Pick a Figma alternative by who does the designing. Designers building apps and websites tend to look at Penpot, Sketch, Framer and Lunacy, teams that want open source can self-host Penpot or use Inkscape, and business owners who just need social posts and flyers are usually better served by Canva or Adobe Express.
Most people searching for a Figma replacement fall into one of two camps, and they need very different things. One camp designs screens, apps and websites for a living. The other camp runs a business and opened Figma because someone said it was the tool to use, then found it far more than they needed.
So I've split this guide that way. Read the section that sounds like you, skip the rest, and use the questions near the end before you move a single file. Features and plans change often, so check each tool's current plans page before you commit your team.
Why teams look beyond Figma
The reasons I hear most from small businesses are simple. Some want a tool that works offline or on a desktop app they control. Some want open source so their design files aren't locked inside one company's cloud. Some want to design and publish a website in the same place. And a lot of owners realise they don't need a pro interface design tool at all; they need a fast way to make good-looking graphics.
For designers: UI and prototyping tools
If you design app screens, landing pages or clickable prototypes, these are the names worth a look.
Penpot
Penpot is an open source design and prototyping tool that runs in the browser. It's built on open web standards such as SVG and CSS, and its layout tools follow CSS ideas like flex and grid, which developers tend to like. It suits teams who want something close to the Figma way of working without being tied to one vendor. The main limit is a smaller plugin library and community than the bigger names.
Sketch
Sketch is a long-standing native Mac app for interface design, with a web app for sharing, inspecting and handing work over to developers. It suits Mac-based designers who like a fast desktop app and a mature set of symbols and libraries. The obvious limit is that the editor itself is Mac only, so it's awkward for a mixed Windows and Mac team.
Framer
Framer started life as a prototyping tool and is now best known as a website builder with a design canvas. You lay out pages visually, add animations and a CMS, then publish a live site. It suits designers and small businesses who want the design to become the website without a developer in the middle. Its limit is that it's built around Framer-hosted sites, so it's less useful if you only want to design screens for an app someone else will build.
Lunacy
Lunacy is a graphic design app from Icons8 that runs on Windows, Mac and Linux, works offline and can open Sketch files. It comes with built-in icons, photos and illustrations from the Icons8 library. It suits freelancers and small teams who want a capable desktop tool with a free way to start. The limit is a smaller community, so you'll find fewer tutorials and shared templates.
Open source and self-hosted options
Some businesses have a clear reason to keep design files on their own servers, such as client confidentiality or an internal IT policy. If that's you, there are two routes I'd look at.
- Penpot, self-hosted. Penpot can be installed on your own server, so the files never leave your setup. You'll need someone comfortable running and updating it, or a hosting partner who will.
- Inkscape. Inkscape is a free, open source vector editor for Windows, Mac and Linux. It isn't a prototyping tool, but it's very good for logos, icons, illustrations and print layouts, and the files are standard SVG.
- Affinity Designer. It isn't open source, but it's a desktop vector and raster design app that keeps your files on your own machine, which some teams want for the same reasons.
Self-hosting gives you control, but it also gives you the job of backups, updates and security. Be honest with yourself about who will do that work.
For business owners: quick marketing graphics
If you opened Figma to make a social post, a flyer or a presentation, you probably want a template tool instead. These two are where most small businesses land.
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Canva
Canva is a template-led design tool for social posts, presentations, flyers, short videos and documents. It has a free plan, and paid plans add things like a brand kit with your logos, colours and fonts, plus background removal and extra content. It suits owners and small teams who want to make something good-looking in minutes. The limit is that it isn't built for app screens or detailed prototypes, and lots of people use the same templates, so make them your own. If logos are on your list, my comparison of Design.com and Canva for logo making goes deeper.
Adobe Express
Adobe Express is Adobe's quick-design app for social graphics, flyers, short videos and simple web pages. It draws on Adobe Fonts and Adobe Stock and fits neatly alongside Photoshop and Illustrator if you already use them. It suits businesses already in the Adobe world, or anyone who wants templates with a slightly different feel. Its limit is the same as Canva's: it's for marketing graphics, not interface design. I've put the two head to head in Canva vs Adobe Express for small business design.
Both now include AI features for generating images and rewriting text. If that's a big part of how you work, my roundup of AI writer and AI design tools for marketers covers the wider set.
Questions to ask before your team moves files
Switching design tools is easy on day one and painful in month three if you skip the planning. Work through these first.
- What file formats can it import? Some tools open Figma or Sketch files directly, some need an export first, and some can't bring them in at all. Test with a real, messy file, not a demo.
- What happens to components and styles? Shared buttons, colours and text styles often break or flatten in a move. Check whether your design system survives.
- Does it work on everyone's computer? A Mac-only app is a problem the day you hire someone on Windows.
- How will developers get specs? Make sure there's a clear way to inspect sizes, colours and export assets.
- Where are files stored, and can you get them out? Know how you'd leave this tool too, before you join it.
- Who needs a paid seat? Check whether viewers and commenters count as paid users on the current plans page.
Figma alternatives compared
| Tool | Suits | Main strength | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penpot | Product and UI teams | Open source, browser-based, can be self-hosted | Smaller plugin library |
| Sketch | Mac-based designers | Fast native app with mature libraries | Editor is Mac only |
| Framer | Designers who publish sites | Design and launch a live website in one place | Less useful for app-only design |
| Lunacy | Freelancers and small teams | Works offline, opens Sketch files, built-in assets | Smaller community |
| Inkscape | Logos, icons and print | Free, open source vector editor | Not a prototyping tool |
| Affinity Designer | Illustrators and print designers | Desktop app, files stay on your machine | No live team collaboration |
| Canva | Business owners and marketing teams | Huge template library and brand kit | Not built for interface design |
| Adobe Express | Teams already using Adobe | Adobe Fonts and Stock built in | Marketing graphics only |
Make a design tool? See how to get it featured on this list.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to Figma?
Yes. Penpot and Inkscape are free and open source, and Lunacy, Canva and Adobe Express each have a free way to start. Free plans change, so check the limits on each tool's site before you move client work.
Can I open Figma files in another tool?
Some tools can import Figma files or exported versions of them, but results vary, especially with components and auto layout. Always test a real working file before you commit.
Which Figma alternative suits a non-designer?
Canva or Adobe Express. They're built around templates for social posts, flyers and presentations, which is what most business owners need, rather than app and website screens.
Which Figma alternative can I host myself?
Penpot can be self-hosted on your own server. You'll need someone to install, update and back it up, so factor that work in before you choose it.
