Each and every sector is moving towards online platforms so they need to build user interfaces and for that, a vector graphics editing software is a mandatory requirement. The market is full of vector editing software that has different features and functionalities so there is a lot of confusion in choosing a software. Hence we will compare the two most popular vector graphic editing tools which are Figma and Zeplin. Both of these tools are used by multiple organizations and come with tons of features. These softwares can be used on different platforms and provides easy to use interface.
Figma is computer software that is used for prototyping and editing vector graphics. It is mainly used in designing UI/UX for mobile and web platforms. The development credit for this software goes to Figma Incorporation. It was launched in 2016. It comes with advanced drag and drop features to make different designs, logos, symbols, illustrations, etc. It is available for different operating systems like Windows, Linux, MacOS, etc.
Advantages of Figma
- It does not require any space on the user’s hard disk as it is a browser-based app.
- It has an easy-to-use interface with a structured editor.
- It has a collaboration feature that allows different members of the team to work on a project together.
- It allows users to share frames or files with permissions to the dedicated personnel.
- It allows communication among team members through slack.
Limitations/Disadvantages of Figma
- It requires an internet connection to work on it, no offline feature is provided.
- Uploading files to Figma takes a large amount of time.
- It requires a graphic card to work smoothly.
Zeplin can be defined as a collaboration tool that allows UI/UX designers to share their work with one another. It was developed by Zeplin Incorporation which was founded by Pelin Kenez, Berk Çebi, Merih Akar, and Ismail Ceylan in 2014. It is available for Windows and Mac operating systems.
Advantages of Zeplin
- It allows to share files easily and with complete security.
- It supports files from other software like Adobe XD, Sketch, etc.
- It allows organizing artwork/design easily by name or through tags.
Disadvantages of Zeplin
- It does not have alert notifications functionality.
- Its user interface is complex and not easy to learn.
Following is a table of differences between Figma and Zeplin:
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Figma |
Zeplin |
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| 1. | It is defined as a user interface designing software that helps in editing vector graphics and prototyping. | It can be understood as a collaboration platform for front-end developers and graphic designers. |
| 2. | It was developed by Figma Incorporation. | It was developed by Zeplin Incorporation. |
| 3. | Figma starter is completely free while Figma professional charges $15 per month. | Its basic plan is free while a team subscription is available at $8 per month and the organization plan costs $16 per month. |
| 4. | Figma is a browser-based application. | It is a browser-based platform but also available as a desktop application. |
| 5. | It does not provide syncing with Sketch. | It provides syncing with Sketch and InVision. |
| 6. | It supports SVG files along with other file formats. | It exports files in SVG formats only. |
| 7. | It has a large customer base as compared to Zeplin. | Its customer base is smaller as compared to Figma. |
| 8. | It has static as well as interactive design sharing modes. | It has only a static design sharing mode. |