2Dex Plain comparisons of image and design tools

Vector Magic vs VTracer in 2026

Vector Magic vs VTracer compared on what each does, pricing, setup and everyday use, with VectorMagik as one more option to consider.

By 2Dex ·

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

Vector Magic converts bitmaps online by uploading them [1] and also has a desktop edition that produces AI and DXF output [1]. VTracer calls itself open source software [2] and its page promotes a desktop app for Windows [3].

OptionOwn priceWhere it runs
Vector MagicOnline Edition $9.95 per month; Desktop Edition $295 per license [4] [4]Online in the browser, plus a desktop edition [1] [1]
VTracernot publishedA desktop app for Windows, as its page describes [3]
VectorMagikFree for everyone; business use needs a licence [5]Windows x64, macOS, Linux x64 and a browser version [5]

The short answer

Vector Magic converts JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF bitmaps to SVG, EPS and PDF online by uploading them. [1] VTracer is open source software that converts raster images like jpg and png into SVG vector graphics. [2]

If you want to convert online by uploading files, Vector Magic's page describes that. [1] If you want output as AI and DXF, Vector Magic says its desktop edition produces them. [1] If you want to trace very large scans, VTracer says it was designed for gigapixel blueprint scans. [2]

What Vector Magic and VTracer are built for

Vector Magic. It converts JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF bitmaps to SVG, EPS and PDF online by uploading them. [1] It always traces the bitmap into real vector shapes. [1] The desktop edition also produces AI and DXF. [1] The desktop edition has full transparency support. [1] Vector Magic's page gives a maximum image size of 1 megapixel, about one million pixels, and does not say which edition this applies to. [1]

VTracer. It converts raster images like jpg and png into SVG graphics. [2] It can vectorize graphics and photographs and output compact files. [2] It can handle coloured images. [2] It can also handle low resolution pixel art. [2] Its page describes a desktop app for Windows. [3] The desktop app includes a way to compare the trace against the original. [2] It also lets you inspect fitted curves up close. [2]

What VectorMagik is built for

VectorMagik is made by the team that publishes this site. It turns a bitmap image into vector shapes. [5] You can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [5]

After converting, you can adjust points on the outlines and round individual corners. [5] A slider merges neighbouring curve pieces to give fewer points, and Auto picks the largest setting that keeps the picture. [5] You can limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours. [5] You can click shapes to delete them, such as a background, or merge two shades into one. [5]

It can add a die-cut sticker outline with a border, white rim and optional drop shadow. [5] You can compare the vector with the bitmap side by side, or flip between them with B and V keys. [5]

Pricing and fees

Vector Magic's Online Edition costs $9.95 per month, billed monthly, cancel anytime, with unlimited use. [4] The Desktop Edition costs $295 as a one-time charge per license. [4] You must subscribe to the Online Edition to download results. [4] It accepts major credit cards and PayPal, not purchase orders, and issues no invoices. [4]

VTracer's pages, as provided here, give no price for the software. VTracer's page lists an MIT licence, a licence label shown on its code page. [2]

VectorMagik is free for everyone, and business use needs a licence. [5] It is licensed under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0. [5] The price of a business licence is not published.

Getting started and everyday use

Vector Magic. Online, you convert by uploading a file. [1] Officially supported browsers are the latest Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge. [1] Vector Magic's page says you can do a maximum of 1,000 edits. [1] Vector Magic's page says there is currently no limit on file size in bytes. [1]

VTracer. Its page promotes a desktop app for Windows. [3] The page offers a Download as SVG option. [3] The desktop app offers curve simplification giving fewer points on outlines, often half the file size. [2] Other install steps are not given in these sources.

VectorMagik. Downloads exist for Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version. [5] Installers come from GitHub releases, including a Windows installer and a portable zip. [5] A browser version is also available. [5] A command-line version lets an AI assistant trace pictures on your computer. [5]

Things to check before you choose

How to choose

For converting online by uploading, Vector Magic's page describes that. [1] For AI and DXF output, Vector Magic says its desktop edition produces them. [1] For a one-time purchase, its Desktop Edition is $295 per license. [4]

For open source software and very large scans, VTracer's sources describe both. [2] [2] For pixel art, VTracer says it can handle it. [2]

For export to EMF or PNG as well as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI and DXF, VectorMagik says it can save these formats. [5] For die-cut sticker outlines, it lists that feature. [5] For a Mac or Linux download, it lists those platforms. [5]

Frequently asked questions

How much does Vector Magic cost?

Vector Magic's Online Edition costs $9.95 per month, billed monthly, cancel anytime, with unlimited use. [4] Its Desktop Edition costs $295 per license as a one-time charge. [4] Downloading needs the Online Edition. [4]

Is VTracer open source?

VTracer describes itself as open source software that converts raster images like jpg and png into SVG vector graphics. [2] VTracer's page lists an MIT licence, a licence label shown on its code page. [2] Its pages here state no price for the software.

Does Vector Magic work in a browser?

Vector Magic converts JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF bitmaps to SVG, EPS and PDF online by uploading them. [1] It officially supports the latest Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge. [1]

Can VTracer trace photographs and pixel art?

VTracer says it can vectorize graphics and photographs and output compact vector files. [2] It also says it can handle low resolution pixel art for retro game artworks. [2] It was originally designed for high resolution scans of historic blueprints. [2]

Is VectorMagik free to use?

VectorMagik is free for everyone, and business use needs a licence. [5] It is licensed under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0. [5] The price of a business licence is not published, so check the licence terms before using it for work.

Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0). [5]

Try VectorMagik

Sources

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

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