Top Icons Libraries

Font Awesome is a popular icon library and toolkit used for web development, offering a vast collection of scalable vector icons.

Code Example

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/6.0.0/css/all.min.css">
<i class="fas fa-user"></i>

Pros

• Offers one of the largest collections of icons, with over 7,000 free icons available.
• Provides excellent documentation and easy integration with various web frameworks.
• Includes both free and pro versions, catering to different user needs and budgets.

Cons

• Some advanced features and icons are only available in the paid pro version.
• May have a larger file size compared to more minimalist icon sets like Feather or Heroicons.
• Lacks some specialized icons found in niche-specific libraries like Devicon or Flag Icons.

Nerd Fonts is a project that patches developer-targeted fonts with a high number of glyphs (icons).

Pros

• Provides a vast collection of patched fonts with thousands of icons, offering more variety than most other icon projects.
• Combines multiple icon sets into single fonts, reducing the need for multiple icon libraries.
• Offers easy integration with terminal applications and text editors, unlike many web-focused icon sets.

Cons

• Larger file sizes compared to standalone icon libraries due to the inclusion of entire fonts.
• May require more setup and configuration than simpler icon libraries or web-based solutions.
• Limited to monospaced fonts, which may not be suitable for all design contexts unlike some other icon projects.

Google's Material Design Icons is a comprehensive set of icons following the Material Design guidelines, offering a wide range of symbols for various UI elements and actions.

Code Example

<link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/icon?family=Material+Icons" rel="stylesheet">
<i class="material-icons">favorite</i>

Pros

• Extensive collection of icons designed specifically for Material Design, ensuring consistency with Google's design language.
• Regular updates and maintenance by Google, guaranteeing quality and relevance.
• Available in multiple formats (SVG, PNG, font) for versatile implementation across different platforms.

Cons

• Limited to Material Design style, which may not suit all design preferences or brand guidelines.
• Less customization options compared to some other icon libraries like Font Awesome or Feather Icons.
• Larger file size compared to minimalist icon sets, potentially impacting load times for web applications.

Feather is a collection of simply beautiful open-source icons designed for use in web and mobile applications.

Code Example

<script src="https://unpkg.com/feather-icons"></script>
<i data-feather="circle"></i>
<script>feather.replace()</script>

Pros

• Minimalist and clean design aesthetic, making it ideal for modern interfaces
• Lightweight with a small file size, improving load times compared to larger icon sets
• Consistent and cohesive style across all icons, ensuring a unified look

Cons

• Limited icon selection compared to larger libraries like Font Awesome or Material Design Icons
• Lacks specialized icons for certain domains or industries that more comprehensive sets might offer
• No built-in animations or advanced styling options like some other icon libraries provide

Simple Icons is a free collection of popular brand and logo icons in SVG format.

Code Example

<svg role="img" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
  <title>GitHub icon</title>
  <path d="M12 .297c-6.63 0-12 5.373-12 12 0 5.303 3.438 9.8 8.205 11.385.6.113.82-.258.82-.577 0-.285-.01-1.04-.015-2.04-3.338.724-4.042-1.61-4.042-1.61C4.422 18.07 3.633 17.7 3.633 17.7c-1.087-.744.084-.729.084-.729 1.205.084 1.838 1.236 1.838 1.236 1.07 1.835 2.809 1.305 3.495.998.108-.776.417-1.305.76-1.605-2.665-.3-5.466-1.332-5.466-5.93 0-1.31.465-2.38 1.235-3.22-.135-.303-.54-1.523.105-3.176 0 0 1.005-.322 3.3 1.23.96-.267 1.98-.399 3-.405 1.02.006 2.04.138 3 .405 2.28-1.552 3.285-1.23 3.285-1.23.645 1.653.24 2.873.12 3.176.765.84 1.23 1.91 1.23 3.22 0 4.61-2.805 5.625-5.475 5.92.42.36.81 1.096.81 2.22 0 1.606-.015 2.896-.015 3.286 0 .315.21.69.825.57C20.565 22.092 24 17.592 24 12.297c0-6.627-5.373-12-12-12"/>
</svg>

Pros

• Focuses solely on brand and logo icons, providing a comprehensive collection.
• Icons are available in SVG format, ensuring scalability and small file sizes.
• Regularly updated with new and popular brand icons.

Cons

• Limited to brand and logo icons, lacking general-purpose icons.
• Doesn't offer additional features like icon fonts or component libraries.
• May have fewer customization options compared to more extensive icon sets.