2Dex Plain comparisons of image and design tools

Vector Magic alternatives in 2026

Compare Vector Magic with Vectorizer.AI, VTracer and VectorMagik for turning JPG and PNG images into vectors, with formats, limits and costs.

By 2Dex ·

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

Vectorizer.AI, VTracer and VectorMagik all turn bitmaps into vectors. Vectorizer.AI produces SVG, EPS, DXF and PDF vector output [1]. VTracer is open source [2]. VectorMagik is free for everyone, with a licence needed for business use [3].

OptionWhere it runsOutput formatsMaximum image size
Vector MagicOnline [4], plus a desktop edition [4]SVG, EPS and PDF [4]; desktop also AI and DXF [4]1 megapixel [4]
Vectorizer.AIIn the browser [1]SVG, EPS, DXF and PDF [1]3 megapixels [1]
VTracerDesktop app for Windows promoted [5]SVG download offered [5]not published
VectorMagikWindows, macOS, Linux and a browser version [3]SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG [3]not published

Why designers look past Vector Magic

Vector Magic converts JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF bitmaps to SVG, EPS and PDF online. [4] The desktop edition also produces AI and DXF output. [4] Its page says it always traces your bitmap. [4]

Some designers compare size limits. The maximum allowed image size is 1 megapixel. [4] Its page says you can do a maximum of 1,000 edits. [4] Its page says there is no image byte size limit. [4]

Transparency is another point to check. The desktop edition has full transparency support. [4]

Cost is a further point to compare. The Online Edition costs $9.95 per month, billed monthly. [6] The Desktop Edition costs $295 as a one-time charge per license. [6] You must subscribe to the Online Edition to download results. [6] It accepts all major credit cards and PayPal but not purchase orders, and does not issue invoices. [6] Officially supported browsers are the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge. [4]

Vectorizer.AI: converts images to vectors in the browser

Vectorizer.AI produces SVG, EPS, DXF and PDF vector output. [1] It converts PNG, JPG, GIF and WebP images to vectors online. [1]

It accepts PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP and WebP images. [1] It also produces cleaned up PNG pixel output. [1]

It says it will not share your images with third parties unless you explicitly authorize it. [1] It says it does not claim any rights to the vectorized results. [1] Check its page for pricing before you commit.

VTracer: open source image tracing

VTracer is open source software that converts raster images such as jpg and png into vector graphics (svg). [2] It can vectorize graphics and photographs and trace the curves to output compact vector files. [2]

Its image processing can handle colored images. [2] It was originally designed for processing high resolution scans of historic blueprints up to gigapixels. [2] It can also handle low resolution pixel art for retro game artworks. [2]

Its page promotes a desktop app for Windows with native speed, curve simplification and higher tracing quality. [5] The desktop app includes an A/B comparator to compare the trace against the original. [2] It also has a curve inspector to inspect fitted curves up close. [2] Its curve simplification gives simpler shapes, often half the file size. [2]

The VTracer repository lists an MIT license. [2]

VectorMagik: bitmap tracing with editing after conversion

VectorMagik is made by 2Dex, the team that publishes this site. It traces a bitmap image into vector shapes using its own engine. [3] You can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [3]

You can limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours. [3] A slider simplifies the shapes, and Auto picks a level that keeps the picture. [3] After converting, you can move or delete the anchor points that shape each curve and round individual corners. [3] You can click shapes to delete them, such as a background, or merge two shades into one. [3]

It can add a die-cut sticker outline with a border, white rim and optional drop shadow. [3] You can compare the vector with the bitmap side by side, or flip between them with B and V keys. [3]

It is free for everyone, and business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0). [3] Downloads exist for Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version. [3] A version you run by typed commands, with no window, does the same work and lets an AI assistant trace pictures on your computer. [3]

How to pick the right Vector Magic alternative

If you want to convert online, Vectorizer.AI converts PNG, JPG, GIF and WebP images to vectors online. [1]

If you want an open source tracer, VTracer describes itself as open source software. [2] If you have very large scans, VTracer was originally designed for high resolution scans of historic blueprints up to gigapixels. [2]

If you need to tidy the result by hand, VectorMagik lets you move or delete the anchor points on shapes and round corners. [3] If you need sticker outlines, VectorMagik adds a die-cut outline. [3]

If you need AI or DXF files, check each tool's export list. VectorMagik saves SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [3] For work done for a business, check each tool's licence terms first. VectorMagik needs a licence for business use. [3]

If you want to compare the vector against the original, VectorMagik shows them side by side. [3] VTracer's desktop app has an A/B comparator. [2]

Frequently asked questions

What is a good alternative to Vector Magic?

Vectorizer.AI, VTracer and VectorMagik all turn bitmaps into vectors. Vectorizer.AI converts images to vectors online [1]. VTracer is open source [2]. VectorMagik lets you move anchor points on shapes after converting [3]. Match the option to your file types, image sizes and licence needs before you choose one.

How much does Vector Magic cost?

The Online Edition costs $9.95 per month, billed monthly, cancel anytime [6]. The Desktop Edition costs $295 as a one-time charge per license [6]. Downloading results requires an Online Edition subscription [6].

What image size can Vector Magic handle?

The maximum allowed image size is 1 megapixel [4]. Its page says there is no image byte size limit [4]. Compare these limits with the size of your own files.

Is there a free image to vector converter?

VectorMagik is free for everyone, but business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0) [3]. VTracer describes itself as open source software [2]. Check each tool's terms against how you plan to use the results.

Which vector converters save AI or DXF files?

Vector Magic's desktop edition also produces AI and DXF output [4]. Vectorizer.AI produces SVG, EPS, DXF and PDF output [1]. VectorMagik saves SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG [3]. Confirm the format you need before choosing.

Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0). [3]

Try VectorMagik

Sources

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

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