// head-to-head
Figma vs Penpot
Penpot is the open-source design tool that finally matters. It's free, browser-based, multiplayer, and uses SVG as its native format — meaning your files aren't trapped in a proprietary binary.
Figma is still the default. The question is whether Penpot is close enough in 2026 to justify cutting your design tool bill to zero.
No paid rankingsPricing checked June 15, 20263 options
Pricing comparison
| Tool | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Figma Professional | $15/editor/mo | Per-editor; viewers free; Dev Mode included. |
| Penpot (cloud) | $0 | Hosted by Kaleidos. Real-time multiplayer. |
| Penpot (self-hosted) | $0 + ~$10/mo VPS | MPL-licensed. Docker compose. |
Who should switch
- ✓Design teams of 10+ where the Figma bill is a budget item leadership notices.
- ✓Open-source-aligned organizations.
- ✓Designers who want their files in plain SVG, not a proprietary format.
- ✓EU teams who want EU-hosted design files.
Who should not switch
- ·Teams dependent on Figma plugins (Tokens Studio, Stark accessibility, etc.).
- ·Designers shipping complex prototypes with smart animate.
- ·Cross-functional teams where engineers already use Figma Dev Mode.
Savings math
- Figma Pro for a 10-editor team: $150/mo = $1,800/yr.
- Penpot cloud: $0/yr.
- Annual savings: $1,800 (100%).
- For a 50-editor team: $9,000/yr → $0. ROI is the time it takes to migrate files.
Caveats
- !Prototyping in Penpot is functional but lighter than Figma's smart animate.
- !Plugin ecosystem is small.
- !Auto-layout in Penpot is solid but the muscle memory differs.
Final verdict
If your team's design work is UI screens, components, and basic prototypes — Penpot wins on cost. If you ship motion-heavy prototypes or live in plugins — stay on Figma.
Pricing checked June 15, 2026. We re-verify every comparison page on a rolling basis.
Sources
Related guides
Prices change often — verify on the vendor's site before switching.