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Software · head to head

Sublime Text vs Figma

Sublime Text logo

Sublime Text

Software

A sophisticated text editor for code, markup and prose

From
$99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Figma logo

Figma

Software

The collaborative interface design tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Figma has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Sublime Text a personal licence is $99 as a one off purchase but includes only 3 years of updates, after which a paid upgrade is required to keep receiving them; Figma no offline editing capability, can only view and create new files when disconnected
  • They diverge on capability: Sublime Text covers Lightning fast performance, Figma covers Real-time collaboration.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Sublime Text and Figma actually diverge.

Attributes where Sublime Text and Figma differ
AttributeSublime TextFigma
Starting price$99/one-timeFree
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Macos, LinuxWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
Founded20072012

Identical on both: 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 Sublime Text

  • Lightning fast performance
  • Multiple selections
  • Command palette
  • Instant project switch
  • Plugin ecosystem
  • Customizable UI
  • Advanced search and replace
  • Split editing

Only in Figma

  • Real-time collaboration
  • Vector networks
  • Auto-layout
  • Components & variants
  • Prototyping
  • Design systems
  • Developer handoff
  • Version control

What people use each for

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

Sublime Text

  • Editing code and text files in a fast native desktop editornot Figma
  • Working across large files and projects with multi cursor editingnot Figma

Figma

  • UI/UX designnot Sublime Text
  • Design systemsnot Sublime Text
  • Prototypingnot Sublime Text
  • Design collaborationnot Sublime Text
  • Developer handoffnot Sublime Text

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Sublime Text

  • A personal licence is $99 as a one off purchase but includes only 3 years of updates, after which a paid upgrade is required to keep receiving them
  • Business use is a separate annual subscription rather than a perpetual licence, starting at $65 per seat per year
  • The distinction means the same editor is perpetual for an individual and subscription for a company

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Sublime Text

$99/one-time
  • Personal License$99/one-time
    • 3 years of updates
    • All current features
    • Cross-platform license

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Sublime Text if

  • You need lightning fast performance.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
  • You also want multiple selections.
Sublime Text review

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

Questions people ask

Is Sublime Text or Figma better?
Neither clearly leads. Sublime Text starts at $99/one-time and Figma at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Sublime Text or Figma?
Figma has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $99/one-time for Sublime Text and Free for Figma.
Does Sublime Text or Figma run on more platforms?
Sublime Text runs on Windows, Macos, Linux. Figma runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
Can I use Figma for free?
Yes. Figma has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Sublime Text starts at $99/one-time.
What is Sublime Text best used for?
Sublime Text is most often used for editing code and text files in a fast native desktop editor, working across large files and projects with multi cursor editing. Of those, editing code and text files in a fast native desktop editor and working across large files and projects with multi cursor editing are not what Figma is typically brought in for.
What can Sublime Text do that Figma cannot?
Sublime Text covers Lightning fast performance, Multiple selections, Command palette, Instant project switch. 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
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
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
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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