Figma
Figma is a collaborative interface design tool that allows teams to create, test, and ship designs together in real-time through a browser-based platform for modern product teams.
SmartDraw
SmartDraw is a versatile diagramming software that allows you to create professional-quality flowcharts, floor plans, and organizational charts using automated formatting and a vast library of specialized templates.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Figma | SmartDraw |
|---|---|---|
| Website | figma.com | smartdraw.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $9.95/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 7 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2012 | 1994 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | The Woodlands, USA |
Overview
Figma
Figma is a collaborative design platform where you can build interfaces, prototypes, and design systems in a single, shared workspace. Unlike traditional desktop tools, it runs in your browser, meaning you and your teammates can work on the same file simultaneously without worrying about version control or file syncing. You can move from initial brainstorming in FigJam to high-fidelity UI design and interactive prototyping without ever switching applications.
It solves the friction between design and engineering by providing a single source of truth for your entire product team. You can share live links with stakeholders for instant feedback and use Dev Mode to give developers everything they need to translate designs into code. Whether you are a solo freelancer or part of a global enterprise, it scales to meet your needs with a robust free plan and advanced organization features.
SmartDraw
SmartDraw is a powerful diagramming tool designed to help you create professional visuals without the manual effort of traditional drawing software. Whether you need to map out complex business processes, design architectural floor plans, or build technical engineering diagrams, the platform automates the alignment and arrangement of your elements. You can simply click a command and watch your diagram reformat itself instantly as you add or move shapes.
The software serves a wide range of users, from solo contractors needing quick blueprints to enterprise teams documenting IT infrastructure. It solves the problem of messy, inconsistent diagrams by providing over 45,000 professional templates and 70,000 symbols. You can work entirely in your web browser or use the Windows desktop application, making it easy to collaborate with your team regardless of their operating system.
Overview
Figma Features
- Real-time Collaboration Work together on the same design file simultaneously with your team and see changes happen instantly in your browser.
- Advanced Auto Layout Create responsive designs that automatically resize as you add content or change screen sizes, saving you hours of manual adjustments.
- Interactive Prototyping Turn your static designs into clickable prototypes with realistic transitions and animations to test user flows before writing code.
- Shared Design Systems Build and manage a library of reusable components and styles to ensure visual consistency across all your company projects.
- Dev Mode Give your developers a dedicated space to inspect designs, grab CSS snippets, and export assets without changing the original file.
- FigJam Whiteboarding Brainstorm ideas, map out user journeys, and run retrospective meetings with your team using an online whiteboard built for collaboration.
SmartDraw Features
- Intelligent Formatting. Add or remove shapes and watch your diagram automatically readjust its layout to maintain perfect alignment and spacing.
- Extensive Template Library. Choose from over 70 different diagram types including flowcharts, floor plans, and network diagrams to start your project instantly.
- CAD-Drafting Engine. Design professional-grade floor plans and engineering drawings with ease using powerful tools that rival expensive CAD software.
- Data-Driven Diagrams. Generate charts and visuals automatically by importing data from your existing spreadsheets or external databases.
- Visio Import and Export. Collaborate with others easily by importing your old Visio files and exporting your new designs back to Visio format.
- Development Platform. Use the built-in SDK to create custom extensions and automate diagram generation for your specific business needs.
Pricing Comparison
Figma Pricing
- 3 Figma and 3 FigJam files
- Unlimited personal files
- Unlimited collaborators
- Mobile app for viewing
- Basic prototyping
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Unlimited Figma files
- Unlimited version history
- Shared team libraries
- Private projects
- Advanced prototyping
SmartDraw Pricing
- Over 70,000 symbols
- 4,500+ smart templates
- Visio import and export
- Premium support included
- Cloud storage integration
- Everything in Individual, plus:
- Minimum 3 users required
- Shared team folders
- Administrative controls
- Document retention rules
Pros & Cons
Figma
Pros
- Seamless real-time collaboration for remote teams
- Browser-based access works on any operating system
- Powerful auto-layout features for responsive design
- Excellent community marketplace for plugins and templates
Cons
- Requires a stable internet connection to work
- Performance can lag with very large files
- Learning curve for advanced prototyping features
SmartDraw
Pros
- Automated formatting saves hours of manual alignment
- Massive library of industry-specific symbols and templates
- Excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office and Visio
- Easier to learn than complex CAD software
Cons
- Web version can lag with very large diagrams
- No forever-free tier for casual users
- Subscription is required to keep desktop access