Price-first comparison · September 8, 2026
Font Awesome alternative.
One-time icon access.
Best Icons suits teams wanting multiple source sets and direct SVG/PNG access for $29 once, or a $79 full-library and self-hostable search package. Self-hosting is not unique to Best Icons; hosting and source licenses still matter.
Font Awesome versus Best Icons: price and workflow
| What matters | Font Awesome | Best IconsOne-time access. Multiple icon families. |
|---|---|---|
| Price comes first | Free library and paid Pro plans A free open-source library and paid Pro subscriptions are available. Check the official plans page for current paid-tier pricing, currency, billing and seat terms. | Pro: individual SVG and PNG downloads. Pro Unlimited adds the whole-library download, search system and keyword metadata exports. See what each plan includes → |
| Free access | The free library is open source, with different licenses for icons, fonts and code. | Five SVG or PNG downloads per day from 44 selected sets. Browse before choosing a paid plan. |
| Search workflow | Hosted icon browsing and Kits, downloadable packages, framework integrations, and a GraphQL API for icon and release metadata. | Search 312,774 icons across 206 sets, with style and topic filters. Pro Unlimited includes the search-system package. |
| Self-hosting | Yes. Official documentation supports self-hosted Web Fonts + CSS and SVG + JavaScript. This is distinct from receiving a complete multi-set catalog search application. | Pro Unlimited: host the supplied search system and SVG library in your own stack. No Best Icons per-request fees; hosting costs apply. |
| Licenses & rights | Free icons use CC BY 4.0, fonts use SIL OFL 1.1, and code uses MIT; preserve applicable notices. Paid Pro assets have separate license terms. | Original source licenses remain in force. Check attribution, notices and third-party rights; paying does not remove them. |
Published offers are not identical products. Billing intervals, currencies, taxes, seats and license scope can differ. Competitor facts checked September 8, 2026; see official sources. Best Icons is the publisher of this comparison.
01 / Comparison
A developer subscription or one-time icon access
Font Awesome combines a free open-source library with paid Pro plans. Its value is closely tied to the development workflow, so compare the required icon styles and tooling rather than assuming every paid icon product serves the same job. Best Icons Pro costs $29 once for full SVG and PNG icon access for projects. That model is relevant when your primary need is reusable files rather than a particular framework-oriented icon system.
With Best Icons, choose Pro for $29 once for individual SVG and PNG exports, or Pro Unlimited for $79 once for the complete library, keyword metadata and self-hosted search package. These are separate tiers, not monthly prices. Compare currencies, seats, tax and included rights before calculating savings.
From the library
One search. More than one visual style.
Compare real icons from the library. Open a pack to search its artwork, inspect source licenses and choose an SVG or PNG export.
02 / Comparison
Both products have a self-hosting story
Font Awesome explicitly supports self-hosting through Web Fonts and CSS or SVG and JavaScript, as well as hosted Kits. Self-hosting is available in both products; the difference is the package around it. Best Icons Pro Unlimited is the $79 one-time package containing a full-library download and search system. Compare hosting icon assets inside a website with operating a searchable library: they are related, but different, deployment requirements.
Try the workflow yourself: open tech icons, compare finance symbols or browse all 206 sets. Source creators keep their rights; license information remains available for each collection.
03 / Comparison
Choose a code-integrated system or a broader file workflow
Choose Font Awesome when your application benefits from its established packages, framework integrations and icon styling conventions. Consider Best Icons when designers and developers need SVG and PNG files from multiple source sets, or want a downloadable search system. Pro Unlimited's hosting costs are separate from its one-time price. With either option, keep the original license notices and requirements attached to the assets or software you actually ship.
Where Best Icons fits
One purchase. A searchable toolkit.
Best Icons suits teams wanting multiple source sets and direct SVG/PNG access for $29 once, or a $79 full-library and self-hostable search package. Self-hosting is not unique to Best Icons; hosting and source licenses still matter.
Choose Pro Unlimited when the whole-library download and a search system for your own infrastructure are the reason to buy. Hosting, maintenance and upstream license obligations remain yours.
Compare Pro and Pro Unlimited →When to choose Font Awesome
Keep the strengths you need.
A developer-focused icon system with framework support, styling tools, packages and both hosted and self-hosted delivery.
This is not a transfer of Font Awesome artwork or licenses. A specialist library, framework package or native integration may be a better fit when it already covers your requirements.
From the library
Try the collection before choosing.
Compare real icons from the library. Open a pack to search its artwork, inspect source licenses and choose an SVG or PNG export.
Official sources & comparison notes
Prepared by Best Icons Editorial. Checked September 8, 2026. Offers and documentation can change; confirm current prices and terms with the provider. No affiliation, endorsement or independent ranking is implied.
- Font Awesome plans
- Font Awesome free and Pro overview
- Font Awesome self-hosting documentation
- Font Awesome Kits and delivery options
- Font Awesome GraphQL API
- Official Font Awesome repository and free licenses
Best Icons plans and included rights: pricing, self-hosted search system and source licenses.
More alternatives to explore
Need a design workflow instead? Explore the icon guidebook.