Figma

Yes, Figma provides a Starter plan that lets individuals and small teams begin designing, prototyping, sharing files, and receiving comments without buying a subscription. Paid plans expand team administration, libraries, permissions, collaboration controls, and developer-focused capabilities, so the appropriate tier depends on the organization’s workflow. Some features also depend on the assigned seat type rather than only the plan name. Creating an account is necessary for maintaining cloud files and participating as an editor, while shared links can support review according to the owner’s access settings. Check the official pricing page before choosing a plan because feature availability and seat rules can change over time.

Only limited work is possible offline because Figma is designed around cloud storage, synchronization, and real-time collaboration. Users should connect before opening important files and avoid assuming every file, library, plugin, comment, or team feature will remain available without a network connection. Work that is already open may continue in restricted circumstances, but access to full functionality requires internet connectivity. A prototype can be prepared for offline presentation by preloading it while connected and keeping the presentation view open; large prototypes may not preload successfully, and mobile devices cannot play them offline. For dependable editing, sharing, and version updates, use a stable connection and confirm changes have synchronized before closing the app.

The desktop app requires 64-bit Windows 10 or later, so 32-bit Windows installations are not supported. This package is the x64 build and the provided installer size is 139.3 MB. The supplied baseline lists an x64 processor, 4 GB RAM, 2 GB of available storage, and no dedicated graphics card requirement. Actual comfort depends on file complexity, image volume, open browser tabs, and the number of active applications, so larger projects may benefit from additional memory. Graphics behavior also depends on current operating-system and driver support. Keep Windows and display drivers updated, install the correct architecture, and use the official download page if the direct build link no longer responds.

Neither option is universally better because the desktop app and browser provide the same core design functionality. The desktop edition is useful when you want a dedicated workspace, bundled font support, links that open directly in the installed client, or plugin development on Windows or macOS. The browser version avoids a local application install and works on supported browsers, which can be convenient on managed or shared computers. Performance varies with the device, graphics drivers, browser, and project complexity. Choose the desktop app for a native workflow and local integration; choose the browser for quick access. Both connect to the same cloud-based files when signed into the same account.

Yes, developers can inspect designs, review component details, follow prototype behavior, and use shared context during implementation. Dev Mode provides a developer-focused interface for navigating design files and translating specifications into code, while ready-for-development views can help teams identify approved work on eligible plans. Access is not identical for every account: full Dev Mode capabilities can depend on the paid plan and whether the user has a Full or Dev seat. File owners can also share designs with view or edit permissions and keep comments near the relevant work. Before relying on a handoff feature, confirm the workspace plan, seat assignment, file permission, and current product documentation.