Top 12 Free Open-source SVG Editors for Windows, macOS, Linux & The Web!

Alright, let’s dive straight into it. If you’re not leveraging SVGs in your projects yet, you’re leaving a lot on the table. As a developer who has been working with SVGs for years—both for web development and even creating a quick browser-based game—I can confidently say they’ve saved me countless hours of frustration.

I’ve relied on tools like Inkscape, an open-source SVG editor that punches way above its weight, to craft everything from simple icons to intricate animations. Let me break down what makes SVGs so powerful, why they’re indispensable, and how they can supercharge your workflow.

What Exactly Is an SVG or Scalable Vector Graphics ?

SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics. Unlike traditional raster formats like JPEG or PNG, which are made up of pixels, SVGs are defined by XML code. This means they describe shapes, lines, curves, and colors using mathematical equations instead of fixed grids. The result? No matter how much you scale an SVG up or down, it stays razor-sharp. Whether you’re zooming in on a logo or stretching it across a billboard, there’s no pixelation or blurriness. It’s like magic—but really, it’s just math.

For example, imagine designing a logo for a client. With a raster image, you’d need multiple versions for different resolutions. But with an SVG, one file works everywhere. Clean, efficient, and headache-free.

What Are SVGs Used For?

You might think SVGs are just for icons and logos, but their potential goes far beyond that. Here’s where they shine:

1. Responsive Web Design: SVGs adapt seamlessly to any screen size. From tiny mobile displays to massive desktop monitors, they look flawless. That’s why I always use them for UI elements like buttons, icons, and illustrations—they never break under pressure.
2. Animations & Interactivity: SVGs play beautifully with CSS and JavaScript. Want a bouncing ball? A spinning loader? Or maybe a hover effect that morphs an icon? SVGs make this possible without bloating your project with GIFs or videos.
3. Data Visualization: If you’ve ever worked with libraries like D3.js, you know SVG is king here. Charts, graphs, maps—you name it. SVGs allow for dynamic updates and smooth transitions, making data not only functional but visually appealing.
4. Game Development: Yep, SVGs aren’t just for static visuals. I once built a quick space shooter game entirely in HTML5 Canvas, using SVG assets for the spaceship and asteroids. Lightweight, scalable, and easy to manipulate programmatically—what’s not to love?

The Top 4 Benefits of Using SVG Images and Graphics

1. Infinite Scalability Without Loss of Quality
   One of the biggest perks of SVGs is their ability to scale infinitely. Need a small favicon? Done. A massive hero banner? No problem. Unlike raster images, which degrade when resized, SVGs retain their crispness at any dimension.
2. Tiny File Sizes for Faster Load Times (SEO Boost)
   Simple SVGs often weigh less than their raster counterparts. A basic icon might be just a few hundred bytes, compared to kilobytes for a PNG. Smaller files mean faster load times, which improves user experience and boosts SEO rankings. Plus, fewer HTTP requests lead to better performance overall.
3. Editable Code for Ultimate Flexibility
   Since SVGs are essentially text files written in XML, you can open them in any code editor and tweak them directly. Want to change a color? Adjust a path? Add a class for styling? All it takes is a few lines of code. I’ve edited SVGs right in VS Code during tight deadlines—it’s faster than jumping back into design software.
4. SEO-Friendly and Accessible
   SVGs are inherently more accessible than raster images. Because they’re text-based, search engines can index them, improving your site’s discoverability. Additionally, you can add <title> and <desc> tags to provide context for screen readers, ensuring your graphics are inclusive. Accessibility matters, and SVGs make it easier to get it right.

SVG for Mobile: Does It Work? Is It Good?

Short answer: Absolutely. Long answer: SVGs are a dream come true for mobile development. Their lightweight nature and resolution independence make them perfect for apps running on devices with varying screen sizes and pixel densities.

• React Native: While React Native doesn’t support SVG out of the box, libraries like react-native-svg fill the gap beautifully. I’ve dropped SVG icons into my RN apps with zero performance issues. Just import the library, paste your SVG code, and boom—you’ve got scalable, high-quality graphics.
• Flutter: Flutter devs aren’t left out either. The flutter_svg package lets you embed SVGs effortlessly. However, keep in mind that overly complex SVGs can cause jank. My advice? Use tools like Inkscape to simplify paths before importing them.

SVGs eliminate the need for multiple raster assets. Instead of exporting separate images for each resolution, you can use a single SVG file. This reduces app size and speeds up rendering. Trust me—your users will thank you.

Open-source free SVG Editors!

1- Inkscape (Best Editor)

Let’s talk the best tool. Sure, Adobe Illustrator is great, but it’s expensive and overkill for many projects. Enter Inkscape, the unsung hero of vector graphics. This free, open-source editor has been my go-to for years. It supports all the essential features—path editing, node manipulation, boolean operations—and integrates seamlessly with developer workflows.

But what really sets Inkscape apart is its community-driven plugins. Need to optimize an SVG for production? There’s a plugin for that. Want to batch-export assets? Done. Plus, since it’s open-source, you can customize it to fit your needs. If you’re serious about SVGs, give Inkscape a try—you won’t regret it.

Inkscape - Draw Freely. | Inkscape

Inkscape is professional vector graphics software which runs on Linux, macOS and Windows desktop computers.

Inkscape Draw Freely.Inkscape Website Developers

2- Graphite (The Underdog)

Graphite is a free, open-source vector and raster graphics editor designed for 2D content creation. Currently in alpha, it offers a nondestructive editing workflow combining layer-based compositing with node-based generative design. Built like a game engine, Graphite aims to be an all-in-one creative suite for graphic design, digital painting, motion graphics, and more. With its focus on speed, privacy, and cross-platform accessibility, it’s perfect for professionals and hobbyists alike.

Key Features:

• Procedural Vector Editing : Create designs using nondestructive boolean operations and patterns.
• Node-Based Layers : Build complex visuals with flexible, editable nodes.
• Cross-Platform Support : Coming soon to Windows, Mac, Linux, and web browsers.
• Future-Proof Tools : Raster manipulation, live collaboration, and VFX compositing on the roadmap.
• Privacy-Focused : No servers—your work stays local and secure.

Free online vector editor & procedural design tool

Open source free software. A vector graphics creativity suite with a clean, intuitive interface. Opens instantly (no signup) and runs locally in a browser. Exports SVG, PNG, JPG.

Graphite

3- Boxy SVG (Gets the things done)

Boxy SVG is the ultimate tool for anyone working with SVGs. It’s simple yet powerful, offering a clean interface for beginners and advanced features for pros. Perfect for logos, icons, or vector art, it generates tidy, standards-compliant code. Best part? It’s free.

Why Boxy SVG Rocks:

• Intuitive design for all skill levels.
• Pixel-perfect precision and CSS/JS support.
• Clean, lightweight SVG output.
• Free to use—no strings attached.
• Handles vectors, raster images, filters, and more. 🚀

Boxy SVG Editor

4- SVGEdit

SVGEdit is a fast, web-based, JavaScript-driven SVG drawing editor that works in any modern browser. SVGEdit is based on a powerful SVG canvas @svgedit/svgcanvas.

GitHub - SVG-Edit/svgedit: Powerful SVG-Editor for your browser

Powerful SVG-Editor for your browser. Contribute to SVG-Edit/svgedit development by creating an account on GitHub.

GitHubSVG-Edit

5- SVG Path Editor (SvgPathEditor)

The SVG Path Editor is a free, open-source, self-hosted tool to create or tweak SVG paths right in your browser. Edit raw path data, drag points, and use intuitive controls like zoom, scale, and rotate. With keyboard shortcuts and command customization, it’s perfect for devs who want precision without the bloat.

6- ArtDraw

The SVG Path Editor is a free, open-source, self-hosted tool to create or tweak SVG paths right in your browser. Edit raw path data, drag points, and use intuitive controls like zoom, scale, and rotate.

With keyboard shortcuts and command customization, it’s perfect for devs who want precision without the bloat. Totally free—grab it at yqnn.github.io/svg-path-editor .

GitHub - sysmaya/artdraw: SVG editor online - Vector drawing and graphics editor

SVG editor online - Vector drawing and graphics editor - sysmaya/artdraw

GitHubsysmaya

7- Svg editor

ArtDraw SVG Editor Online is a free, browser-based vector graphics tool designed for creating and editing SVG designs. Built with JavaScript and HTML, this open-source project offers a wide range of tools to craft functional and creative designs, rivaling commercial software.

While still in its early development phase, it’s already capable of handling complex SVG files—just don’t overdo the nodes!

It is an ideal free app for designers and developers alike, ArtDraw is completely free and self-hosted

Key Features:

• Drawing Tools : Freehand pencil, polygon pencil, ovals, rectangles, text, and clipart options.
• Shape Editing : Boolean operations, node editing, offset paths, and trace image-to-vector.
• Customization : Color gradients, rough styles, filters, and alignment tools.
• Advanced Controls : Group shapes, combine paths, mirror tools, and Z-order adjustments.

GitHub - IDCI-Consulting/SvgEditor: A composable svg editor based on fabricjs

A composable svg editor based on fabricjs. Contribute to IDCI-Consulting/SvgEditor development by creating an account on GitHub.

GitHubIDCI-Consulting

8- Svgvi

SvgVisor is a sleek, open-source SVG editor for Linux lovers. Edit SVG files as XML code and watch your changes come alive in real-time. Built with GTK 4.0, it runs smoothly on Ubuntu, LinuxMint, Fedora, and Manjaro—perfect for devs who crave precision and simplicity.

Install Svgvi on Linux | Flathub

SVG viewer and editor using XML declarations

Flathub - Apps for LinuxDaniel Espinosa Ortiz

9- svgeditor

Free online and open-source SVG editor for quick work. It is not Inkscape, as it does not have advanced features, but it gets the job done without even installing the app at your machine!

10- Canvas Editor (Rich Text Editor with Super SVG Editing Capability)

This is not an actual SVG editor rather than an advanced WYSIWG Editor with advanced SVG features.

Features

• Rich text operations (Undo, Redo, Font, Size, Bold, Italic, Underline, Strikeout, Superscript, Alignment, Title, List, ...)
• Insert elements (Table, Image, Link, Code Block, Page Break, Math Formula, Date Picker, Block, ...)
• Print (Based on canvas to picture, pdf drawing)
• Controls (Select, Text, Date, Radio, Checkbox)
• Contextmenu (Internal, Custom)
• Shortcut keys (Internal, Custom)
• Drag and Drop(Text, Element, Control)
• Header, Footer, Page Number
• Page Margin
• Watermark
• Pagination
• Comment
• Catalog

GitHub - Hufe921/canvas-editor: rich text editor by canvas/svg

rich text editor by canvas/svg. Contribute to Hufe921/canvas-editor development by creating an account on GitHub.

GitHubHufe921

11- GodSVG

GodSVG is a minimalist SVG editor built for developers who love clean, optimized code. Unlike other tools, it lets you interactively edit SVG elements via a user-friendly UI while showing real-time code updates. With no added metadata and a focus on low abstraction, it produces sleek, efficient SVG files perfect for any project.

It works on macOS, windows, Linux and Android!

12- Oh My SVG

Oh My SVG is a simple free handy Linux tool that optimizes SVG files by shrinking their size. Powered by SVGO , it removes unnecessary data and metadata while letting you preview and tweak settings for the best results. A word of caution: it strips details like metadata, so always keep your original files safe.

Shrink SVGs Images Easily with This Free App: Oh My SVG (Linux Only)

Hey, fellow devs and designers! Let’s talk about something we’ve all dealt with at some point—SVG bloat. You know what I’m talking about. Those gorgeous, crisp vector graphics that look perfect but come with a side of unnecessary metadata and bloated code. Whether you’re building

MEDevel.com | Open-source Apps for Healthcare and EnterpriseHazem Abbas

Wrap-Up: Why SVGs Are Your New Best Friend

SVGs are more than just a file format—they’re a game-changer. They’re lightweight, editable, and future-proof, making them ideal for everything from responsive websites to mobile apps. Whether you’re animating a logo, visualizing data, or building a game, SVGs have got your back.

So grab Inkscape, start experimenting, and watch your projects level up. Trust me, once you go SVG, you’ll never look back. Now go create something amazing.