Design comparison
Two of the best design tools, compared side-by-side. Here’s how each one stacks up.
The browser-based design tool everyone uses.
🎯 Why it’s useful
Universal lingua franca for design. Every designer you hire already knows it.
💜 Why we like it
Auto Layout + Variables make design tokens that actually work for engineers.
Open-source GUI prototyping tool for quick mockups and wireframes.
🎯 Why it’s useful
Perfect for bootstrapped founders who need to quickly sketch out app interfaces and user flows without paying for expensive design software.
💜 Why we like it
It's completely free and open-source, runs on all major platforms, and has a surprisingly robust collection of UI components for rapid prototyping.
| Figma | Pencil | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Freemium | Free |
| Category | Design | Design |
| Editor’s Pick | ★ Yes | — |
| Tagline | The browser-based design tool everyone uses. | Open-source GUI prototyping tool for quick mockups and wireframes. |
| Website | figma.com ↗ | pencil.dev ↗ |
We make no money when you click through to either tool unless an affiliate link is in place — disclosed on the individual tool page.