Best Figma Alternatives & Competitors in 2026
12 alternatives to Figma • Updated January 2026
Figma became the design industry standard through real-time collaboration and browser accessibility. But Adobe's acquisition attempt, recent price increases, and subscription fatigue have teams exploring options. While Figma's network effects are strong (everyone uses it), alternatives have matured significantly—especially for teams wanting native performance or perpetual licenses.
12
Alternatives
12
Free Options
88
Top Score
2026
Updated
Why Designers Consider Alternatives
Pricing Concerns
Figma's recent price increases and Adobe acquisition concerns have teams worried about future costs and direction.
Performance Needs
Complex design systems can lag in browser. Designers working on heavy files sometimes want native app performance.
Subscription Fatigue
Some designers prefer perpetual licenses over monthly subscriptions, especially for occasional use.
Privacy/Control
Cloud-only storage concerns some organizations. Self-hosted or local-first alternatives appeal to security-conscious teams.
What Figma Does Well
- +Real-time collaboration changed design workflows
- +Works in any browser on any OS
- +Dev Mode excellent for developer handoff
- +Massive plugin ecosystem
Common Pain Points
- -Requires internet connection
- -Can be slow on complex files
- -Subscription-only pricing model
- -Cloud storage raises privacy concerns for some
What to Look For in a Figma Alternative
Collaboration Needs
Figma's real-time multiplayer is hard to match. If collaboration is critical, test alternatives' collaboration carefully.
Platform Requirements
Figma runs everywhere. Mac-only alternatives (Sketch) limit your team options.
Design System Support
How well does the alternative handle components, variants, and design tokens at your scale?
Developer Handoff
Figma's Dev Mode is excellent. Check how alternatives handle design-to-code workflows.
Migration Considerations
Most alternatives can import Figma files with reasonable fidelity. Components and auto-layout may need adjustment. The bigger challenge is team habits and collaboration workflows. Consider running both tools during transition. Account for plugin replacement—your Figma plugins likely don't exist on other platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Figma alternative?
Based on our analysis, Canva is currently the top-rated Figma alternative with a score of 88/100. That said, the "best" alternative depends on your specific needs, budget, and use case. We recommend trying free trials before making a decision.
Is there a free alternative to Figma?
Yes! Canva, Miro, Spline offer free or freemium pricing. Free alternatives often have limitations on features or usage, but they can be perfect for individuals or small teams.
How difficult is it to switch from Figma?
Switching difficulty varies depending on how much data you have and how deeply integratedFigma is in your workflow. Most modern tools support data export/import in standard formats. Plan for a transition period where you might run both tools in parallel to ensure a smooth switch.