Design · head to head
Principle vs Framer
The short version
- Only Framer has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Principle macOS only with no Windows or Linux editor available; Framer free tier limited to 500 credits and 1 GB bandwidth
- They diverge on capability: Principle covers Timeline-based animation, Framer covers Visual design editor.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Principle and Framer actually diverge.
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Design).
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 Principle
- Timeline-based animation
- Interactive prototypes
- Touch gestures
- Component reuse
- Video export
- Sketch import
- Figma import
- Driver animations
Only in Framer
- Visual design editor
- Interactive components
- Responsive design
- CMS integration
- SEO optimization
- Custom code
- Team collaboration
- Version control
Both cover
- Figma
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Principle
- Mobile app prototypesnot Framer
- Micro-interactionsnot Framer
- Animation designnot Framer
- User flow designnot Framer
- Gesture-based interfacesnot Framer
Framer
- Marketing websitesnot Principle
- Landing pagesnot Principle
- Portfoliosnot Principle
- SaaS productsnot Principle
- E-commerce sitesnot Principle
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
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
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
Which should you pick?
Choose Principle if
- You need timeline-based animation.
- You work on macOS.
- You also want interactive prototypes.
Choose Framer if
- You need visual design editor.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Macos.
- You also want interactive components.
Questions people ask
- Is Principle or Framer better?
- Neither clearly leads. Principle starts at $129/one-time and Framer at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Principle or Framer?
- Framer has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $129/one-time for Principle and Free for Framer.
- Does Principle or Framer run on more platforms?
- Principle runs on macOS. Framer runs on Web, 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 Principle best used for?
- Principle is most often used for mobile app prototypes, micro-interactions, animation design, user flow design. Of those, mobile app prototypes and micro-interactions are not what Framer is typically brought in for.
- What can Principle do that Framer cannot?
- Principle covers Timeline-based animation, Interactive prototypes, Touch gestures, Component reuse. Framer covers Visual design editor, Interactive components, Responsive design, CMS integration. Both handle Figma.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Principle: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.
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