Best Free & Paid Figma Alternatives for Designer

The design market is undoubtedly somewhat dominated by Figma. It is the default option for the majority of design teams nowadays, and Figma is aware of this. However, Figma is continuing to raise the cost of Dev Mode and charging more and more for its many modules, such as Figma AI and Figma Slides.

Some of the older tools that were formerly typical alternatives are either being phased out or not innovating, so they no longer satisfy the same quality standards.

Numerous people believe that Figma has been abusing its market dominance by implementing unfriendly adjustments, which is a common occurrence when monopolies are present. This is the query: Is there a realistic route out?

The answer is simply “yes.” The lengthy answer is that we have 10 Figma alternatives right here, with some offering realistic free plans.

There are a number of attractive options to take into account, regardless of whether you’re a UX/UI designer looking for something more affordable, a tool with particular functionality, or just a change of pace. We’ll look at some of the best Figma alternatives in this blog post and discuss the key components of a top-notch UI/UX design tool.

What is Figma?

Figma is a cloud-based collaborative design tool that has transformed how designers develop user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX). It is the preferred tool for designers of mobile apps and websites, but it can be used for a variety of design tasks.

Figma’s strong prototyping capabilities and smooth collaboration features are its main advantages. Streamlining the design process and encouraging innovation, real-time editing makes it easy for teams to collaborate. Its extensive version history makes accountability and retracing steps simple. The platform’s vector-based visuals are scalable and precise, and its rich plugin ecosystem increases its capability to meet a variety of design requirements.

Why Would You Choose a Replacement?

The limitations of Figma will be more apparent based on specific needs. “Figma If you love it, you’ll hate it.” For example, Figma being an online design tool requires internet accessibility to work. Though its cloud-based architecture enables simultaneous collaboration in real-time and remote accessibility from anywhere, its offline functionality is limited to “viewing” files only without editing.

In places with poor connectivity, this dependence can impede productivity and thus make it less favorable for remote or mobile work environments. Furthermore, the absence of private deployment options with Figma also makes it hard for public sector organizations, financial institutions, and other enterprises dealing with sensitive data to comply with their stringent security standards. The lack of an option to internally host the platform may create possible compliance issues and increase risk, limiting the platform’s suitability for some secure environments.

Also, Figma is not really budget-friendly, especially for a small team or individual user. Though these features are essential, the free plan doesn’t have much functionality, and you need to upgrade to higher-cost plans to use them, including unlimited projects and team tools.

For enterprises, the cost goes to a new level but does not always provide something that can be found better in alternatives at lower prices.

Top 10 Figma Alternatives

We evaluated dozens of collaborative design tools before choosing the top ten and outlining each one’s key attributes, benefits, and drawbacks. To discover the best answer, look through the list, and let your team’s creativity run wild.

1. Sketch

Sketch is a popular alternative for Figma. Although it’s a viable alternative, few people are switching from Figma to Sketch. Right now, it’s more of a legacy tool.

The company is more focused on the native Mac app, which is an offline tool sold on a perpetual license, even though Sketch has a web-based version that is accessible with their basic subscription.

However, it is far less expensive than Figma, particularly if you are only paying the $120 one-time price.

Features:

• Vector graphic editing: Working with vector designs is one of Sketch’s main strengths.
• Prototyping: Sketch has a few basic interactive prototyping tools that they are constantly improving.

Pros

• When compared to alternative options, Sketch is reasonably priced.
• It offers some excellent learning and onboarding materials.

Cons

• Sketch is not collaborative because it is mostly an offline tool.
• Only Mac users can access it.
• Because of how different the layout and interface are from Figma, there is a significant learning curve.

Pricing:

Sketch is a native Mac software that costs $120 and comes with a year’s worth of updates. Additionally, a subscription is offered for $12 per user every month.

2. InVision

The greatest free alternative to Figma is InVision, a visual collaboration tool that facilitates designer-to-designer communication throughout the development, testing, and prototyping stages of product design.  UX/UI designers frequently use it to produce interactive prototypes that provide a precise representation of the finished product.

Features

• It offers a variety of prototyping tools for developing dynamic and interactive mobile and web apps.
• Team members can share and debate designs instantly with the use of collaboration tools.
• InVision’s presentation features enable you to show interested parties dynamic design presentations.

Pros

• You can easily create designs with Envision’s drag-and-drop design tool.
• Features for user testing assist designers in gathering insightful feedback from real users.

Cons

• InVision’s pricing options can be a bit pricey for lone designers or small teams with limited funds.
• The intricacy of design projects and internet connectivity can affect how well InVision performs.

Pricing

The FreeHand Plan

• Free: Basic features are free.
• Freehand Pro: $4.5 per month for each active user.

The InVision Cloud

• Basic: No cost.
• Advantage: Monthly prices start at $7.95 per user.

3. Adobe XD

Adobe XD’s user-friendly interface makes it accessible to both new and seasoned designers, speeding the design process. It is a great substitute for Figma because of its smooth interaction with other Adobe products, such as Photoshop and Illustrator, which streamlines the process for users accustomed to the Adobe Creative Cloud. 

XD is a good substitute for Figma because of its powerful prototyping capabilities and real-time collaborative UI design features.

Key Features:

• Use vector-based design to produce high-caliber, scalable designs.
• An intuitive interface is one that is easy to use and has drag-and-drop capabilities.
• Building interactive prototypes with fluid animations and transitions in a timely manner is known as rapid prototyping.
• Organize and distribute design components and assets through design system management.
• Real-time collaboration allows you to work effortlessly with your team.
• Plugin ecosystem: Add to the capability of XD with a range of plugins.

Pros

• Industry-standard in design tools and collaboration
• Plenty of extensions and add-ons available
• Real-time collaboration tools
• Mobile apps for both Android and iOS

Cons

• Expensive
• Can be slow-moving at times

Pricing

• Subscription-based.

4. UXPin

Particularly for teams that value pixel-perfect accuracy and seamless handoffs to development, UXPin is a strong substitute for Figma. Its distinct code-based design methodology guarantees smooth integration with development workflows by enabling designers to work directly with code components.

This makes it possible to create extremely realistic and interactive prototypes that nearly resemble the finished product, especially when combined with sophisticated prototyping capabilities.

Key Features:

• Advanced prototyping: Create intricate animations, dynamic content, and highly interactive prototypes.
• Code-based design: Guarantee flawless handoff to developers and pixel-perfect precision.
• Design system management: Ensure efficiency and uniformity throughout projects.
• Real-time cooperation: Work together with team members in real-time without any problems.
• Combining design tools: Integrate with well-known design programs like Sketch and Figma with ease.

Pros

The unique code-based design of UXPin guarantees pixel-perfect accuracy and seamless handoffs to developers. Because of its sophisticated prototyping capabilities, designs may be brought to life with incredibly realistic and interactive prototypes.

Cons

Learning to use the tool’s complex features might take a lot of time and effort, especially for new users. Furthermore, UXPin can require a lot of resources, particularly when working on complicated and large-scale projects.

Cost

The trial period is free. The cost of paid plans starts at $6.

5. Justinmind

With the help of the robust prototype tool Justinmind, designers can produce incredibly realistic and dynamic user experiences. With its extensive feature set that includes data binding, motions, and sophisticated interactions, Justinmind is a great substitute for Figma that may help you realize your designs.

Justinmind is especially well-suited for intricate and data-driven applications because of its emphasis on simulations and extensive connection with other development tools. Justinmind offers the resources you need to produce beautiful prototypes and speed up your design process, regardless of whether you’re developing a straightforward mobile application or intricate corporate software.

Key Features

• Comprehensive prototyping: Provides a variety of prototyping tools, such as data binding, gestures, and sophisticated interactions.
• Simulations: Test prototypes across a range of devices and browsers and model user behavior.
• Real-time collaboration: This feature is perfect for team-based projects because it allows multiple people to work on the same project at once.
• Data visualization: To visualize data, make graphs and charts.
• Version control: Keep tabs on modifications, roll back to earlier iterations, and oversee project history.   
• Comment and feedback: Provide detailed annotations and comments on prototypes directly.
• Reusable components: For effective design, develop unique components and libraries.
• Tool integration: Easily connects with well-known design and development programs like Jira, Adobe XD, and Sketch.

Pros

Comprehensive prototyping capabilities, simulation features, reusable parts, and smooth interface with well-known design and development tools are among its strong points.

Cons

It may have a higher learning curve, have performance problems while working on big projects, and be more dependent on an online connection.

Pricing

Free plan available. Paid plans start at $9.

6. Moqups

Another excellent open-source cloud-based substitute for Figma that is used to generate wireframes, prototypes, and diagrams is called Moqups. In order to expedite the design process and foster collaboration, it provides a straightforward interface in addition to a number of features tailored especially for teams, product managers, and designers. It is the greatest substitute for Figma.

Features

• Team collaboration is facilitated by its real-time editing and commenting features. 
• Users can create interactive prototypes with clickable links and hotspots using Moqups. 
• Moqups offers sketching tools, flowcharts, and brain maps.

Pros

You may export designs from Moqups in a variety of formats, including PDF, PNG, and SVG.

Members of the team can work together effortlessly from any place.

Cons

Because it is cloud-based, users cannot access it without an internet connection.

It could take some time and practice to become proficient with advanced features and approaches.

Pricing

• Free
• Solo: Starts at $9/mo.
• Team: Starts at $15/mo.
• Unlimited: Starts at $40/mo.

7. Marvel

Marvel is a flexible solution for end-to-end design workflows since it is a full-featured design platform that enables wireframing, prototyping, and design handoff. Designers use it to make interactive prototypes, while project teams use it to work together, test, and send concepts to developers. From preliminary concepts to ready-to-code files, its capabilities assist the full design process.

Features:

• Prototyping on the fly: Enables users to quickly convert static screens into clickable prototypes that can be tested across all devices.
• Feedback and user testing: Incorporates user testing straight into the platform, collecting data that may be used right away to improve designs.
• Handoff tools: Facilitates the transfer from design to development by automatically generating CSS code and design specifications.

Pros:

• Streamlines the design process by supporting a smooth workflow from wireframe to prototype to handoff.
• Usability and user experience are improved via integrated user testing technologies.
• simplifies cooperation and communication at every level of the design process.

Cons:

• Because of its extensive feature set, it may feel overwhelming.
• Individual individuals or tiny teams may find the subscription price prohibitive.
• There can be a learning curve for certain people to get the most out of all the options offered.

Pricing

• Free plan available. Paid plans start at $9.

8. Miro

Both Figma and Miro have special advantages suited to various facets of the design and teamwork process. Miro is excellent at promoting wider team participation and ideation, even though Figma is a strong tool for UI/UX design. In contrast to Figma, Miro has the following features:

Key Features

• Miro was created with collaboration in mind, offering teams an endless canvas on which to plan, develop, and brainstorm ideas. For cross-functional teams working on a shared visual area, this is especially helpful.
• With more than 100 integrations, Miro can serve as a project’s focal point. This improves the collaboration experience by enabling the direct projection of data from many tools onto the Miro board.
• Users can record interactive audio or video walkthroughs of their boards with Miro’s Talktrack function. Team members can exchange information and comments even when they are unable to meet in person thanks to this support for asynchronous collaboration.
• Custom apps can be created using Miro’s API, allowing businesses to customize the platform to meet their unique workflow needs.
• Miro provides a forum for users to exchange best practices and templates, encouraging teamwork and information sharing.
• Complex workflows can be supported by Miro, including the capacity to automatically create diagrams using Miro AI and visualize systems.
• For enterprise use, Miro offers sophisticated security and compliance measures that guarantee the protection of critical data.
• By enabling users to add Figma frames to Miro boards, Miro enhances Figma and helps teams with wireframe creation, reference gathering, and user flow visualization.
• With a platform for users to exchange templates and best practices as well as a strong support system for its plugins and integrations, Miro places a great emphasis on community development and support.

Pros

• Promotes holistic project visualization and team collaboration.
• Adapts swiftly to a range of use cases, including agile management and UX design.
• Supports a wide range of integrative features to streamline operations.

Cons

• Teams that only want basic design tools could find it too much to handle.
• Larger teams may find the expense of premium features to be prohibitive.

Pricing

• Free plan available. Paid plans start at $8.

9. Penpot

Teams and individual designers can create design systems, prototypes, and user interfaces using Penpot, an open-source design and prototyping tool. It is intended to be user-friendly, collaborative, and adaptable. It is yet another excellent substitute for Figma.

Features

• Utilize the reusable nature of components to expedite operations.
• The ability to creatively incorporate stunning transitions into your interactions, such as push, pull, fade, and animations.
• Obtain comprehensive details regarding the object’s content and style.

Pros

• Its source code is freely available to users, who are also allowed to share and modify it.
• Because Penpot supports component-based design, workflows are more efficient and designs are more consistent.

Cons

• Penpot’s community might be smaller than that of other design platforms. 
• The quality and accessibility of Penpot’s documentation and assistance may differ.

Pricing

Free.

10. Quant-UX

Another open-source design platform for UX research, design, and prototyping is called Quant-UX.

Features

• You can include interactive features like clickable links, animations, and functioning components.
• A/B testing, screen recording, and surveys are some of the good tools that Quant-UX offers to help with user research.
• With Quant-UX, you can monitor user behavior on your website using drop-off graphs, user path mapping, and heatmaps.

Pros

• Being open source, Quant-UX is very adaptable and may be tailored to your requirements.
• It’s cost-free.
• You may create customer-centric designs with the aid of the user testing and reporting features.

Cons

• Quant-UX has less community support than programs like Figma.
• Although the platform has some AI capabilities, they are currently quite small.
• Since Quant-UX is a prototyping tool, it lacks some sophisticated design elements that other Figma substitutes have.

Pricing:

Quant-UX is 100% free.

What to Look for When Choosing Figma Alternatives

Ease of Use

Spending weeks acclimating to a new tool is not something you want to do. Seek out a system with an interface that is easy to use and intuitive. Selecting a solution with a familiar layout is ideal; for instance, Creatie feels and looks a lot like Figma. By doing this, needless obstacles will be avoided and the learning curve will be lowered.

Compatiblility

Make sure the tool you choose works with all of the hardware and software you currently have.

Verify that the Figma substitute you are thinking about is compatible with the tools and plug-ins you now use in your design process and that it runs on your operating system (Mac OS, Windows, or Linux). Examine file compatibility as well.

Although a system that supports Figma files is the best option, you should give priority to one that supports all major file types. For example, you can import Figma files directly into Creatie without the need for a third-party conversion program.

Support and Community

Choose a solution that makes it simple to get tech support when you need it. Having to put something on hold because you’re having trouble with file formats and are unable to contact assistance is the last thing you want.

Give top priority to a tool that offers self-service documentation and a way to interact with or test ideas so you can fix problems on your own.

Feature Set

Think about how you want to access the platform in addition to making sure the tool works with the operating system of your choice. Do you require a mobile app as well, for example, or are you content to focus on just online apps? It’s also important to take into account the preferences of your design team.

Create a list of essential characteristics that you may check off alternatives for. Among the noteworthy cases are:

• Integrated templates
• A drag-and-drop interface
• AI image upscaling and expansion
• Support for handoffs from design to code
• Sophisticated text editing
• Figma file support

Growth

Seek out a system that is continuously developing and releasing new features, has scalable pricing to accommodate business expansion, and continues to provide regular updates.

For instance, and are bad options because they are either closing down or no longer making improvements to the platforms.

Cost

Make sure the program you select offers an appropriate subscription plan that won’t get out of hand if and when you scale and that it is within your present budget.

For instance, single sign-on might not be necessary at this time, but it might be in the future. You’ll have to switch tools again or pay a hefty price if a platform’s enterprise package is unaffordable.

Final Words

In this article, we’ll look at several Figma alternatives, highlighting their essential features, pros, cons, and pricing information. In general, the option that best suits your demands is the best one. We hope that this essay has helped you make a decision.

The top Figma alternatives are available for download on both iOS and Android devices, each with unique benefits and features to help users. For every necessity, like accessibility, drag-and-drop functionality, or collaboration, there are various Figma equivalents available. While some options are available both offline and online, some are not. However, you must make an informed decision based on your needs and code usage. You might start with the free alternatives, such as Lunacy, if you are not proficient in coding.

Frequently Asked Questions