Logo Tool Showdown: Figma vs Illustrator vs Affinity — Which Should You Use?

Hook: Choosing the right tool is a productivity and output decision. Here's an objective look at how Figma, Adobe Illustrator, and Affinity Designer stack up for logo work.

Overview

Each tool has strengths. Illustrator has been the industry standard for decades with mature vector controls. Figma revolutionized collaboration, and Affinity Designer is a cost-effective powerhouse that blends raster and vector features. The right choice depends on your workflow, team needs, and budget.

Criteria we evaluated

• Vector precision and boolean operations
• Type and kerning controls
• Export options (SVG features, SVG optimization)
• Collaboration and feedback tooling
• Version control and file portability
• Price and licensing

1. Adobe Illustrator

Illustrator remains the most feature-rich vector editor. It offers advanced path controls, precision boolean operations, gradient meshes, and robust typography controls. For institutions and agencies with legacy workflows, Illustrator integrates with the Adobe ecosystem — Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects — which is valuable for multi-discipline projects.

Strengths:

• Advanced vector toolkit and pathfinder
• Excellent typography tools and OpenType support
• Export presets and SVG control (SVG 1.1 + options)

Limitations:

• Subscription model can be expensive
• Collaboration relies on cloud documents but not as seamless as Figma

2. Figma

Figma is web-first and built for collaboration. It shines when teams need concurrent editing, version history, and quick sharing. For logo design, Figma's boolean operations are solid, and components let you create responsive logo variants. Figma exports performant SVGs and supports SVG’s modern features, but it lacks some of Illustrator's microtypography controls.

Strengths:

• Real-time collaboration and easy sharing
• Component system for responsive variants
• Affordable and browser-based

Limitations:

• Less refined type controls than Illustrator
• Some complex vector effects are missing

3. Affinity Designer

Affinity Designer offers a compelling one-time purchase model and a powerful vector/raster hybrid workflow. Its pen tool, boolean operations, and pixel preview features are excellent. For independent designers, it's an attractive option because it blends value and capability.

Strengths:

• One-time purchase, cost-effective
• Robust vector engine with good boolean tools
• Pixel preview and export persona

Limitations:

• Fewer collaboration features compared to Figma
• Smaller plugin ecosystem

Comparative table (summary)

• Precision & features: Illustrator > Affinity > Figma
• Collaboration: Figma > Illustrator > Affinity
• Cost: Affinity > Figma > Illustrator (depending on subscription)
• Export & SVG control: Illustrator > Figma > Affinity

Recommended workflows

If you need agency-grade output and advanced typography, start in Illustrator and use export presets for handoff. If you're part of a product team or remote group, design in Figma for live collaboration and then export optimized SVGs for engineering. If you're a freelancer on a budget who still needs powerful vector tools, Affinity Designer is an excellent choice.

Tips for consistent logo exports across tools

1. Use outlines for logotypes where possible before exporting to avoid font mismatches.
2. Remove hidden layers and metadata from SVG exports.
3. Optimize SVG code with a minifier and check viewBox attributes for clean scaling.

Conclusion

There is no single 'best' tool — only the best tool for your context. Choose Illustrator for maximum control, Figma for team-driven workflows, and Affinity for budget-conscious designers who want a powerful local app. Learn interop techniques and your tool choices will become a tactical advantage rather than a limiting factor.

'Pick the tool that solves the collaboration problem you have today — not the one you imagine having tomorrow.'