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Figma

Graphic Design

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★★★★☆ 4.7 / 5 on G2 · 4.7 on Capterra (1,200+ G2 reviews)
4.7 / 5
G2 rating, 1,200+ reviews [source]
2016
Launched [source]
$3
Per editor from / mo [source]
Free
Plan available [source]

Quick facts

CategoryInterface and collaborative design
VendorFigma
Launched2016
Starts atFree; from ~$3/editor/mo
Best forUI and collaborative design
DeploymentCloud, browser
Free planYes
IntegrationsPlugins, apps
G2 rating4.7 / 5
Capterra rating4.7 / 5

What is Figma?

Figma is the leading collaborative interface design tool, browser based with real time collaboration, used for UI, web and product design, also popular for general design and increasingly a broad design platform. Launched in 2016, it runs in the browser and lets teams design user interfaces, websites, apps and products with vector tools, components and styles, prototype interactions, and collaborate in real time (multiple people on the same file, like Google Docs for design), plus FigJam whiteboarding, dev handoff, and AI features. The dominant tool for UI, UX and product design, and widely used for general graphic design too, Figma made design collaborative and browser based. For UI and collaborative design, Figma is a leading choice.

Figma's distinction is real time, browser based collaborative design, dominant for UI and product work. Its multiplayer, browser based model lets whole teams design, prototype and hand off together in one place, with powerful UI design tools, components and prototyping, which desktop, single user tools do not match for collaboration and UI workflows. That collaboration, browser access and UI focus set it apart.

Figma at a glanceFigma is the leading collaborative interface design tool, browser based with real time collaboration [Figma]. It holds a 4.7 out of 5 rating across more than 1,200 reviews on G2 and 4.7 on Capterra, a leading choice for UI and collaborative design.

Who Figma is best for

Figma is best for product, UX, UI and web designers and their teams who need collaborative interface and product design with prototyping and dev handoff, and also for general design done collaboratively. It suits UI and collaborative design. It is a weaker fit for photo editing, where Photoshop fits, print and detailed vector illustration, where Illustrator or Affinity fit, easy template marketing design, where Canva fits, or digital painting, where Krita fits.

Key features

The core strengths are browser based UI and product design with vector tools, components, styles and variables, real time multiplayer collaboration, prototyping and interactions, developer handoff (Dev Mode), FigJam whiteboarding, a huge plugin ecosystem, and AI features. Figma offers collaborative, browser based design. Its real time collaboration, UI tools and prototyping are its defining advantages.

Figma pricing

Figma has a free plan (limited files), with paid plans priced per editor per month, from around 3 US dollars for FigJam and from around 12 to 15 for full design seats (Professional and higher), with viewers often free. Pricing is based on editors who design. Costs scale with editors and tier. Confirm details via the Figma pricing page.

Integrations and ecosystem

Figma has a huge ecosystem of plugins and widgets, integrates with Slack, Jira, and dev tools, offers Dev Mode for handoff, and connects design to development. Its vast plugin ecosystem and dev handoff, which extend Figma and bridge design and engineering, are a signature strength for product teams.

Figma and collaboration

Real time, browser based collaborative design, dominant for UI, is the signature strength: Figma's multiplayer, browser based model lets whole teams design, prototype and hand off together in one place, with powerful UI tools and prototyping, which desktop single user tools do not match. For UI, product and collaborative design, this is the main reason to choose Figma.

Ease of use and support

Figma is very highly rated for collaboration, UI design, prototyping and its browser based ease, the dominant UI tool, loved by designers, with good support, though it is focused on UI and product rather than photo or print. Its G2 reviews praise collaboration and UI design, with its focus (not photo or print) the main consideration.

Is Figma worth it?

For product, UX, UI and web designers and teams who need collaborative interface design with prototyping and handoff, Figma is an excellent, leading choice. The main caution is that it is focused on UI and product (not photo or print), so photo editing needs Photoshop, print and illustration Illustrator or Affinity, easy marketing design Canva, and painting Krita, but for UI and collaborative design Figma leads.

Pricing

Free

$0
per month
  • Limited files
  • UI design
  • Getting started

Professional

$12-15
per editor / month
  • Unlimited files
  • Collaboration
  • Teams

Organization / Enterprise

$45+
per editor / month
  • Design systems
  • Admin and security
  • Scale

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Real time collaborative design
  • Dominant for UI and product
  • Browser based (any OS)
  • Prototyping and Dev Mode
  • Huge plugin ecosystem

Cons

  • Focused on UI, not photo or print
  • Per editor cost at scale
  • Not for raster photo editing
  • Requires internet (browser based)

Figma alternatives

These graphic design tools come up most often against Figma.

Canva

Templated drag-and-drop design for everyone

Adobe Photoshop

Industry-standard raster image editing software

Adobe Illustrator

Industry-standard vector graphics and illustration tool

Figma FAQ

What is Figma used for?
Figma is used for interface and product design: designing user interfaces, websites and apps with vector tools, components and styles, prototyping interactions, and collaborating in real time with teams in the browser, plus whiteboarding (FigJam) and developer handoff, and general design too.
How much does Figma cost?
Figma has a free plan, with paid plans per editor per month, from around 3 US dollars for FigJam and around 12 to 15 for full design seats, with viewers often free. See the Figma pricing page.
Is Figma free?
Yes. Figma offers a free plan with limited files, good for individuals and trying it, with paid plans from around 12 to 15 US dollars per editor a month adding unlimited files, collaboration and team features, and viewers are often free.
Figma vs Adobe, which is better?
Figma dominates collaborative UI and product design in the browser, while Adobe tools excel at photo (Photoshop) and vector and print (Illustrator) work. Figma suits UI, product and collaborative design; Adobe suits professional photo, illustration and print.
Is Figma good for graphic design?
Figma is primarily a UI and product design tool but is also widely used for general graphic design (social graphics, presentations, simple vector work), thanks to its vector tools and collaboration, though for photo editing or print, dedicated tools are better.
Does Figma work in the browser?
Yes. Figma runs entirely in the web browser (with desktop apps available too), which, with its real time multiplayer collaboration, is a core advantage, letting teams design together on any operating system without installing heavy software.

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