Overview
Figma
Figma is a web-based design tool known for its collaboration features, intuitive interface, and vast plugin ecosystem.
It gained popularity among designers for its real-time collaboration and easy integration with other tools.
Penpot
Penpot is an open-source Figma alternative that also emphasizes collaboration and flexibility.
It is designed to be a free alternative to proprietary design tools and offers a pretty wide range of features for both individual designers and teams.
Figma vs Penpot Pricing
Figma
The free version has a limited number of files you can create within the project.
Paid plans start at $15/full seat/mo.
Professional and organizational plans are available with advanced features and more collaboration options.
Penpot
Fully free for personal use and small teams.
Suitable for individuals, startups, and organizations looking for cost-effective design solutions.
Figma vs Penpot Features
Design features
Figma
Advanced vector editing features.
Support of components and libraries.
Auto-layout functionality for adaptive interfaces.
Smooth performance.
Powerful prototyping features with interactive animations and transitions.
Penpot
User-friendly interface, very similar to Figma.
Advanced vector editing features.
Support of components and libraries.
CSS grid functionality for responsive and adaptive interfaces.
Prototyping features are robust but may not be as advanced as Figma’s.
Collaboration features
Figma
Real-time collaboration allows multiple designers to work on the same project simultaneously.
Comments and feedback can be added directly to the design.
Version history and branching for managing design iterations.
Paid dev mode for advanced hand-off for development.
Penpot
Supports real-time collaboration similar to Figma.
Open-source nature allows for customization and integration with other open-source tools.
Collaborative features are continually evolving with community input.
Free inspection mode for developers.
Integration and Community
Figma
Vast plugin ecosystem to extend functionality.
Huge number of tutorials and community support.
Integrations with popular tools like Slack, Jira, and Microsoft Teams.
Penpot
No plugins, but Penpot has already announced their release soon.
A growing number of YouTube tutorials and community.
Figma vs Penpot Use Cases
Figma
Large Teams: Figma’s strong collaboration features make it ideal for large teams and complex projects.
Advanced Prototyping Needs: If your project requires sophisticated interactive prototypes, Figma’s prototyping tools are highly effective.
Integration with Other Tools: For teams using a wide range of tools, Figma’s integrations can streamline the workflow.
Penpot
Design students: When you don't want to pay and don't need super-advanced prototyping and components functionality.
Budget-Conscious Projects: Penpot’s open-source nature makes it a great choice for startups and organizations with a limited budget.
Open-Source Enthusiasts: Teams that prefer open-source solutions and even want to self-host their tools.
Conclusion
Both Figma and Penpot are great design tools. Both with their unique strengths.
Figma excels in real-time collaboration, advanced prototyping, and extensive integrations, making it ideal for larger teams and complex projects.
Penpot, being open-source and free, perfect for personal projects and for teams who want to have full control over their data.
