Figma

What is Figma?

Figma is the dominant UI/UX design and prototyping tool, browser based with real time collaboration, components and prototyping, the all round standard for interface and product design. Launched in 2016, it runs in the browser and lets designers create interface designs with vector tools, build design systems of reusable components, styles and variables, prototype by linking screens with interactions and animations, and collaborate in real time (multiple people in one file), plus developer handoff (Dev Mode), FigJam whiteboarding, a huge plugin ecosystem and AI. The default tool for UX, UI and product design teams worldwide, Figma combines design, prototyping, collaboration and handoff in one. For all round collaborative UI/UX design and prototyping, Figma is the benchmark.

Figma's distinction is all in one, real time collaborative design and prototyping in the browser. It unites UI design, design systems, prototyping, collaboration and developer handoff in one browser based tool that whole teams use together on any OS, which fragmented or single user tools do not match, and which drove its dominance of product design. That all in one scope, collaboration and browser access set it apart.

Who Figma is best for

Figma is best for UX, UI and product designers and teams who want all round design, prototyping, collaboration and developer handoff in one browser based, cross platform tool. It suits all round collaborative design. It is a weaker fit for those wanting Mac native design, where Sketch fits, the Adobe ecosystem, where Adobe XD fits, design to live website, where Framer fits, or the most advanced logic driven prototypes, where Axure RP fits.

Key features

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

Figma pricing

Figma has a free plan (limited files), with paid plans per editor per month, from around 12 to 15 US dollars for full design seats (Professional and higher), FigJam seats from around 3, and Organization and Enterprise tiers, with viewers and developers (in Dev Mode) often free or cheaper. Costs scale with editors and tier. Confirm current figures on the Figma pricing page.

Integrations and ecosystem

Figma has a huge plugin and widget ecosystem, integrates with Slack, Jira, and dev and handoff tools, offers Dev Mode, and connects design to development and other tools. 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

All in one, real time collaborative design and prototyping in the browser is the signature strength: Figma unites UI design, design systems, prototyping, collaboration and handoff in one browser based tool that whole teams use together on any OS, which fragmented or single user tools do not match. For collaborative product design, this is the main reason to choose Figma.

Ease of use and support

Figma is very highly rated for collaboration, UI design, prototyping, design systems and its browser based ease, the dominant tool, loved by designers, with good support, though per editor costs add up at scale. Its G2 reviews praise collaboration and all in one design, with per editor pricing the main consideration.

Is Figma worth it?

For UX, UI and product designers and teams who want all round design, prototyping, collaboration and handoff in one browser based tool, Figma is the benchmark choice. The main caution is per editor cost at scale, so Mac native designers may prefer Sketch, Adobe users Adobe XD, design to web Framer, and advanced prototypers Axure RP, but for all round collaborative UI/UX design Figma leads.