Sick of overpaying on Adobe? This free program works just as well

Adobe Illustrator is one of the best photo editing and graphic design programs money can buy. Depending on your plan, you may have to spend $20.99/mo on Illustrator. Luckily, we found the best free alternative to Adobe Illustrator in Inkscape.

You can use Inkscape to edit pictures, convert photos into vector images and even create your own artwork for NFTs. Tap or click here for everything you need to know about NFTs.

It’s an open-source graphics software that comes with a ton of drawing tools. Plus, its interface is even more accessible than Illustrator. Here’s all you need to know about this free program that works like Adobe Illustrator.

Kim’s a big fan of Inkscape

If you’re paying for Adobe Illustrator, you can cancel your subscription. You can get pretty much the same tools for free with Inkscape. Illustrator is the gold standard, but we recommend making the switch if you want more dollars in your pocket.

It’s been around for a long time, so there are tons of YouTube tutorials on how to use it. Here’s a quick one.

You can create logos, infographics, posters and flyers. It’s mainly used by people who want to create artwork, but photographers, marketers and graphic designers will also find it helpful.

If you aren’t focused on illustration and are more into photo editing, you might want to check out GIMP or Pixlr. They’re both great for serious photo editing. Tap or click here for our guide on powerful, free, easy-to-use photo editing software.

When researching the best free alternative to Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape is one of many programs. Here’s a quick comparison of Inkscape vs. Canva, another popular editing program that’s 100% free.

How Inkscape stacks up against other free design programs

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5 free alternatives to Microsoft Excel

When Excel first hit the market, businesses flocked to use it for their management needs. But it’s far from the only option. There are many free alternatives to Microsoft Excel you should know about.

Many people are so married to Excel they won’t consider other spreadsheets. At first glance, it seems like the perfect one-stop-shop for scheduling, accounting, compiling data, tracking sales and more. Tap or click here for three tips and tutorials that help you make the most out of Excel.

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Digital Life Hack: YouTube hidden transcripts are a time saver

Open/download audio

Do you find it hard to keep up with speedy YouTube tutorials? Listen now for a smart way to catch all the steps.

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Free versions of Excel if you don’t want to pay for Microsoft 365

Smart penny pinchers know there are a ton of freebies around the web. You have to be savvy about where you search since there are a ton of dangerous downloads lurking. We’re always here to share safe tools, like the top free Excel alternatives.

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9 free software copycats that work better than the real expensive programs

There are more features and tricks hiding in your Mac or PC than most people will ever know. You can do even more if you know the right software to download.

If you’re relying on your computer’s built-in spell check to catch all your grammar mistakes, for example, it’s time to upgrade. Here are five stellar options to make you sound smarter.  

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5 sites for checking your grammar

There is nothing worse than sending off a business email or posting a blog entry, only to realize later that you have typos or poor grammar. How did that happen? After all, you use Microsoft Word, which has a built-in spell-checking feature. Unfortunately, this type of spell checker is basic, nothing fancy.

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Give your phone a security checkup with this free app

With so many avenues open for cybercriminals, it is more important than ever to keep your gadgets and personal details safe. Even the smallest things that we do on our devices can potentially be exploited.

A recent example was a critical bug discovered in Google Chrome, one of the most popular browsers worldwide. A hacking group used it to attack security professionals. Tap or click here to find out how to avoid a hackers’ favorite security flaw.

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4 essential downloads for Mac users

There are plenty of apps available for PC and Android users. They span everything from RPGs to photo editors and productivity tools — and there’s plenty of information out there on the ones that are worth downloading.

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Free download to speed up your Windows PC

Despite being made of metal and minerals, a computer is a complex system that works much like a living thing. Each part of the computer plays a vital role in the health of the system. Even on the software side, important programs can be essential to a computer’s operation.

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Photoshop too expensive? Use these free alternatives instead

Most smartphones today are powerful enough that anybody can take professional-looking photos without needing an expensive camera. In fact, the one in your smartphone is probably better than an old digital camera you have lying around.

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A better use for all those Amazon boxes: Cat condo, fort, mini golf windmill

As Amazon becomes more deeply integrated into our lives than ever, many of our readers have probably noticed something changing about their homes: They’re stacked to the brim with Amazon boxes!

Sure, we try to throw them away, but as deliveries keep coming in, the boxes just keep stacking up. This is especially true if you’re trying to avoid any cross-contamination from harmful particles. Tap or click here to see the best ways to sanitize your deliveries.

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How to share medical information on your phone in an emergency

Over the last few years, mobile devices have become an integral element of health care. Personal health apps, such as fitness tracking and weight loss, lead the pack. Additional health-related apps welcomed by consumers and physicians alike include doctor-on-demand, prescription management, and patient portals.

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Flippers turn hobby into 6-figure income - learn their secrets (save $100)

Looking to make money on the side? Are you retired and looking to start a new stream of income? Want a job that allows you to work from home? If you said yes to any of these, “flipping” might be right up your alley.

In short, flipping refers to finding used items at places like thrift stores, garage sales and flea markets, and selling them for profit. Tap or click here to find out what item categories sell best on eBay.

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Use this smart hack to link to specific text from a webpage

Have you ever tried to win a friendly argument by linking someone to information you found on the internet, only to be told by your sparring partner that they can’t find what you’re referring to in the text? It’s a frustrating turn of events, but a new Google Chrome extension can help you resolve the issue and prevail as the argument winner every time.

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One download to tell you if your iPhone has been hacked

A common misconception shared by many Apple enthusiasts is the idea that their devices are immune to hacks and malware. While it’s true Apple handsets occupy a smaller market share than Android phones, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of hostile programs and scams that can wreak havoc on Apple devices without you knowing.

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4 apps, sites and resources to help you grow your own modern-day Victory Garden

During World War II, fresh foods and produce were rationed throughout the U.S. To help citizens cope with the change, the wartime government promoted Victory Gardens, which encouraged people to grow their own food and to keep up morale.

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People are trolling college courses with horrifying results

It’s difficult for students to study at home in light of COVID-19. Not only are the normal joys of school-aged life postponed until further notice, but the senior classes of 2020 are also missing out on rites of passage like graduation.

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Relieve stress and feel better with these 7 exercise apps

So you’re stuck inside your home for who knows how long. But you’re all stocked up on everything from toilet paper to canned veggies and you’re ready to hunker down. You even have your home office ready and the kids have educational games and homework to do.

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Top 10 how-tos and DIYs of 2019

As 2019 draws to a close, our team at Komando.com extends a hearty thanks to our readers. Since the beginning, our goal has been to be a trusted resource for technology news, advice and how-to’s that make life easier in this fast-paced digital age.

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Get free coding lessons straight from Microsoft

In a world filled with computers, it makes sense to learn to speak their language. Programming and coding might seem like a lot to learn, but Microsoft has made it simple with free video tutorials on its .NET program.

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