Icons are an essential part of modern web development, providing visual cues that enhance user experience and making interfaces more intuitive and appealing. However, choosing the right set of icons involves considering both aesthetic appeal and licensing terms. In this article, we’ll explore three primary sources for web development icons: truly open-source icons, "with attribution" options, and proprietary ones. Let's dive into these categories to help you make an informed decision.

1. Truly Open-Source Icons

If you're looking for full flexibility—where you can modify, distribute, and use icons without worrying about commercial restrictions—open-source icons are your best bet. These icon sets often come with permissive licenses, allowing for broad usage in both personal and commercial projects.

Adwaita (GNOME Icons)

The Adwaita icon theme, used in the GNOME desktop environment, is an excellent option for developers who prioritize open-source freedom. The icon set follows the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License (CC-BY-SA 3.0), which allows you to:

• Use the icons freely in any project, including commercial ones.
• Modify the icons to suit your design needs.
• Share them, provided that you attribute the original creators and maintain the same license for any derivative work.

Where to Download: You can download GNOME’s Adwaita icons from their GitLab repository.

Material Design Icons

Material Design Icons are inspired by Google's Material Design guidelines and are widely used in web and app development. This set is licensed under the Apache License 2.0, a permissive open-source license. You can use, modify, and distribute the icons freely, but you must include a copy of the license in any redistribution.

Where to Download: You can find the full set of Material Design Icons on their GitHub repository.

Font Awesome (Open-Source Icons)

Font Awesome offers an extensive library of icons with both free and paid options. The free icons are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and can be used for both personal and commercial projects, provided attribution is given.

Where to Download: Visit Font Awesome's website to download the free icons.

2. "With Attribution" Icon Resources

If you're open to giving credit to the original creators, "with attribution" icon sets offer a middle ground between fully open-source and proprietary. These platforms typically provide free icons but require proper attribution to be used legally. Here's a look at some popular options in this category.

Flaticon

Flaticon is one of the largest databases of free icons, offering millions of icons in various formats. You can use the free version of the icons as long as you provide attribution. The platform also offers a premium option, which removes the attribution requirement.

• License: Free icons require attribution under a custom license.
• Use Case: Perfect for quick access to vast icon libraries, but you'll need to credit Flaticon if you use their free icons in a commercial or personal project.

Where to Download: Visit Flaticon to explore their collection.

Freepik

Freepik provides not only icons but also a wide range of design assets, including vectors, illustrations, and photos. Freepik's free resources come with the same attribution requirement, while their premium subscription offers attribution-free usage.

• License: Free resources are available under the Freepik License, which requires attribution. Premium resources are licensed under more relaxed terms.
• Use Case: A great resource for comprehensive design needs beyond icons, but attribution is a must for free content.

Where to Download: You can access Freepik’s collection at Freepik.com.

Icons8

Icons8 offers a collection of free icons for use in web development. Like Flaticon and Freepik, their free icons require attribution, though premium users can avoid this requirement.

• License: Free icons need attribution, but premium licenses remove this requirement.
• Use Case: Icons8 also provides tools for customizing and editing icons, making it useful for developers looking for more flexibility.

Where to Download: Explore their library on Icons8's website.

3. Proprietary Icon Resources

For developers who need high-quality, professional icons and are willing to invest in premium licenses, proprietary options offer the most polished and diverse collections. These icons come with specific licensing terms that restrict redistribution but offer more freedom in commercial use without needing attribution.

Adobe Stock Icons

Adobe Stock offers a large variety of professionally designed icons as part of its stock asset library. These icons are royalty-free but come with strict licensing terms that allow use only in specific commercial projects, without redistribution rights.

• License: Icons purchased from Adobe Stock are typically licensed under Adobe’s royalty-free stock licensing, allowing use in personal and commercial projects but prohibiting redistribution or modification beyond project needs.
• Use Case: Best suited for high-end commercial projects that require polished, unique iconography.

Where to Download: You can browse Adobe Stock icons at Adobe Stock's official site.

Envato Elements

Envato Elements is another popular marketplace for premium design resources, including icons. It offers a subscription-based model where you get access to all design assets, including icons, under a commercial license.

• License: The assets on Envato Elements are available under their own commercial license, which allows unlimited use in projects but does not allow redistribution of the icons.
• Use Case: Suitable for businesses and developers looking for exclusive, high-quality design assets for client work or branding purposes.

Where to Download: Visit Envato Elements for more information.

Conclusion

Choosing the right icon set depends on your project requirements and licensing preferences:

• Truly Open-Source icons like Adwaita and Material Design Icons offer the most flexibility for open-source projects, allowing full use and modification with permissive licenses.
• "With Attribution" platforms like Flaticon and Freepik offer vast collections of free icons but require giving credit to the creators.
• Proprietary Options like Adobe Stock and Envato Elements are ideal for high-quality, professional-grade icons, but come with stricter usage rights and licensing fees.

By carefully selecting the right source for your icons, you can enhance your web development projects while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines.

Sources

1. GNOME Adwaita Icons GitLab
2. Material Design Icons GitHub
3. Font Awesome
4. Flaticon
5. Freepik
6. Icons8
7. Adobe Stock
8. Envato Elements