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Software · head to head

Figma vs Greenhouse

Figma logo

Figma

Software

The collaborative interface design tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Greenhouse logo

Greenhouse

Software

Hiring software for growing companies

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Figma has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Figma no offline editing capability, can only view and create new files when disconnected; Greenhouse core plan lacks talent discovery and contact lookups
  • They diverge on capability: Figma covers Real-time collaboration, Greenhouse covers Applicant tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Figma and Greenhouse actually diverge.

Attributes where Figma and Greenhouse differ
AttributeFigmaGreenhouse
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android, Api

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2012).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Figma

  • Real-time collaboration
  • Vector networks
  • Auto-layout
  • Components & variants
  • Prototyping
  • Design systems
  • Developer handoff
  • Version control

Only in Greenhouse

  • Applicant tracking
  • Interview scheduling
  • Scorecard system
  • Job board posting
  • Candidate CRM
  • Reporting & analytics
  • Offer management
  • EEO compliance

Both cover

  • Slack
  • SOC2
  • GDPR

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Figma

  • UI/UX designnot Greenhouse
  • Design systemsnot Greenhouse
  • Prototypingnot Greenhouse
  • Design collaborationnot Greenhouse
  • Developer handoffnot Greenhouse

Greenhouse

  • Applicant tracking system for structured hiringnot Figma
  • AI-powered interview notetaking and sourcingnot Figma

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Figma

  • No offline editing capability, can only view and create new files when disconnected
  • Mobile apps are read-only, cannot edit designs on iOS or Android
  • No self-hosted option, requires cloud connectivity and internet access
  • Performance degradation with large files containing thousands of layers
  • Library components and unloaded pages not accessible offline

Greenhouse

  • Core plan lacks talent discovery and contact lookups
  • Core plan lacks email automation and applicant texting
  • Plus plan lacks resume anonymisation and application limits
  • Plus plan lacks audit logging and developer tools
  • Pricing customised by hiring volume and company size, not published
  • Only Pro tier offers audit logs and developer sandbox

Pricing, plan by plan

Figma

Free
  • StarterFree
    • Unlimited drafts
    • 3 Figma files
    • 3 FigJam boards
  • Professional$12/month
    • Unlimited files and folders
    • Team libraries
    • Advanced prototyping
  • Organization$55/month
    • Unlimited teams
    • Shared libraries
    • Design system theming
  • Enterprise$90/month
    • Custom workspaces
    • API access
    • SCIM seat management

Greenhouse

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Greenhouse review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Figma if

  • You need real-time collaboration.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
  • You also want vector networks.
Figma review

Choose Greenhouse if

  • You need applicant tracking.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want interview scheduling.
Greenhouse review

Questions people ask

Is Figma or Greenhouse better?
Neither clearly leads. Figma starts at Free and Greenhouse at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Figma or Greenhouse?
Figma has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Figma and On request for Greenhouse.
Does Figma or Greenhouse run on more platforms?
Figma runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android. Greenhouse runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
Can I use Figma for free?
Yes. Figma has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Greenhouse starts at On request.
What is Figma best used for?
Figma is most often used for ui/ux design, design systems, prototyping, design collaboration. Of those, ui/ux design and design systems are not what Greenhouse is typically brought in for.
What can Figma do that Greenhouse cannot?
Figma covers Real-time collaboration, Vector networks, Auto-layout, Components & variants. Greenhouse covers Applicant tracking, Interview scheduling, Scorecard system, Job board posting. Both handle Slack, SOC2, GDPR.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Figma: What's included in Figma's free tier?

Figma's Starter plan is free forever and includes unlimited drafts, up to 3 Figma files, 3 FigJam boards, core design features (vector editing, auto layout, components, prototyping), basic developer handoff (inspect), and 150 AI credits per day up to 500 per month. Maximum 2 editors per file.

Source
Figma: Does Figma work offline?

Figma has very limited offline support. You can create one new file and edit currently loaded pages, but cannot open previously created files, access new pages, search for library components, or see real-time collaboration. Changes are cached locally for up to 30 days and sync when you reconnect.

Source
Figma: Can you self-host Figma?

No. Figma is a closed, cloud-only platform with no option to self-host or run on your own servers.

Source
Figma: What export formats does Figma support?

Figma exports to PNG, JPEG, SVG (at 1x scale only), and PDF (at 1x scale only). Export settings allow customization of resolution, quality, and scale.

Source
Figma: What platforms does Figma support?

Figma is available as a web app (all platforms), desktop apps for macOS and Windows, and mobile apps for iOS and Android. Linux users can access Figma through the web browser only.

Source
Figma: What are Figma's integrations?

Figma integrates with Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Asana, Linear, Notion, VS Code, Zapier, and hundreds of other tools. Integration categories include collaboration, project management, developer handoff, prototyping, and AI/code generation.

Source
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