Penpot
Penpot is a free, open-source design and prototyping tool for designers and teams - a genuine alternative to paid apps like Figma.
No subscription, nothing to install, and your files stay yours. Solo or a whole team, in real time.
For designers, Penpot is the leading free, open-source way to design interfaces and clickable prototypes. It runs in any browser at no cost, keeps your work in open formats, and supports real-time collaboration - the strongest no-cost alternative to paid design apps for most UI work.
What it is
Penpot is a free, open-source design and prototyping platform that runs entirely in your web browser. It lets designers create user interfaces, wireframes, and clickable prototypes without paying a subscription or installing anything. Unlike most professional design apps, Penpot charges no per-seat fees, places no limits on projects or collaborators, and stores your work in open formats so you are never locked in. It suits everyone from a solo freelancer sketching a first screen to a full product team editing the same file together in real time. Because it is open source, the whole community improves it, and if your organisation needs total control over its data you can host Penpot on your own server.
Who it's for
Penpot fits designers who want professional UI and prototyping tools without the recurring cost - freelancers, students, early-stage startups watching every expense, and teams that want designers and developers collaborating in one place. It is an especially strong fit if you care about owning your files, or if you work across Windows, Mac and Linux and would rather not install anything. It is probably not the right choice if your team depends on a specific paid app plugin ecosystem, or if you need the very largest third-party plugin marketplace today - in those cases a paid tool may save you time, and we point you to the best ones below.
Key features
Browser-based, nothing to install
Open it and start designing on any operating system - no downloads, no licence keys.
Real-time collaboration
Multiple people can work on the same board at once, with comments and shared libraries.
Interactive prototyping
Link screens together and click through a working prototype to test a flow.
Open file formats and developer handoff
Designs are standard, portable files, and developers can inspect them and pull code-ready values without a separate paid plan.
Up and running in 3 steps
Our honest verdict
What's great
- Genuinely free, with no seat limits
- Nothing to install - works anywhere
- Open files, so you keep full ownership
- Active development and a growing community
Where it falls short
- Smaller plugin ecosystem than paid leaders
- Self-hosting needs an IT person
- Heavy files can feel slower in-browser
- Fewer ready-made templates to start from
Pricing & license
Penpot is free and always will be - there is no paid tier on the core tool. It is released under the MPL-2.0 license, which means you can use it for any project, including commercial work, at no cost. The hosted version at penpot.app is free to use; if you would rather keep everything on your own infrastructure you can self-host it, which is where our setup service can help.
Alternatives
These reviewed AI tools do the same job instantly — from our scored directory.
Use it, or have us set it up
FAQ
Is Penpot really free?
Yes. The core tool is free forever with no seat limits, released under the open MPL-2.0 license. You only pay if you choose a managed setup or hosting service.
Do I need to install anything?
No. Penpot runs in your browser on Windows, Mac and Linux. You only need a server if you choose to self-host.
Is it good enough to replace a paid tool?
For most UI and prototyping work, yes. If you depend on a large paid plugin ecosystem, a paid option may suit you better.
Can Zekai set it up for me?
Yes, we offer a done-for-you setup and hosting service and can train your team.
