Software · head to head
Figma vs Supabase
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Figma no offline editing capability, can only view and create new files when disconnected; Supabase free tier projects auto-pause after 1 week of inactivity
- They diverge on capability: Figma covers Real-time collaboration, Supabase covers PostgreSQL database.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Figma and Supabase actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Supabase
- PostgreSQL database
- Auto-generated APIs
- Authentication & authorization
- Real-time subscriptions
- Storage
- Edge functions
- Vector embeddings
- Database migrations
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Figma
- UI/UX designnot Supabase
- Design systemsnot Supabase
- Prototypingnot Supabase
- Design collaborationnot Supabase
- Developer handoffnot Supabase
Supabase
- Web application backends using Postgres plus auto-generated REST/GraphQL APIsnot Figma
- Mobile app backends via Flutter/Swift/Kotlin client librariesnot Figma
- AI applications using vector/embeddings storagenot Figma
- Authentication with 20+ social providers plus email/passwordnot Figma
- File and media storage (S3-compatible with CDN) and realtime sync over WebSocketsnot 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
Supabase
- Free tier projects auto-pause after 1 week of inactivity
- Free tier hard caps: 500 MB database, 1 GB file storage, 5 GB egress/month, 50,000 monthly active users, max 2 active free projects per organization
- Pro plan charges usage overages beyond included quotas, e.g. $0.00325 per MAU above 100,000 and $0.125/GB disk above 8 GB
- SOC2/ISO 27001 certification and HIPAA (add-on) compliance require the $599/month Team plan; not available on the $25/month Pro plan
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
Supabase
Free- FreeFree
- 50,000 MAU
- 500MB database
- 5GB egress
- Pro$25/month
- 100,000 MAU
- 8GB disk
- 250GB egress
- Team$599/month
- SOC2 and ISO 27001
- HIPAA add-on
- 28-day log / 14-day backup retention
- Enterprise$undefined/month
- Custom limits
- Dedicated support manager
- 24/7/365 support
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.
Choose Supabase if
- You need postgresql database.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want auto-generated apis.
Questions people ask
- Is Figma or Supabase better?
- Neither clearly leads. Figma starts at Free and Supabase at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Figma or Supabase?
- Figma starts at Free and Supabase at Free.
- Does Figma or Supabase run on more platforms?
- Figma runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android. Supabase runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- 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 Supabase is typically brought in for.
- What can Figma do that Supabase cannot?
- Figma covers Real-time collaboration, Vector networks, Auto-layout, Components & variants. Supabase covers PostgreSQL database, Auto-generated APIs, Authentication & authorization, Real-time subscriptions.
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.
SourceFigma: 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.
SourceFigma: 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.
SourceFigma: 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.
SourceFigma: 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.
SourceFigma: 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.
SourceRelated pages
Keep looking
Other head to heads
- Figma vs Asana
- Figma vs ClickUp
- Figma vs Linear
- Figma vs Monday.com
- Figma vs Greenhouse
- Figma vs Notion
- Figma vs Amplitude
- Figma vs Datadog
- Figma vs PostHog
- Figma vs PyCharm
- Figma vs Sketch
- Figma vs Docker
- Figma vs Netlify
- Figma vs Okta
- Figma vs Aha!
- Figma vs Coda
- Figma vs Dashlane
- Figma vs GitHub
- Supabase vs Asana
- Supabase vs ClickUp
- Supabase vs Linear
- Supabase vs Monday.com
- Supabase vs Greenhouse
- Supabase vs Notion
- Supabase vs Amplitude
- Supabase vs Datadog
- Supabase vs PostHog
- Supabase vs PyCharm
- Supabase vs Sketch
- Supabase vs Docker
- Supabase vs Netlify
- Supabase vs Okta
- Supabase vs Aha!
- Supabase vs Coda
- Supabase vs Dashlane
- Supabase vs GitHub


