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Figma vs Ubuntu

Figma logo

Figma

Software

The collaborative interface design tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ubuntu logo

Ubuntu

Software

Enterprise Linux distribution with 15-year support options.

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; Ubuntu free version supported only by community; no official Canonical support without Pro subscription

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Figma and Ubuntu actually diverge.

Attributes where Figma and Ubuntu differ
AttributeFigmaUbuntu
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, AndroidDesktop, Server, Cloud, IoT, Edge, WSL
Founded2012Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 Ubuntu

Nothing recorded that Figma does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Figma

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

Ubuntu

  • Individual developers and small teams using free Ubuntu for laptops and serversnot Figma
  • Cloud and data centre deployments requiring certified, supported Linux operating systemnot Figma
  • Organisations needing FIPS-certified or DISA-STIG-hardened Linux for government and regulated environmentsnot Figma
  • AI and machine learning teams using Ubuntu Desktop with pre-optimised toolchainsnot Figma
  • IoT and edge computing deployments using Ubuntu Corenot 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

Ubuntu

  • Free version supported only by community; no official Canonical support without Pro subscription
  • Ubuntu Pro required for enterprise compliance certifications (FIPS, DISA-STIG); free version does not include these
  • Ubuntu Pro pricing is proprietary and varies based on cloud deployment (AWS, Azure, GCP); no published per-machine or per-user pricing
  • Ubuntu Pro + Support adds 24/7 support costs on top of base subscription; total cost for enterprise-grade support not transparent
  • Personal/free tier limited to 5 machines; any larger deployment requires paid enterprise subscription

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

Ubuntu

Free
  • Ubuntu (Free)Free
    • Desktop, Server, Core and Cloud editions
    • Community support
    • Standard security updates (5 years LTS)
  • Ubuntu Pro (Personal)Free
    • Extended Security Maintenance (10 years)
    • Kernel Livepatch
    • Landscape management
  • Ubuntu Pro (Enterprise)$null/variable
    • 10 years Extended Security Maintenance
    • FIPS 140, DISA-STIG, CIS compliance
    • Kernel Livepatch
  • Ubuntu Pro + Support$null/variable
    • All Ubuntu Pro features
    • 24/7 break-fix and bug-fix support
    • Expert assistance for infrastructure and applications

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 Ubuntu if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Desktop, Server, Cloud, IoT, Edge, WSL.
Ubuntu review

Questions people ask

Is Figma or Ubuntu better?
Neither clearly leads. Figma starts at Free and Ubuntu at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Figma or Ubuntu?
Figma starts at Free and Ubuntu at Free.
Does Figma or Ubuntu run on more platforms?
Figma runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android. Ubuntu runs on Desktop, Server, Cloud, IoT, Edge, WSL.
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 Ubuntu is typically brought in for.
What can Figma do that Ubuntu cannot?
Figma covers Real-time collaboration, Vector networks, Auto-layout, Components & variants.

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
Ubuntu: Is Ubuntu free?

Yes. Ubuntu is free to download and use in all editions. Community support is also available at no cost. Ubuntu Pro subscriptions are optional and provide extended support and compliance tools.

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
Ubuntu: How long is Ubuntu LTS support?

Standard Ubuntu LTS releases receive 5 years of security maintenance. Ubuntu Pro extends this to 10 years, expandable to 15 years with the Legacy add-on.

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
Ubuntu: What compliance certifications does Ubuntu Pro provide?

Ubuntu Pro provides compliance tools for FIPS 140, DISA-STIG, CIS, FedRAMP and PCI-DSS standards.

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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