The industry-standard interface design tool: runs in the browser, no install needed
Figma is where most of the internet gets designed these days. It runs in the browser, which means no installing heavy software. Just open a tab and start designing. The free tier gives you 3 projects with unlimited files, which is enough for most solo founders.
Even if you are not a designer, Figma is worth learning because the community files are incredible. Need a landing page design? There are hundreds of free templates. Need icons? Plugins handle it. The learning curve is real if you have never used design tools, but a weekend of tutorials gets you to a productive level for basic UI work.
Pros
- Free tier is fully functional for individual use, not a crippled trial
- Massive plugin ecosystem for everything from icons to wireframing
- Runs in the browser, so it works on any machine
Cons
- Performance suffers with large files (100+ frames)
- Real learning curve if you have never used a design tool before
- Dev Mode (for developer handoff) now requires a paid seat
Compare
Verified