Ionicons vs Material Icons: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Ionicons and Material Icons 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.
Bottom line: Ionicons is our overall pick for icon libraries workflows. Pick Material Icons if you need a fully free option.
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.
Material Icons
Access a vast library of customizable icons for your digital products, powered by Google.
Best for you if:
- • Provides a large library of customizable icons.
- • Offers multiple styles and adjustable visual properties.
| At a Glance |  Ionicons |  Material Icons |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free | Free |
Best For | Icon Libraries | Icon Libraries |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Ionicons or Material Icons?
Choose Ionicons if
Hand-crafted, premium open-source icons for web, mobile, and desktop applications.
- Completely free to use
- High-quality, professional design
- Versatile for multiple platforms (web, mobile, desktop)
Choose Material Icons if
Access a vast library of customizable icons for your digital products, powered by Google.
- Completely free to use
- High-quality and visually consistent icons
- Wide range of customization options
| Feature | Ionicons | Material Icons |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Icon LibrariesUI/UX Design | Icon LibrariesUI/UX Design |
In-Depth Analysis
Ionicons
Hand-crafted, premium open-source icons for web, mobile, and desktop applications.
Strengths
- +Completely free to use
- +High-quality, professional design
- +Versatile for multiple platforms (web, mobile, desktop)
- +Scalable SVG format
- +Backed by Ionic
Weaknesses
- -May not have every niche icon requested (though suggestions are welcome)
Key features
Material Icons
Access a vast library of customizable icons for your digital products, powered by Google.
Strengths
- +Completely free to use
- +High-quality and visually consistent icons
- +Wide range of customization options
- +Easy to integrate into projects
- +Regularly updated with new icons
Weaknesses
- -Primarily follows Material Design guidelines, which might not suit all brand aesthetics
- -Requires some technical knowledge for advanced customization and integration
Key features
Pricing: Ionicons vs Material Icons
| Plan | Ionicons | Material Icons |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Open Source | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Ionicons pricing and Material Icons pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Ionicons
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Ionicons
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Ionicons
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 icon libraries tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Ionicons
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Material Icons
- Choose if you want access a vast library of customizable icons for your digital products, powered by Google
The Bottom Line
Ionicons is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ionicons or Material Icons better?
Ionicons is rated in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Ionicons and Material Icons used for?
Ionicons: Hand-crafted, premium open-source icons for web, mobile, and desktop applications.. Material Icons: Access a vast library of customizable icons for your digital products, powered by Google..
What does Ionicons cost vs Material Icons?
Ionicons is completely free. Material Icons is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.