Penpot vs InVision
Penpot is open-source, browser-based design and prototyping platform. Self-hostable, while InVision is digital product design platform for prototyping, collaboration, and design system management. The biggest difference up front: Penpot is free, while InVision starts at $7.95/mo. Penpot is built for teams that want a free, open-source figma alternative, whereas InVision targets teams needing design feedback workflows.
| Feature | Penpot | InVision |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | ✓ | — |
| Components | ✓ | — |
| Design Systems | — | ✓ |
| Freehand | — | ✓ |
| Inspect | — | ✓ |
| Open Source | ✓ | — |
| Prototyping | ✓ | ✓ |
| SVG Native | ✓ | — |
| Self-Hosted | ✓ | — |
Pricing: Penpot is completely free, which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. InVision starts at $7.95/mo, but Free for 1 prototype. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.
Feature gaps: Penpot offers Components, Open Source and SVG Native that InVision lacks. InVision brings Design Systems, Freehand and Inspect that Penpot does not have. Both share Prototyping.
Team fit: Penpot is geared toward small teams teams, while InVision is aimed at mid-size teams teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.
Open source: Penpot is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. InVision is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.
Where each tool shines: Penpot's biggest strengths are: 100% free and open source. self-hostable for data sovereignty. InVision's biggest strengths are: interactive prototyping with transitions so stakeholders can click through realistic mockups. includes design systems as a core feature, purpose-built for design workflows.
Watch out for: With Penpot, users commonly note that less mature than figma — fewer features. With InVision, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.
choose Penpot if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams that want a free, open-source figma alternative
- Budget is a hard constraint — Penpot is free, InVision is not
- You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
- You specifically need Components and Open Source
- You care about self-hostable for data sovereignty
choose InVision if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams needing design feedback workflows
- You specifically need Design Systems and Freehand
- You care about includes design systems as a core feature, purpose-built for design workflows
- Your team size fits the mid-size teams profile InVision is designed for
- The free tier works for you: free for 1 prototype
frequently asked
What is the difference between Penpot and InVision?
Penpot is open-source, browser-based design and prototyping platform. Self-hostable, while InVision is digital product design platform for prototyping, collaboration, and design system management. The biggest difference up front: Penpot is free, while InVision starts at $7.95/mo. Penpot is built for teams that want a free, open-source figma alternative, whereas InVision targets teams needing design feedback workflows.
Should I use Penpot or InVision?
Penpot is the free option; InVision charges $7.95/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Penpot over InVision?
Choose Penpot if Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams that want a free, open-source figma alternative; Budget is a hard constraint — Penpot is free, InVision is not; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need Components and Open Source; You care about self-hostable for data sovereignty.
When should I choose InVision over Penpot?
Choose InVision if Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams needing design feedback workflows; You specifically need Design Systems and Freehand; You care about includes design systems as a core feature, purpose-built for design workflows; Your team size fits the mid-size teams profile InVision is designed for; The free tier works for you: free for 1 prototype.
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