Linearity
Austrian vector design and animation for Mac and iPad, with a one-off purchase option instead of a subscription
Quick Overview
| Company | Linearity GmbH |
|---|---|
| Category | Design & Photo Editing |
| Headquarters | Vienna, Austria |
| Founded | 2018 |
| EU Presence | Yes - Austria (EU) |
| Data Location | Your device; optional cloud sync |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Vector design (Curve), animation (Move), Apple Pencil support, auto-trace, AI background removal, brand kits, iCloud sync, export presets |
| Pricing | Free tier / Pro subscription from about EUR 8/month / perpetual licence available |
| Best For | Designers on Mac and iPad doing vector illustration and motion graphics |
| Replaces | Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects, Affinity Designer |
Detailed Review
Linearity, formerly Vectornator, is a Vienna company building vector design tools specifically for Apple devices. Curve handles illustration and vector design; Move turns those designs into animations. Both are designed around Apple Pencil and touch as primary inputs rather than adaptations of desktop software.
For designers working on iPad, this is a considerably better experience than desktop applications ported to tablets.
Built for iPad, Not Ported to It
Curve was designed for touch and Apple Pencil from the start, with gesture handling and tool placement that assume a tablet. Illustrator on iPad is a reduced desktop application; Curve is a tablet application, and the difference in fluency is immediately apparent.
Auto-trace, AI background removal and brand kits handle the repetitive parts of vector work.
Design and Animation Together
Move takes a Curve design and animates it, exporting to video, GIF or Lottie for use in apps and on the web. Keeping design and animation in one tool chain removes the export-import cycle that makes motion work tedious in separate applications.
Pricing Without a Subscription Trap
A free tier covers basic use, a subscription unlocks professional features, and a perpetual licence is available for those who refuse to rent software. For designers who left Adobe over subscription pricing, that option matters.
Limitations to Consider
Linearity is Apple-only, so Windows and Linux designers cannot use it at all. It is less capable than Illustrator for complex technical illustration and print production work, and the animation tool is far simpler than After Effects. The company is small and the product has been repositioned more than once, including the rename from Vectornator.
Who Should Use Linearity
Designers and illustrators working on Mac and iPad who want fluent vector tools with animation, particularly those who prefer a perpetual licence to an Adobe subscription.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Genuinely designed for iPad and Apple Pencil
- Design and animation in one tool chain
- Lottie export for apps and web
- Perpetual licence available
- Austrian company, EU jurisdiction
Cons
- Apple platforms only
- Less capable than Illustrator for print work
- Small company with a history of repositioning
Alternatives to Linearity
Other European design & photo editing worth comparing before you decide:
Capture One
Denmark · Professional RAW processing and tethered studio capture
Photopea
Czech Republic · Full PSD editor that runs entirely in your browser
Krita
Netherlands · Open-source painting studio built for digital artists
darktable
Germany · Open-source RAW developer and photo workflow manager
See all European design & photo editing or compare them directly against Adobe Illustrator on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is macOS, iPadOS and iOS only. Windows and Linux designers should look at Penpot or Inkscape for vector work.
Curve is the vector design and illustration application; Move animates those designs and exports to video, GIF or Lottie. They are designed to work together as one chain.
Yes, a perpetual licence is available alongside the subscription, which matters for designers who left Adobe specifically over subscription pricing.
For general vector design and illustration on tablet, it is fluent and often more pleasant. For complex technical illustration and print production, Illustrator remains ahead.