2Dex Plain comparisons of image and design tools

Adobe Illustrator Image Trace alternatives in 2026

Compare image-to-vector tools including VectorMagik, Vector Magic, VTracer and others, with notes on features and checks.

By 2Dex ·

2Dex is published by the makers of SageThumbs 2K, RēDesign and VectorMagik, which are compared here alongside other tools.

Compare image-to-vector tools by the formats they accept, the files they create, and the editing controls they provide.

OptionWhat it doesPrice
Vectorizer.AIProduces SVG, EPS, DXF and PDF vector output. [1]not published
Vector MagicConverts JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF bitmap images to SVG, EPS and PDF online. [2] Desktop edition also produces AI and DXF output. [2]Desktop Edition costs $295 as a one-time charge per license. [3]
VTracerConverts raster images into vector graphics and offers Download as SVG. [4] [5]not published
Inkscape (Potrace)Provides drawing tools, Bezier and spiro curves, and broad file format compatibility. [6]not published
AutoTracerFree online image vectorizer with SVG, PDF, AI, DXF, EPS, Sketch and XFIG output. [7] [7]not published
VectorMagikTraces pictures into vector shapes and exports SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [8] [8]Free for everyone; business use needs a licence under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0. [8]

Why designers look past Adobe Illustrator Image Trace

Designers comparing image tracing tools need to check supported input files, output formats, and the amount of shape editing available after conversion. The facts collected here do not list Image Trace limits or supported formats, so check Adobe’s current details for those points. Different alternatives publish different details about browser use, desktop use, output files, and editing controls. Checking those details against the files you work with can help narrow the options.

Vectorizer.AI: online image conversion

Vectorizer.AI converts PNG, JPG, GIF and WebP images to SVG, EPS, DXF and PDF vectors online. [1] It supports full 32-bit ARGB input. [1] It produces SVG, EPS, DXF and PDF vector output. [1]

Vector Magic: bitmap conversion to vector files

Vector Magic converts JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF bitmap images to SVG, EPS and PDF vector images online. [2] The desktop edition also produces AI and DXF output. [2] The Desktop Edition costs $295 as a one-time charge per license. [3]

VTracer: tracing with SVG output

VTracer can vectorize graphics and photographs and trace the curves to output compact vector files. [4] The desktop app offers curve simplification and higher tracing quality. [5] The page offers a Download as SVG option. [5]

Inkscape (Potrace): drawing tools with tracing support

Inkscape is free software licensed under the GPL. [6] It provides drawing tools, Bezier and spiro curves, and broad file format compatibility. [6] Its learning resources include a written Bitmap Tracing tutorial. [9]

AutoTracer: online image vectorizing

AutoTracer is a free online image vectorizer. [7] It can output SVG, PDF, AI, DXF, EPS, Sketch and XFIG formats. [7] Uploaded files have a maximum size of 6 MB. [7]

VectorMagik: tracing with editing and export control

VectorMagik is made by the team that publishes this site. It traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine. [8] You can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [8] A tolerance slider merges neighbouring curve pieces, and Auto picks the largest tolerance that keeps the picture. [8] You can move or delete curve nodes and round individual corners after converting. [8] You can limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours. [8] You can click shapes to delete them, such as a background, or merge two shades into one. [8] A browser version runs using the same engine. [8] Downloads exist for Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version. [8] It is free for everyone; business use needs a licence under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0. [8]

How to pick the right Adobe Illustrator Image Trace alternative

If browser-based conversion matters, compare Vectorizer.AI, Vector Magic’s online option, and AutoTracer against the image types and output files needed. Vectorizer.AI produces SVG, EPS, DXF and PDF vector output. [1] AutoTracer provides several output choices including SVG, PDF, AI, DXF, EPS, Sketch and XFIG. [7]

If shape changes after tracing matter, VectorMagik provides node editing, shape selection, and colour limits after conversion. [8] [8] [8] VTracer offers curve simplification and SVG export. [5] [5]

If drawing tools matter alongside tracing, Inkscape provides drawing tools, Bezier and spiro curves, and broad file format compatibility. [6] If output formats matter, check each tool against the files your workflow requires before choosing.

Frequently asked questions

What can replace Adobe Illustrator Image Trace for converting images to vectors?

VectorMagik traces pictures into vector shapes and exports SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG files. [8] [8] Vectorizer.AI produces SVG, EPS, DXF and PDF vector output. [1] Check the supported formats and editing controls for each option.

Which Adobe Illustrator Image Trace alternative works in a browser?

Vectorizer.AI runs in the browser because no software installation is required. [1] Vector Magic converts bitmap images to SVG, EPS and PDF vector images online. [2] AutoTracer is a free online image vectorizer. [7] Check each tool's supported files before choosing.

Which Adobe Illustrator Image Trace alternative lets shapes be edited after tracing?

VectorMagik lets users move or delete curve nodes and round individual corners after converting. [8] It also lets users click shapes to delete them or merge two shades into one. [8] Check whether other tools provide the editing controls needed.

Which Adobe Illustrator Image Trace alternatives export AI files?

AutoTracer lists AI among its output formats. [7] Vector Magic’s desktop edition also produces AI output. [2] VectorMagik can save results as AI files. [8] Check the licence and workflow needs for each tool.

Is VectorMagik free to use?

VectorMagik is free for everyone, and business use needs a licence under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0. [8] It traces pictures into vector shapes using its own engine. [8] Check the licence terms if the work is for business use.

Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0). [8]

Try VectorMagik

Sources

  1. Vectorizer.AI, vectorizer.ai, read 2026-10-07
  2. Vector Magic, vectormagic.com, read 2026-10-07
  3. Vector Magic, vectormagic.com/pricing, read 2026-10-07
  4. VTracer, github.com/visioncortex/vtracer, read 2026-10-07
  5. VTracer, visioncortex.org/vtracer, read 2026-10-07
  6. Inkscape (Potrace), inkscape.org, read 2026-10-09
  7. AutoTracer, autotracer.org, read 2026-10-09
  8. VectorMagik's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  9. Inkscape (Potrace), inkscape.org/learn, read 2026-10-09

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