Ionicons vs Heroicons: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Ionicons and Heroicons 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 February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Ionicons
Hand-crafted, premium open-source icons for web, mobile, and desktop applications.
Best for you if:
- • Open-source icon pack for web, iOS, Android, and desktop apps.
- • Lovingly hand-crafted and premium designed icons.
Heroicons
Hand-crafted SVG icons by Tailwind CSS creators
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • 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
| At a Glance |  Ionicons |  Heroicons |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | UI/UX Design | UI/UX Design |
Rating | —/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Ionicons | Heroicons |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | UI/UX DesignIcon Libraries | UI/UX DesignDesign Systems |
How Ionicons and Heroicons Compare
Ionicons
Hand-crafted, premium open-source icons for web, mobile, and desktop applications.
Free
Heroicons
Hand-crafted SVG icons by Tailwind CSS creators
Free · 88/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Ionicons
Want the highest-rated option?
Heroicons scores 88/100. Ionicons is unrated.
Go with: Heroicons
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Heroicons
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are ui/ux design tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Heroicons
- Higher score: 88/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Ionicons
The Bottom Line
Heroicons (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ionicons or Heroicons better?
Heroicons scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Ionicons and Heroicons used for?
Ionicons: Hand-crafted, premium open-source icons for web, mobile, and desktop applications.. Heroicons: Hand-crafted SVG icons by Tailwind CSS creators.
What does Ionicons cost vs Heroicons?
Ionicons is completely free. Heroicons is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.