Overview

Linearity Curve is an Apple-device design app for illustration, image editing, presentations, and PDF work. It will suit designers who want vector and raster tools alongside offline-capable core work; teams that require real-time co-editing should look elsewhere.

Its strongest case is breadth: Curve handles artwork, image cleanup, and editable PDFs in one app, with print-ready export formats. The trade-off is that collaboration is not consistently clear across its plans, and its platform focus rules out Windows and web users.

Key features

Curve combines vector and raster editing with illustration tools, AI background removal, AI Grab, and Magic Eraser. Together, these make it useful for moving from artwork to image cleanup in one workflow. Templates and a brand kit help with repeatable visual work, though the free plan’s one basic brand kit is a modest starting point rather than a broad brand-management setup.

PDFs can be opened as native Curve files, then edited, transformed, annotated, or signed. Exports include PDF, SVG, EPS, and other print and digital formats, giving the app a practical role from document revision through asset delivery. Integrations with Brandfetch, Unsplash, SF Symbols, Icons8, Figma, Illustrator, and Sketch can help bring assets and existing design work into that process.

Users can switch between personal, team, and client workspaces and share files across devices. Core design features, local files, and exports work offline, although cloud features may be limited. Files are not used for AI training unless the user explicitly opts in within the app.

There is a collaboration caveat: real-time collaboration is marked unavailable, while the Studio plan is described as being for teams creating together in real time. Teams should confirm that Studio supports their intended workflow before choosing it.

Pricing

The Free plan costs 0.00 USD per free, requires no credit card, and includes 250 lifetime credits, one basic brand kit, and 5 GB of cloud storage. That is a useful way to start or handle occasional work, but lifetime credits are a finite allowance rather than a monthly replenishment.

Starter costs 8.00 USD per month billed annually and provides 800 credits per month and 10 GB of storage. It is the entry paid option for users who need recurring credits, but its storage is limited compared with the higher individual plan. Pro also costs 8.00 USD per month billed annually, with 3,250 credits per month and 100 GB of storage; monthly billing is $10 per editor/month. For an individual with regular design work, Pro’s much larger monthly credit and storage allowances make it the more capable individual tier.

Business costs 65.00 USD per month billed annually and includes 6,500 credits per month and 500 GB of storage. Monthly billing is $80 per editor/month. It is aimed at teams needing advanced controls and governance, and its per-editor pricing makes team size relevant to the cost.

Studio is billed annually at $25 per editor/month, or $30 per editor/month with monthly billing. It is positioned for teams creating together in real time, but the collaboration caveat above makes it worth checking fit before committing. Enterprise has custom pricing and a custom billing and contract arrangement; it includes shared organizational credits, export permissions, team onboarding, an account manager, and SSO.

Students, teachers, schools, and institutions save 58% on the yearly Pro Plan. Online payment accepts major credit cards; invoicing is available for Org plan. The free plan and paid pricing note also describe a 7-day trial.

Platforms

Curve runs on iPadOS 14 or macOS Big Sur and later, with native iPad, Mac, and iPhone apps. That makes it a fit for Apple-device workflows, including mobile work, but not for people who need a Windows or browser-based app. Support resources include a help center, user guides, tutorials, templates, and a status page.

Who it's for

Curve is best suited to individuals and Apple-focused teams that value illustration, PDF editing, and flexible export in one toolkit, especially when offline access to core work matters. Its free tier suits light use; Pro is more appropriate when monthly credits and cloud storage need to grow. Organizations seeking governance can consider Business or Enterprise. It is a weaker fit for Windows or web-dependent users and teams whose workflow depends on confirmed real-time co-editing.

Pros and cons

Pros: Vector and raster editing, illustration, and AI image-cleanup tools cover several design tasks in one app.
Pros: Native PDF editing and signing, plus PDF, SVG, and EPS export, support both document work and production output.
Pros: Core work and exports function offline, and the free plan includes storage and a basic brand kit without requiring a credit card.
Cons: The free plan’s 250 credits are lifetime credits, so they do not provide a recurring monthly allowance.
Cons: Availability is limited to Apple platforms, which excludes Windows- and web-only workflows.
Cons: Real-time collaboration is marked unavailable even as Studio is positioned around it, leaving an important team-workflow question.

Alternatives

Canva is worth considering for someone who wants a freemium design tool with a free plan and trial on macOS and Windows; Curve is the Apple-device choice for vector, raster, and PDF work.

Desygner may suit users looking for web, iOS, and Android access; its free plan includes three users, 100 projects, 20 AI credits per month, and 5 GB of storage.

PosterMyWall is a reasonable alternative for users focused on social publishing and ready-made designs: its free plan includes downloads, more than a million design and email templates, one social account, and a content planner.

Visme is another option for web, Windows, macOS, and iOS users; its free Basic plan includes 500 MB of storage and 50 slides or pages per project.

Adobe Express Video offers a free plan across web, iOS, and Android, with 25 generative credits per month, 155,000+ templates, and 5 GB of storage.

Kittl is a web-based alternative with a free tier covering five projects and 100 one-time AI tokens.

Microsoft Designer is a free option for web, iOS, and Android users with a Microsoft account, though usage limits may apply.

Piktochart may better fit teams seeking a web-based tool: its free plan supports one to four team members and includes two downloads, 1 GB of storage, and 60 AI credits.

For category browsing, see AI Graphic Design Software, Podcast Cover Maker Software, Vector Graphics Software, and Graphic Design Software.

Verdict

Choose Linearity Curve if you work on Apple devices and want illustration, image editing, native PDF work, and production exports in a single app, with core work available offline. The free plan makes it accessible for light use, while Pro provides a substantial increase in monthly credits and storage. Look elsewhere if you need Windows or web access, or if reliable real-time collaboration is central to your team’s workflow.

	Linearity Curve	ProtoSketch
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	$8/mo	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	iOS, macOS	iOS, macOS
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Paid from	8 /mo	—
Desktop app	Yes	—

Linearity Curve vs ProtoSketch

Linearity Curve

ProtoSketch