Figma is a powerful web-based design tool that has quickly become a popular choice among designers and developers worldwide. The application helps users create and collaborate on interfaces, wireframes, and prototypes in real-time. Lime most software, there are costs associated with learning Figma and using the app, including subscription fees, training costs, and the cost of a computer.
There are several tiers of Figma subscription plans, including both free and paid options. The free plan is a great starting point for individual designers and small teams who are not familiar with the software and want to test it out before committing to a subscription. This plan allows Figma users to access plugins, widgets, and templates, as well as create up to three projects with unlimited personal files and collaborators. While the free plan allows new users to test out the software, it limits their ability to create multiple projects and enjoy the full collaborative capabilities of Figma.
For users who need to share documents with more people, and export high fidelity prototypes, Figma offers two paid subscription plans: Professional and Organization. The Professional plan costs $12 per month per editor when billed annually, or $15 per month per editor when billed monthly. If you are a student or educator, such as students enrolled in the UX Certificate program, which includes Figma courses, Figma will provide you with this plan at no cost. The Professional plan allows users to create an unlimited number of projects, and includes features like version history, design components, and team libraries. The Professional plan also offers additional storage space and the ability to create design systems.
The cost of Figma for larger teams can be much higher, as the cost of the Organization Figma plan is $45 per editor per month and can only be billed annually. While the Organization plan offers additional features like advanced admin controls, single sign-on (SSO), and priority support, it has a much higher cost. For organizations wanting to make Figma available to all employees across a large organization, the Enterprise plan is $75 per editor per month and provides tools for managing user access and sharing assets like libraries company-wide.
In addition to the cost of a Figma subscription, designers should also budget for Figma training, which can be $495 per user as a one-time cost for individuals, or a lower per-person cost for private Figma training for groups or individuals.
Another cost of learning Figma is a computer. A designer who only uses Figma occasionally may be able to get by with a lower-end laptop that costs under $1,000, while designers who uses Figma along with other design apps such as the Creative Cloud tools, will need a high-end computer that can cost several times this amount.
While there are costs associated with learning Figma and using the app, creative professionals and design teams find the benefits of collaboration to be a worthwhile investment. Figma provides a streamlined workflow that allows designers to quickly create and modify designs, and offers robust collaboration features that allow teams to work together in real-time.