Introduction
Want a seamless, collaborative design experience? Figma is transforming how designers, developers, and teams create with ease, let’s dive into how it works!
Let’s learn more about Figma—what it does, how to access it, and how it compares to other design software.
Objectives:
- What does Figma do?
- Is Figma free?
- How to access Figma
- Why not another software?
What does Figma do?
Figma is a cloud-based design tool used for User Interface and User Experience design (referred to as UI/UX), prototyping, and collaboration. It allows designers to create website layouts, mobile app interfaces, and digital products—all within a browser-based environment.
Cloud-based systems allow you to access data and tools from anywhere with an internet connection, but how does this benefit your design work:
- Accessibility: Work from anywhere without transferring files between devices.
- Scalability: Upgrade storage and computing power without new hardware.
- Security & Backup: Cloud storage keeps your designs safe from hardware failures.
Now that we understand the system that Figma works on, let’s discuss the key features of Figma:
- Real-time Collaboration – Multiple users can edit the same file simultaneously.
- Vector-Based Design Tools – Create flexible, high-fidelity designs.
- Prototyping – Link elements to simulate interactions without third-party tools.
- Component Libraries – Store reusable elements for consistent designs.
- Cross-Platform Accessibility – Works across devices—no downloads needed.
Is Figma free?
Figma’s pricing is flexible—you choose a plan, then select a seat tailored to your needs. Here's how it works:
First, choose your seat:
- The Collab Seat; making it easy to work together! You get access to: Brainstorm in FigJam and Present in Figma Slides.
- The Dev Seat; giving devs the details they need! You get access to: Brainstorm in FigJam, Present in Figma Slides, and Inspect in Dev Mode.
- The Full Seat; connecting your entire workflow! You get access to: Brainstorm in FigJam, Present in Figma Slides, Handoff in Dev Mode, Illustrate in Figma Draw, and Create in Figma Design.
They also have The Content Seat coming soon! This will include access to Figma Buzz, Figma Sites CMS, Figma Slides, and FigJam!
Now, you choose your plan! Here is a full breakdown of the key features that each plan offers, and the pricing:
The Starter Plan
This option is free and gives you access to:
- Components
- Auto Layout
- Advanced Drawing Tools
- Styles
- Interactive Prototypes
- Variables
This is a great option if you are using Figma for personal projects, are just wanting to try out Figma products, or need basic design, presentation, and brainstorming tools!
The Professional Plan
This plan has three price options depending on which seat you choose.
- The Collab Seat: £5/mo
- The Dev Seat: £14/mo
- The Full Seat: £18/mo
With this plan you gain access to:
- Components
- Auto Layout
- Advanced Drawing Tools
- Styles
- Interactive Prototypes
- Variables
- Team Libraries
Perfect for professionals or small teams that need unlimited files and projects for a single team, and for those who want advanced prototyping tools and easier dev handoff.
The Organisation Plan
This plan has three price options depending on which seat you choose.
- The Collab Seat: £5/mo
- The Dev Seat: £22/mo
- The Full Seat: £50/mo
With this plan you gain access to:
- Components
- Auto Layout
- Advanced Drawing Tools
- Styles
- Interactive Prototypes
- Variables
- Team Libraries
- Branching & Merging
- In-app Library Analytics
- Organisation-wide Design Systems
Choose this plan if you are a business that designs products across your organisation, need unlimited teams and basic security, and want to centralise your assets, libraries, and workflows across your departments.
The Enterprise Plan
This plan has three price options depending on which seat you choose.
- The Collab Seat: £5/mo
- The Dev Seat: £32/mo
- The Full Seat: £85/mo
With this plan you gain access to:
- Components
- Auto Layout
- Advanced Drawing Tools
- Styles
- Interactive Prototypes
- Variables
- Team Libraries
- Branching & Merging
- In-app Library Analytics
- Organisation-wide Design Systems
Whilst this plan has the same key features of the Organisation Plan, it is suited for businesses designing for multiple products or brands that need enterprise-level security and want scalable design systems and simpler admin management.
For more information about the features that are included with each tier of Figma, you can find it on the Figma website!
How to access Figma
Now you know the pricing system for Figma, but how can you access Figma, and which platform is right for you?
| Platform |
Accessibility |
Best For |
| Web Browser |
Works on Chrome, Edge, Safari, and Firefox |
Full design capabilities, real-time collaboration |
| Desktop App |
Available for Windows & macOS |
Offline work, advanced performance |
| Mobile App |
Available on iOS & Android |
Viewing, commenting, and basic interaction |
| Tablet |
Compatible with iPads & Android tablets |
Light editing, reviewing designs |
Why not another software?
There are so many different design software options to choose from, so how does Figma compare?
Figma stands out for many reasons, like its cloud-based system that we discussed earlier—making it easy to collaborate with teammates in real-time, no matter where they are! Figma is ideal for those looking at
UI/UX design, it offers prototyping, component libraries, and team-friendly features without needing extra plugins like other softwares. Plus, the gentle learning curve makes it a great choice for beginners.
If you’re focused on interactive prototypes, Figma is great for creation, mockups, and handoff! Overall, Figma has a balance of flexibility, collaboration, and ease of use. It’s the go-to tool for teams, businesses, and designers that want a streamlined workflow with few restrictions.
Conclusion
So, why should you choose Figma?
- It works on any device.
- It’s the best for collaborating in teams.
- It offers powerful design and prototyping all on one platform.
- It has a free plan available with plenty of features.
Figma stands out as the ultimate design tool—flexible, intuitive, and perfect for collaboration. No matter your experience level, there’s a plan tailored to your needs.
Ready to take your design skills further? Explore our
expert-led courses on Figma and start creating with confidence today!
by Josie Daniel