Open-source design and prototyping tool that runs in the browser, no proprietary lock-in.
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Penpot vs Figma
Comparing Penpot and Figma to help you pick the right Design for your needs.
| Feature | Penpot | Figma |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Open Source | Freemium |
| Platforms | Web, Linux | Web, macOS, Windows |
| Editorial rating | ★ 4.2 / 5 | ★ 4.6 / 5 |
| Launched | 2021 | 2016 |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |
| Community votes | 287 | 1,560 |
Penpot Pros & Cons
- Completely free and open-source — no per-seat fees, no feature paywalls on the self-hosted version
- Built on open SVG-based file format rather than a proprietary format, avoiding vendor lock-in
- Fully self-hostable for teams with data residency or compliance requirements that rule out cloud-only tools
- Real-time multiplayer collaboration comparable to Figma's core experience
- Active open-source community contributing plugins, templates, and translations
- Smaller plugin and integration ecosystem than Figma's mature marketplace
- Self-hosting requires basic DevOps capability to set up and maintain (Docker-based deployment)
- Performance on very large, complex files can lag behind Figma's more optimized rendering engine
- Fewer advanced prototyping features (complex interactive components, advanced auto-layout edge cases) than Figma
- Smaller talent pool of designers already fluent in Penpot specifically, versus the much larger Figma-trained workforce
Figma Pros & Cons
- Real-time collaboration — multiple designers in the same file simultaneously
- Works on any OS including Linux via browser
- Component libraries and variables for systematic design
- Auto-layout for responsive component creation
- Dev Mode gives engineers inspect access without a design seat
- Requires internet for most features (limited offline mode)
- Browser-based rendering can differ from native pixel rendering
- Large files with many components can load slowly
- Advanced features (branching, analytics) require Organization plan
- Font rendering inconsistencies between browser and desktop
Verdict: Penpot vs Figma
Penpot and Figma both serve the Design category well, but suit different priorities. Penpot is the more budget-friendly option, Figma carries the stronger editorial rating (4.6 / 5), Figma supports more platforms (3 vs 2). Based on community engagement, Figma is currently the more widely adopted choice (1,560 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which is cheaper, Penpot or Figma?
- Penpot is the more affordable option overall — it's offered as free, open-source software, while Figma is freemium. Check each tool's current pricing plans for exact figures, since promotional rates and annual discounts can shift the comparison.
- Is Penpot or Figma rated higher?
- Figma has the higher editorial rating at 4.6 out of 5, compared to Penpot's 4.2 out of 5. This is Kreemhunt's own staff rating, not a public user aggregate — review the pros and cons below for specifics that matter to your use case.
- Which platforms do Penpot and Figma support?
- Penpot is available on Web, Linux. Figma is available on Web, macOS, Windows. Figma covers more platforms overall, which matters if your team works across a wider range of devices and operating systems.
- Can I switch from Penpot to Figma (or vice versa)?
- Most design tools, including Penpot and Figma, support data export in standard formats, making migration possible though rarely fully automatic. Expect to manually verify that custom configurations, integrations, and historical data transfer correctly, and budget time for the team to adjust to workflow differences between the two products.
- Should I choose Penpot or Figma?
- Penpot and Figma both serve the Design category well, but suit different priorities. Penpot is the more budget-friendly option, Figma carries the stronger editorial rating (4.6 / 5), Figma supports more platforms (3 vs 2). Based on community engagement, Figma is currently the more widely adopted choice (1,560 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.