Figma vs Penpot
Side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right tool.
| Figma | Penpot | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Collaborative interface design in the browser. | Open-source design and prototyping built on open standards. |
| Category | Design Illustration | Design Illustration |
| Pricing | Freemium | Free |
| Skill Level | Beginner | Intermediate |
| Platforms | Web, Browser, Browser Extension | Web, Browser |
| Use Cases | Small Team, Collaboration, Client Work | Small Team, Collaboration, Solo Indie |
| Traits | Has Free Tier, Good Api | Self Hostable, Privacy Friendly, Active Development, Open Source |
| Best For | Best for design teams that need real-time collaboration and seamless developer handoff. | Best for teams who want a Figma alternative they can self-host and fully own their data. |
Figma
Figma is a browser-based UI and UX design tool that has become the industry standard for product teams of all sizes. Real-time multiplayer editing allows designers and developers to work in the same file simultaneously, with no file-syncing issues. Auto Layout, component libraries, design tokens, and developer inspect tools make the handoff from design to code smooth and reproducible. Available on web and as a desktop app for Mac and Windows, Figma's free tier supports unlimited personal files and collaborators for up to three team projects. It is used across startups, enterprises, and agencies for everything from wireframes to production-ready UI specs.
View detailsPenpot
Penpot is a free, open-source design and prototyping tool that runs in the browser and can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure. Unlike proprietary tools, Penpot uses SVG and CSS as its native file format, eliminating vendor lock-in and making files inspectable in any text editor. It supports design components, interactive prototypes, developer inspect mode, and real-time collaboration. Hosted on penpot.app for free with no feature limits, or deployable via Docker for full data ownership. Penpot is an increasingly capable Figma alternative favoured by privacy-conscious teams, open-source projects, and organisations in regulated industries.
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