How to Pick a Design Tool as a Non-Designer
Not a designer? Compare Canva, Adobe Express, and Figma honestly — templates, ease of use, brand kits, and which tool fits everyday design jobs.
8 min read
Figma
Figma is the industry-standard tool for UI and UX design, running entirely in the browser. Designers create wireframes, prototypes, and design systems while developers inspect specs in the same file. Its real-time multiplayer editing changed how product teams work together.
Available in our store
Verified listing: Figma Pro Edu 2 Yr — $4.82
(last verified 2026-10-12)
Eligibility: Education-plan access — see the store listing for eligibility details.
Check the live product page for current pricing and full details.
Key features
- Browser-based vector design and prototyping
- Real-time multiplayer collaboration
- Components, styles, and design systems
- Developer handoff with inspect mode
- FigJam whiteboarding for brainstorming
- Huge community plugin and template library
Best use cases
- Website and app interface design
- Interactive prototypes
- Design systems and component libraries
- Team brainstorming in FigJam
Who it's for
UI/UX designers, product managers, and developers shipping digital products.
Advantages and limitations
Advantages
- Best-in-class collaboration
- No installs — runs in the browser
- Powerful design systems support
- Free tier is genuinely useful
Limitations
- Learning curve for design-system workflows
- Needs internet for full functionality
- Can get slow with very large files
Relevant alternatives
Related guides
Figma — FAQs
Is Figma free?
Yes — a free starter tier covers individuals and small projects; paid tiers add team features.
Do developers need Figma?
Developers use it to inspect designs, copy specs, and export assets directly from files.
What is FigJam?
FigJam is Figma's online whiteboard for brainstorming, workshops, and early-stage ideation.