Framer vs. Figma: Which One is Right for You?

If you’ve ever tried designing a website or an app, you’ve probably heard of Framer and Figma. These two tools are popular among designers, but if you're just starting, it can be confusing to understand the differences. Which one should you use? And why?

In this blog post, we’ll break it all down in simple terms. Whether you’re a beginner, a business owner, or just someone curious about design tools, this guide will help you decide which tool fits your needs.

What Are Framer and Figma?

Before we dive into the comparison, let's quickly define what these tools do.

• Figma is a collaborative design tool that lets you create user interfaces (UI) for websites and apps. Think of it as a digital whiteboard where designers can create layouts, buttons, icons, and more. It's widely used for UI/UX design because it's easy to share and edit designs in real time with a team.

• Framer is a more advanced tool that lets you design and build interactive websites with animations and effects—without needing to code. It started as a prototyping tool but has evolved into a full-fledged website builder.

At first glance, they might seem similar, but they serve different purposes. Let’s break it down further.

1. Design vs. Development: What’s the Key Difference?

One major difference between Framer and Figma is their primary function:

• Figma is mainly for designing and prototyping. You use it to create a blueprint of your website or app, but you’ll still need a developer (or another tool) to turn that design into a real, working website.

• Framer is for designing AND building. With Framer, you can design a website and publish it live without writing code. This makes it an excellent choice for designers who want to bring their ideas to life without relying on developers.

Analogy:

Imagine you’re planning a house. Figma is like drawing the blueprint, showing where the walls, doors, and furniture go. Framer is like building the actual house—you can move in and start using it right away.

2. Collaboration: Working with Teams

If you’re working alone, this may not be a big concern. But if you're part of a team, collaboration tools can make a big difference.

Figma: The King of Collaboration

• Figma is like Google Docs for design. Multiple people can work on a project at the same time, leave comments, and make edits in real time.

• It’s perfect for teams of designers, developers, and stakeholders who need to give feedback quickly.

Framer: Collaboration, But With a Focus on Websites

• Framer also allows team collaboration, but it’s more focused on website building rather than general design.

• If your team mainly designs websites, Framer’s collaboration features will be useful. But if you're working on app interfaces, Figma is the better choice.

Bottom Line: If you're working with a large team on UI/UX design, Figma is the way to go. If you're designing and publishing websites with a team, Framer is a great option.

3. Ease of Use: Which One Is More Beginner-Friendly?

If you’re just starting out, ease of use is an important factor.

Figma: Simple and Intuitive

• If you’ve ever used PowerPoint or Canva, you’ll find Figma relatively easy to learn.

• It has drag-and-drop features and an intuitive interface.

• Tons of tutorials and templates are available online.

Framer: A Learning Curve, But Powerful

• Framer can feel a bit overwhelming at first because it has more advanced features.

• If you just want to create a static design, it might be overkill.

• However, once you learn the basics, you can build interactive, animated websites easily.

Verdict: If you want the easiest tool to start with, go for Figma. If you're willing to invest time in learning something more powerful, Framer is worth it.

4. Prototyping and Animation: Bringing Designs to Life

Prototyping allows you to create a clickable demo of your design before it's built.

Figma: Basic Prototyping

• You can create simple interactions, like buttons that take you to another page.

• Great for showing developers how an app should work.

• Limited when it comes to complex animations.

Framer: Advanced Interactivity

• Framer lets you create highly interactive prototypes with smooth animations.

• You can add effects like scrolling animations, hover effects, and transitions.

• Unlike Figma, Framer’s interactions work on live websites—so it’s not just a prototype; it's the real thing!

Example: If you're designing a basic app prototype, Figma is enough. But if you want to create a cool, animated website, Framer is the better choice.

5. Pricing: Which One Is More Affordable?

Pricing can be a deciding factor, especially if you’re just starting out.

Figma Pricing

• Free plan available (great for beginners).

• Paid plans start at $12/month per editor (for more features and collaboration tools).

Framer Pricing

• Free plan for one website with basic features.

• Paid plans start at $5/month for more customization and hosting options.

If you’re working on UI/UX design, Figma’s free plan is a great way to start. If you need a fully functional live website, Framer’s paid plans offer excellent value.

Which One Should You Choose?

Here’s a quick summary to help you decide:

Final Recommendation:

• Choose Figma if you’re focusing on UI/UX design, wireframing, and prototyping.

• Choose Framer if you want to build and publish websites with animations.

Conclusion: What’s Next?

Both Framer and Figma are powerful tools, but they serve different purposes. If you’re a beginner, start with Figma to get comfortable with design basics. If you want to take your designs a step further and build interactive websites, Framer is a fantastic tool to explore.

If you found this guide helpful, why not subscribe to my blog for more beginner-friendly design tips? Or, if you're interested in Framer templates to get started quickly, check out FramerTemplates.supply!

Happy designing!