Adobe Illustrator Image Trace vs Vectorizer.io: which one a designer needs

Adobe Illustrator Image Trace and Vectorizer.io for designers: what each converts, pricing, setup and everyday use, compared from each tool's own sources.

By 2Dex · 2026-10-14

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

The rival facts used here give no description of Adobe Illustrator Image Trace, so check Adobe's own page for what it converts. Vectorizer.io converts raster images such as PNGs, BMPs and JPEGs to SVG, EPS and DXF ^[1]. Choose between the tools based on the features and formats stated in each tool's published facts. VectorMagik, made by the team that publishes this site, traces pictures into vector shapes with its own engine and exports to SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG ^[2] ^[2].

Option	Output formats	Stated price	Systems
Adobe Illustrator Image Trace	Not described in the rival facts used here	Not published in the rival facts used here	Not published
Vectorizer.io	SVG, EPS, DXF ^[1]	Not published ^[1]	Not published
VectorMagik	SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF, PNG ^[2]	Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0) ^[2]	Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version ^[2]

The short answer

The rival facts used here do not describe Adobe Illustrator Image Trace, so check Adobe's own page for what it does.

Vectorizer.io converts raster images such as PNGs, BMPs and JPEGs to SVG, EPS and DXF ^[1].

VectorMagik, made by the team that publishes this site, traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine ^[2] and can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG ^[2]. Its sources say it runs on Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, and in a web browser ^[2].

What Adobe Illustrator Image Trace, Vectorizer.io is built for

Vectorizer.io's page says it converts raster images like PNGs, BMPs and JPEGs to scalable vector graphics in SVG, EPS and DXF ^[1]. It also offers an API, listed in its footer ^[1]. No further detail about its interface, presets or editing options appears on the page its sources describe.

Neither tool's published description goes beyond what is stated above. For anything the sources do not mention, see Things to check before you choose.

What VectorMagik is built for

VectorMagik is made by the team that publishes this site. It traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine ^[2]. A designer can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG ^[2].

A tolerance slider merges neighbouring curve pieces, and an Auto setting picks the largest tolerance that still keeps the picture ^[2]. A designer can move or delete curve nodes and round individual corners after converting ^[2]. The result can be limited to between 1 and 64 colours ^[2].

A designer can click shapes to delete them, such as a background, or merge two shades into one ^[2]. It can add a die-cut sticker outline with a border, white rim and optional drop shadow ^[2]. A designer can compare the vector with the bitmap side by side, or flip between them with B and V keys ^[2]. A command-line version does the same work without a window and lets an AI assistant trace pictures on a computer ^[2]. A version runs in the web browser using the same engine ^[2].

Pricing and fees

The price of Adobe Illustrator Image Trace is not published in the rival facts used here.

Vectorizer.io's page does not state a price for using its converter. It mentions an API in its footer ^[1], but the page does not say what the API or the web converter costs. Check Vectorizer.io's own page for current pricing before relying on it.

VectorMagik is free for everyone; business use needs a licence under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 ^[2]. It is licensed under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 ^[2]. No payment service or card fee is stated for any of the three tools.

Getting started and everyday use

The rival facts used here do not describe how Adobe Illustrator Image Trace is installed or used.

The page converts raster images such as PNGs, BMPs and JPEGs to SVG, EPS and DXF ^[1]. Its page also lists an API ^[1]. The sources do not describe account setup, file limits or editing options.

VectorMagik installs with a Windows installer, a portable zip, a macOS zip, a Debian/Ubuntu .deb or a Linux tar.gz, all from GitHub releases ^[2]. Downloads exist for Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version ^[2]. In daily use a designer opens a bitmap, adjusts the tolerance slider or lets Auto pick, limits colours between 1 and 64, and saves to SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG ^[2] ^[2] ^[2].

Things to check before you choose

Do you already own an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription? Check Adobe's own page to see how Image Trace is installed and used.
Which output formats do you need? Vectorizer.io lists SVG, EPS and DXF ^[1]. Check that the tool you pick exports every format your workflow requires.
Will you use it for paid client work? Read each tool's licence terms for commercial use before you install it on a work machine.
Which systems do you work on? Check that each tool supports every machine you use, including Mac, Linux or ARM PCs.
Do you need to edit the vector result after converting? Check which tool lets you move nodes, round corners and merge or delete shapes.
Do you need to compare the bitmap and the vector result side by side? Check which tool shows both at once.
Do you need to trace many files from a script or an AI assistant? Check which tool offers a command-line version.
Do your files live behind a firewall or need offline work? Check whether each tool runs without an internet connection.

How to choose

You already use Adobe Illustrator Image Trace: Check Adobe's own page for the features and workflow it describes.
You want a web-based converter that outputs SVG, EPS and DXF: Vectorizer.io ^[1].
You want to trace a picture and export to SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG: VectorMagik ^[2] ^[2].
You need to edit nodes, round corners and limit colours after converting: VectorMagik ^[2] ^[2].
You need a die-cut sticker outline with a border and white rim: VectorMagik ^[2].
You want to compare the bitmap and the vector side by side: VectorMagik ^[2].
You want to trace files from the command line or through an AI assistant: VectorMagik ^[2].
You want a converter that also offers an API: Vectorizer.io ^[1].
You need a tool that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux: VectorMagik ^[2].

Frequently asked questions

Is Vectorizer.io free to use?

Vectorizer.io's page does not state a price for its converter. It says it converts raster images like PNGs, BMPs and JPEGs to SVG, EPS and DXF ^[1], and it lists an API in its footer ^[1]. The page does not say whether the web converter or the API is free or paid. Check Vectorizer.io's own page for current pricing before relying on it.

How much does VectorMagik cost for business use?

VectorMagik is free for everyone; business use needs a licence under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 ^[2]. It is licensed under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 ^[2]. No card fee or payment service fee is stated. Check the product's own page for the current business licence price.

What output formats does VectorMagik export to?

VectorMagik can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG ^[2]. By comparison, Vectorizer.io lists SVG, EPS and DXF ^[1]. If your workflow needs a format not listed by a tool, check the tool's own page before you commit to it.

Can you edit the vector result after converting in VectorMagik?

Yes. A designer can move or delete curve nodes and round individual corners after converting ^[2]. A tolerance slider merges neighbouring curve pieces, and Auto picks the largest tolerance that keeps the picture ^[2]. A designer can also click shapes to delete them, such as a background, or merge two shades into one ^[2].

Which operating systems does VectorMagik run on?

Downloads exist for Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version ^[2]. It installs with a Windows installer, a portable zip, a macOS zip, a Debian/Ubuntu .deb or a Linux tar.gz, all from GitHub releases ^[2]. Vectorizer.io converts raster images such as PNGs, BMPs and JPEGs to SVG, EPS and DXF ^[1]. The rival facts used here do not describe Adobe Illustrator Image Trace, so check Adobe's own page for supported systems.

Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0). ^[2]

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