--- {"title": "Vector Magic vs VTracer in 2026", "description": "Vector Magic vs VTracer compared on what each does, pricing, setup and everyday use, with VectorMagik as one more option to consider.", "url": "https://2dex.com/vector-magic-vs-vtracer/", "date": "2026-10-11"} --- Vector Magic vs VTracer compared on what each does, pricing, setup and everyday use, with VectorMagik as one more option to consider. 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]. | Option | Own price | Where it runs | |---|---|---| | Vector Magic | Online Edition $9.95 per month; Desktop Edition $295 per license [^4] [^4] | Online in the browser, plus a desktop edition [^1] [^1] | | VTracer | not published | A desktop app for Windows, as its page describes [^3] | | VectorMagik | Free 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 - Which file formats do you need, such as AI, DXF, EMF or PDF, and does the edition you would use produce them? - How large are your source images, and does the tool shrink or limit them? - Does your artwork have transparent areas you need to keep? - Will the work be for a business? Check the licence terms for that use. - Do you prefer a browser tool or software installed on your computer, and does it run on your operating system? - Can you edit the traced curves and colours afterwards, and how many colours does the result need? - How will you pay, and is a subscription or one-time purchase better for you? ## 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] - [Visit VectorMagik](/go/vector-magic-vs-vtracer) ## Sources [^1]: Vector Magic, vectormagic.com, read 2026-10-07 (https://vectormagic.com/) [^2]: VTracer, github.com/visioncortex/vtracer, read 2026-10-07 (https://github.com/visioncortex/vtracer) [^3]: VTracer, visioncortex.org/vtracer, read 2026-10-07 (https://www.visioncortex.org/vtracer/) [^4]: Vector Magic, vectormagic.com/pricing, read 2026-10-07 (https://vectormagic.com/pricing) [^5]: VectorMagik's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher) (/go/vector-magic-vs-vtracer)