Figma vs Penpot
A side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right tool in 2026. Both are Design tools.
Figma and Penpot both compete in the Design space. Open-source design tool. Industry-standard design tool. Figma is freemium while Penpot is free, so budget often tips the decision.
Figma
Collaborative interface design tool for creating UI/UX designs, prototypes, and design systems in the browser.
vs Penpot
Penpot
Open-source design and prototyping platform for cross-domain teams. Web-based, self-hostable, and standards-compliant with SVG as its native format.
vs Figma
How Figma and Penpot differ
Penpot as an alternative to Figma
Open-source design tool
Free and open-source, self-hostable, SVG-native. Better for teams wanting full control and no vendor lock-in.
Figma as an alternative to Penpot
Industry-standard design tool
Larger community, more plugins, polished UX
Pricing comparison
At a glance
Alternatives to both Figma and Penpot
Tools curated as alternatives to both options — worth a look if neither is right for you.
Sketch
Professional digital design toolkit for Mac. Industry-standard for UI/UX design with symbols, libraries, plugins, and collaboration features for design teams.
Adobe XD
UI/UX design and prototyping tool for designing websites, mobile apps, and voice interfaces. Features artboards, repeat grids, auto-animate, and sharing for collaborative design workflows.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Figma and Penpot?
Free and open-source, self-hostable, SVG-native. Better for teams wanting full control and no vendor lock-in.
Is Figma cheaper than Penpot?
Figma is freemium, while Penpot is free. Check each tool's website for current pricing details and tier limits.
Which is better, Figma or Penpot?
Neither is universally "better" — it depends on your team's needs. Figma is known for open-source design tool. Penpot is known for industry-standard design tool.
Can Figma replace Penpot?
Figma can replace Penpot for many teams. Open-source design tool However, the right fit depends on which features your workflow relies on.
Which has more alternatives, Figma or Penpot?
Figma has more tracked alternatives (9) than Penpot (3). Browse the full alternatives page for each tool to see the lineup.
Are Figma and Penpot both Design tools?
Yes — both Figma and Penpot are categorized as Design tools, which is why they show up as alternatives to one another. Their feature emphasis and pricing differ, so the right fit depends on your workflow.
What are good alternatives to both Figma and Penpot?
Tools curated as alternatives to both include Sketch, Adobe XD. See the "Alternatives to both" section above.