What is Linearity and how does it work?
Linearity is a design suite consisting of two main applications: Linearity Curve (a vector graphic design editor) and Linearity Move (a motion graphics application). Designers can draw vectors on iPad or Mac and animate them instantly in the same workspace using transition presets and keyframe timelines.
Linearity standout strengths
The workflow between illustration and animation is very smooth. Instead of exporting assets from Illustrator to After Effects, you import a Curve file directly into Move and animate layers instantly. The iPad integration is top-tier, featuring intuitive touch gestures and Apple Pencil optimization. The AI auto-tracing utility also does a great job converting drawings into vectors.
Linearity weaknesses and drawbacks
The rebrand from Vectornator to Linearity came with a shift from free to a monthly subscription model, which has alienated many long-term users. The free tier limits you to a small number of active files and restricts export resolutions. Additionally, while the tools are highly user-friendly, they lack professional design details like custom script APIs, advanced typographic adjustments, and complex animation keyframe curves.
Linearity pricing & plans (2026)
Free tier with export and cloud file limitations; Pro tier is around $9.99/month per user, which raises storage and unlocks all assets. It fits iPad-based illustrators, social media creators, and designers who want to animate their vector work quickly.
Who is Linearity best for?
| User type |
Why it fits |
Considerations |
| iPad illustrators and animators |
Optimized for Apple Pencil and multi-touch layouts |
Cloud storage limits on the free tier are tight |
| Social media creators |
Quick transition presets make short animations easy |
Less feature-rich than After Effects for heavy visual work |
| Print design agencies |
— |
Lacks advanced color management and professional print workflows |
Linearity review: final verdict
Linearity is a sleek, modern suite for quick vector drawing and animation, though its new pricing model is a hurdle compared to historically free alternatives.
