Dotgrid

Dotgrid is grid-based vector drawing software for making logos, icons, and type. It supports layers and the full SVG specification, with mirroring and radial drawing effects for creating and editing artwork. Finished work can be exported as PNG or SVG files. Its guide describes editing controls such as dragging segments, deleting vertices, and using keyboard controls to draw and edit. Dotgrid is free and open source, with source code licensed under MIT. The repository licenses its images, text, and other assets separately under BY-NC-SA 4.0. It is listed for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows, and is identified as a desktop app and downloadable tool. The product page links to a manual, tutorial video, and community for help; a separate Hundred Rabbits Themes repository offers themes. The “Name your own price” plan costs nothing, and there is no free trial. Dotgrid is made by Hundred Rabbits, an artist collective that describes its work as documenting low-tech solutions for a more resilient future.

Dotgrid offers vector drawing and export tools at no listed charge, with source code under MIT. Note that the repository applies a separate license to images, text, and assets.

Dotgrid suits people creating logos, icons, or type with grid-based vector drawing tools. Its documented editing controls and SVG support may appeal to users who want to work directly with vector artwork.

Dotgrid is grid-based vector drawing software for logos, icons, and type. It best suits designers who want a focused path-editing tool on desktop or Android rather than a broad design suite. Its combination of SVG support, symmetry effects, and zero-cost access makes it compelling for vector marks, while its specialized scope will not suit every illustration workflow.

Overview

Dotgrid builds its workflow around a drawing grid and editable vector paths. Layers help separate parts of an illustration, and support for the full SVG specification keeps artwork in a standard, scalable format. That is a practical advantage when files need to move between vector tools or remain editable at different sizes.

Mirroring and radial drawing effects make symmetrical logos, icons, and repeated motifs quicker to construct than manually duplicating geometry. They are less useful for freeform or painterly work, so the app’s strongest case is deliberate shape design rather than general illustration. Editing guidance covers segment dragging, vertex deletion, and keyboard controls, giving users direct ways to refine paths.

PNG and SVG export provide both raster and vector deliverables. A manual and tutorial video support onboarding, while a separate Hundred Rabbits Themes repository offers themes for changing the app’s presentation. Help is directed through the product community, with Patreon support listed for the project.

Key features

• Layered SVG workflow: Layers organize complex marks, and full SVG specification support preserves scalable vector output for logos, icons, and type.
• Mirroring and radial drawing: These effects are valuable for bilateral or rotational designs; they add little to artwork without repeated geometry.
• Path editing controls: Segment dragging and vertex deletion enable precise adjustments, while keyboard controls can speed drawing and editing for users who prefer command-driven work.
• PNG and SVG export: PNG covers raster sharing and production needs; SVG retains editable, resolution-independent artwork.

Pricing

Dotgrid uses a free “Name your own price” plan at no cost. The downloadable tool includes Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android versions, with no separate paid tier or free-trial period presented. That makes it suitable for students, independent makers, and teams evaluating a vector workflow without committing budget.

The trade-off is that there is no paid plan described with expanded services, quotas, or commercial add-ons. Users who need a broader production ecosystem, managed cloud features, or a defined support package should compare paid or freemium alternatives instead. The application is open source under the MIT license; the repository applies BY-NC-SA 4.0 to images, text, and other assets, so those materials do not carry the same licensing terms as the code.

Platforms

Desktop apps are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, alongside an Android version. That cross-platform spread is a strong fit for creators who move between a computer and an Android device. No iOS version is identified, which rules it out for an iPhone- or iPad-first workflow.

Who it's for

Choose Dotgrid for logo, icon, and type work where grids, layers, symmetry, and clean SVG output matter. It also suits technically minded users who value MIT-licensed source code and a downloadable tool with community and documentation support. Look elsewhere if your projects depend on a wide range of illustration or publishing functions beyond focused vector construction.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Full SVG support and dual export. You can keep scalable source artwork while also producing PNG files.
• Pro: Symmetry-focused effects. Mirroring and radial drawing reduce repetitive construction for suitable marks.
• Pro: Broad desktop coverage plus Android. Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android support avoids locking the workflow to one operating system family.
• Con: Narrow creative focus. The feature set is centered on grid-based vector marks, not a general design environment.
• Con: Separate asset licensing. Images, text, and assets use BY-NC-SA 4.0 rather than the code’s MIT license, requiring care when reusing project materials.

Alternatives

For a wider comparison, browse Vector Graphics Software. Linearity Curve is the better choice when iOS and macOS access, 250 lifetime credits, a basic brand kit, and 5GB of cloud storage matter; its free plan is free.

Amadine fits iPad and iPhone users who want a fully operational free version, though exporting, printing, and image tracing require purchase. ProtoSketch is worth considering for iOS or macOS users comfortable with a five-document cap, locked libraries, and restricted export in its free Lite plan.

Gusta Draw is a free Android, iOS, and web option that includes drawing tools, effects, starter designs, and SVG, PNG, and PDF export. EazyDraw offers a free Basic Mode with one layer and 32 graphics, while Boxy SVG provides a 15-day premium trial across desktop, mobile, and web platforms. Inkpad suits iOS users seeking a 30-day trial and subscriptions from $1.99 a month. Vector Ink is another iOS, macOS, and web alternative with paid access sold as in-app purchases.

Verdict

Dotgrid is a strong recommendation for making logos, icons, and type with grid-based vector controls, especially when full SVG output, symmetry effects, and cross-platform desktop access are priorities. Its free $0 plan and open-source code remove financial and licensing barriers for the application itself. Choose another tool if you need iOS support or a broader, more feature-diverse design suite.