Figma vs Penpot
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
AI tool · Freemium
A collaborative interface design tool with AI features for generating and editing designs and prototypes.
AI tool · Open source
An open-source design and prototyping tool built on web standards, self-hostable as a Figma alternative.
Our verdict
Figma is a proprietary, freemium, cloud-first design tool built for real-time collaboration, prototyping, and developer handoff, and it is the industry standard for product design teams. Penpot is an open-source design and prototyping tool built on web standards that you can self-host, making it a real open alternative. Choose based on whether you value Figma's mature ecosystem or want open-source control over where your design files live.
Pick Figma if your team needs real-time collaboration, a large plugin ecosystem, and smooth design-to-code handoff.
Pick Penpot if you want an open-source design tool or need to self-host your design files.
| Key difference | Figma | Penpot |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Freemium model with paid tiers. | Open source, free to use. |
| Where it runs | Web, macOS, and Windows apps. | Web or self-hosted on your own infrastructure. |
| Ecosystem | Large plugin and widget ecosystem; works with Slack, Jira, VS Code. | Smaller plugin ecosystem; no listed integrations. |
| Core strengths | Real-time collaboration, prototyping, Dev Mode handoff. | Vector design, CSS-based layouts, design tokens, self-hosting. |
| AI features | AI helps with drafts and editing; does not replace design judgement. | AI features exist but are smaller in scope. |
Written with AI from both products' catalogue entries · updated 2026-10-29
Who each one is for
Choose Figma if you need…
- UI and product design
- Design-to-code handoff
Choose Penpot if you need…
- Teams wanting open-source design tools
- Self-hosted design
Side-by-side
| Figma | Penpot | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Design · UI & product design | Design · UI & product design |
| Price | Freemium | Open source |
| Platforms | Web, macOS, Windows | Web, Self-hosted |
| Works with | Slack, Jira, VS Code | — |
| Hands-on tested by us | Not yet | Not yet |
| Last checked | 2026-10-29 | 2026-10-29 |
What each one is
Figma
A collaborative interface design tool with AI features for generating and editing designs and prototypes. The standard for product design teams. AI features help with drafts, but they don't replace design judgement.
Penpot
An open-source design and prototyping tool built on web standards, self-hostable as a Figma alternative. A real open alternative to Figma. Plugin ecosystem and AI features are smaller.
Best for
Figma
- UI and product design
- Design-to-code handoff
Penpot
- Teams wanting open-source design tools
- Self-hosted design
Strengths
Figma
- Real-time collaborative design
- Prototyping
- Dev Mode for handoff
- Plugin and widget ecosystem
Penpot
- Vector design and prototyping
- CSS-based layouts
- Design tokens
- Self-hosting
Frequently asked questions
Should I use Figma or Penpot?
Figma is a proprietary, freemium, cloud-first design tool built for real-time collaboration, prototyping, and developer handoff, and it is the industry standard for product design teams. Penpot is an open-source design and prototyping tool built on web standards that you can self-host, making it a real open alternative. Choose based on whether you value Figma's mature ecosystem or want open-source control over where your design files live. Pick Figma if your team needs real-time collaboration, a large plugin ecosystem, and smooth design-to-code handoff. Pick Penpot if you want an open-source design tool or need to self-host your design files.
What is the difference between Figma and Penpot?
Figma: A collaborative interface design tool with AI features for generating and editing designs and prototypes. Penpot: An open-source design and prototyping tool built on web standards, self-hostable as a Figma alternative. Figma suits ui and product design, while Penpot suits teams wanting open-source design tools.
Are Figma and Penpot free?
Figma: Freemium. Penpot: Open source.
What are other alternatives to Figma and Penpot?
Other options people compare them with include Stitch, Uizard, Visily, Miro.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.