Figma vs Penpot
Quick verdict
Figma and Penpot are both excellent design tools, and the right pick depends on what you need. Figma is the collaborative interface-design tool the whole team can use, while Penpot is the open-source design tool for design-and-code collaboration. For most people, Figma is the safer default thanks to its wider adoption — but Penpot can be the better fit for the right workflow.
Picking between Figma and Penpot can feel like a coin toss — they cover similar ground and both do it well. The real differences live in the details.
We track hundreds of design tools on DesignBookmark, so we've put them side by side below: what each one is, where they overlap, how they differ, and a clear answer to which you should choose.
No fluff and no fabricated benchmarks — just an honest, practical comparison to help you decide fast.
At a glance
| Figma | Penpot | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Design Tools | Design Tools |
| Pricing | Freemium | Free |
| On DesignBookmark | Featured pick | Listed |
| Categories | 1 | 1 |
Pricing is a general guide and changes often — always confirm current plans on each tool's site.
What they have in common
At a high level, Figma and Penpot are after the same thing. Both sit in our design tools category, both are aimed at designers, developers and creators, and both are built to make that job faster and more enjoyable.
So if you're only going to use one, you won't be missing out on the fundamentals either way — the question is which one's particular take on design tool suits you best. That's what the rest of this comparison digs into.
Figma
At its core, Figma is the collaborative interface-design tool the whole team can use. The team behind it ships steadily, so it keeps improving rather than standing still.
Against Penpot, it tends to win people over when you value a tool you can pick up without reading the manual. On the pricing side, Figma is generally freemium — always click through to confirm current plans, since they change often.
Penpot
Penpot is the open-source design tool for design-and-code collaboration. It earns its reputation by being genuinely useful day to day, not just impressive in a thirty-second demo.
Compared with Figma, it's the one to reach for when reliability beats raw feature count. On the pricing side, Penpot is generally free — always click through to confirm current plans, since they change often.
How to choose between Figma and Penpot
Pick Figma
Choose Figma if you want the more established, widely-adopted pick that most people reach for first.
Pick Penpot
Choose Penpot if you're watching your budget — its pricing model is the friendlier of the two to start with.
Pricing & how you'll pay
Based on their general pricing models, Penpot is the friendlier option to get started with, while the other leans more premium. That said, pricing tiers shift constantly — check the current plans on each site before you commit, especially if a specific feature you need sits behind a paywall.
Workflow & learning curve
The best design tool is the one that disappears into your routine. Think about which interface feels more natural to you, which integrates with the apps you already use, and which you'd actually open every day. A short free trial of each tells you more than any feature chart.
Scope — all-rounder or specialist
Both cover similar ground here, so neither is obviously the "bigger" tool. Judge them on how well they do the specific job you care about most, rather than the length of their feature lists.
Momentum & community
A tool is only as good as the team and community behind it. Both Figma and Penpot are actively maintained and listed on DesignBookmark for that reason — but it's worth a quick look at each one's changelog and community to see which is moving in a direction you like.
Frequently asked questions
Is Figma better than Penpot?+
Neither is universally "better" — they're both strong design tools, which is why people compare them. Figma suits you if you want the collaborative interface-design tool the whole team can use; Penpot suits you if you want the open-source design tool for design-and-code collaboration. The best way to decide is to try both on a real project.
What's the difference between Figma and Penpot?+
They overlap a lot — both are design tools aimed at the same audience. The practical difference is emphasis: Figma is the collaborative interface-design tool the whole team can use, whereas Penpot is the open-source design tool for design-and-code collaboration. That shapes which workflows each one feels best for.
Is Figma or Penpot cheaper?+
Going by their general pricing models, Penpot is usually the more affordable place to start (Figma is freemium, Penpot is free). Pricing changes often, so always confirm the latest plans on each site before deciding.
Can I use Figma and Penpot together?+
Often, yes. Plenty of people use more than one design tool side by side — one as their main driver and another for the things it does best. There's no rule that says you must pick only one, though most settle on a primary tool over time.
Is there a free version of Figma or Penpot?+
Both generally offer a free or freemium way in, so you can try Figma and Penpot before paying for either.
The bottom line
The bottom line: Figma is the easier one to recommend as a default, but there's no wrong answer between Figma and Penpot — they're both genuinely good design tools. Re-read the "how to choose" points above, take whichever one speaks to you for a quick spin, and keep the one that earns a permanent place in your workflow.