A Vector Magic alternative that traces without uploading the image

Updated on 10 October 2026

Homotope is a Vector Magic alternative that traces PNG, JPG and WebP images in your browser, with no upload and no account, and lets you download the SVG for free, except transparent background and recolouring (Pro).

JPG · 900 × 640 px

Engine SVG

900 × 640 px noisy compressed JPEG logo and the SVG produced by the engine, Logo preset, “Number of colours” set to 5, untouched: the JPEG noise and blocks are gone, the ring stays a circle and the small capitals stay legible.

×6 detail: the accented E of the wordmark: JPEG noise and blocks, clean SVG edges. Drag the slider to compare; hover over the image or hold your finger on it to move the magnifier.

Try it with your image Open this example in the workshop

What Homotope does

With Homotope there is nothing to upload: the image opens in the page and the engine traces it on your own machine, in a Web Worker. It only leaves your computer if you save it to your account or ask for server processing. You get the SVG and the PNG with no account and no subscription, except transparent background and recolouring, which are Pro. For DXF, EPS, PDF and separations, an account gives you two a month, unlimited with Pro, also converted in the browser.

Seven presets: Logo, Illustration, Pixel art, “Line art”, “Single stroke” (single-pass centreline trace), “Black and white” (threshold) and “Photo / Poster”.
SVG, PDF, EPS and DXF exports (R12, one layer per colour), plus upscaled PNG.
Shapes that meet without gaps or overlaps in “cut” mode.
Fixed palette (your colours, none invented) and colour separations, one layer or one file per colour.
A cut-readiness check of the DXF, for cutting plotters, lasers and pen plotters.
REST API and MCP server with an API key, for scripts and AI agents.

How they differ

To our knowledge, as of 10 October 2026, Vector Magic comes as an online service, where you drop the image on their website, and as a desktop application that can be used offline; downloading a result from the online service requires a subscription to the online edition; the preview is free. (source: Vector Magic plans)

Homotope runs the processing on your machine by default: the image is dropped nowhere, and the result downloads without a subscription. Server processing is optional, for images too large for your device, and never starts unless you ask for it.

For production, the DXF comes out with one layer per colour and goes through the cut-readiness check before the machine; the fixed palette keeps your ink or vinyl colours without inventing any.

When Vector Magic fits better

To our knowledge, as of 10 October 2026, the Vector Magic desktop edition installs on the computer and can be used offline. (source: Vector Magic plans) If that is what you are after, installed software that works without a network, that edition fits; Homotope opens in the browser and does not install like desktop software. And if you already trace with Vector Magic and like its results, nothing forces a switch: compare on your own images.

Both tools output flat shapes: for a photo with continuous gradients, neither replaces the original raster file.

Frequently asked questions

Does Homotope upload my image to a server?

No, by default everything is computed in your browser. The image only reaches the server if you save it to your account or ask for server processing.

Is Homotope free?

Yes, tracing in the browser and SVG and PNG exports are free, with no account and no limit, except transparent background and recolouring, which are Pro. Production exports (DXF, EPS, PDF, separations): 2 free per month with an account, unlimited with Pro. Server processing, for very large images, is paid beyond 2 free trial jobs a month with an account; through the API it is always paid.

Do I need an account to download the SVG?

No. The SVG and the PNG download without an account, except transparent background and recolouring, which are Pro. An account is for production exports, saving to your gallery and the API.

Can I force my own ink or vinyl colours?

Yes: paste your list of colours or import a swatch file (CSV or ASE). Each area takes the closest of your colours, none invented, and the swatches stay in your browser.

Sources for statements about other tools, checked on 10 October 2026: https://vectormagic.com/pricing

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Try it with your image