Penpot 2.2’s Rise: Figma vs Lunacy

Penpot’s surge and Figma’s AI

Penpot reaches 1.5 million users in 2026 as an open-source, web-based platform. It holds over 45,000 GitHub stars. The platform allows designers to use flex layouts and grid layouts that generate code for developers. This reduces handoff issues. Penpot version 2.10 introduced Variants for components, while version 2.8 added multi-file token import/export and a boost to SVG performance. While Figma relies on a closed, cloud-only model that prevents self-hosting, Penpot gives organizations the choice to run the software on their own servers to maintain better data control and security. Figma holds the industry position because it uses AI to generate mockups from text prompts and smart component searches. Its Starter plan allows three files and 150 AI credits per day. The Professional tier costs $16 per month per full seat. FigJam remains a separate product for $5 per seat. Figma’s Enterprise plan costs $75 per person. Figma also provides Developer Mode, but this requires a paid seat for users to inspect and export design specs.

Lunacy’s tools and performance

Lunacy works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It works for both personal and commercial use. I find the macOS version of Lunacy produces frequent crashes that force a restart. The Lunacy team says they plan to fix these bugs. Lunacy includes 1.3 million icons and 140,000 photos in its library. You might think the free version covers everything, but you must attribute graphics to Icons8 unless you pay $9.99 per month for the full set. This subscription also unlocks the AI-powered image upscaler. The upscaler increases image resolution up to 7680 x 7680px. The avatar tool creates user avatars for contact lists. The text generator adds names and job titles to designs. Lunacy also supports .sketch files natively. This allows designers to open, edit, and save Sketch projects without a Sketch subscription. Lunacy provides a personal cloud plan for $4.99 per month. This plan allows unlimited cloud documents and unlimited editors. The free plan allows 10 cloud documents and 10 editors, but only keeps 30 days of version history. The cloud plan provides the entire version history. Lunacy team plans cost $4.99 per user per month and allow more than three members. I see the design market shifting toward open-source tools. Penpot currently holds over 45,000 GitHub stars. It allows designers to use CSS Grid directly in their workflows. This reduces the friction between design files and the final code. The tool provides a built-in whiteboard for collaboration in its free version.

Comparing pricing and platforms

The choice between these tools depends on whether a team prioritizes proprietary ecosystems or open-source flexibility. Figma uses a per-seat pricing model. Its Professional tier costs $16 per person, per team, per month. For a team of 10 designers, this equals $1,920 per year. Penpot uses a different structure. Its Premium plan costs $175 per month for the entire team with no seat limit. Its Enterprise plan costs $950 per month for large teams and includes extra security. Lunacy offers a personal cloud plan for $4.99 per month. This plan allows unlimited cloud documents and unlimited editors.

Figma provides advanced prototyping with interactive variables, while Penpot provides CSS Grid functionality for responsive designs. Lunacy provides local document modes for work without an internet connection. Figma also provides mobile apps for iOS and Android, whereas Lunacy lacks an iPad version. Sketch remains a macOS-only option. Its Standard plan costs $12 per month per editor. Its Professional plan costs $24 per month per editor. Sketch also provides a one-time perpetual license for $120 per seat. Will Penpot’s WebAssembly-based renderer finally close the performance gap with Figma? I recommend Penpot for budget-conscious startups that require data sovereignty. I recommend Figma for large teams that require a massive plugin ecosystem.