Software · head to head
Framer vs Principle
The short version
- Only Framer has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Framer free tier limited to 500 credits and 1 GB bandwidth; Principle macOS only with no Windows or Linux editor available
- They diverge on capability: Framer covers Visual design editor, Principle covers Timeline-based animation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Framer and Principle actually diverge.
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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 Framer
- Visual design editor
- Interactive components
- Responsive design
- CMS integration
- SEO optimization
- Custom code
- Team collaboration
- Version control
Only in Principle
- Timeline-based animation
- Interactive prototypes
- Touch gestures
- Component reuse
- Video export
- Sketch import
- Figma import
- Driver animations
Both cover
- Figma
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Framer
- Marketing websitesnot Principle
- Landing pagesnot Principle
- Portfoliosnot Principle
- SaaS productsnot Principle
- E-commerce sitesnot Principle
Principle
- Mobile app prototypesnot Framer
- Micro-interactionsnot Framer
- Animation designnot Framer
- User flow designnot Framer
- Gesture-based interfacesnot Framer
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Framer
- Free tier limited to 500 credits and 1 GB bandwidth
- CMS collections capped at 10 on Pro tier; unlimited only on Enterprise
- Free tier does not include custom domain support
- Paid editor slots cost extra at $20/month per additional editor
Principle
- macOS only with no Windows or Linux editor available
- No vector morphing capability for complex shape transformations
- Limited asset creation tools; cannot create vectors or shapes directly within Principle
- Sketch import flattens certain properties including paths, fills, borders, masks, blur effects, and text layers
- Limited variable support, logical loops, and data input capabilities compared to tools like ProtoPie or Origami
Pricing, plan by plan
Framer
Free- FreeFree
- 500 credits
- Free Framer domain
- 1 GB bandwidth
- Basic$10/month
- Custom domain
- 2 CMS collections
- 50 GB bandwidth
- Pro$30/month
- All Basic features
- 10 CMS collections
- 100 GB bandwidth
- Enterprise$null/custom
- Custom limits
- Unlimited editors
- 99.99% uptime guarantee
Principle
$129/one-time- License$129/one-time
- One year of upgrades
- Full access to all features
- Upgrade License$99/year
- Annual renewal for ongoing upgrades
Which should you pick?
Choose Framer if
- You need visual design editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Macos.
- You also want interactive components.
Choose Principle if
- You need timeline-based animation.
- You work on macOS.
- You also want interactive prototypes.
Questions people ask
- Is Framer or Principle better?
- Neither clearly leads. Framer starts at Free and Principle at $129/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Framer or Principle?
- Framer has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Framer and $129/one-time for Principle.
- Does Framer or Principle run on more platforms?
- Framer runs on Web, Macos. Principle runs on macOS.
- Can I use Framer for free?
- Yes. Framer has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Principle starts at $129/one-time.
- What is Framer best used for?
- Framer is most often used for marketing websites, landing pages, portfolios, saas products. Of those, marketing websites and landing pages are not what Principle is typically brought in for.
- What can Framer do that Principle cannot?
- Framer covers Visual design editor, Interactive components, Responsive design, CMS integration. Principle covers Timeline-based animation, Interactive prototypes, Touch gestures, Component reuse. Both handle Figma.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Framer: What's included in Framer's free tier?
The Free plan provides 500 credits to try the platform, a free Framer domain, and 1 GB bandwidth for exploring the builder.
SourcePrinciple: Does Principle run on Windows or Linux?
No. Principle is macOS only and runs on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. There is no Windows or Linux editor available; however, prototypes can be shared and viewed on any platform via web link.
SourceFramer: Can I use my own custom domain with Framer?
Custom domains are included in Basic ($10/month) and higher plans. Free tier is limited to a free Framer domain.
SourcePrinciple: What is the cost of Principle?
Principle costs $129 for a one-time purchase with 1 year of upgrades included. After 1 year, upgrade licenses cost $99/year. A 14-day free trial is available with all features included.
SourceFramer: What AI features does Framer offer?
Framer includes an AI design agent that works on the canvas to generate and refine designs in real-time, plus a CMS agent for managing content directly on the canvas.
SourcePrinciple: Can I import designs from Figma or Sketch into Principle?
Yes. Principle supports importing designs from Figma and Sketch with intelligent merging of re-imported files. Some Sketch properties such as paths, fills, borders, blur effects, masks, and text layers are flattened upon import.
SourceFramer: How many CMS collections can I create on different plans?
Basic ($10/month) includes 2 CMS collections, Pro ($30/month) includes 10 CMS collections. Enterprise plans offer custom limits.
SourcePrinciple: How do I share Principle prototypes with others?
Prototypes can be shared via web link with one click (File > Export > Share to Web). Recipients can view and interact with prototypes in any browser on any platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS. No installation required.
SourceFramer: Does Framer support staging environments and previews?
Staging environments and branching with previews are included on the Pro plan ($30/month). Standard plan includes published-only access.
SourcePrinciple: Can I create vector shapes and morphing animations in Principle?
Principle does not support vector morphing, where vector objects transform into other vector shapes. It also has limited asset creation capabilities and editing is restricted to basic operations like scale and rotate.
SourceFramer: What uptime guarantee does Framer provide?
Framer offers 99.99% uptime guarantee on paid plans. Enterprise plans include dedicated support and custom SLAs.
Source