The Editorial Verdict
A genuine Figma alternative, not a clone. Built on web standards — designs export as real SVG, layouts use actual CSS Grid and Flexbox. Self-hosting gives you full control over your design files. The plugin ecosystem is still small and some advanced Figma features are missing, but for most interface work it holds up.
Core Capabilities
- Native SVG
- CSS Grid Engine
- Multiplayer Sync
Replacing Proprietary Software
Penpot is designed as an open, verifiable replacement for Figma, Adobe XD. Migrating to it gives you direct control over your infrastructure, eliminates recurring subscription fees, and prevents proprietary platform lock-in.
Read our in-depth walkthrough: Related Guide & Setup Notes.