Icons are essential for creating visually appealing designs, whether for websites, apps, marketing materials, or presentations. While there are countless sources of icons, it’s crucial to ensure that the icons are legally safe for commercial use. Here’s a detailed overview of the top five websites for commercial-use icons, discussing their features, licensing terms, and whether they are free or paid.
1. Flaticon
What They Provide:
Flaticon is one of the largest platforms for free and premium vector icons. It boasts over 9 million icons in a variety of styles, including flat, outline, filled, and more. The icons come in formats like PNG, SVG, EPS, PSD, and even base64 code.
Licensing and Commercial Use:
- Free Icons: You can use free icons for commercial purposes as long as you provide attribution.
- Premium Icons: With a paid subscription, you can use icons without attribution.
Pricing:
- Free (with attribution)
- Premium starts at around $10 per month.
Flaticon is ideal for those who need a diverse range of styles and are okay with either attributing or paying for icons.
2. Icons8
What They Provide:
Icons8 offers a vast collection of icons in multiple styles, including flat, 3D, hand-drawn, and gradient. Beyond icons, they also provide illustrations, photos, and music, making it a one-stop shop for design resources.
Licensing and Commercial Use:
- Free Icons: Free for commercial use with attribution.
- Paid Icons: A subscription removes the need for attribution and provides access to higher resolution files.
Pricing:
- Free (with attribution)
- Paid plans start at $13 per month.
Icons8 is excellent for designers who want a combination of icons and other creative assets.
3. Iconfinder
What They Provide:
Iconfinder features millions of icons available individually or as part of collections. The icons are searchable by style, size, and theme, making it user-friendly for specific needs.
Licensing and Commercial Use:
- Free Icons: Free icons are often under Creative Commons licenses, which may require attribution.
- Premium Icons: Icons purchased individually or via subscription can be used without attribution.
Pricing:
- Free (with attribution for CC icons)
- Premium subscriptions start at $9 per month.
Iconfinder is perfect for those who want high-quality icons with flexible purchasing options.
4. The Noun Project
What They Provide:
The Noun Project specializes in minimalist icons and symbols that are universally understandable. The platform includes millions of simple, clean icons ideal for presentations, UI/UX design, and educational materials.
Licensing and Commercial Use:
- Free Icons: Free with attribution under the Creative Commons license.
- Paid Icons: A Pro subscription removes the attribution requirement.
Pricing:
- Free (with attribution)
- Pro subscription starts at $39.99 per year.
This platform is best for users who prefer a clean and uniform icon style.
5. FontAwesome
What They Provide:
FontAwesome is widely known for its icon font library, offering thousands of scalable vector icons that can be customized with CSS. It is particularly popular among web developers due to its seamless integration with web projects.
Licensing and Commercial Use:
- Free Icons: Free under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives license, which limits modification.
- Pro Icons: The Pro version includes thousands of additional icons and removes any usage restrictions.
Pricing:
- Free (with restrictions)
- Pro plans start at $99 per year.
FontAwesome is ideal for developers looking for easily customizable icons for web applications.
Which Platform Should You Choose?
- If you’re looking for versatility: Flaticon or Iconfinder are excellent choices.
- If you need icons plus additional design resources: Icons8 is your go-to platform.
- For minimalist and uniform icons: The Noun Project is perfect.
- For web developers: FontAwesome integrates seamlessly with web development projects.
Final Thoughts
Always double-check the licensing terms before using icons, especially for commercial projects. While free options with attribution can save costs, paid plans often provide more flexibility, higher quality, and additional resources. Choose the platform that aligns best with your design needs and budget.