Adobe Illustrator Image Trace vs VTracer: which one a designer needs

Adobe Illustrator Image Trace vs VTracer for designers: what each does, pricing, setup, and how to choose, 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 sources on this page say little about Adobe Illustrator Image Trace. VTracer is an open source tool that converts raster images such as JPG and PNG into vector graphics (SVG) ^[1]. VTracer says its output is much more compact than Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace because it uses a stacking strategy and avoids shapes with holes ^[1]. VectorMagik is made by the team that publishes this site and traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine ^[2]. Choose Adobe Illustrator Image Trace if you already work inside Illustrator. Choose VTracer for compact SVG output and handling coloured images. Choose VectorMagik for node editing, colour limiting and sticker outlines.

Option	Price or licence	Systems	Output formats	Special features
Adobe Illustrator Image Trace	Not published in the sources on this page	Not published in the sources on this page	Not published in the sources on this page	Not published in the sources on this page
VTracer	Released under the MIT license ^[1]	Desktop app for Windows ^[3]	Download as SVG ^[3]	Handles coloured images ^[1]; curve simplification giving fewer nodes, often half the file size ^[1]; A/B comparator ^[1]; curve inspector ^[1]
VectorMagik	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]	SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF, PNG ^[2]	Node editing ^[2]; colour limit 1 to 64 ^[2]; die-cut sticker outline ^[2]; overlay compare ^[2]; browser version ^[2]; command-line version ^[2]
Adobe Illustrator Image Trace	Not published in the sources on this page	Not published in the sources on this page	Not published in the sources on this page	Not published in the sources on this page

The short answer

The sources on this page say little about Adobe Illustrator Image Trace. VTracer is open source software that converts raster images such as JPG and PNG into vector graphics (SVG) ^[1]. It can vectorize graphics and photographs and trace curves to output compact vector files ^[1]. VTracer says its output is much more compact than Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace because it uses a stacking strategy and avoids shapes with holes ^[1].

VectorMagik is made by the team that publishes this site. It traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine ^[2]. It can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG ^[2]. Choose Adobe Illustrator Image Trace to trace inside an Illustrator workflow. Choose VTracer for compact SVG output from coloured images. Choose VectorMagik for node editing, colour limiting and die-cut sticker outlines.

What Adobe Illustrator Image Trace, VTracer is built for

VTracer's page describes it as open source software that converts raster images such as JPG and PNG into vector graphics (SVG) ^[1]. It can vectorize graphics and photographs and trace curves to output compact vector files ^[1].

For output size, VTracer says its output is much more compact than Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace because it uses a stacking strategy and avoids producing shapes with holes ^[1]. It was originally designed for processing high resolution scans of historic blueprints up to gigapixels ^[1]. It can also handle low resolution pixel art for retro game artworks ^[1].

The page offers a Download as SVG option ^[3]. The page also promotes a VTracer Desktop App for Windows with native speed, curve simplification, and higher tracing quality ^[3].

The facts available here describe VTracer's comparison to Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace but do not provide Adobe's own description of what Image Trace does.

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]. You can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG ^[2].

For cleaning up a trace, a tolerance slider merges neighbouring curve pieces, and Auto picks the largest tolerance that keeps the picture ^[2]. You can move or delete curve nodes and round individual corners after converting ^[2]. You can limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours ^[2].

For sticker and decal work, it can add a die-cut sticker outline with a border, white rim and optional drop shadow ^[2]. You can click shapes to delete them, such as a background, or merge two shades into one ^[2].

You 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 your computer ^[2]. A version runs in the web browser using the same engine ^[2].

Pricing and fees

The page does not state a price for the VTracer Desktop App for Windows ^[3].

The facts provided here do not include pricing for Adobe Illustrator Image Trace. Adobe Illustrator is sold as part of an Adobe subscription, but the specific price is not stated in the sources on this page. Check Adobe's own page for current subscription pricing.

VectorMagik, the tool this line is about, 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 these tools.

Getting started and everyday use

VTracer offers a Download as SVG option on its page ^[3]. It also promotes a VTracer Desktop App for Windows with native speed, curve simplification, and higher tracing quality ^[3].

The facts on this page do not describe installation or setup steps for Adobe Illustrator Image Trace.

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]. A version runs in the web browser using the same engine ^[2]. A command-line version does the same work without a window and lets an AI assistant trace pictures on your computer ^[2]. In daily use, you can compare the vector with the bitmap side by side, or flip between them with B and V keys ^[2].

Things to check before you choose

Which system do you work on? VTracer's desktop app is for Windows ^[3]. Check whether Adobe Illustrator Image Trace runs on every machine you use.
Do you need SVG only, or other formats too? VTracer offers Download as SVG ^[3]. VectorMagik saves as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG ^[2].
Will you use it for paid client work? Check VTracer's licence terms for paid work. VectorMagik is free for everyone but business use needs a licence ^[2]. Check Adobe's terms for Illustrator subscriptions.
Do you need to edit nodes, limit colours or add sticker outlines? Check which tool lists each task.
Do you work with coloured images? Check how each tool handles your specific image types.
Do you need to compare the trace against the original? VectorMagik offers a comparison view ^[2]. Check whether VTracer offers a comparison view.

How to choose

You want the most compact SVG output: VTracer says its output is much more compact than Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace because it uses a stacking strategy and avoids shapes with holes ^[1].
You trace high resolution scans or pixel art: VTracer handles both historic blueprints up to gigapixels ^[1] and low resolution pixel art ^[1].
You need SVG only: VTracer offers Download as SVG ^[3].
You need multiple export formats: VectorMagik saves as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG ^[2].
You need node editing and colour control: VectorMagik lets you move or delete curve nodes ^[2] and limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours ^[2].
You need sticker outlines: VectorMagik adds a die-cut sticker outline with a border, white rim and optional drop shadow ^[2].
You want a browser or command-line version: VectorMagik runs in the browser ^[2] and offers a command-line version ^[2].

Frequently asked questions

Is VTracer free to use?

The VTracer desktop app page does not state a price for the VTracer Desktop App for Windows ^[3]. If you plan to use the desktop app for paid work, check VTracer's own page for its current terms.

How much does VectorMagik cost?

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]. The sources do not state a specific price for the business licence. Check the product page for current commercial pricing.

Does VTracer produce smaller files than Adobe Illustrator Image Trace?

VTracer says its output is much more compact than Adobe Illustrator's Image Trace because it uses a stacking strategy and avoids producing shapes with holes ^[1]. Trace the same picture in both tools and compare the file sizes yourself. Adobe's own page does not provide a comparison in the sources here.

Can VTracer handle coloured images?

VTracer's page says it can vectorize graphics and photographs and trace curves to output compact vector files ^[1]. The facts available here do not say how it handles coloured images, so check a sample of your own. The page offers a Download as SVG option ^[3].

What formats can VectorMagik export to?

VectorMagik saves the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG ^[2]. It traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine ^[2]. You can also limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours ^[2] and add a die-cut sticker outline with a border, white rim and optional drop shadow ^[2].

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

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