At a glance
| Designer | Marketplace | Ready-made (IconOven) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Hundreds to thousands of dollars | From about $5 to a few hundred | $100 Standard, from $249 Exclusive |
| Time | One to four weeks | Days, plus revisions | Download straight after paying |
| Only yours | Yes | Usually, check the terms | With Exclusive |
| Dark, tinted, clear | If you ask and pay for it | Rarely | Included |
| Every size and format | Usually | Varies | Included |
| Your input | Brief, feedback, sign-off | Brief, lots of feedback | Pick one you like |
AI image tools aren't in the table because the answer to most rows is "it depends on the tool". They're covered below.
A designer or studio
The right call when the icon has to carry an existing brand: a logo, a mascot, colours you already use everywhere. A good designer asks about your users and your competitors, and gives you something nobody else has.
- Cost: typically a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, more for a studio or a full brand.
- Time: one to four weeks, depending on rounds of feedback.
- Watch for: ask up front for dark and tinted versions, an Icon Composer file and the Android layers. They're often extra.
Freelance marketplaces
Cheaper, and quality varies a lot. Look at icons the seller has shipped in real apps, not just portfolio shots, and check that you get the source file and full rights in writing.
AI image tools
Fast and cheap for trying out ideas. For a finished icon there are a few gaps to plan for:
- Results often fall apart at small sizes: thin lines and small details turn to mush at 29 pt. Check with the App Icon Score.
- You get one flat image. The dark, tinted and clear looks of iOS 26, and Android's themed layer, need separate layers you'll have to make yourself.
- Getting a set of matching icons, or a small change to one you like, is hard.
- Read the tool's terms on commercial use before you ship.
A ready-made icon
IconOven sells original app icons made by an independent studio. You pick one, pay once and download everything straight away.
- Standard ($100): use it for one app on every platform. Other people may buy the same icon.
- Exclusive (from $249): the icon is marked sold out and never sold again, and you can use it as your logo.
- Every size for iOS, Android, macOS and the web, an Icon Composer
.iconfile, and layers for dark, tinted and clear. - Buy 3 or more and Standard licences are 15% off.
- The licence is written in plain English: read it here.
Which to choose
- You already have a logo or brand mark: a designer, or a custom icon from us, from $399 with three concepts in about five working days.
- You're launching soon and want it done well: a ready-made icon. Go Exclusive if you want to be the only one.
- You're still finding the idea: sketch with an AI tool or on paper, then use it as a brief.