Heroicons vs Lottie: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Heroicons and Lottie 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.
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:
- • 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
Lottie
Lightweight animations for web and mobile
Best for you if:
- • You need animation features specifically
- • Lottie is an animation format and library for web and mobile apps
- • It renders After Effects animations as lightweight, scalable JSON files
| At a Glance |  Heroicons | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | UI/UX Design | Animation |
Rating | 88/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Heroicons | Lottie |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 88 | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | UI/UX DesignDesign Systems | AnimationUI/UX Design |
Understanding the Differences
Both Heroicons and Lottie solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Heroicons positions itself as "hand-crafted svg icons by tailwind css creators" while Lottiefocuses on "lightweight animations for web and mobile". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Heroicons
Heroicons makes sense if you're looking for a completely free solution.
When to Choose Lottie
Lottie is worth considering if you need a flexible option with both free and paid tiers tool.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
When every dollar counts, Heroicons lets you get started without pulling out your credit card.
We'd pick: Heroicons
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Lottie is built for teams that are leveling up.
We'd pick: Lottie
Enterprise with complex needs?
You need SSO, compliance certifications, and a support team that picks up the phone. Both have enterprise tiers—compare their security features.
We'd pick: Heroicons
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Nothing at all? Heroicons is completely free.
Do you care what other users think?
Both have similar review counts. Read a few before you commit.
Expert opinion or crowd wisdom?
Our team rated Heroicons higher (88/100). But the community has upvoted Lottie more (0 votes). Pick your source of truth.
Key Takeaways
What Heroicons Does Better
- Our recommendation for most use cases
Consider Lottie If
- You want to start free and scale later
- Its specific features better match your workflow
- You prefer its interface or design approach
The Bottom Line
If we had to pick one, we'd go with Heroicons (88/100). But the honest answer is that "better" depends on your situation. Heroicons scores higher in our analysis, but Lottie might be the right choice if its specific strengths align with what you need most. Take advantage of free trials to test both before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Heroicons or Lottie better?
Based on our analysis, Heroicons scores higher with 88/100. Heroicons isfree while Lottie is freemium. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. We recommend testing both with free trials if available.
Can I switch from Heroicons to Lottie easily?
Migration difficulty varies. Check if both tools support data export/import in compatible formats. Some tools offer migration assistance or have integration partners who can help with the transition.
Do Heroicons and Lottie offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Heroicons is completely free.Lottie is freemium with a free tier. Visit their websites for current trial offers.