TexHouse Plain comparisons of 3D printing and maker tools

Vector Magic vs VTracer in 2026

Vector Magic and VTracer compared for makers: 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 converts JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF bitmaps to SVG, EPS and PDF online, with no software to install. [1] VTracer is open source software that converts raster images such as jpg and png into vector graphics (svg). [2] VectorMagik traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine and can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [3] [3]

If you need to convert images entirely in a browser, Vector Magic's source says it works online with no software to install. [1] If you want an open source tool, VTracer's source says it is open source software. [2] If you want die-cut sticker outlines or a command-line version that lets an AI assistant trace pictures, VectorMagik claims it does those. [3] [3]

OptionWhat it doesPriceWhere it runs
Vector Magic Online EditionConverts JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF bitmaps to SVG, EPS and PDF online [1]$9.95 per month [4]Latest versions of Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge on desktops and laptops [1]
Vector Magic Desktop Edition | Adds AI and DXF output [1]; has full transparency support [1] | $295 per license, one-time charge [4] | Standalone desktop application [4] | VTracer | Open source software that converts raster images such as jpg and png into vector graphics (svg) [2] | not published | Desktop App for Windows [5]Open source software that converts raster images such as jpg and png into vector graphics (svg) [2]not publishedDesktop App for Windows [5]
VectorMagikTraces a picture into vector shapes and saves as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG [3] [3]Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0) [3] [3]Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version [3]

The short answer

Vector Magic converts JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF bitmaps to SVG, EPS and PDF online, with no software to install. [1] VTracer is open source software that converts raster images such as jpg and png into vector graphics (svg). [2] VectorMagik traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine and can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [3] [3]

If you need to convert images entirely in a browser, Vector Magic's source says it works online with no software to install. [1] If you want an open source tool, VTracer's source says it is open source software. [2] If you want die-cut sticker outlines or a command-line version that lets an AI assistant trace pictures, VectorMagik claims it does those. [3] [3]

What Vector Magic, VTracer is built for

Vector Magic's page says it converts JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF bitmaps to true SVG, EPS and PDF vector images online by simply uploading them. [1] The desktop edition also produces AI and DXF output. [1] It traces bitmaps into vector shapes rather than embedding pixels. [1] The maximum allowed image size is 1 megapixel, regardless of aspect ratio, and larger images are shrunk to that size. [1] There is no image byte size limit. [1] The online editor allows a maximum of 1,000 edits. [1]

VTracer's page promotes a VTracer Desktop App for Windows with curve simplification and higher tracing quality. [5] It has an image processing pipeline that can handle colored images, unlike Potrace. [2] Its output is much more compact because it uses a stacking strategy and avoids shapes with holes. [2] VTracer was originally designed for processing high resolution scans of historic blueprints up to gigapixels. [2] It can also handle low resolution pixel art, simulating image-rendering: pixelated for retro game artworks. [2]

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. [3] You can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [3]

A tolerance slider merges neighbouring curve pieces, and Auto picks the largest tolerance that keeps the picture. [3] You can move or delete curve nodes and round individual corners after converting. [3] You can limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours. [3] It can add a die-cut sticker outline with a border, white rim and optional drop shadow. [3]

You can click shapes to delete them, such as a background, or merge two shades into one. [3] A command-line version does the same work without a window and lets an AI assistant trace pictures on your computer. [3] A version runs in the web browser using the same engine. [3] You can compare the vector with the bitmap side by side, or flip between them with B and V keys. [3]

Pricing and fees

| Option | Price | |---|---| | Vector Magic Online Edition | $9.95 per month, billed monthly, cancel anytime, with unlimited use [4] | | Vector Magic Desktop Edition | $295 per license, one-time charge, unlimited use [4] | | VTracer | not published | | VectorMagik | Free for everyone; business use needs a licence (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0) [3] |

Vector Magic's Online Edition costs $9.95 per month, billed monthly, with unlimited use and you can cancel anytime. [4] Its Desktop Edition costs $295 as a one-time charge per license, with unlimited use. [4] To download results, the Online Edition needs a subscription. [4] It accepts all major credit cards and PayPal but not purchase orders, and does not issue invoices. [4]

VTracer's repository is released under the MIT license. [2] The facts given here do not state a price for VTracer, so check its own page. VectorMagik says it is free for everyone, and business use needs a licence under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0. [3] [3]

Setting it up and printing

Vector Magic works online with no software to install. [1] It officially supports the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge. [1] The desktop edition also produces AI and DXF output. [1]

VTracer's page describes a VTracer Desktop App for Windows with curve simplification and higher tracing quality. [5] The desktop app offers curve simplification giving fewer nodes, often half the file size. [2]

VectorMagik has downloads for Windows x64, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux x64, plus a browser version. [3] 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. [3] A version runs in the web browser using the same engine. [3] You can compare the vector with the bitmap side by side, or flip between them with B and V keys. [3]

Things to check before you choose

Ask which job you need done: online conversion with no install or a Windows desktop app. Check the browser you use, since Vector Magic officially supports the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge. [1]

Ask what the price is for VTracer, because it is not published in these sources. Ask whether you need AI or DXF output, since Vector Magic says its desktop edition produces those. [1] Ask whether a 1 megapixel image size limit matters for your pictures, since Vector Magic says larger images are shrunk to that size. [1]

If you want to see the code of the tool you use, check each one's licence. VTracer's repository is released under the MIT license. [2] VectorMagik is licensed under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0. [3]

How to choose

If you want to convert images in a browser with no install, Vector Magic's source says it works online. [1] If you need AI or DXF output, its desktop edition produces those. [1]

If you want a Windows desktop app, VTracer's page describes one with curve simplification and higher tracing quality. [5] If you work with high resolution scans up to gigapixels, VTracer says it was originally designed for those. [2] VTracer says its output is much more compact because it uses a stacking strategy and avoids shapes with holes. [2]

If you want a die-cut sticker outline with a border, white rim and optional drop shadow, VectorMagik claims it does that. [3] If you want to limit colours, VectorMagik says you can limit the result to between 1 and 64 colours. [3] If you want a command-line version that lets an AI assistant trace pictures, VectorMagik claims it has one. [3] If you want a free tool, VectorMagik says it is free for everyone, with business use needing a licence. [3] [3]

Frequently asked questions

Is Vector Magic free to use?

To download results, the Online Edition needs a subscription. [4] The Online Edition costs $9.95 per month, billed monthly, with unlimited use. [4] The Desktop Edition costs $295 as a one-time charge per license. [4]

Is VTracer open source?

VTracer's page says it is open source software that converts raster images such as jpg and png into vector graphics (svg). [2] Its repository is released under the MIT license. [2] The facts given here do not state a price, so check its own page for current details.

Does VectorMagik export DXF files?

VectorMagik claims you can save the result as SVG, PDF, EPS, AI, DXF, EMF or PNG. [3] It traces a picture into vector shapes using its own engine. [3] It is free for everyone, with business use needing a licence under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0. [3]

What image size can Vector Magic handle?

Vector Magic's page says the maximum allowed image size is 1 megapixel, regardless of aspect ratio, and larger images are shrunk to that size. [1] There is no image byte size limit. [1] The online editor allows a maximum of 1,000 edits. [1]

Can VTracer handle colored images?

VTracer's page says it has an image processing pipeline that can handle colored images, unlike Potrace. [2] VTracer's page describes a VTracer Desktop App for Windows with curve simplification and higher tracing quality. [5] It was originally designed for processing high resolution scans of historic blueprints up to gigapixels. [2]

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

Try VectorMagik

Sources

  1. Vector Magic, vectormagic.com, 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/pricing, read 2026-10-07
  5. VTracer, visioncortex.org/vtracer, read 2026-10-07

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