Creating and Editing Icons Top 10 Best Software for Windows & Mac (2025)
- Roy Martin
- Aug 4
- 4 min read
Top 10 Best Creating and Editing Icons, Cursors, Animations, and Icon Libraries Software for Windows & Mac (2025 Edition)
Introduction
In today's rapidly evolving digital world, high-quality design assets—such as icons, cursors, and interface animations—play a crucial role in improving user experience and brand identity. Whether you're developing an app, designing a website, or customizing your desktop, you’ll need reliable icon editing software that works across Windows and Mac.
This 2025 edition of the top tools features both free and premium software options to fit every budget and skill level. These are perfect for users searching for long-tail keywords like:
“best icon editing software 2025 for Windows 11”
“free cursor animation tool for Mac”
“how to create icons and animations”
“icon editor for developers”
Let’s dive into the best tools currently available.
1. Greenfish Icon Editor Pro
Overview:Greenfish Icon Editor Pro is a lightweight yet powerful tool for creating and editing icons, cursors, animations, and icon libraries. It’s a favorite among developers and designers looking for a no-nonsense editor that handles all essential formats with ease.
Key Features:
Layer support for advanced editing
Create and edit .ICO, .CUR, .ANI, .PNG, and .SVG files
Built-in animation editor for cursors
Intuitive UI with a portable version
No bloatware or ads
Pricing/Platform Support:
Free and open-source
Native support for Windows; can be run on Mac via emulators or Wine
💡 Pro Tip:You can get Greenfish Icon Editor Pro completo activado to unlock its full potential and advanced capabilities without limitations.
2. Axialis IconWorkshop
Overview:Axialis IconWorkshop is the go-to premium icon editor for professional software developers. It supports high-resolution formats and mobile icons, offering powerful features for batch processing and multi-platform compatibility.
Key Features:
Create icons for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
Professional icon packs included
Photoshop and Illustrator plugin support
Cursor and bitmap image support
Grid snapping and alpha channel preview
Pricing/Platform Support:
Windows only
3. IconLover by Aha-Soft
Overview:IconLover offers a robust solution for both beginners and professionals. It provides tools for icon, cursor, and animated icon creation, and is widely used for UI/UX development.
Key Features:
Support for 32-bit icons with alpha channel
Import/export options for BMP, JPEG, GIF, PNG, CUR, and ANI
Easy-to-use interface
Icon library creation
Pricing/Platform Support:
Paid (one-time purchase)
Windows only
4. IcoFX
Overview:IcoFX is an award-winning professional icon and cursor editor used by major companies. It supports icon libraries, animated cursors, and batch editing with over 40 effects.
Key Features:
All-in-one icon and cursor design
Full support for Windows and macOS icons
Batch creation and file conversion
Advanced color correction tools
Pricing/Platform Support:
Paid with a free trial
Windows compatible
5. Junior Icon Editor
Overview:This free tool is excellent for hobbyists and beginners who want a simple, lightweight interface for icon creation without sacrificing core functionality.
Key Features:
Create and edit standard Windows icons
Freehand drawing tools
Basic animation support
Predefined icon templates
Pricing/Platform Support:
100% free
Windows only
6. RealWorld Cursor Editor
Overview:Specialized for cursor design, this tool excels in creating both static and animated cursors for custom Windows experiences.
Key Features:
Animation timeline for cursor movement
Convert images to cursors
Draw tools with pressure sensitivity
Alpha channel transparency
Pricing/Platform Support:
Freeware
Windows only
7. IconEdit2
Overview:IconEdit2 is a compact yet feature-rich program that supports icon and cursor creation with real-time preview.
Key Features:
Fast and responsive
Windows 11 high-DPI support
Real-time preview in Windows environment
Imports BMP, JPG, and PNG
Pricing/Platform Support:
Free and premium versions available
Windows
8. GIMP with Icon Plugin
Overview:While GIMP is a general-purpose image editor, using it with the right plugins allows you to create icons, cursors, and basic animations effectively.
Key Features:
Supports layers and alpha channels
Compatible with .ICO and .CUR files via plugin
Open-source and regularly updated
Pricing/Platform Support:
Free and open-source
Windows, macOS, and Linux
9. IconPlus (Mac Only)
Overview:For Mac users, IconPlus is one of the few native apps tailored for icon creation, especially useful for iOS and macOS app development.
Key Features:
Export icons for iOS, macOS, and web
Clean and modern Mac interface
SVG import and multi-resolution export
Pricing/Platform Support:
Paid via App Store
macOS only
10. Krita with Animation & Icon Plugins
Overview:Krita is primarily a digital painting program, but its plugin support makes it viable for animation and icon creation—especially for artists who value drawing precision.
Key Features:
Full animation timeline
Iconography brushes
High-resolution canvas
Plugin support for .ICO and .CUR exports
Pricing/Platform Support:
Free and open-source
Windows, macOS, Linux
How to Choose the Right Icon Editor
Choosing the right software depends on a few critical factors:
Platform Compatibility: Ensure the tool works natively on your OS (Windows or Mac).
Pricing: Free vs. premium features can greatly influence your workflow.
Interface & Usability: Beginners might prefer simplified UIs; pros may want advanced control.
File Format Support: Look for support for .ICO, .CUR, .ANI, .SVG, and PNG.
Batch Processing: Useful if you’re working with large icon sets or converting formats.
Animation Tools: If you need animated cursors, verify timeline and preview options.
Plugin Support: Extra features through plugins can boost productivity.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're crafting high-res icons for a desktop app, animating cursors, or designing interface elements for mobile platforms, there's a tool for your needs in this list. From free software like Greenfish Icon Editor Pro to premium options like Axialis and IcoFX, each of these tools serves a unique purpose depending on your goals.
As always, your ideal software will depend on your operating system, skill level, and the type of project you're working on. Don’t forget to explore tools like RealWorld Cursor Editor and GIMP plugins if you want to expand functionality on a budget.
Comments