Storyset vs unDraw
Quick verdict
Storyset and unDraw are both excellent illustration tools, and the right pick depends on what you need. Storyset is awesome free customizable animated illustrations for your projects, while unDraw is open-source illustrations for any idea, recolor to your brand. For most people, unDraw is the safer default thanks to its wider adoption — but Storyset can be the better fit for the right workflow.
If you're choosing between Storyset and unDraw, you're not alone — they're two of the most talked-about illustration tools around, and the differences aren't always obvious from their landing pages.
We track hundreds of illustration tools on DesignBookmark, so we've put them side by side below: what each one is, where they overlap, how they differ, and a clear answer to which you should choose.
No fluff and no fabricated benchmarks — just an honest, practical comparison to help you decide fast.
At a glance
| Storyset | unDraw | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Illustrations | Illustrations |
| Pricing | Freemium | Free |
| On DesignBookmark | Listed | Featured pick |
| Categories | 1 | 1 |
Pricing is a general guide and changes often — always confirm current plans on each tool's site.
What they have in common
At a high level, Storyset and unDraw are after the same thing. Both sit in our illustrations category, both are aimed at designers, developers and creators, and both are built to make that job faster and more enjoyable.
So if you're only going to use one, you won't be missing out on the fundamentals either way — the question is which one's particular take on illustration tool suits you best. That's what the rest of this comparison digs into.
Storyset
Storyset is awesome free customizable animated illustrations for your projects. The team behind it ships steadily, so it keeps improving rather than standing still.
Against unDraw, it tends to win people over when simplicity and speed matter more than a sprawling feature list. On the pricing side, Storyset is generally freemium — always click through to confirm current plans, since they change often.
unDraw
unDraw bills itself as open-source illustrations for any idea, recolor to your brand — and in practice that's exactly what it delivers. What stands out is how focused and dependable it feels: it does what it promises, release after release.
Compared with Storyset, it's the one to reach for when reliability beats raw feature count. On the pricing side, unDraw is generally free — always click through to confirm current plans, since they change often.
How to choose between Storyset and unDraw
Pick Storyset
Choose Storyset if awesome free customizable animated illustrations for your projects sounds like exactly what you need.
Pick unDraw
Choose unDraw if you're watching your budget — its pricing model is the friendlier of the two to start with, and you want the more established, widely-adopted pick that most people reach for first.
Pricing & how you'll pay
Based on their general pricing models, unDraw is the friendlier option to get started with, while the other leans more premium. That said, pricing tiers shift constantly — check the current plans on each site before you commit, especially if a specific feature you need sits behind a paywall.
Workflow & learning curve
The best illustration tool is the one that disappears into your routine. Think about which interface feels more natural to you, which integrates with the apps you already use, and which you'd actually open every day. A short free trial of each tells you more than any feature chart.
Scope — all-rounder or specialist
Both cover similar ground here, so neither is obviously the "bigger" tool. Judge them on how well they do the specific job you care about most, rather than the length of their feature lists.
Momentum & community
A tool is only as good as the team and community behind it. Both Storyset and unDraw are actively maintained and listed on DesignBookmark for that reason — but it's worth a quick look at each one's changelog and community to see which is moving in a direction you like.
Frequently asked questions
Is Storyset better than unDraw?+
Neither is universally "better" — they're both strong illustration tools, which is why people compare them. Storyset suits you if you want awesome free customizable animated illustrations for your projects; unDraw suits you if you want open-source illustrations for any idea, recolor to your brand. The best way to decide is to try both on a real project.
What's the difference between Storyset and unDraw?+
They overlap a lot — both are illustration tools aimed at the same audience. The practical difference is emphasis: Storyset is awesome free customizable animated illustrations for your projects, whereas unDraw is open-source illustrations for any idea, recolor to your brand. That shapes which workflows each one feels best for.
Is Storyset or unDraw cheaper?+
Going by their general pricing models, unDraw is usually the more affordable place to start (Storyset is freemium, unDraw is free). Pricing changes often, so always confirm the latest plans on each site before deciding.
Can I use Storyset and unDraw together?+
Often, yes. Plenty of people use more than one illustration tool side by side — one as their main driver and another for the things it does best. There's no rule that says you must pick only one, though most settle on a primary tool over time.
Is there a free version of Storyset or unDraw?+
Both generally offer a free or freemium way in, so you can try Storyset and unDraw before paying for either.
The bottom line
The bottom line: unDraw is the easier one to recommend as a default, but there's no wrong answer between Storyset and unDraw — they're both genuinely good illustration tools. Re-read the "how to choose" points above, take whichever one speaks to you for a quick spin, and keep the one that earns a permanent place in your workflow.