Our Recraft review
Recraft earns its place in the AI tool shortlist for icon and illustration sets, provided credit limits on the entry plan is not a dealbreaker.
We score Recraft 4.2 out of 5 — solid ease of use, strong performance and strong value for money.
What Recraft is
Recraft is Recraft's AI tool product, launched in 2022. Generative design tool for vector illustrations, icons and brand-consistent visuals with reusable custom styles.
It is aimed at intermediate users — the learning curve is moderate. Day one you would use it for icon and illustration sets and on-brand marketing visuals. It runs on Web, with no mobile app, and there is an API if you want it inside your own systems.
Where it shines
In testing against the rest of the category, two things stand out: real vector output, not just pixels and custom styles keep brand consistency. The feature set behind that is vector and raster generation, custom reusable styles, brand kit and mockups and infinite design canvas.
We rate performance 4.5/5 and answer accuracy around 88% for the tasks in this category, which is why it holds up for icon and illustration sets and on-brand marketing visuals.
Where it falls short
Where it frustrated us: credit limits on the entry plan and photorealism is weaker than image specialists.
Expect a real ramp-up — we rate the learning curve moderate. Budget time for it before judging the tool.
Pricing and value for money
Pricing is $12/mo Basic. At $12 a month that is $144 a year per person, in line with the rest of the category. A free tier exists, so you can test it properly before paying.
If budget is the constraint, look at the free tiers of the alternatives below. Our cost calculator will show what adding Recraft does to your monthly stack before you commit.
Who should use Recraft
Recraft is the right call for icon and illustration sets and on-brand marketing visuals. Skip it if credit limits on the entry plan is a bigger problem for you than real vector output, not just pixels is a benefit.
We do not track a direct replacement for it yet, which is part of the argument for it.
Worth a trial: Recraft at $12/mo is best used for icon and illustration sets and on-brand marketing visuals, and it earns 4.2/5 from us.