/A
Adobe Illustrator CC is a vector-based graphic design software.
$20.99
per month
Clip Studio Paint
Score 9.4 out of 10
N/A
Celsys headquartered in Shinjuku City, Tokyo supports creators to create artistic content with digital technology. They provide solutions for content creation, distribution, and browsing, including support of creative activities through our illustration, manga and animation production app “Clip Studio Paint” and web service “Clip Studio”, as well as our e-book solution, “Clip Studio Reader”.
$49.99
one-time fee
Pricing
Adobe Illustrator CCClip Studio Paint
Editions & Modules
Yearly - Billed Monthly
$20.99
per month
Monthly
$31.49
per month
Yearly - Billed Upfront
$239.88
per year
Clip Studio Paint Pro
$49.99
one-time fee
Clip Studio Paint Ex
$219.99
one-time fee
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Adobe IllustratorClip Studio Paint
Free Trial
NoYes
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 Illustrator CCClip Studio Paint
Best Alternatives
Adobe Illustrator CCClip Studio Paint
Small Businesses
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
Score 7.6 out of 10
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
Score 7.6 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
GIMP
GIMP
Score 8.4 out of 10
GIMP
GIMP
Score 8.4 out of 10
Enterprises
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
Score 7.6 out of 10
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
Score 7.6 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Adobe Illustrator CCClip Studio Paint
Likelihood to Recommend
9.4
(109 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.0
(3 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(6 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
5.0
(25 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Adobe Illustrator CCClip Studio Paint
Likelihood to Recommend
Adobe
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.
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Celsys, Inc
I cannot really imagine a situation other than creating custom 3D models in which Clip Studio Paint would ever be inappropriate; it offers tools for art such as: 2D, pixel/voxel work, vectors, painting/drawing, comics, animations and more. The only place that Clip Studio Paint does not shine is in the creation of 3D models, but I think that that is fair given that it's competitor, Photoshop, also cannot do this; this was never a tool meant for 3D model design or creation, but the fact that you can import models and that there is a library of free and paid posable models native to the app is rather impressive.
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Pros
Adobe
  • 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
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Celsys, Inc
  • Handles huge files with grace, and auto-saves back-ups while you draw.
  • Can export into any other image file format, making for easy program transfers.
  • Offers animation abilities, posable 3D models as references, mange/comic tools, and so many other options.
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Cons
Adobe
  • It's tough to master. If you haven't used Adobe products like Photoshop or Illustrator before, there is a lot to take in.
  • It would be great to have some better options to preview the final product if you're creating a multiple page document.
  • Better integration and pricing points with Adobe Stock for the useful stock images to complete your projects.
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Celsys, Inc
  • The UI is absolutely not user friendly out of the box, and there are an overwhelming number of keybinds and options.
  • Some huge files, while saveable, take about 3 minutes.
  • Limited cloud space even though you pay for a license.
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Likelihood to Renew
Adobe
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.
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Celsys, Inc
No answers on this topic
Usability
Adobe
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.
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Celsys, Inc
I think that once one gets the hang of how to navigate and use Clip Studio Paint, they will find that it has so much more to offer than one might expect when looking at it for the first time. There are hidden gems all throughout this program, and they are all there to make your creative experience all the more streamlined and natural.
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Support Rating
Adobe
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.
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Celsys, Inc
No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
Adobe
It was very easy to purchase and download.
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Celsys, Inc
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Adobe
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 bring a great return to the company and in the dissemination of arts with superior quality to the competitors
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Celsys, Inc
I have used a handful of other free art programs, including MediBang Paint, and while they are all good, and I'm sure perfect in the hands of the right artist, I feel as though they simply do not offer the number of options necessary for my needs. They feel very limited and stale; customization is limited and their UI's are outdated. Clip Studio Paint is modern and sleek, highly customizable, and offers far more tools than the other options around it.
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Return on Investment
Adobe
  • Helps us quickly and easily create and manage numerous logos
  • Cloud libraries allow us to access commonly used colors, fonts, logos and other design elements quickly
  • We are able to provide high-quality, scalable college logos for print and digital which give us a more professional, credible look.
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Celsys, Inc
  • I think that the initial price was incredibly steep, but I managed to get it on discount. As a starting artist, this was a hard blow to take at the start, especially before these subscription options existed.
  • After years of use I have more than paid off the cost I sunk into Clip Studio Paint EX.
  • I see myself making marked profits by continuing to use the program, even with the new subscription service rather than a perpetual lisence.
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ScreenShots