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Figma vs Nuclino

Figma logo

Figma

Technology

The collaborative interface design tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Nuclino logo

Nuclino

Documentation

Fast team wiki with list, board and graph views of the same content

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Figma no offline editing capability, can only view and create new files when disconnected; Nuclino there is no publishing layer, so a public help centre or versioned product documentation cannot live here and has to be maintained in a second tool.
  • They diverge on capability: Figma covers Real-time collaboration, Nuclino covers Item graph.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Figma and Nuclino actually diverge.

Attributes where Figma and Nuclino differ
AttributeFigmaNuclino
Pricing modelUnknownPer user per month
CategoryTechnologyDocumentation
Founded2012Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Nuclino

  • Item graph
  • Multiple collection views
  • Real time editing
  • Instant search
  • Version history
  • EU hosting

What people use each for

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

Figma

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

Nuclino

  • A small company that wants internal process notes searchable without running a wiki platformnot Figma
  • Teams that need to see how internal documents relate to each other rather than filing them in foldersnot Figma
  • Organisations that must keep internal knowledge hosted inside the European Unionnot Figma
  • Replacing scattered shared documents where search, not layout, is the actual problemnot 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

Nuclino

  • There is no publishing layer, so a public help centre or versioned product documentation cannot live here and has to be maintained in a second tool.
  • The free plan is capped at roughly fifty items, which a real team passes within weeks, making it a trial rather than a usable tier.
  • Per user pricing means occasional readers who open a document twice a month cost the same as the writers who maintain it.
  • The editor is intentionally limited, with no databases, relations or page-level templates, so structured content such as a request register needs a different product.
  • Export options are limited to Markdown and PDF per item, so moving a large workspace elsewhere is a bulk conversion job rather than a supported migration.

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

Nuclino

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Around 50 items in total
    • Limited storage
    • Core editing and search
  • Starter$6/month
    • Per user per month
    • Unlimited items and version history
    • Larger file uploads
  • Business$12/month
    • Per user per month
    • Single sign-on and admin controls
    • Private workspaces and audit features

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 Nuclino if

  • You need item graph.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
  • You also want multiple collection views.
Nuclino review

Questions people ask

Is Figma or Nuclino better?
Neither clearly leads. Figma starts at Free and Nuclino at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Figma or Nuclino?
Figma starts at Free and Nuclino at Free.
Does Figma or Nuclino run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Figma for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Nuclino is typically brought in for.
What can Figma do that Nuclino cannot?
Figma covers Real-time collaboration, Vector networks, Auto-layout, Components & variants. Nuclino covers Item graph, Multiple collection views, Real time editing, Instant search.

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
Nuclino: Can Nuclino publish a public documentation site?

No. Individual items can be shared by link, but there is no branded, versioned public site.

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
Nuclino: Where is the data stored?

In the European Union, by a company registered in Germany, which is usually the reason procurement shortlists it.

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
Nuclino: Does it handle translated content?

No. There is no locale model, so translations would be separate items kept in sync by hand.

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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