Photoshop vs Figma 2026: Which Design Tool Wins
Photoshop is a raster image editor optimized for photo manipulation and digital art with desktop-first workflow, while Figma is a cloud-based vector design and UI/UX tool built for real-time collaboration and web design. Photoshop excels at pixel-level photo editing; Figma dominates web and app design workflows.
Adobe Photoshop
Professional raster image editor for complex pixel manipulation, compositing, and graphic design.
Professional photographers, digital artists, retouchers, and designers who need pixel-perfect image manipulation and have budgets for subscription software.
Figma
Cloud-native collaborative design platform for UI/UX, web design, prototyping, and design systems.
Design teams, UI/UX designers, product designers, and startups that prioritize collaboration, rapid iteration, and web/app interface design over photo editing.
Quick Answer
AI SummaryPhotoshop is a raster image editor optimized for photo manipulation and digital art with desktop-first workflow, while Figma is a cloud-based vector design and UI/UX tool built for real-time collaboration and web design. Photoshop excels at pixel-level photo editing; Figma dominates web and app design workflows.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Photoshop if you need professional photo retouching, digital painting with advanced brush engines, or work with extensive legacy PSD files and require offline access. Choose Figma if your team designs digital interfaces, websites, or apps, needs real-time collaboration, or prefers a browser-based tool that reduces software installation friction. For pure UI/UX design teams, Figma is more efficient; for photography and complex image manipulation, Photoshop remains unmatched.
Was this verdict helpful?
Choose Adobe Photoshop if
Best pickProfessional photographers, digital artists, retouchers, and designers who need pixel-perfect image manipulation and have budgets for subscription software.
Choose Figma if
Design teams, UI/UX designers, product designers, and startups that prioritize collaboration, rapid iteration, and web/app interface design over photo editing.
Track this comparison
Get notified when prices change, new specs ship, or our verdict updates.
Triggers: price change new spec verdict update
No spam. Stop anytime.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Primary Use Case:Photo editing, digital painting, raster graphics vs UI/UX design, wireframing, vector graphics, prototyping
- Collaboration Features:✓ Figma wins(Built-in real-time collaboration with multiplayer editing vs Limited; requires file sharing and version control plugins)
- Platform Availability:✓ Figma wins(Cloud-based; accessible via browser on any OS vs Desktop (Windows/Mac) primarily; limited web version)
Key Facts & Figures
130 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Adobe Photoshop | Figma | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Feature Set Count(features) | 12+ AI tools | — | — |
| Non-Destructive Editing Support(percent) | 100% (adjustment layers, smart objects, masks) | — | — |
| Professional Adoption Rate(%) | 90% of design professionals | — | — |
| Active User Base(users) | 25 million active users | — | — |
| Maximum File Size Performance(MB) | 4000+ MB optimized | — | — |
| Annual Cost (Yearly)(USD) | $281.88/year | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)(USD) | $19.99/month | — | — |
| Annual Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)(USD) | $239.88/year | — | — |
| Available Editing Tools(count) | 500+ advanced tools | — | — |
| Typical Learning Time (Beginner to Productive)(hours) | 40+ hours | — | — |
| Professional Industry Adoption Rate(percent) | 90%+ of design agencies, studios, freelancers | — | — |
| AI-Powered Generative Features(count) | 7 (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Generative Expand, etc.) | — | — |
| Learning Time to Proficiency(days) | 100-200 hours | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Single App)(USD) | $22.49 | — | — |
| Batch Photo Processing Capability(photos per action) | 50-100 (with scripts) | — | — |
| Average Project File Size(MB) | 500-2000 (PSD) | — | — |
| Non-Destructive Editing Coverage(percent) | 70% (requires workarounds) | — | — |
| Maximum Canvas Dimensions(pixels) | 300,000 x 300,000 | — | — |
| Pre-Made Templates(count) | ~500 templates | — | — |
| Estimated Learning Time to Proficiency(hours) | 60+ hours | — | — |
| Annual Cost (if paying monthly)(USD) | $239.88 | — | — |
| File Size Handling (optimal performance)(MB) | Handles 2000+ MB efficiently | — | — |
| AI Generation Credits/Month(credits) | 100 Firefly credits | — | — |
| Annual Cost(USD) | $251.88/year | — | — |
| Available Plugins/Extensions(count) | 75,000+ | ~2,000 plugins | |
| Learning Curve (1=Easy, 10=Hard)(difficulty rating) | 8/10 | — | — |
| Annual Cost (12 months)(USD) | $251.88 | — | — |
| Available Plugins(count) | 10,000+ | 1,200+ community plugins | |
| Startup Time(seconds) | 8 seconds | — | — |
| Supported Camera RAW Formats(count) | 200+ | — | — |
| Cloud Storage Included(GB) | 100GB | — | — |
| Template Library Size(templates) | Minimal (third-party required) | 5,000 (community) | — |
| Learning Time to Basic Proficiency(hours) | 50-100+ hours | — | — |
| Processing Speed (1GB file, typical operation)(seconds) | 2-4 seconds | — | — |
| Supported File Formats (export)(count) | 40+ formats (PSD, JPEG, PNG, HEIF, WebP, AVIF, PDF, SVG) | — | — |
| Minimum RAM Recommended(GB) | 8 GB | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $22.49 (Photography Plan with Lightroom included) | — | — |
| Available Templates(count) | ~500 built-in templates | — | — |
| Maximum Canvas Resolution(pixels) | 300,000 x 300,000 | — | — |
| Free Cloud Storage(GB) | 2GB (requires Creative Cloud) | 0GB (Figma Projects only) | |
| Stock Photos Included(millions) | Stock via Adobe Stock (requires separate subscription) | 0 (third-party integrations available) | — |
| Professional Font Library(count) | Adobe Fonts library (240,000+ via subscription) | — | — |
| Industry Adoption Rate(percent) | Used by 90% of professional designers/photographers | — | — |
| Design Templates Available(count) | Minimal (0-100) | — | — |
| Time to Proficiency(weeks) | 8-12 weeks | — | — |
| Active Users (2024)(millions) | Estimated 15+ million | — | — |
| Minimum RAM Requirement(GB) | 8 GB recommended | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual)(USD) | $9.99 (single app) / $55 (full Creative Cloud) | $12 per editor | |
| Team Collaboration Users(number of simultaneous users) | Unlimited with plugins; native support requires 3rd-party tools | Unlimited simultaneous editors per team | — |
| Supported File Formats(format count) | 90+ formats including PSD, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, AI, EPS | Figma native format, exports to PNG, SVG, PDF, CSS, JSON | |
| Average Application Load Time(seconds) | 12-15 seconds on standard hardware | 2-3 seconds (cloud-based, depends on internet) | |
| Photo Retouching Capability(capability score 1-10) | 9.5/10 - industry-leading Content-Aware Fill, Generative Fill, Neural Filters | 3/10 - basic selection and fill tools; not optimized for photo work | |
| UI/UX Design Workflow Efficiency(efficiency score 1-10) | 6.5/10 - possible but requires workarounds for design systems | 9/10 - native component systems, design tokens, auto-layout, prototyping | |
| Hours to Proficiency(hours) | 80-120 hours | — | — |
| Maximum Layers Per Project(layers) | Unlimited (30,000+ tested) | — | — |
| Typical Project File Size(MB) | 500-2000+ MB per complex project | — | — |
| Batch Editing Speed (100 photos)(minutes) | 120-180 minutes (manual or scripting) | — | — |
| Selection & Masking Tools(tool count) | 20+ (Magic Wand, Select Subject, Refine Edge, Content-Aware) | — | — |
| Active Designers | 4M+ | 4M+ | |
| Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR)(Million USD) | $1.36-1.37 billion | $1.36-1.37 billion | |
| Company Valuation(USD billion) | $10.53-13.8 billion (public) | $10.53-13.8 billion (public) | |
| Revenue Multiple (Price-to-Sales)(x) | 9x-35x (varies by metric) | 9x-35x (varies by metric) | |
| Operating Margin(%) | 14-15% (non-GAAP) | 14-15% (non-GAAP) | |
| Year-over-Year Revenue Growth(percent) | ~40% | ~40% | |
| Pro Plan Monthly Cost(USD) | $30-$150 | $30-$150 | |
| User Rating(stars out of 5) | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 | |
| Professional Plan Cost(USD per month) | $12/month | $12/month | |
| Team Plan Cost (5 users)(USD per month) | $192/month | $192/month | |
| Plugin Ecosystem(available plugins) | 5,000+ plugins and integrations | 5,000+ plugins and integrations | |
| User Rating (2026)(stars) | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 | |
| Monthly Subscription (Standard Plan)(USD) | $12/month | $12/month | |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Single Editor)(USD) | $12.00 | $12.00 | |
| Market Share Among Design Professionals(%) | 45% | 45% | |
| Plugin Ecosystem(plugins) | ~2500+ plugins | ~2500+ plugins | |
| Integration Plugins/Extensions(count) | 300+ | 300+ | |
| Setup Time for New User(minutes) | 15 | 15 | |
| Maximum File Size Recommended(pages) | 500+ (performance degrades) | 500+ (performance degrades) | |
| Starting Price (USD/month per editor)(USD) | $12 | $12 | |
| Market Share 2026(percent) | 45% | 45% | |
| Starter Plan Monthly Cost (Annual Billing)(USD) | $16 | $16 | |
| Simultaneous Editors(users) | 15+ concurrent editors (unlimited) | 15+ concurrent editors (unlimited) | |
| Market Share (2026)(%) | 71% among design teams | 71% among design teams | |
| File History Retention (Free Tier)(days) | 30 days of version history | 30 days of version history | |
| Monthly Cost (Single User)(USD) | $12.00 | $12.00 | |
| Monthly Cost (Team of 5 Users)(USD) | $228.00 | $228.00 | |
| Built-In Design Templates(count) | Community plugins only | Community plugins only | |
| Prototyping Interaction Types(types) | Interactions, conditional logic, component states, animations, flows | Interactions, conditional logic, component states, animations, flows | |
| Annual Cost per Editor(USD) | $180 | $180 | |
| Market Share (2025)(percent) | ~62% | ~62% | |
| Monthly Cost (Individual Editor)(USD) | $12 | $12 | |
| Annual Cost (Single License)(USD) | $144 | $144 | |
| File Performance Threshold(artboards) | 300-400 before lag | 300-400 before lag | |
| Global Design Tool Market Share 2026(percent) | 45% | 45% | |
| Monthly Cost (Base Plan per User)(USD) | $12 per editor | $12 per editor | |
| Time to Basic Proficiency(days) | 4 days | 4 days | |
| Market Share(%) | 71% | 71% | |
| Monthly Cost (Professional Plan)(USD) | $12 per editor/month | $12 per editor/month | |
| Available Plugins/Integrations(count) | 2,500+ | 2,500+ | |
| File Collaboration Limit(artboards) | Optimal up to 5,000 artboards | Optimal up to 5,000 artboards | |
| Market Adoption Rate (2024)(percent of design teams) | 61% of design professionals | 61% of design professionals | |
| Professional Designer Adoption Rate(percent) | 70% of professional design teams | 70% of professional design teams | |
| Plugin/Integration Ecosystem(count) | 2000+ official plugins and integrations | 2000+ official plugins and integrations | |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Professional Plan)(USD) | $12/month (billed annually) | $12/month (billed annually) | |
| Real-Time Collaborative Editors(users) | 500+ simultaneous users | 500+ simultaneous users | |
| Code Export Accuracy(percent) | 40-60% (design to code via plugins) | 40-60% (design to code via plugins) | |
| Monthly Cost (Pro/Professional)(USD) | $12 per editor | $12 per editor | |
| Built-in Template Library(templates) | 50,000+ community templates | 50,000+ community templates | |
| Real-Time Simultaneous Editors(users) | 10+ simultaneous editors with live cursors | 10+ simultaneous editors with live cursors | |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Solo)(USD) | $0 (Free) / $12 (Pro) | $0 (Free) / $12 (Pro) | |
| Real-Time Collaborators per File(count) | Unlimited simultaneous editors | Unlimited simultaneous editors | |
| Onboarding Time for New Users(hours) | 1.5-2.5 hours (beginner-friendly) | 1.5-2.5 hours (beginner-friendly) | |
| Maximum Cloud Documents(count) | Unlimited (Team plan) | Unlimited (Team plan) | |
| Base Monthly Cost(USD) | $12 (Professional) | $12 (Professional) | |
| Cost for 5 Team Members(USD/month) | $60 (all share one license) | $60 (all share one license) | |
| Base Monthly Cost (Single User)(USD) | $12 | $12 | |
| Team Plan Monthly Cost(USD per editor) | $80 | $80 | |
| Prototype Frame Rate(fps) | 60 FPS | 60 FPS | |
| Setup Time to First Design(minutes) | 120 minutes | 120 minutes | |
| Free Plan Monthly Cost(USD) | $0 | $0 | |
| Integrated Stock Media Library(assets) | None (external sources required) | None (external sources required) | |
| Professional Designer Adoption (2025)(percent) | 42% | 42% | |
| Maximum Recommended File Size(MB) | 500 MB (optimal) | 500 MB (optimal) | |
| Learning Curve (hours to proficiency)(hours) | 8-12 hours | 8-12 hours | |
| Monthly Cost (Individual Starter)(USD) | $12 | $12 | |
| Time to Design Basic UI (Beginner)(hours) | 2-3 hours | 2-3 hours | |
| API Access for Third-party Integrations(integrations) | 1,000+ plugins via Figma API | 1,000+ plugins via Figma API | |
| Free Plan File Limit(files) | 3 editable files | 3 editable files | |
| Professional Plan Monthly Cost(USD) | $12/month (Editor) | $12/month (Editor) | |
| Concurrent Collaborative Users(users) | 50+ simultaneous users | 50+ simultaneous users | |
| Estimated Time to First Design (Beginner)(minutes) | 120-480 minutes (2-8 hours) | 120-480 minutes (2-8 hours) |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- Photo editing, digital painting, raster graphicsPrimary Use CaseUI/UX design, wireframing, vector graphics, prototyping
- Limited; requires file sharing and version control pluginsCollaboration FeaturesBuilt-in real-time collaboration with multiplayer editing(winner)
- Desktop (Windows/Mac) primarily; limited web versionPlatform AvailabilityCloud-based; accessible via browser on any OS(winner)
- Steep; 50+ tools with complex menu structureLearning CurveModerate; intuitive interface designed for designers new to design tools(winner)
- PSD, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, AI, EPS (90+ formats supported)(winner)File Format SupportFigma native format, exports to PNG, SVG, PDF, CSS code
- Full offline functionality on desktop(winner)Offline CapabilityLimited offline; requires internet for most features
- $55/month per user (Creative Cloud) or $9.99 for single appTeam Pricing Model$12/month per editor + $4/month per viewer (2025 pricing)(winner)
- Primary Use Case
Adobe Photoshop
Photo editing, digital painting, raster graphics
Figma
UI/UX design, wireframing, vector graphics, prototyping
- Collaboration Features
Adobe Photoshop
Limited; requires file sharing and version control plugins
Figma
Built-in real-time collaboration with multiplayer editing(winner)
- Platform Availability
Adobe Photoshop
Desktop (Windows/Mac) primarily; limited web version
Figma
Cloud-based; accessible via browser on any OS(winner)
- Learning Curve
Adobe Photoshop
Steep; 50+ tools with complex menu structure
Figma
Moderate; intuitive interface designed for designers new to design tools(winner)
- File Format Support
Adobe Photoshop
PSD, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, AI, EPS (90+ formats supported)(winner)
Figma
Figma native format, exports to PNG, SVG, PDF, CSS code
- Offline Capability
Adobe Photoshop
Full offline functionality on desktop(winner)
Figma
Limited offline; requires internet for most features
- Team Pricing Model
Adobe Photoshop
$55/month per user (Creative Cloud) or $9.99 for single app
Figma
$12/month per editor + $4/month per viewer (2025 pricing)(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| AI Feature Set Count(features) | 12+ AI tools | — |
| Non-Destructive Editing Support(percent) | 100% (adjustment layers, smart objects, masks) | — |
| Batch Photo Processing Capability(photos per action) | 50-100 (with scripts) | — |
| Professional Adoption Rate(%) | 90% of design professionals | — |
| Active User Base(users) | 25 million active users | — |
| Active Designers | 4M+ | — |
| Market Share Among Design Professionals(%) | 45% | — |
| Global Design Tool Market Share 2026(percent) | 45% | — |
| Maximum File Size Performance(MB) | 4000+ MB optimized | — |
| Average Project File Size(MB) | 500-2000 (PSD) | — |
| File Size Handling (optimal performance)(MB) | Handles 2000+ MB efficiently | — |
| GPU Acceleration Support | Full (NVIDIA, AMD, Apple Metal) | — |
| Startup Time(seconds) | 8 seconds | — |
Show 12 more attributesGPU Acceleration Available(yes/no) Yes (CUDA, OpenCL, Metal) — Processing Speed (1GB file, typical operation)(seconds) 2-4 seconds — Minimum RAM Requirement(GB) 8 GB recommended — Average Application Load Time(seconds) 12-15 seconds on standard hardware 2-3 seconds (cloud-based, depends on internet) Typical Project File Size(MB) 500-2000+ MB per complex project — File Performance (Large Projects) Browser-dependent, can slow with 1000+ frames — File Size Handling Performance issues above 2GB — Maximum File Size Recommended(pages) 500+ (performance degrades) — File Performance Threshold(artboards) 300-400 before lag — File Collaboration Limit(artboards) Optimal up to 5,000 artboards — Prototype Frame Rate(fps) 60 FPS — Maximum Recommended File Size(MB) 500 MB (optimal) — | ||
| Annual Cost (Yearly)(USD) | $281.88/year | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)(USD) | $19.99/month | — |
| Annual Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)(USD) | $239.88/year | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Single App)(USD) | $22.49 | — |
| Annual Cost (if paying monthly)(USD) | $239.88 | — |
Show 32 more attributesMonthly Cost(USD) $20.99/month — Annual Cost(USD) $251.88/year — Annual Cost (12 months)(USD) $251.88 — Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) $22.49 (Photography Plan with Lightroom included) — Monthly Subscription Cost (Individual)(USD) $9.99 (single app) / $55 (full Creative Cloud) $12 per editor Pro Plan Monthly Cost(USD) $30-$150 — Professional Plan Cost(USD per month) $12/month — Team Plan Cost (5 users)(USD per month) $192/month — Monthly Subscription (Standard Plan)(USD) $12/month — Monthly Subscription Cost (Single Editor)(USD) $12.00 — Starting Price (USD/month per editor)(USD) $12 — Starter Plan Monthly Cost (Annual Billing)(USD) $16 — SMB Annual Plan Cost (Typical)(USD) Variable by seats — Enterprise Annual Plan Cost (Typical)(USD) Custom pricing — Free Tier Availability(null) Yes (full collaborative design) — Monthly Cost (Single User)(USD) $12.00 — Monthly Cost (Team of 5 Users)(USD) $228.00 — Annual Cost per Editor(USD) $180 — Free Plan Availability Yes, full features for 1 file — Monthly Cost (Individual Editor)(USD) $12 — Annual Cost (Single License)(USD) $144 — Monthly Cost (Base Plan per User)(USD) $12 per editor — Free Tier Projects Allowed(projects) Unlimited — Monthly Cost (Professional Plan)(USD) $12 per editor/month — Monthly Subscription Cost (Professional Plan)(USD) $12/month (billed annually) — Monthly Subscription Cost (Solo)(USD) $0 (Free) / $12 (Pro) — Base Monthly Cost(USD) $12 (Professional) — Cost for 5 Team Members(USD/month) $60 (all share one license) — Base Monthly Cost (Single User)(USD) $12 — Team Plan Monthly Cost(USD per editor) $80 — Free Plan Monthly Cost(USD) $0 — Monthly Cost (Individual Starter)(USD) $12 — | ||
| Available Editing Tools(count) | 500+ advanced tools | — |
| Non-Destructive Editing Coverage(percent) | 70% (requires workarounds) | — |
| AI-Powered Tools Available | 4+ (Generative Fill, Firefly, Content-Aware, Super Resolution) | — |
| CMYK Color Mode Support | Yes (full support) | — |
| Real-Time Collaboration | Limited (cloud sync only) | Native, unlimited users |
Show 31 more attributesNative AI Features(count) 8+ tools (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Remove, Generative Expand, etc.) — Advanced Editing Tools(feature count) Advanced: layers, masks, curves, healing brush, content-aware fill — Design Templates Available(count) Minimal (0-100) — Offline Functionality(capability level) Full offline editing with all tools available Read-only after 30 days; requires internet for editing Photo Retouching Capability(capability score 1-10) 9.5/10 - industry-leading Content-Aware Fill, Generative Fill, Neural Filters 3/10 - basic selection and fill tools; not optimized for photo work UI/UX Design Workflow Efficiency(efficiency score 1-10) 6.5/10 - possible but requires workarounds for design systems 9/10 - native component systems, design tokens, auto-layout, prototyping Real-Time Collaboration Advanced multiplayer editing — Team Collaboration Built-in real-time collaboration — Design System Tools Variables, components, tokens — Live Website Publishing Requires external hosting — Developer Handoff Tools Dev Mode with inspection — Design System Variables Master Variables with full version control — Offline Mode Support Limited offline, primarily cloud-based — Native Prototyping Depth(capability level) Intermediate (basic flows, transitions) — Free Tier Available Generous (3 projects, 2GB) — Design Tools Quality Industry-leading precision tools — Real-time Collaboration Excellent for design workflows — Enterprise Governance Good team controls — Design System Component Variants Advanced variables system with 20+ variant combinations per component — Prototype Animation Depth Advanced auto-animate, conditional logic, 35+ interaction types — File History Retention (Free Tier)(days) 30 days of version history — Free Tier Cloud Storage(GB) Unlimited (draft-based) — Built-In Design Templates(count) Community plugins only — Component Library Functionality Shared libraries with variants — Prototype Interactivity Level Advanced with variables — Built-in Template Library(templates) 50,000+ community templates — Design System Features(capability level) Components, variables, tokens, auto-layout, design tokens management — Animation Capabilities(null) Interactive prototyping only, no native keyframe animation — Animation Timeline System Basic interactions (tap, hover, drag) — Interactive Prototype Features(null) Advanced: conditional flows, variables, component variants, design tokens — Design System Component Library(capability) Enterprise-grade: design tokens, branching, versioning, token management — | ||
| Typical Learning Time (Beginner to Productive)(hours) | 40+ hours | — |
| Learning Time to Proficiency(days) | 100-200 hours | — |
| Learning Curve (1=Easy, 10=Hard)(difficulty rating) | 8/10 | — |
| Learning Time to Basic Proficiency(hours) | 50-100+ hours | — |
| Time to Proficiency(weeks) | 8-12 weeks | — |
Show 2 more attributesSetup Time for New User(minutes) 15 — Learning Curve (hours to proficiency)(hours) 8-12 hours — | ||
| Professional Industry Adoption Rate(percent) | 90%+ of design agencies, studios, freelancers | — |
| AI-Powered Generative Features(count) | 7 (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, Generative Expand, etc.) | — |
| AI Generation Credits/Month(credits) | 100 Firefly credits | — |
| AI Design Assistance | Voice-to-text, Make features, automation | — |
| AI Content Generation | Limited AI—mostly design optimization and naming suggestions | — |
| Maximum Canvas Dimensions(pixels) | 300,000 x 300,000 | — |
| RAW Photo File Support | Yes (300+ camera profiles) | — |
| Pre-Made Templates(count) | ~500 templates | — |
| Stock Photo Integration(millions available) | Via third-party plugins/subscriptions | — |
| Stock Photos Included(millions) | Stock via Adobe Stock (requires separate subscription) | 0 (third-party integrations available) |
| Estimated Learning Time to Proficiency(hours) | 60+ hours | — |
| Time to Basic Proficiency(days) | 4 days | — |
| Onboarding Time for New Users(hours) | 1.5-2.5 hours (beginner-friendly) | — |
| Installation Required | Yes, desktop app | — |
| 3D & Video Editing Tools | Yes, full 3D and video timeline | — |
| Layer Support & Masking | Extensive (unlimited layers, advanced masks) | — |
| Prototyping Interaction Types(types) | Interactions, conditional logic, component states, animations, flows | — |
| Non-Destructive Editing | Full (adjustment layers, smart objects) | — |
| Available Plugins/Extensions(count) | 75,000+(winner) | ~2,000 plugins |
| Integration Plugins/Extensions(count) | 300+ | — |
| Adobe Creative Cloud Integration | Limited (API for third-party imports) | — |
| Available Plugins(count) | 10,000+(winner) | 1,200+ community plugins |
| Plugin Ecosystem(available plugins) | 5,000+ plugins and integrations | — |
| Plugin Ecosystem(plugins) | ~2500+ plugins | — |
| Available Plugins/Integrations(count) | 2,500+ | — |
| Plugin/Integration Ecosystem(count) | 2000+ official plugins and integrations | — |
Show 1 more attributeAPI Access for Third-party Integrations(integrations) 1,000+ plugins via Figma API — | ||
| Supported Camera RAW Formats(count) | 200+ | — |
| Cloud Storage Included(GB) | 100GB | — |
| Platform Support | Windows, macOS, iPad, Web | Web + macOS + Windows + iPad |
| Desktop Application Required | Yes (Windows/Mac only) | — |
| Platform Availability(platforms) | Web browser + Desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux) | — |
| Available Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | — |
| Browser-Based (No Download)(support) | Yes (100% browser-native) | — |
Show 1 more attributeOffline Editing(capability) Limited (browser-dependent) — | ||
| Generative AI Features | Firefly (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, removal tools) | — |
| AI-Powered Features(count) | 8+ (Generative Fill, Super Resolution, AI Upscaler, Neural Filters) | — |
| AI-Assisted Features(available features) | Voice-to-text, Make controls, question cards, design suggestions | — |
| Template Library Size(templates) | Minimal (third-party required) | 5,000 (community) |
| Integrated Stock Media Library(assets) | None (external sources required) | — |
| RAW File Support | Yes (extensive RAW editing) | — |
| Maximum Export Resolution(pixels) | Unlimited (print-ready) | — |
| Supported File Formats (export)(count) | 40+ formats (PSD, JPEG, PNG, HEIF, WebP, AVIF, PDF, SVG) | — |
| Supported File Formats(format count) | 90+ formats including PSD, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, AI, EPS(winner) | Figma native format, exports to PNG, SVG, PDF, CSS, JSON |
| Operating System Support(platforms) | Mac, Windows, Linux, Web | — |
| Supported Platforms | 4 (Web, Mac, Windows, iPad) | — |
| Supported Operating Systems(platforms) | 3 (Windows, Mac, Linux) | — |
| Minimum RAM Recommended(GB) | 8 GB | — |
| Available Templates(count) | ~500 built-in templates | — |
| Maximum Canvas Resolution(pixels) | 300,000 x 300,000 | — |
| Free Cloud Storage(GB) | 2GB (requires Creative Cloud)(winner) | 0GB (Figma Projects only) |
| Free Tier Capabilities | 3 files maximum, unlimited pages per file, basic prototyping, browser-based | — |
| Monthly Cost (Pro/Professional)(USD) | $12 per editor | — |
| Free Plan File Limit(files) | 3 editable files | — |
| Professional Plan Monthly Cost(USD) | $12/month (Editor) | — |
| Professional Font Library(count) | Adobe Fonts library (240,000+ via subscription) | — |
| Prototyping & Interactions(capability) | Full (interactions, animations, variants) | — |
| Design System/Component Management(features) | Variables, tokens, component library, extensive version control | — |
| Vector Design Capability(score) | Professional (boolean ops, advanced paths) | — |
| Industry Adoption Rate(percent) | Used by 90% of professional designers/photographers | — |
| Professional Designer Adoption (2025)(percent) | 42% | — |
| Editing Precision Level(pixel precision) | Full 1px-level control across 1000+ tools | — |
| Offline Mode Support(percentage) | Full (100% functionality) | — |
| Active Users (2024)(millions) | Estimated 15+ million | — |
| Professional Designer Adoption Rate(percent) | 70% of professional design teams | — |
| Team Collaboration Users(number of simultaneous users) | Unlimited with plugins; native support requires 3rd-party tools | Unlimited simultaneous editors per team |
| Real-Time Collaboration Support(boolean) | No (native); requires external plugins or manual versioning | Yes; built-in with live cursors, comments, and activity tracking |
| Real-Time Simultaneous Editing Users(concurrent users) | Unlimited with live cursors | — |
| Real-Time Simultaneous Editors(people) | Unlimited | — |
| Real-Time Co-editing Users(simultaneous users) | Unlimited simultaneous editors | — |
Show 11 more attributesSimultaneous Editors(users) 15+ concurrent editors (unlimited) — Concurrent Real-time Collaborators(users) Unlimited — Real-Time Co-Editors(simultaneous users) Unlimited on any plan — Real-Time Collaborative Editors(users) 500+ simultaneous users — Real-Time Simultaneous Editors(users) 10+ simultaneous editors with live cursors — Real-Time Collaborators per File(count) Unlimited simultaneous editors — Maximum Concurrent Editors Per File(users) Unlimited — Prototype Link Sharing Public/password-protected with comment threads — Free Plan Simultaneous Collaborators(users) Unlimited — Real-time Collaborators (Free Tier)(users) Unlimited viewers + 1 editor — Concurrent Collaborative Users(users) 50+ simultaneous users — | ||
| Hours to Proficiency(hours) | 80-120 hours | — |
| Maximum Layers Per Project(layers) | Unlimited (30,000+ tested) | — |
| Selection & Masking Tools(tool count) | 20+ (Magic Wand, Select Subject, Refine Edge, Content-Aware) | — |
| Batch Editing Speed (100 photos)(minutes) | 120-180 minutes (manual or scripting) | — |
| Native RAW File Support | Via Smart Objects/plugins (requires extra steps) | — |
| Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR)(Million USD) | $1.36-1.37 billion | — |
| Revenue Multiple (Price-to-Sales)(x) | 9x-35x (varies by metric) | — |
| Year-over-Year Revenue Growth(percent) | ~40% | — |
| Company Valuation(USD billion) | $10.53-13.8 billion (public) | — |
| Public Trading Status | Public (NASDAQ: FIG) | — |
| Operating Margin(%) | 14-15% (non-GAAP) | — |
| Primary Market Focus | Enterprise Design Teams | — |
| CMS Capabilities | Sites CMS beta (200 items) | — |
| Suitable Team Size(users) | Unlimited (per plan) | — |
| User Rating(stars out of 5) | 4.6/5 | — |
| Self-Hosting Option(available) | Cloud-only, no self-hosting | — |
| Hosting & Deployment Features(features) | No built-in hosting | — |
| Web Hosting Included | No | — |
| Open Source | Closed source | — |
| User Rating (2026)(stars) | 4.6/5 | — |
| Adobe Ecosystem Integration(null) | Limited (separate ecosystem) | — |
| Design Handoff Features | Advanced design specs, Dev Mode, code generation | — |
| Market Share 2026(percent) | 45% | — |
| Market Share (2026)(%) | 71% among design teams | — |
| Market Share (2025)(percent) | ~62% | — |
| Market Share(%) | 71% | — |
| Market Adoption Rate (2024)(percent of design teams) | 61% of design professionals | — |
| Pricing Model | Four-tier with seat types (Full, Dev, Collab) | — |
| AI Capabilities | Basic design assistance | — |
| Component Library Depth(capability level) | Enterprise-grade (variants, tokens, documentation) | — |
| Design System Versioning | Component versioning in main product | — |
| Version History Retention(months) | Unlimited | — |
| Animation Timeline Controls | Basic preset animations without timeline | — |
| Simultaneous Team Members(users) | Unlimited on paid plans | — |
| Developer Handoff Features(capabilities) | Dev Mode with code snippets and specs | — |
| Code Export Accuracy(percent) | 40-60% (design to code via plugins) | — |
| Animation & Interaction Capabilities(features) | Basic interactions, limited keyframe animation | — |
| Maximum Cloud Documents(count) | Unlimited (Team plan) | — |
| Platform Accessibility(null) | Any browser (Windows, macOS, Linux, iPad, web) | — |
| Self-Hosting Available | Not available | — |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | 4,000,000+ | — |
| GitHub Stars(stars) | N/A (proprietary) | — |
| Setup Time to First Design(minutes) | 120 minutes | — |
| Estimated Time to First Design (Beginner)(minutes) | 120-480 minutes (2-8 hours) | — |
| Time to Design Basic UI (Beginner)(hours) | 2-3 hours | — |
| Native SEO Tools | No (design tool only) | — |
| CMS (Content Management) Included | No | — |
Show 12 more attributes
Show 32 more attributes
Show 31 more attributes
Show 2 more attributes
Show 1 more attribute
Show 1 more attribute
Show 11 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
Adobe Photoshop
Pros
- Industry-leading photo retouching with Content-Aware Fill and Neural Filters
- Advanced brush engine with 1000+ customizable brushes and particle dynamics
- Support for 90+ file formats including PSD, JPEG, TIFF, EPS, and AI files
- Generative Fill and AI-powered Remove Tool (Photoshop 2025+)
- Full offline functionality; no internet required to work
Cons
- $55/month subscription cost or $9.99/month for single app (non-negotiable for professional use)
- Steep learning curve with 50+ tools and deep menus; not intuitive for beginners
- Poor native collaboration—requires third-party plugins or manual version management
Figma
Pros
- Real-time multiplayer collaboration—multiple designers edit the same file simultaneously with live cursors
- 100% browser-based; no installation required; works on Mac, Windows, Linux, iPad
- Faster startup time; average file open is 2-3 seconds vs Photoshop's 10-15 seconds
- Built-in prototyping, component systems, and design token management for design systems
- Developer-friendly with CSS code export, token export, and Figma API for integrations
Cons
- Primarily vector-based; poor for photo editing and pixel-level manipulation
- Requires internet connection; limited offline capability (read-only mode after 30 days)
- Steeper learning curve for vector design concepts compared to other design tools
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
No. While Figma has basic selection and fill tools, it's not designed for photo retouching. Photoshop's Content-Aware Fill, Generative Fill, Neural Filters, and advanced brush engines are industry-standard for professional photo work. Figma excels at vector design and UI work, not pixel-level image manipulation.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Learn more about our affiliate disclosure
Wikipedia
Related Comparisons
12 more to explore
Figma vs Sketch
softwareAdobe Photoshop vs Adobe Lightroom
softwareFigma vs Framer
softwareFigma vs Penpot
softwareFigma vs Miro
productsPhotoshop vs GIMP
softwarePhotoshop vs Pixlr
softwareAdobe Photoshop vs Pixelmator Pro
softwareAdobe Photoshop vs Canva
softwareAdobe Photoshop vs GIMP
softwareAdobe Express vs Figma
softwareFigma vs Sketch vs Adobe XD (2026): Design Tool 3-Way Comparison
software
Related Articles
5 articles
- technology
Best Streaming Services in 2026: Top Picks for Every Budget & Interest
Navigating the crowded streaming landscape in 2026 can be overwhelming. We've tested and ranked the best streaming services that offer the most value, from Netflix's massive library to budget-friendly options like Tubi, helping you cut cable and find your perfect entertainment solution.
Read article - technology
Best Live TV Streaming Services & Plans for Spring 2026: Complete Buyer's Guide
Tired of overpaying for cable? Discover the best live TV streaming services and plans for Spring 2026, including YouTube TV's new genre-based packages starting at $55/month. Our comprehensive guide breaks down pricing, channels, and features to help you cut the cord.
Read article - technology
Philo in 2026: Streaming TV Service Review, Pricing & Reddit Community Insights
Explore Philo's evolution heading into 2026, including pricing tiers, channel lineup, and how it compares to competitors like Sling TV. Discover what the r/PhiloTV Reddit community thinks about the service's current offerings and future prospects.
Read article - technology
Best US Fighter Jets 2026: Top American Combat Aircraft Ranked
Discover the most advanced US fighter jets dominating the skies in 2026. From the legendary F-22 Raptor to the versatile F-35 Lightning II, we rank America's best combat aircraft based on performance, stealth, and air superiority capabilities.
Read article - technology
Philo in 2026: Pricing, Lineup & How It Compares to Sling TV
As we head into 2026, Philo continues to position itself as an affordable streaming alternative for cable TV lovers. Discover what Philo offers, how its pricing stacks up against competitors like Sling TV, and what the Reddit community thinks about its future.
Read article
Explore More
Related comparisons and categories