Heroicons vs Icons8: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Heroicons and Icons8 comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated May 6, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Heroicons
Hand-crafted SVG icons by Tailwind CSS creators
Best for you if:
- 0
- • You need something completely free
- • You need ui/ux design features specifically
- • Heroicons is a set of free, MIT-licensed SVG icons from the makers of Tailwind CSS
- • It provides 300+ hand-crafted icons in outline and solid styles
Icons8
The ultimate design kit for creatives and developers with icons, illustrations, photos, and AI tools.
Best for you if:
- 0
- • You need icon libraries features specifically
- • Offers a vast library of icons, illustrations, photos, 3D models, and music.
- • Provides AI-powered tools for image generation, upscaling, background removal, and face swapping.
| At a Glance |  Heroicons |  Icons8 |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | UI/UX Design | Icon Libraries |
Rating | — | — |
| Feature | Heroicons | Icons8 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | UI/UX DesignDesign Systems | Icon LibrariesStock Assets |
How Heroicons and Icons8 Compare
Heroicons
Hand-crafted SVG icons by Tailwind CSS creators
Free
Icons8
The ultimate design kit for creatives and developers with icons, illustrations, photos, and AI tools.
Free tier available
Heroicons is a ui/ux design tool. Icons8 is in icon libraries.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Heroicons is free. Icons8 is freemium.
Go with: Heroicons
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Heroicons
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Heroicons
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Heroicons is free. Icons8 is freemium. Go with Heroicons if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Heroicons is a ui/ux design tool. Icons8 is in icon libraries. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Heroicons
- 0
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Icons8
- Better fit for icon libraries
The Bottom Line
Heroicons is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Heroicons or Icons8 better?
Heroicons is rated high in our evaluation. Heroicons is free and Icons8 is freemium.
What are Heroicons and Icons8 used for?
Heroicons: Hand-crafted SVG icons by Tailwind CSS creators. Icons8: The ultimate design kit for creatives and developers with icons, illustrations, photos, and AI tools..
What does Heroicons cost vs Icons8?
Heroicons is completely free. Icons8 is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.