A free, simple alternative to Illustrator and Inkscape
Big vector programs can do almost anything, which is exactly what makes them slow to learn when all you want is to draw. Scribl does one thing: hand-drawn vector illustration. Draw, fill, export clean SVG. It's free and runs in your browser.
Open Scribl and start drawingFree · no account · works offline
Why a drawing-first vector app?
In most vector tools you build shapes from points and handles, and drawing freehand is an afterthought. Scribl starts from the drawing: every stroke you make becomes a smooth path automatically, the paint bucket fills between your lines with exact vector shapes, and a handful of tools cover the rest. There are no menus of options to learn first.
How it compares
| Scribl | Full design suites | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, no account | From free (Inkscape) to a paid subscription (Illustrator) |
| Setup | Opens in the browser; works offline; installs as an app if you want | Desktop install, or an account for web-based tools |
| Focus | Freehand drawing: characters, stickers, icons, backgrounds | Everything: layout, typography, print, UI design, technical drawing |
| Learning curve | Minutes: draw, fill, export | Days to weeks to learn well |
| Output | Clean SVG and PNG | SVG, PDF, EPS, AI and many more |
What Scribl does well
- Freehand strokes that become smooth, editable vector paths
- A fill bucket that follows your lines and closes small gaps
- Blob brush, a real vector eraser, and a trim tool for overshooting lines
- Sculpt brushes to push, smooth or simplify any part of a path
- Layers with live outline, thickness, shadow and shading effects
- Mirror drawing, tracing images and snap-to-shape
- Palettes you can import from GIMP, Photoshop, paint.net, HEX or an image
- Pen pressure and palm rejection on drawing tablets
When to use something else
Scribl isn't trying to replace a full design suite. If you need text and typography, multi-page or print layouts, CMYK color, precise technical drawings, or file formats like PDF, EPS or AI, Illustrator, Inkscape, Affinity Designer or Figma are the right tools. A good workflow is to draw in Scribl and open the SVG there for anything more.
Try it
There is nothing to install and nothing to sign up for. Open the app and start drawing; your work saves itself in your browser. New to vector art? Start with how to draw vector art.
Open ScriblFree · no account · works offline