Framer Vs Figma: Choosing the Best Design Tool in 2024

Are you weary of wasting time switching between design tools to discover the best match for your projects? Look no further – the duel between Framer and Figma is still enthralling designers worldwide in 2024. Both claim to be the greatest design program and provide many capabilities. But which one should you go with? In this article, we will compare the pros and disadvantages of Framer vs Figma so that you may make an informed selection and improve your design game.

What Is the Purpose of Framer?

Framer is a design tool that can be used to create web pages and prototypes. It may be used to create complex marketing websites, internet campaigns, landing pages, and a variety of other things. From a professional design tool for expert programmers to a more basic blank canvas that anybody may use, the tool has grown. Framer’s current version is collaborative, allowing complete teams to collaborate on the same project at the same time. However, its most distinguishing feature is the ability to send your drawings directly to production from the canvas.

What Is the Purpose of Figma?

Figma is a web-based design tool tailored for website development and prototyping. Yet, what sets it apart from comparable solutions is its emphasis on fostering team collaboration. This platform boasts sophisticated teamwork functionalities, including live collaboration, which permits team members to engage in project work akin to co-editing a Google Docs document.

Similarities

Figma and Framer are fundamentally comparable. They share many fundamental characteristics and provide equivalent effects. The following are some of the most common parallels between Framer and Figma:

Prototyping Experience: Both Figma and Framer offer exceptional prototyping capabilities.

User Interaction and Controls: Both provide innovative user controls that enhance workflow.

Speed and Performance: While Figma is slightly faster, both maintain impressive performance.

Differences

Some of the notable distinctions between these interface tools include:

File Compatibility: Compatibility must be considered when teams use different platforms.

Device Compatibility: Figma only supports desktop OS, while Framer supports more devices.

Importing/Integrating: It is not feasible to integrate Framer into Figma due to compatibility issues.

Figma’s key features

Some key features that make Figma a popular choice include:

Intuitive interface

Figma has a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy to learn and use for both beginners and experienced designers.

Real-time collaboration

Multiple team members can work on the same design file simultaneously with features like comment threads and version history.

Component system

Figma’s robust components allow for reusable design elements and global changes.

Variety of plugins

Figma’s plugin store offers many plugins that extend its functionality, like prototyping, design handoff, etc.

Vector editing

Figma files are vector-based so you can resize elements without losing quality.

Cross-platform

Being browser-based, Figma is accessible from any device with an internet connection.

File storage

All files are stored online on Figma’s servers making it easy to access from anywhere.

Framer’s key features

Some highlights of Framer include:

Code editing capabilities

Framer allows adding interactivity to components through code customization. This makes it very powerful for advanced prototyping.

Overrides

Unique to Framer, overrides let designers modify instances independently without altering the original component.

Animation tools

Framer provides tools like Scroll and Page for quickly adding animations and transitions in prototypes.

Native behaviors

Features like tabs, modals, and overlays are supported out of the box via native components.

Real-time prototyping

Framer’s responsive live editor lets you preview changes in real-time like Figma.

Bridging code & design

Framer offers tighter integration between design/prototype and code through its exports.

Desktop app option

In addition to the web app, Framer offers desktop apps for Mac, Windows and Linux.

Which Is Easier to Learn: Figma or Framer?

Figma has a slight edge over Framer in terms of ease of learning due to its clean and intuitive interface. Some key points:

Feature	Figma	Framer
Onboarding Experience	Figma provides guided tours and documentation right inside the app.	Framer requires reading documentation online.
Steep Learning Curve	Figma can be picked up quite quickly, even by non-designers.	Framer has a slightly steeper learning curve due to code integration.
Interface Complexity	Figma’s panels and tools are neatly organized.	Framer may initially feel cluttered with options.
Learning Resources	Abundance of online tutorials, guides and community support for Figma.	Limited learning content available for Framer.

So, in summary, for designers just starting out, Figma removes more barriers to learning and prototyping compared to Framer. However, Framer is still very approachable for those willing to invest some initial time in learning.

Prototype Viewer Comparison

Both Figma and Framer offer robust prototyping capabilities. However, some differences in their prototype viewers include:

• Preview Panel: Framer allows real-time previews directly within the editor panel besides browser previews. Figma lacks this.
• Sharing: Framer makes it easy to share prototypes via quick QR code generation. Figma requires testers to download its mobile app.
• Offline Usage: Framer prototypes can be viewed offline but Figma requires an internet connection.

Version Control Comparison

Figma has built-in version control that stores file revisions for up to 30 days. In contrast, Framer doesn’t offer native version control yet but integrates with version control systems like Git via its CLI. So Figma has a simpler versioning workflow while Framer provides more flexibility for advanced users.

Extension Comparison

Figma has a vibrant plugin ecosystem via its integrated plugin store. Plugins can greatly extend their features. Framer’s ‘packages’ are similarly extensible but don’t offer the same true plugin experience as Figma.

Assets Comparison

While both tools offer basic shape and UI elements, Figma has a huge collection of publicly available templates, kits and components on its community assets page. Its asset library is thus much more expansive than what comes packaged with Framer out of the box.

Which Is Better For?

Figma is ideal for quick prototyping, visual collaboration and handoffs where code isn’t a priority.

Framer really shines for advanced prototyping where interactions need tight coupling with real code and production.

Teams with designers and developers will appreciate Framer’s tighter design-to-code integration.

Beginners or one-person teams are better suited to Figma’s ease of use over Framer’s steeper learning curve.

FAQs

Q. Is Figma better than Framer?

Both tools are great in their own ways. Figma has a simpler learning curve and is better for visual collaboration. Framer allows more control via code but has a steeper learning curve.

Q. Can I use Framer in Figma?

Not directly. While some Framer features can be copied over, there is no true integration between the two tools.

Q. Is Framer a good website builder?

While not a complete website builder, Framer excels at prototyping websites and apps where deep interactivity is required via code. For simple static sites, dedicated builders may be better.

Q. How do I convert Figma to Framer?

You can copy and paste layers, but things like Figma fonts may not carry over correctly. It’s best to recreate components natively in Framer for full fidelity and control.

Q. What will replace Figma?

There is no clear competitor poised to replace Figma yet. Some potential Figma alternatives include Sketch, Adobe XD, and InVision Studio but none come close to matching Figma’s features and popularity at the moment.

Final Thoughts

Both Figma and Framer are excellent choices for interface and prototype design. For quick visual prototyping and collaboration, Figma has a very compelling ease of use. However, when deep interactivity and tight design-to-code links are important, Framer is unmatched. Overall, Figma remains the most approachable tool for beginners and general use, while Framer finds more niche as needs become advanced. Choose based on your specific workflow – you can’t go wrong with either in most design scenarios.