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Technology · head to head

Figma vs Tandem

Figma logo

Figma

Technology

The collaborative interface design tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tandem logo

Tandem

Remote Work

Virtual office for remote and hybrid teams

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; Tandem limited offline functionality - requires internet connectivity for core features
  • They diverge on capability: Figma covers Real-time collaboration, Tandem covers Team presence.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Figma and Tandem actually diverge.

Attributes where Figma and Tandem differ
AttributeFigmaTandem
PlatformsWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, AndroidWeb, macOS, Windows
CategoryTechnologyRemote Work
Founded20122019

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), 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 Tandem

  • Team presence
  • One-click calls
  • Screen sharing
  • Virtual rooms
  • Status indicators
  • Google Calendar
  • Linear
  • Figma

Both cover

  • Slack
  • Notion
  • SOC2

What people use each for

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

Figma

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

Tandem

  • Remote worknot Figma
  • Team collaborationnot Figma
  • Quick huddlesnot Figma
  • Pair programmingnot 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

Tandem

  • Limited offline functionality - requires internet connectivity for core features
  • Dashboard user experience needs improvement for better feature utilization
  • Market adoption challenge - most remote workers value autonomy over spontaneous collaboration
  • Feature complexity is high relative to actual usage frequency
  • Reduced feature development velocity after company restructuring

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

Tandem

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Tandem 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 Tandem if

  • You need team presence.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want one-click calls.
Tandem review

Questions people ask

Is Figma or Tandem better?
Neither clearly leads. Figma starts at Free and Tandem at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Figma or Tandem?
Figma starts at Free and Tandem at Free.
Does Figma or Tandem run on more platforms?
Figma runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android. Tandem runs on Web, macOS, Windows.
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 Tandem is typically brought in for.
What can Figma do that Tandem cannot?
Figma covers Real-time collaboration, Vector networks, Auto-layout, Components & variants. Tandem covers Team presence, One-click calls, Screen sharing, Virtual rooms. Both handle Slack, Notion, SOC2.

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
Tandem: Does Tandem have a free tier?

Yes. Tandem offers a free plan supporting up to 4 team members with access to video calls, screen sharing, and messaging features.

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
Tandem: What integrations does Tandem support?

Tandem integrates with Slack, Notion, GitHub, Trello, and over 40 other apps, displaying which applications team members are currently using.

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
Tandem: How many users can I add to each plan?

Tandem's free plan supports up to 4 members, Small Teams up to 10, Medium Teams up to 50, and Large Teams supports unlimited members.

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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