When creating professional designs, websites, apps, or marketing materials, high-quality icons play a crucial role in enhancing visual appeal and user experience. But not all icon sites allow commercial use. If you’re looking for top icon sites, this guide covers everything you need to know. use, and some come with restrictive licenses. If you’re looking for the best icon sites for commercial use, this guide will help you find the perfect resources—whether free or paid.
What Does “Commercial Use” Mean?
Before diving into the best icon sites, it’s important to understand what ‘commercial use’ means. In the context of design assets, commercial use refers to any usage intended for business, marketing, advertising, or any revenue-generating activities. This includes websites, apps, presentations, promotional materials, product packaging, and more. If you’re doing work for a paying client, it’s likely considered commercial use.
Most icon sites provide clear licensing terms that indicate whether attribution is required, if modifications are allowed, and if icons can be used without additional fees. Always review the licensing terms before using icons in your projects.
What to Look for in a Commercial-Use Icon Site
Before diving into the list, here are a few key factors to consider when selecting an icon site for commercial use icons:
- License Type: Ensure the icons are licensed for commercial projects without attribution if required.
- Variety and Quality: A vast library of well-designed icons is essential.
- File Formats: Look for sites offering multiple formats (SVG, PNG, AI, etc.).
- Customization Options: Some sites allow you to edit colors, shapes, or sizes.
- Pricing Model: Decide if you need free icons, a subscription, or a one-time purchase model.
Now, let’s explore the top websites for commercial-use icons that cater to commercial use icons needs.
1. Noun Project
Best for: Diverse, high-quality icons with easy licensing
Noun Project is a leading icon site featuring millions of icons from designers worldwide. It offers both free and paid options, with a simple commercial-use license that makes it easy to integrate icons into any project. You can also customize icons easily and download entire sets of icons with the click of a button.
- Free icons available with attribution
- Icon Pro subscription ($3.33/month paid yearly) for unlimited downloads and no attribution or Creator Pro subscription (includes icon sets and photos, $9.99/month, paid yearly)
- Formats: SVG, PNG
- API access for developers
For more information on Noun Project licensing, visit these links:
What licenses does Noun Project offer for icons?
Can I use icons for Commercial Use?
2. Icons8
Best for: Free and premium modern icons with customization features
Icons8 is an icons site that provides an extensive collection of modern icons that can be used commercially. The site also offers built-in editing tools to tweak icon colors and styles.
- Free icons with attribution, or paid licenses starting at $13/month
- Formats: SVG, PNG, ICO, and more
- AI-generated icons and design tools
3. Flaticon
Best for: Large selection of vector icons
Flaticon, a part of Freepik, hosts millions of free icons and premium commercial use icons. The free plan requires attribution, but a premium subscription removes this requirement.
- Over 9 million icons
- Premium plan ($8.25/month) for commercial use without attribution
- Formats: SVG, PNG, EPS, PSD, BASE 64
- Collections and packs for consistent icon sets
4. Iconfinder
Best for: High-quality, professional-grade icons
Iconfinder offers a blend of free and premium icons, with a focus on premium, designer-made icon sets. Their licensing is straightforward, making it a great choice for businesses looking for where to find icons for commercial projects.
- Subscription starts at $9/month for 10 downloads
- One-time purchases available
- Formats: SVG, PNG, AI, ICO
5. Vecteezy
Best for: A mix of free and premium design assets
Vecteezy offers thousands of free icons, but commercial use requires attribution unless you have a Pro subscription.
- Pro subscription ($9/month) removes attribution
- High-quality vector icons, illustrations, and photos
- Formats: SVG, PNG, EPS
6. IconScout
Best for: A marketplace with a diverse range of icons
IconScout provides 3.7+ million free and premium icons, including 3D and animated options. It’s great for both designers and developers.
- Free icons with attribution
- Subscription plans start at $14.99/month
- Formats: SVG, PNG, and AI
Which Icon Site Is Right for You?
For premium, commercial-use icons, Noun Project is a top choice, offering a vast selection with a straightforward licensing model. If you’re looking for additional options, Iconfinder, IconScout, and Icons8 provide excellent alternatives for professionals needing high-quality icons. Flaticon and Vecteezy are great for those seeking a balance between free icons and paid resources.
