Figma UX Design Tools Review for 2024
Figma surpasses other UX design tools due to its browser-based collaborative interface, extensive plugin library, and ability to scale from wireframes to high-fidelity prototypes.
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In this review, I'm going to share my analysis and evaluation of my hands-on experience with Figma. But first, if you're just beginning your search for the best UX design tools, check out my picks of the best UX design tools.
You probably already know Figma is among the most popular UX design tools out there, but you need to understand better what's good and not so good about it. This in-depth Figma review will walk you through the pros and cons, features, and functionality to help guide you better in understanding its capabilities and suitability for your scenario.
Summary: Figma
Figma is a cloud-based design and prototyping tool for user interface and user experience design. It’s commonly used by UX designers, UI designers, and product designers to collaborate on interface designs. Additionally, the software facilitates real-time collaboration, version control, and design handoff to developers.
Figma addresses common pain points like the inability to easily collaborate on designs, difficulty managing design versions and changes, and challenges with handing off designs to developers. Its best features are the ability to collaborate in real-time with teammates, an extensive library of UI components and plugins, and the ability to create and share interactive prototypes easily.
Figma Pros
- Collaboration: Figma enables real-time collaboration with other designers, stakeholders and developers in the same document.
- Prototyping: Users can easily create interactive prototypes to test and showcase designs in Figma.
- Design Systems: Figma has strong features for generating and managing design files and systems to maintain consistency.
Figma Cons
- Vector Editing: Figma's vector editing tools have some limitations compared to more powerful graphic design software.
- 3D Design: The software lacks built-in 3D design capabilities that some other tools provide.
- Animation: Creating complex animations and interactions can be difficult in Figma compared to more advanced tools.
Figma Expert Opinion
In my opinion, Figma is one of the best UX design tools on the market today. Its cloud-based, collaborative platform outshines competitors like Sketch and Adobe XD. Additionally, the software’s intuitive interface and advanced vector design toolset make it a joy to use for creating wireframes, mockups and prototypes.
Alongside all of these perks, real-time collaboration is where Figma really excels, enabling multiple designers to work together seamlessly on the same files. With features like shared component libraries, users can maintain consistency, share prototypes, and gather feedback quickly to streamline the entire design process.
Product designers typically collaborate with multiple stakeholders throughout the design process, which is where a clear and user-friendly tool like Figma can shine.
They’ve done a really good job at trying to become that all-in-one tool… especially with Dev Mode, Figma slides, and FigJam for brainstorming.
Figma also offers an extensive library of templates, UI kits, and plugins combined with strong developer handoff tools that allow designers to maximize their efficiency. While there is a bit of a learning curve, especially for those coming from other platforms, Figma's outstanding onboarding experience and helpful community get new users up to speed quickly.
The software’s reasonable pricing and generous free tier also make it accessible to everyone, from freelancers to large enterprises. As a result, I believe Figma is the go-to choice for the majority of UX designers today.
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Are You a Good Fit for Figma?
Who Would Be a Good Fit For Figma?
Figma is ideal for teams working on interface design projects. The browser-based platform is accessible from anywhere and supports Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chrome OS. Its collaborative features allow multiple design teams to work together in real-time, and its vector-based tools are well-suited for creating responsive designs that scale across different devices. Overall, Figma works well for product teams, agencies, and companies focused on digital product design.
Who Would Be a Bad Fit For Figma?
Figma may not be the best choice for print designers as it lacks some new features for print design, like CMYK support and advanced typography controls. Similarly, individual designers or small teams with more basic needs might find Figma's subscription pricing too expensive. As Figma is a browser-based solution, it may become restrictive for some users, such as 3D designers, video editors, or those working on projects beyond its standard interface design.
Best Use Cases for Figma
- Startups: Figma's affordability and ease of use make it an excellent choice for startups with limited budgets and design resources.
- Collaborative Teams: The software’s real-time collaboration features allow designers, developers, and stakeholders to work together on projects.
- Education: Figma's free plan and user-friendly interface make it a great tool for teaching UX design to students and beginners.
- Mobile App Design: The software has a set of mobile design templates and features that make it well-suited for designing mobile apps.
- Design Systems: Figma's component and style features make it easy to create and maintain consistent design systems across projects.
- Remote Work: Figma is web-based, so it's ideal for remote teams that need to collaborate on design projects from different locations.
Worst Use Cases for Figma
- Print Design: Figma lacks some of the advanced print design features found in tools like Adobe InDesign, so it may not be the best choice for print-heavy projects.
- 3D Design: The software is primarily a 2D web design tool and does not have 3D design capabilities or shortcuts built-in.
- Large Enterprises: Some large enterprises with complex security requirements may prefer design tools with more advanced security features.
- Offline Work: Figma requires an internet connection, so it may not be suitable for designers who frequently work offline.
- Advanced Animation: While Figma has some prototyping and animation features, it may not be the best choice for projects that require complex animations.
- Non-Design Roles: Figma is primarily a tool for designers, so it may not provide as much value for non-design roles like project managers.
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Figma Evaluation Summary
- Core Functionality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Standout Features: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Onboarding: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Customer Support: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Integrations: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Customer Reviews: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value for Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review Methodology
We're a team of software experts who obsess about the features and functionality of different platforms. We know how critical—yet difficult and confusing—software selection can be. We test and score software to find the best solutions, whatever the use case may be.
Using our objective, data-driven testing methodology, we've tested 300+ software. We dedicate ourselves to being objective in fully and fairly testing software to get beyond the marketing fluff and truly understand the platform.
We've developed robust testing scenarios to use the software in the same way you will. We leverage our own first-hand, practical experience with the tools, complemented by interviews with users, experts, and software vendors.
How We Test & Score UX Design Tools
We've spent years building, refining, and improving our software testing and scoring system for UX design tools. The rubric is designed to capture the nuances of software selection and what makes UX design tools effective, focusing on critical aspects of the decision-making process.
Below, you can see exactly how our testing and scoring work across eight criteria. It allows us to provide an unbiased evaluation of the software based on core functionality, standout features, ease of use, onboarding, customer support, integrations, customer reviews, and value for money.
Core Functionality (20% of final scoring)
For UX design tools, the core functionality we test and evaluate are:
- Wireframing: Easily create low-fidelity wireframes to map out the structure and layout of a product.
- Prototyping: Turn wireframes into interactive prototypes to test and iterate on designs.
- Collaboration: Work together with team members in real time to provide feedback and make changes.
- Design Systems: Create and manage design systems to maintain consistency across a product.
- User Flows: Map out the user journey and visualize how users will navigate through a product.
- Usability Testing: Conduct usability tests to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement.
Standout Features (20% of final scoring)
We evaluate uncommon, standout features that go above and beyond the core functionality defined and typically found in UX design tools. A high score reflects specialized or unique features that make the product faster, more efficient, or offer additional value to the user.
Ease of Use (10% of final scoring)
We consider how quick and easy it is to execute the tasks defined in the core functionality using the UX design tools. High-scoring software is well-designed and intuitive to use. It offers mobile apps and templates and makes relatively complex tasks seem simple.
Onboarding (10% of final scoring)
We know how important rapid team adoption is for a new platform, so we evaluate how easy it is to learn and use the UX design tools with minimal training. We evaluate how quickly a team member can get set up and start using the software with no experience. High-scoring software indicates little or no support is required.
Customer Support (10% of final scoring)
We review how quick and easy it is to get unstuck and find help by phone, live chat, or knowledge base. UX design tools that provide real-time support score best, while chatbots score worst.
Integrations (10% of final scoring)
We evaluate how easy it is to integrate with other tools typically found in the tech stack to expand the functionality and utility of the software. UX design tools offering plentiful native integrations, 3rd party connections, and API access to build custom integrations score best.
Customer Reviews (10% of final scoring)
Beyond our testing and evaluation, we consider the net promoter score from current and past customers. We review their likelihood, given the option, to choose the UX design tools again for the core functionality. A high-scoring software system reflects a high net promoter score from current or past customers.
Value for Money (10% of final scoring)
Lastly, in consideration of all the other criteria, we review the average price of entry-level plans against the core features and consider the value of the different evaluation criteria. Software that delivers more for less will score higher.
Through this comprehensive approach, I aim to identify UX design tools that not only meet but exceed expectations, ensuring teams have the tools they need to succeed.
Figma Review
Core UX Design Tools Functionality
Vector Networks: Unlike paths that require a continuous chain of lines and curves, vector networks allow lines and curves to connect between any two points without needing to form a single chain. Figma uses vector networks instead of traditional paths, allowing users to create and manipulate shapes with greater precision and flexibility.
Prototyping: Figma has built-in prototyping tools that allow you to create interactive flows. You can link frames, add animations and transitions, define interactions, and preview your prototypes directly on the canvas or in a separate presentation view.
Design Systems: Figma makes it easy to create design systems with shared component libraries, which ensure consistency across your designs. When a component is updated in the library, those changes can be synchronized across all files that use the component, maintaining uniformity.
Real-Time Collaboration: Figma pioneered real-time collaboration for design tools, allowing multiple users to work together on the same file simultaneously. This feature enhances teamwork by showing teammates’ cursors and selections live, enabling efficient and dynamic collaboration throughout the design process.
Commenting: Users can add comments and annotations directly on Figma designs. Teammates can reply in threads and resolve comments once addressed. Comments are pinned to specific areas of the design where they were added, staying synced with that location to ensure relevant context is maintained.
Auto Layout: Figma’s Auto Layout feature allows designers to create dynamic frames that automatically adjust their size based on the content within them. This functionality is essential for building responsive designs, as it enables elements to adapt fluidly to changes in text length, image sizes, and other content.
Figma Standout Features
Plugins: Figma has a strong plugin ecosystem with both official and community-created plugins. These extend Figma's functionality with things like accessibility checks, charts, and more.
Multiplayer Editing: While other tools have collaboration features, Figma is known for its seamless real-time editing. You can follow teammates' cursors, see changes live, and even build together in the same file without conflicts.
Ease of Use
In my experience, Figma is intuitive and beginner-friendly compared to other UX design tools. Its similarity to other creative tools and web-based interfaces lowers the learning curve for new users. However, achieving advanced proficiency in Figma still takes time and practice.
Onboarding
New Figma users have access to a variety of onboarding, tutorials, and training resources. These include a Help Center with articles and videos, design templates, an online UX design course, and a community forum. Dedicated live training and support are available for enterprise customers. Compared to other tools, Figma provides advanced onboarding options for different learning styles and needs.
Customer Support
Enterprise plan customers receive additional email support from Figma. However, no live chat or phone support options are currently available. Additionally, the software maintains a public status page to communicate any downtime or issues, providing transparency to users. While Figma does not offer a public roadmap, users can submit feedback and requests through the platform’s community forums and other feedback channels.
Integrations
Figma integrates natively with Slack, Dropbox, Confluence, Zeplin, Notion, Asana, GitHub, and Avocode. The software also provides an open API, webhooks, and various community-built plugins to extend its functionality and integrate with additional third-party tools.
Value for Money
Figma is generally considered to be moderately priced compared to other UX design tools. While it is not the cheapest option on the market, its pricing is competitive, given the range of features and collaborative capabilities it offers.
Here are the pricing plans Figma offers:
- Free Plan: Includes up to 3 Figma files, unlimited collaborators, and access to the Figma community.
- Professional Plan: From $15/editor/month (billed annually). Includes everything in the Free plan, plus unlimited Figma files, team libraries, and advanced prototyping features.
- Organization Plan: From $45/editor/month (billed annually). Offers everything in the Professional plan, plus enhanced security, organization-wide design systems, and advanced admin controls.
- Enterprise Plan: From $75/editor/month. Includes all features of the Organization Plan, plus additional enterprise-level support and services.
Product Specifications
| Feature | Figma Has It? |
| Vector UI design tools | ✅ |
| Prototyping with interactions and animations | ✅ |
| Real-time collaboration | ✅ |
| Commenting and feedback | ✅ |
| Version control | ✅ |
| Component and style libraries | ✅ |
| Responsiveness and constraints | ✅ |
| Code inspection/export | ✅ |
| Plugins and integrations | ✅ |
| Built-in design resources | ✅ |
| Cloud storage and syncing | ✅ |
| Reusable chart components | ❌ |
| Dedicated handoff/specs mode for developers | ❌ |
| User testing features | ❌ |
| Desktop app | ❌ |
Figma Alternatives
If you're looking for alternative UX design tool options to Figma, here are a few worth checking out:
- Sketch: Sketch is a popular UI design tool for Mac that offers powerful features and plugins.
- Adobe XD: Adobe XD provides an integrated workflow with other Creative Cloud apps and has strong prototyping capabilities.
- Axure RP: Axure specializes in complex interactive prototypes and offers extensive documentation options, making it well-suited for enterprise UX projects.
- InVision Studio: InVision Studio has a free-form canvas and advanced animation tools. It integrates with the InVision Cloud platform, though it has a steeper learning curve than Figma.
Figma Frequently Asked Questions
What is Figma?
Figma is a cloud-based design and prototyping tool for digital projects. It's a vector graphics editor and prototyping tool that runs in a web browser. Figma enables designers to create, share, and collaborate on interface designs for websites, apps, and other digital products. The Figma editor has features for interface design, prototyping, code generation, and design systems.
Is there a mobile app for Figma?
Yes, Figma has mobile apps for both iOS and Android. The mobile apps let you view, comment on, and present Figma designs on the go. However, the mobile app is view-only, so you can't create or edit designs. For designing, you need to use the desktop web app.
Is Figma HIPAA compliant?
Yes, Figma offers HIPAA compliance for teams working with sensitive healthcare data. Figma will sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with covered entities, as required by HIPAA regulations. The BAA stipulates how Figma will safeguard protected health information in accordance with HIPAA rules.
Is Figma SOC 2 compliant?
Yes, Figma is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant. This means an independent auditor has validated that Figma's systems and practices meet the SOC 2 trust principles for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy. The SOC 2 report provides assurance about the effectiveness of Figma's controls.
Is Figma secure?
Yes, Figma is designed with security in mind. All data sent between your computer and Figma's servers is encrypted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL). Figma also regularly backs up all customer data. Additionally, Figma undergoes regular third-party security audits and penetration tests to ensure the security of its systems and products.
Is Figma FedRAMP certified?
No, as of 2023, Figma is not FedRAMP certified. FedRAMP is a US government security certification. While Figma maintains robust security practices, it has not undergone the FedRAMP authorization process required for use by federal agencies and government contractors.
Is Figma GDPR compliant?
Yes, Figma is compliant with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation. For European customers' personal data, Figma acts as a data processor. The Figma services agreement includes the mandatory GDPR contract terms, and Figma complies with all its processor obligations under the GDPR.
Does Figma work offline?
Figma has limited offline capabilities. You can view files offline but can't edit designs or sync changes without an internet connection. To work offline, you need to enable offline access for specific files while online manually. Figma will then download those files to your computer so they'll be available offline.
How does collaboration work in Figma?
Figma is designed for real-time collaboration. Multiple team members can work together in the same Figma file simultaneously. You'll see teammates' cursors in the file and their changes instantly. There's also built-in commenting for asynchronous collaboration and feedback.
Figma Company Overview & History
Figma is a collaborative web-based interface design tool founded in 2012 by Dylan Field and Evan Wallace. Currently, the company is headquartered in San Francisco.
Figma's main product is its browser-based design and prototyping tool that enables teams to collaborate in real time. Companies such as Microsoft, Airbnb, Dropbox, and Rakuten use Figma to design websites, apps, and other digital products. Figma is known for its vector editing capabilities and innovations in collaborative design.
In June 2022, Figma was valued at over $10 billion following a $200 million Series E round the previous year. The company's annual recurring revenue surpassed $400 million in 2022. In September 2022, Figma announced Adobe would acquire it for approximately $20 billion.
Figma Major Milestones
- 2012: Dylan Field and Evan Wallace found Figma
- 2015: First public beta launches
- 2018: 1 million users reached
- 2020: 4 million users reached, Figma Community launched
- 2021: $200 million Series E raises valuation to $10 billion
- 2022: Adobe acquires Figma for $20 billion
Want to learn more about Figma? Check out their site for additional information.
From $15/user/month (billed annually)
Free plan available
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