Makerfern vs Vectorizer.AI
Vectorizer.AI is one of the best-known vectorizers, with a strong reputation for trace quality on complex art. Here is how it compares for people making cut files, and what its terms say about the images you upload.
| Makerfern | Vectorizer.AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the image is processed | In your browser. Nothing is uploaded. | Uploaded to their service |
| Free use | Unlimited SVG downloads, no account | Upload and preview free; downloading results needs a subscription |
| Price | Pro $5/month, $36/year or $59 once; SVG free | Web App $12.99/month (shown to us in Canadian dollars, checked 16 September 2026) |
| Refunds | See our terms | Their pricing page says subscription fees are non-refundable |
| Uploads used for model training | Not applicable: nothing is uploaded | Their terms include a "Company Model-Training License" covering user submissions and results |
| Upload retention | Not applicable | Their terms say submissions and results expire 2 weeks after upload |
| Cut-size cleanup, thin spots, stencil bridges | Yes | No equivalent found |
| Formats | SVG, PNG (free); DXF, EPS (Pro) | SVG, PDF, EPS, DXF, PNG, with format-compatibility options |
| Trace quality on complex art | Good on flat-color art; posterises photos | Excellent, including detailed and painterly images |
"No equivalent found" means we looked through their public site and settings and didn't find the feature. Products change; if something here is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it.
When Vectorizer.AI is the better choice
- Your art is complex: detailed illustrations, hand-drawn texture, many colors. Vectorizer.AI's tracing is very good on exactly that material.
- You need deep export control, like specific file-format versions and curve types, for older design or production software.
- You need an API to vectorize images from your own software.
When Makerfern is the better choice
- The file is going to a cutting machine, and you want it checked at the cut size rather than just traced.
- You'd rather not grant a license over your uploads. Nothing leaves your computer, so there's nothing to license.
- You only need SVG, which is free with no subscription.
Try both on the same image
Makerfern is free and needs no account, so the comparison costs nothing.
Sources
- Vectorizer.AI pricing page: https://vectorizer.ai/pricing
- Vectorizer.AI Terms of Service (effective 23 October 2025): "Private User Submissions", "Retention of User Submissions and Associated Results", "Company Model-Training License": https://vectorizer.ai/policies/terms