Should you drop Figma for Its Open-source Counterparts? Short Answer! No!
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As a doctor, developer and a designer who lives in the browser, works with teams across time zones, and thrives on real-time collaboration, I’ve tested the waters from open-source tools to sleek new SaaS competitors popping up every month. But after years of back-and-forth, I still land back at Figma.
And here’s why.
💡 The Short Answer: No, Don’t Drop Figma
Despite the rising buzz around open-source design tools and newer all-in-one alternatives, I stick with Figma, not out of habit, but because it just gets it.
Let me explain.
Real-Time Collaboration That Feels Like Magic
Figma changed the game when it made design truly collaborative, and it's still leagues ahead in this department.
You can drop into a file with your developer, product manager, or intern halfway across the world, and everyone can work together live. Comments, version history, multiplayer editing, it just works. And that’s something many open-source tools are still trying to catch up to.
No setup. No syncing. Just click, log in, and go.
Ayesha Batool
⚙️ AI-Powered Features Are Already Here
Figma isn’t sitting still. Month after month, they roll out updates that make you stop and say, “Oh, they just did that?”
From auto-layout improvements to intelligent design suggestions, and yes, even early-stage AI integrations for smarter prototyping and asset generation, Figma is investing heavily in what’s next.
These aren't gimmicks; they're real enhancements that save hours in repetitive tasks and help designers focus on creativity, not clicks.
Hazem Abbas
☁️ Zero Infrastructure, Maximum Flexibility
I don’t want to run a server. I don’t want to manage local files or deal with version chaos. Figma removes all of that.
It’s cloud-native by design, no downloads, no installations, no permissions drama. You get a link, you click, you start building.
That kind of accessibility makes it perfect for freelancers, agencies, and growing startups alike.
Hazem Abbas
🧩 Plugins & Community Resources? Endless.
The Figma community has built an ecosystem so rich, it’s almost unfair.
Thousands of free UI kits, icon sets, templates, and plugins, most of them updated regularly. Need a Material UI library? It’s there. Looking for a dark mode component system? There’s 20 of them.
And if you can’t find exactly what you need, chances are someone’s already working on it.
Hazem Abbas
🔍 New Features Every Month — Not Just Marketing Talk
What keeps me loyal is how fast Figma moves. Every month, they ship meaningful updates.
Think:
- Variable fonts support
- Improved prototyping logic
- Dev Mode enhancements
- Better handoff tools
- Smarter components
They’re not just checking boxes, they’re listening to us, the users, and evolving accordingly.
Hazem Abbas
🤝 It’s Not Just for Designers — It’s for Teams
Figma breaks silos. Developers jump into files, PMs comment directly on flows, and stakeholders review without breaking a sweat.
Other tools may look like Figma, but none offer the same level of cross-functional integration. Figma feels less like a tool and more like a shared workspace.
Er Nur Uresin
🧊 Open-Source Tools Are Cool — But…
Don't get me wrong: open-source design tools have their place. They’re exciting, customizable, and community-driven. And sometimes, they’re great for side projects or small teams that want full control.
But if you're a professional web designer, UI/UX specialist, or part of a cross-disciplinary team, Figma still delivers the smoothest, most polished experience.
Yes, it costs money. But it also saves you more.
Hazem Abbas
🎯 Final Thoughts: Figma Is More Than a Tool — It’s a Design Ecosystem
So while I’ll keep an eye on the horizon — Blender-style disruption is always possible — today, Figma remains my default.
It’s fast. It’s smart. It’s evolving. And most importantly, it gets out of the way so you can actually create.
If you're serious about design and collaboration, Figma is still the gold standard.
DesignTip: Try the competition. Hack your workflow. Push limits. But when it comes to day-to-day, mission-critical design work?
Stick with what works.
Stick with Figma.
Hazem Abbas
