Unicorn Icons vs Icons8
Icons8 is a broad design asset platform with icons, photos, and illustrations. Unicorn Icons is purpose-built for animated icons with Rive and Lottie formats. Here's how they compare for developers who specifically need animated UI icons.
TL;DR
Icons8 bundles many asset types but animated icons are a small fraction of the library — and there's no Rive support or browser color editor. Unicorn Icons is $99 one-time with native Rive, 6 export formats, and a color editor that works on every icon.
Cost comparison
Icons8 animated icon access starts at $14.99/mo ($179.88/year). Unicorn Icons is $99 once — own it forever.
| Icons8 | Unicorn Icons | |
|---|---|---|
| After 1 month | $14.99 | $99 |
| After 6 months | $89.94 | $99 |
| After 1 year | $179.88 | $99 |
| After 2 years | $359.76 | $99 |
| After 3 years | $539.64 | $99 |
Icons8 pricing based on monthly plan. Annual billing may vary.
Full feature comparison
| Feature | Unicorn Icons | Icons8 |
|---|---|---|
Pricing model | One-time, $99 | Subscription, $14.99/mo |
Own icons permanently Icons8 access ends when subscription ends | ||
Rive format (.riv) | Native — every icon | |
Lottie JSON | Limited selection | |
Browser color editor | Works on every icon | |
Animated icon focus | Purpose-built for animation | Animated icons are secondary to static |
Export formats | 6 (JSON, Rive, SVG, GIF, WebM, PNG) | SVG, PNG (static mainly) |
iOS / Android native | Rive + Lottie native | |
Commercial license | All paid plans | Subscription required |
Free tier | 100 icons, no card | Low-res with attribution |
Key differences in depth
Animated icons vs a general asset platform
Icons8's core product is static icons. Animated icons (Lottie) are available but represent a small fraction of the library — and the selection for production UI icon sets is limited. Unicorn Icons is purpose-built for animated icons: every icon in the library is available as Lottie JSON and native Rive, all to the same production spec.
No Rive support, no color editor
Icons8 doesn't support the Rive format at all, and there's no browser color editor for animated icons. Unicorn Icons ships every icon as a native .riv file and includes a browser color editor that works reliably across the entire library — something Icons8 doesn't offer.
Subscription compounds; Unicorn doesn't
At $14.99/month, Icons8 costs $179.88/year. After a few years the cost adds up — and access disappears the moment you cancel. Unicorn Icons is a one-time purchase that includes all future icons added to the library.
Which should you choose?
Choose Unicorn Icons if:
- You specifically need animated icons (not static)
- You need native Rive for interactive state machines
- You want a browser color editor for every icon
- You want to own your icons permanently
- You build for iOS, Android, or Flutter
Icons8 may still be better if:
- —You need a broad static icon library across many styles
- —You use Icons8 photos and illustrations alongside icons
- —You're already in the Icons8 ecosystem
Frequently asked questions
Does Icons8 support Rive animated icons?
No. Icons8 does not support the Rive format. Unicorn Icons ships every icon as a native .riv file alongside Lottie JSON.
Is Unicorn Icons cheaper than Icons8?
Yes. Icons8 costs $14.99/month ($179.88/year). Unicorn Icons is a one-time purchase of $99. After about a year, Unicorn Icons is cheaper — and you own it permanently.
Does Icons8 have a browser color editor for animated icons?
No. Icons8 doesn't include a browser-based color editor for Lottie animations. Unicorn Icons includes a color editor that works on every animated icon in the library.
Can I try Unicorn Icons for free?
Yes. 100 icons are free with no credit card required.
Try 100 icons free. $99 one-time if you upgrade.
Native Rive + Lottie. No proprietary player. Works on iOS, Android, Flutter, and web.
7-day money-back guarantee · Pay once, own forever
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