Penpot is the credible open-source answer to Figma: components, auto-layout, prototyping, and - the part designers actually notice - a file format built on open web standards rather than a proprietary blob. Self-hosting is supported, which matters for teams that cannot put client work in someone else's cloud.
Who it is for
A design team at a company that will not put client files in a US-hosted SaaS.
Key features
- Open file format based on SVG and CSS
- Components, auto layout, and prototyping
- Self-hosted via Docker Compose
- Design tokens and shared libraries
- CSS inspector for developers
- No native Figma file import
Where it falls short
The plugin ecosystem is thin, the community file libraries are far smaller, and there is no round-trip with Figma files, so switching means redrawing.
Pricing
Free and open source, self-hosted with no user cap; the hosted service has a free tier and paid per-editor plans for teams that want version history and shared libraries.
Prices move; the tier structure is the part that stays true. Check current pricing on Penpot.
Alternatives to Penpot
Frequently asked
Is Penpot free?
Yes. Free and open source, self-hosted with no user cap; the hosted service has a free tier and paid per-editor plans for teams that want version history and shared libraries.
What is Penpot best for?
A design team at a company that will not put client files in a US-hosted SaaS.
What are the best alternatives to Penpot?
The closest substitutes we list are Figma and Framer. They sit in a similar price bracket but make a different trade-off, so read the weaknesses section of each review before switching.
Which platforms does Penpot run on?
Penpot is available on Web and Self-hosted.