10 Figma Alternatives to Boost Your Web Design Strategy in 2022

As a web designer, you know how crucial it is to have the right tools in your creative arsenal. For UI/UX design, wireframing, and prototyping, Figma has become the go-to solution for many professionals in recent years.

However, with Adobe‘s acquisition of Figma in 2022 for a staggering $20 billion, the future of the beloved design platform is suddenly less certain. While Figma will continue to operate autonomously, many users understandably have concerns about potential changes down the line.

Additionally, the UI/UX design tools landscape is constantly evolving, with new players emerging and existing software leveling up their offerings. With the design industry projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.7% from 2022 to 2030, it‘s smart to stay on top of the latest solutions and trends.

If you‘re considering Figma alternatives but don‘t know where to begin, we‘ve rounded up 10 of the best options to boost your web design strategy in the coming year.

Why Consider Figma Alternatives in 2022?

Before we dive into the top Figma alternatives, let‘s explore some reasons why designers might be exploring other options:

1. Uncertainty after Adobe acquisition

Adobe has promised that Figma will continue to operate autonomously, but history suggests that acquisitions often lead to changes in pricing, features, and support down the line. By trying Figma alternatives now, designers can be prepared in case of future disruptions.

2. Desire for specific features and workflows

While Figma is a robust tool, it may not perfectly fit every designer‘s needs and preferred workflow. Some designers may prioritize certain features like offline access, mobile design, or advanced prototyping that are better served by other tools.

3. Pricing and value concerns

Figma‘s pricing has increased since its acquisition, with the Pro plan now costing $18 per editor/month compared to $12 previously. For independent designers and small teams on a budget, exploring free and lower-cost alternatives is becoming increasingly appealing.

4. Preference for OS-specific or self-hosted options

Designers who prefer native Mac and Windows apps or want to host their design files on-premise for security and control reasons may opt for alternatives to Figma‘s primarily web-based, cloud-hosted model.

Key Criteria for Evaluating Figma Alternatives

With numerous Figma alternatives available, it‘s important to know what features and factors to consider in your evaluation. Here are some key criteria to keep in mind:

Criteria Description
UI design Vector-based interface design tools for creating high-fidelity mockups and visual designs
Prototyping Ability to create interactive prototypes with animations, transitions, and dynamic elements
Collaboration Real-time collaboration features like co-editing, comments, and shared libraries
Platform support Availability of desktop and web apps, compatibility with Windows, Mac, and Linux
Plugins and integrations Ecosystem of third-party plugins and integrations with other design tools
Hand-off and specs Automatic generation of specs, assets, and code for handing off designs to developers
Pricing and plans Pricing model, free options, and cost per user compared to Figma‘s plans
Community and resources Size and activity of user community, availability of templates, plugins, and learning resources

With these criteria in mind, let‘s explore some of the best Figma alternatives for different types of users and use cases.

Top Figma Alternatives for UI Design

For designers primarily focused on interface design, these Figma alternatives provide powerful tools for creating pixel-perfect mockups and visual designs.

1. Sketch

Sketch is a popular vector-based design tool for Mac that has long been a go-to for UI and icon design. While it lacks some of Figma‘s collaboration features, Sketch boasts an intuitive interface, robust design tools, and a massive library of plugins.

Key features:

  • Intuitive vector editing tools and flexible artboards
  • Symbols and styles for reusable design elements
  • Integration with industry-standard tools like Zeplin and InVision
  • Huge collection of third-party plugins via Sketch Runner

Pricing: $99 per year for a single license, or $9 per editor/month for teams

Best for:

  • Mac-based designers focused on UI and visual design
  • Teams already invested in the Sketch ecosystem and plugins
  • Designers who prioritize a native desktop app experience

2. Adobe XD

Adobe XD is a powerful design and prototyping tool that integrates seamlessly with other Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop and Illustrator. With the recent addition of coediting and other collaboration features, XD is quickly catching up to Figma in terms of functionality.

Key features:

  • Intuitive vector and layout tools for designing interfaces
  • Advanced prototyping with auto-animate and voice interactions
  • Coediting and shared document history for collaboration
  • Integration with Creative Cloud libraries and assets

Pricing: $9.99 per month for individuals, or included in Creative Cloud All Apps plan

Best for:

  • Designers already familiar with Adobe‘s Creative Cloud ecosystem
  • Teams that rely heavily on Adobe apps like Photoshop and Illustrator
  • Designers who need advanced prototyping capabilities

3. Affinity Designer

Affinity Designer is a fast, powerful, and affordable vector design tool for Mac and Windows. While it doesn‘t have all the UI-specific features of Figma or Sketch, its robust vector tools and non-destructive workflow make it a favorite among digital illustrators and graphic designers.

Key features:

  • Precise vector editing with unlimited artboards
  • Pixel-perfect control for crisp UI elements and icons
  • Supports PSD, AI, SVG, and Sketch file formats
  • Non-destructive adjustment layers and live filters

Pricing: $54.99 one-time purchase for Mac, Windows, or iPad

Best for:

  • Designers on a budget looking for a professional vector tool
  • Illustrators and graphic designers who also work on UI
  • Cross-platform teams using both Mac and Windows

Top Figma Alternatives for UX and Prototyping

For designers who focus more on UX flows and interactive prototypes, these Figma alternatives offer robust tools for bringing your designs to life.

1. InVision Studio

InVision Studio is a powerful screen design tool that integrates with the rest of the InVision platform for rapid prototyping, animation, and collaboration. While it doesn‘t have all the UI design features of Figma, its strength lies in quickly mocking up and user testing interactive flows.

Key features:

  • Rapid prototyping with animations, gestures, and transitions
  • Integration with InVision Cloud for collaboration and feedback
  • Built-in design libraries for UI kits and style guides
  • Mobile app for previewing prototypes on devices

Pricing: Free for individuals, paid plans start at $7.95 per user/month

Best for:

  • UX designers who prioritize rapid prototyping and user testing
  • Teams already using InVision Cloud for collaboration
  • Designers who need to quickly mock up and animate flows

2. Axure RP

Axure RP is a comprehensive design and prototyping tool popular among enterprise UX teams. Its robust features for interactive prototyping, conditional logic, and annotations make it a powerful tool for documenting and testing complex user flows.

Key features:

  • Advanced prototyping with conditions, variables, and expressions
  • Highly interactive prototypes with animations and dynamic panels
  • Comprehensive annotations and documentation features
  • Secure sharing and collaboration for enterprise teams

Pricing: $29 per user/month for individuals, $49 per user/month for teams

Best for:

  • UX designers working on complex, data-driven applications
  • Enterprise teams with strict security and compliance needs
  • Projects that require detailed specifications and documentation

3. ProtoPie

ProtoPie is a unique prototyping tool that allows designers to create highly interactive and sensor-driven prototypes without coding. By focusing exclusively on prototyping rather than UI design, ProtoPie offers more advanced interactions and mobile gestures than Figma.

Key features:

  • Highly interactive prototypes with sensor interactions
  • Support for mobile gestures like tilt, shake, and 3D touch
  • Integration with popular design tools like Sketch and Adobe XD
  • Cloud collaboration and feedback features

Pricing: $13 per user/month billed annually

Best for:

  • Mobile app designers who need to prototype sensor-based interactions
  • Designers who want to create prototypes with advanced interactions
  • Teams looking to add more interactivity to their Sketch or XD designs

Top Figma Alternatives for Beginners and Collaboration

For designers just starting out or teams who prioritize ease of use and collaboration, these Figma alternatives offer simplified interfaces and features.

1. Canva

Canva is a web-based graphic design tool that offers an easy drag-and-drop interface for creating social media graphics, presentations, and simple web designs. While it doesn‘t have the advanced features of Figma, its library of templates and intuitive tools make it accessible for non-designers.

Key features:

  • Drag-and-drop design interface with millions of stock photos and icons
  • Huge library of customizable templates for various formats
  • Real-time collaboration and shared folders for teams
  • Integration with popular tools like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Slack

Pricing: Free plan with basic features, paid plans start at $12.99 per user/month

Best for:

  • Beginners and non-designers who need to create simple graphics
  • Teams who prioritize ease of use and quick turnaround times
  • Marketers and social media managers who frequently create visual content

2. Miro

Miro is a collaborative online whiteboard tool that allows teams to brainstorm, plan, and visualize ideas together in real-time. While it‘s not a dedicated UI design tool like Figma, its diagramming features and visual collaboration make it useful for early-stage design workflows.

Key features:

  • Infinite canvas for creating diagrams, flowcharts, and wireframes
  • Real-time collaboration with comments, chat, and video calls
  • Library of templates and frameworks for common design activities
  • Integration with popular tools like Jira, Asana, and Sketch

Pricing: Free plan for up to 3 boards, paid plans start at $8 per user/month

Best for:

  • Cross-functional teams who need to collaborate on ideas and requirements
  • Agile teams who use visual boards for planning and ideation
  • UX designers who want to map out user flows and journeys collaboratively

3. Vectr

Vectr is a free, web-based vector graphics editor that offers a simplified interface for creating logos, icons, and simple illustrations. While it lacks the advanced prototyping features of Figma, its easy learning curve and real-time collaboration make it accessible for beginners.

Key features:

  • Intuitive vector editing tools with live collaboration
  • Cross-platform compatibility with web, desktop, and Chromebook apps
  • Publish designs online with shareable links and embed codes
  • Import and export common file formats like SVG and PNG

Pricing: Free, with no paid plans or subscriptions

Best for:

  • Students and hobbyists learning vector graphic design
  • Teams with basic illustration needs and limited budgets
  • Chromebook users looking for a web-based vector editor

Which Figma Alternative is Right for You?

With so many Figma alternatives available, the right choice depends on your specific needs and priorities as a designer. Here are some recommendations based on common use cases:

  • For UI designers who prioritize a native Mac app with a robust plugin ecosystem, Sketch is a top choice.
  • For designers already invested in the Adobe ecosystem, Adobe XD offers seamless integration with Creative Cloud apps.
  • For UX designers who need advanced prototyping and documentation features, Axure RP and ProtoPie are powerful options.
  • For beginners and non-designers, Canva and Vectr offer easy-to-use interfaces and templates.
  • For teams who prioritize real-time collaboration across disciplines, InVision Studio and Miro provide inclusive platforms.

Ultimately, the best way to evaluate Figma alternatives is to try them yourself. Most tools offer free trials or freemium plans, so you can test drive their features and interfaces without commitment.

By staying open to new tools and workflows, you‘ll be better equipped to adapt to shifting demands and deliver exceptional designs for your clients and users. And who knows — you may just discover your new favorite design tool in the process.

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