As you may know, Inkscape is a free and open-source feature-rich vector graphics editor designed for creating and editing scalable vector graphics (SVG). It is massively used by designers, illustrations and hobbyists, as it is a versatile tool for designing different graphics, from logos to complex illustrations. It is considered to be one of the best free altenatives to Adobe Illustrator, having a very intuitive and user-friendly interface.
Main features:
- Cross-Platform: Inkscape can be used on Linux, Windows and Mac OS X, making it an excellent choice for many users.
- Professional-Grade Vector Tools: It offers a set of tools for vector graphics creation and editing, including Bezier and Freehand Drawing, for creating smooth, precise curves and lines, Object Manipulation, which enables users to easily resize, rotate, skew, and layer objects with ease and Path Operations, allowing users to combine, intersect, or subtract shapes to create intricate designs.
- Wide Format Support: the software supports various formats, including: SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, and PNG; This flexibility allows users to export projects for various uses, from web design to print.
- Customizable Interface and Tools: It has a highly customizable interface, enabling users to tailor their workflow. Advanced tools like customizable grids, guidelines, and snapping make precision work effortless.
- Extensive Effects and Filters: It provides a variety of filters and effects, including blurs, shadows, and overlays, to enhance designs, enabling the designers to do professional-grade work.
- Text and Typography Options: It offers various editing tools, like kerning, line spacing, and alignment. This makes it ideal for creating typographic designs like posters and banners.
- Community and Extensibility: As it is quite popular, there are a lot of community-built extensions that can enhance the software’s default capabilities.
- Performance and Scalability: Inkscape enables developers to create images that can be scaled infinitely without losing quality, making it the perfect tool for logos, icons, and other designs requiring high scalability.
Why Choose Inkscape on Ubuntu?
Inkscape is a natural fit for Ubuntu due to its open-source ethos and easy installation process. Ubuntu users can install Inkscape from the official repositories or via the Snap store for the latest version. Its lightweight design ensures it performs smoothly even on modest hardware.
Whether you’re designing logos, creating detailed illustrations, or exploring artistic ideas, Inkscape offers the tools and flexibility to bring your vision to life—all at no cost.


The latest version available:
The latest version available is Inkscape 1.4, which comes with the release highlights:
- Filter Gallery: it has never been so easy to find the best filter for your needs! This new dialog features previews, categories and search.
- Modular grids & improved axonometric grids: set the grid angle by ratio for isometric designs and use modular grids to plan layouts and make icons!
- Swatches dialog and palette file handling improved: quick access to dialog layout controls, search for colors, and open different palette file formats!
- Unified font browser preview: when activated in the preferences, use it to quickly browse through your font collection. Try it out and give your feedback!
- Customizable handles: Power users with CSS knowledge can now customize the styling and basic shape of all the handles!
- Fast image clipping with the Shape Builder: raster graphics can now be clipped into multiple sections using the Shape Builder.
- Affinity Designer File Import
- Support for internal links in exported PDF files
- A whole new icon set
- There’s even more: faster extensions, new templates for folding booklets, additional options in Ruler and Taper Stroke LPE, new keyboard shortcuts, changed node deletion behavior, preview in Spray tool, many new command line options, more supported color palette formats (e.g. CIELAB, Adobe Color Book and Adobe Swatch Exchange), updated translations and many bug fixes.
This versions comes with a tons of changes and improvents, for more, read the changelogs.
How to install Inkscape 1.4 on Ubuntu 24.10, Ubuntu 24.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Linux Mint, Elementary OS and derivative systems:
(Optional) Step 0: Update Your System
Before installing any new software, it is recommended to update your system to ensure you have the latest packages and security updates.
The following command updates your system and upgrades installed software while maintaining dependencies:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
Step 1: Add the Inkscape PPA Repository
Inkscape 1.4 is available via a Personal Package Archive (PPA), which simplifies installation on Ubuntu and Ubuntu-based systems. To add the official Inkscape PPA, run the following command:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:inkscape.dev/stable
Press Enter if prompted to confirm adding the repository. This ensures your system can fetch and install Inkscape from the PPA.
Step 2: Update the Package List
Once the PPA has been added, update the package list to ensure your system recognizes the new software source:
sudo apt update
Step 3: Install Inkscape
Now that the repository has been added and updated, install Inkscape with the following command:
sudo apt install inkscape -y
(Optional) Remove Inkscape
If you want to uninstall Inkscape, use the following command:
sudo apt remove inkscape -y
To completely remove Inkscape, including all configuration files, use:
sudo apt purge inkscape -y
Additionally, to remove the PPA repository, run:
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:inkscape.dev/stable
Finally, to clean up unnecessary dependencies, execute:
sudo apt autoremove -y
This completes the installation and removal process. Enjoy using Inkscape!
Popular free photo editing software for Linux and Ubuntu
- GIMP – One of the most powerful open-source photo editors, often considered a free alternative to Photoshop. It supports layers, masks, filters, and various plugins.
- Inkscape – A vector graphics editor ideal for creating illustrations, logos, and scalable designs. It is a great alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
- RawTherapee – A high-quality RAW image processor designed for photographers who need advanced color correction, noise reduction, and image enhancement tools.
- Darktable – A professional-grade photo workflow application and RAW developer, similar to Adobe Lightroom, with non-destructive editing capabilities.
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