Adobe Illustrator Image Trace vs CorelDRAW: which one a designer needs

Q: Can VectorMagik limit the number of colours in a traced image?

Yes. You can limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours . You can also click shapes to delete them, such as a background, or merge two shades into one . Node editing lets you move or delete curve nodes and round individual corners after converting .

Adobe Illustrator Image Trace vs CorelDRAW for designers: trials, platforms and pricing from each option's own sources, with VectorMagik as a third choice.

By 2Dex · 2026-10-18

2Dex is published by the makers of SageThumbs 2K, RēDesign and VectorMagik, which are compared here alongside other tools.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite can be tried free for 15 days and is available for Windows, Mac and Web ^[1] ^[2]. VectorMagik traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine, and it is free for everyone, with business use needing a licence ^[3] ^[3]. Adobe Illustrator Image Trace is covered here by name only, so check Adobe's own pages for what it does.

Option	Price	Platforms
VectorMagik	Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0) ^[3]	Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, and a browser version ^[3]
Adobe Illustrator Image Trace	not published	not published
CorelDRAW	Not a free product; a 15-day free trial is offered ^[1] ^[1]	Windows, Mac and Web ^[2]

The short answer

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite can be tried free for 15 days before you decide whether to buy it ^[1]. VectorMagik traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine, and you can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG ^[3] ^[3]. Adobe Illustrator Image Trace is named here only, so check Adobe's own pages for what it does.

Choose CorelDRAW if you want a product whose subscription includes updates, since its page says the subscription gives access to the latest version at no extra cost as updates become available ^[1]. Choose VectorMagik if you need a free tool that traces pictures into vector shapes, with business use under a licence ^[3].

What Adobe Illustrator Image Trace, CorelDRAW is built for

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is available for Windows, Mac and Web ^[2]. A 15-day free trial is offered ^[1]. Its subscription gives access to the latest version at no extra cost as updates become available ^[1].

Adobe Illustrator Image Trace is named on this page for comparison. This page gives no facts about what it does, so check Adobe's own pages for its features, file formats and prices before you compare it with the others.

What VectorMagik is built for

VectorMagik is made by the team that publishes this site. It traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine ^[3]. You can merge neighbouring curve pieces to simplify the shapes, and an automatic setting picks the largest merge that keeps the picture ^[3]. You can move or delete curve nodes and round individual corners after converting ^[3]. You can limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours ^[3]. You can click shapes to delete them, such as a background, or merge two shades into one ^[3]. It can add a die-cut sticker outline with a border, white rim and optional drop shadow ^[3]. You can compare the vector with the bitmap side by side, or flip between them ^[3]. You can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG ^[3]. A command-line version does the same work without a window and lets an AI assistant trace pictures on your computer ^[3]. A version runs in the web browser using the same engine ^[3].

Pricing and fees

The price of Adobe Illustrator Image Trace is not published on this page, so check Adobe's pricing page before you decide. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite can be tried free for 15 days ^[1], and its subscription includes updates at no extra cost as they become available ^[1]. Amounts for its plans are not given here, so check the CorelDRAW pricing page.

VectorMagik is free for everyone, and business use needs a licence under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 ^[3]. The licence itself is PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 ^[3]. No payment service or card fee is stated in the sources for this page.

Getting started and everyday use

VectorMagik installs with a Windows installer, a portable zip, a macOS zip, a Debian/Ubuntu .deb or a Linux tar.gz, all from GitHub releases ^[3]. Downloads exist for Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version ^[3]. Once a picture is traced, you can save the result in the format you need ^[3].

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is available for Windows, Mac and Web ^[2]. You can start with the free 15-day trial ^[1], and updates come with the subscription at no extra cost ^[1].

Installation and daily use of Adobe Illustrator Image Trace are not covered here, so check Adobe's own help for those steps.

Things to check before you choose

Which systems do you work on? Check that each option runs on the machines you use, using the platform details above.
Is your work for business use? Read the licence terms of VectorMagik and of each other option before you install them on a work machine.
Do you need to edit curves after tracing? VectorMagik lets you move or delete curve nodes ^[3], so check whether the other options offer the same.
Do you need to work in a browser or from the command line? VectorMagik has both ^[3] ^[3], so check whether the other options do too.
How long do you need to test the software before paying? CorelDRAW offers a 15-day trial ^[1], so check its page for the trial terms.
Do you need to compare a traced result with the original? VectorMagik can show the vector and bitmap side by side ^[3].

How to choose

You want a picture traced into vector shapes with a free tool: VectorMagik ^[3] ^[3].
You want to save in several vector and image formats: VectorMagik ^[3].
You want to limit how many colours the traced result uses: VectorMagik, from 1 to 64 colours ^[3].
You want a die-cut sticker outline: VectorMagik ^[3].
You want to try the software before paying: CorelDRAW, with a 15-day trial ^[1].
You want updates included with a subscription: CorelDRAW ^[1].
You work on Mac or on the web: CorelDRAW is listed for Mac and Web ^[2], and VectorMagik has a macOS download and a browser version ^[3] ^[3].
You already use Adobe Illustrator: check Adobe Illustrator Image Trace on Adobe's own pages, since this page has no facts about it.

Frequently asked questions

Is VectorMagik free to use?

VectorMagik is free for everyone, and business use needs a licence under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 ^[3]. The licence itself is PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 ^[3]. Read that licence before you use the tool on paid work, because business use is the part that needs one. Its downloads cover Windows x64, macOS on Apple Silicon and Intel, Linux x64, and a browser version ^[3].

How much does CorelDRAW cost?

This page does not give CorelDRAW's prices, so check its own pricing page for the amounts. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite can be tried free for 15 days ^[1]. Its subscription gives access to the latest version at no extra cost as updates become available ^[1]. Compare the trial and the subscription terms side by side before you decide.

Does Adobe Illustrator Image Trace export SVG and PDF files?

This page does not describe what Adobe Illustrator Image Trace exports, so check Adobe's own pages for its file formats. If you need SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG output from a tracing tool, VectorMagik lists exactly those formats ^[3]. Compare the formats each option offers against the software your clients or printers use.

Can VectorMagik limit the number of colours in a traced image?

Yes. You can limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours ^[3]. You can also click shapes to delete them, such as a background, or merge two shades into one ^[3]. Node editing lets you move or delete curve nodes and round individual corners after converting ^[3].

Does CorelDRAW run on Mac?

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is available for Windows, Mac and Web ^[2]. Updates come with the subscription at no extra cost as they become available ^[1]. VectorMagik also has a macOS download for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs ^[3], so check which option fits the machine you work on.

Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0). ^[3]

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