TexHouse Plain comparisons of 3D printing and maker tools

Inkscape vs Vector Magic in 2026

Inkscape and Vector Magic compared for makers who need image-to-vector tracing: what each does, price, setup, and what to check before you pick one.

By TexHouse ยท

TexHouse is published by the makers of LunarWerx 3D Print, Vector3D and MeshyDL, which are compared here alongside other tools.

Vector Magic is an online and desktop tool that converts bitmap images into SVG, EPS and PDF vector files. [1] Inkscape has no feature facts provided in these sources, so its capabilities are not described here. VectorMagik traces pictures into vector shapes and exports to DXF, SVG and more. [2] [2]

OptionWhat it doesPriceWhere it runs
Vector MagicConverts JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF bitmaps to SVG, EPS and PDF online; desktop edition adds AI and DXF [1] [1]Online Edition $9.95 per month, billed monthly, cancel anytime [3]; Desktop Edition $295 per license, one-time charge [3]Online in a browser; desktop is a stand-alone application [1] [3]
VectorMagikTraces a picture into vector shapes and exports as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG [2] [2]Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0) [2]Downloads for Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version [2]

The short answer

Vector Magic is a tool that converts JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF bitmaps into SVG, EPS and PDF vector files online, with no software to install. [1] Its desktop edition also produces AI and DXF output. [1] VectorMagik is a tool that traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine and saves the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [2] [2]

If you need to convert bitmaps to vector files entirely in a browser, Vector Magic says it does that online. [1] If you need DXF output, its desktop edition produces that. [1] If you need a tool that runs on your own computer and also offers a browser version, VectorMagik claims downloads for Windows, macOS and Linux plus a browser version. [2] [2] The two can be looked at as different tools rather than strict replacements.

What Inkscape, Vector Magic is built for

Vector Magic's online edition converts JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF bitmaps to SVG, EPS and PDF without any software to install. [1]

For output formats, its desktop edition also produces AI and DXF. [1] The desktop edition has full transparency support. [1]

For image size, the maximum allowed image size is 1 megapixel. [1] There is no image byte size limit. [1] It officially supports the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge on desktops and laptops. [1]

No rival facts were provided for Inkscape in these sources, so its features and capabilities are not described here.

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]

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]

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

| Option | Price | |---|---| | Vector Magic Online Edition | $9.95 per month, billed monthly, cancel anytime, unlimited use [3] | | Vector Magic Desktop Edition | $295 per license, one-time charge, unlimited use [3] | | VectorMagik | Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0) [2] |

Vector Magic accepts all major credit cards and PayPal but not purchase orders, and does not issue invoices. [3] Users can upload, vectorize and preview unlimited images without commitment, but must subscribe to the Online Edition to download results. [3]

VectorMagik says it is free for everyone, with business use needing a licence under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0. [2] No card processing fee or add-on fee is published for VectorMagik in these sources. The Inkscape facts given here do not state a price, so check its own page.

Setting it up and printing

Vector Magic runs online in a browser, with no software to install. [1] It officially supports the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge. [1] Its desktop edition is a stand-alone application. [3]

VectorMagik has downloads 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 or Ubuntu .deb or a Linux tar.gz, all from GitHub releases. [2]

For working with your output, VectorMagik saves results as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG, which you can bring into your cutting or plotting software. [2] You can compare the vector with the bitmap side by side before exporting. [2]

No rival facts about Inkscape setup or printer workflow were provided in these sources, so check its own page for those details.

Things to check before you choose

Ask which output formats you need. Vector Magic's online edition produces SVG, EPS and PDF, and its desktop edition adds AI and DXF. [1] [1] VectorMagik says it exports to SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF and PNG. [2]

Check whether you need transparency. Vector Magic's desktop edition supports full transparency. [1] Ask whether your images are larger than 1 megapixel, because Vector Magic's maximum allowed image size is 1 megapixel. [1]

Ask which licence fits your use. VectorMagik is licensed under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0, and business use needs a licence. [2] [2] Ask what the price is for Inkscape, because it is not published in these sources.

How to choose

If you want to convert bitmaps to vector files online with no install, Vector Magic says it does that. [1] If you need DXF output from Vector Magic, its desktop edition produces that. [1] If you want full transparency support, Vector Magic's desktop edition has it. [1]

If you want a tool that runs on your own computer with downloads for Windows, macOS and Linux, VectorMagik says it offers those. [2] If you want DXF output, VectorMagik says it exports to DXF. [2] If you want to limit colours, VectorMagik says you can set between 1 and 64 colours. [2] If you want a die-cut sticker outline, VectorMagik says it adds one. [2] If you want a free tool, VectorMagik says it is free for everyone, with business use needing a licence. [2]

Frequently asked questions

Is Vector Magic free to use?

Users can upload, vectorize and preview unlimited images without commitment, but must subscribe to the Online Edition to download results. [3] The Online Edition costs $9.95 per month, billed monthly, cancel anytime. [3] The Desktop Edition costs $295 per license as a one-time charge. [3] Vector Magic accepts all major credit cards and PayPal but not purchase orders, and does not issue invoices. [3]

Does VectorMagik export to DXF?

VectorMagik says you can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [2] It traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine. [2] Vector Magic's desktop edition also produces DXF output. [1]

What is the maximum image size for Vector Magic?

The maximum allowed image size is 1 megapixel. [1] There is no image byte size limit. [1] VectorMagik does not state an image size limit in these sources, so check its own page.

Does VectorMagik need to be installed?

VectorMagik has downloads 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 or Ubuntu .deb or a Linux tar.gz, all from GitHub releases. [2] A version also runs in the web browser using the same engine. [2]

Can Vector Magic handle transparency?

The online edition of Vector Magic flattens transparency onto a white background. [1] The desktop edition has full transparency support. [1] VectorMagik does not mention transparency in these sources, so check its own page if you need that feature.

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

Try VectorMagik

Sources

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

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