Stencil vs Noun Project: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Stencil and Noun Project 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: Stencil is our overall pick for graphic design workflows. Pick Noun Project if you need icon libraries.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Stencil
Quickly create stunning visual content for social media, blogs, and ads.
Best for you if:
- • You need graphic design features specifically
- • Quickly create visual content with millions of royalty-free assets.
- • Offers instant resizing with preset and custom dimensions for various platforms.
Noun Project
Millions of icons and photos for all your visual needs
Best for you if:
- • You need icon libraries features specifically
- • Curated icon library
- • Community-created icons
| At a Glance |  Stencil |  Noun Project |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $9/mo when paid annually/moPro | $3/monthPro |
Best For | Graphic Design | Icon Libraries |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Stencil or Noun Project?
Choose Stencil if
Quickly create stunning visual content for social media, blogs, and ads.
- Extremely fast and easy to use for graphic creation.
- Vast library of royalty-free assets (photos, icons, templates) included.
- Seamless integration with Buffer for social media scheduling.
- Your work is graphic design-shaped, not icon libraries-shaped
Choose Noun Project if
Millions of icons and photos for all your visual needs
- High quality curation
- Consistent styles
- Active community
- Your work is icon libraries-shaped, not graphic design-shaped
| Feature | Stencil | Noun Project |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 486 reviews | ★4.8/5 19 reviews |
| Categories | Graphic DesignMarketing | Icon LibrariesStock Assets |
In-Depth Analysis
Stencil
Quickly create stunning visual content for social media, blogs, and ads.
Strengths
- +Extremely fast and easy to use for graphic creation.
- +Vast library of royalty-free assets (photos, icons, templates) included.
- +Seamless integration with Buffer for social media scheduling.
- +Offers optimal preset sizes for various platforms, saving time.
- +Includes a free tier for hobbyists to get started.
Weaknesses
- -Each subscription is for a single user only, limiting team collaboration.
- -Monthly recurring payments are non-refundable after the initial 7-day period.
Key features
Noun Project
Millions of icons and photos for all your visual needs
Strengths
- +High quality curation
- +Consistent styles
- +Active community
- +Good search
Weaknesses
- -Attribution on free
- -Smaller than Flaticon
- -Premium required for best use
Key features
Pricing: Stencil vs Noun Project
| Plan | Stencil | Noun Project |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0/mo Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $9/mo when paid annually Pro | $3 month Pro |
| Tier 3 | $12/mo when paid annually Unlimited | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Stencil pricing and Noun Project pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Stencil
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Stencil
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Stencil
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Stencil is a graphic design tool. Noun Project is in icon libraries. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Stencil
- Larger review base (486 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Noun Project
- Higher user rating: 4.8/5 vs 4.7/5
- Better fit for icon libraries
The Bottom Line
Stencil is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stencil or Noun Project better?
Stencil is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Stencil and Noun Project used for?
Stencil: Quickly create stunning visual content for social media, blogs, and ads.. Noun Project: Millions of icons and photos for all your visual needs.
What does Stencil cost vs Noun Project?
Stencil is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Noun Project is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.