Figma is widely used for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration, but it isn't the only option for creating digital designs. Several open-source projects offer different approaches, from traditional design editors to AI-powered workflows and rapid prototyping tools.

What if your design tool was open source, and you could inspect its code, contribute features, or adapt it to your workflow?

That's what makes open-source design software worth exploring. From full UI design platforms to experimental AI-powered editors, these projects offer different approaches to creating digital products.

1. Open Design

GitHub: https://github.com/nexu-io/open-design

Open Design is an open-source, AI-powered design workspace that uses coding agents to create visual assets and interactive experiences.

Rather than relying entirely on a traditional canvas-based editor, it lets AI agents generate designs such as landing pages, dashboards, presentations, and prototypes.

Key features:

• AI-assisted design workflows

• Integration with coding agents

• Local-first workflow

• Export options for generated designs

Open Design is worth exploring if you're interested in combining AI-assisted development with visual design. However, its workflow differs significantly from Figma's conventional editor.

2. Penpot

GitHub: https://github.com/penpot/penpot

Penpot is an open-source design and prototyping platform built for designers and developers. It's one of the closest alternatives to Figma for teams working on websites, mobile applications, and design systems.

Unlike many graphic design tools, Penpot focuses on the entire UI design workflow, from creating layouts to building interactive prototypes and handing designs over to developers.

Key features:

• Vector-based design tools

• Interactive prototyping

• Components and design systems

• Real-time collaboration

• Developer handoff with CSS and SVG

Penpot is a strong starting point if you're looking for an open-source tool to replace Figma in a professional UI/UX workflow.

3. Graphite

GitHub: https://github.com/GraphiteEditor/Graphite

Graphite is an open-source graphics editor built around a node-based, procedural workflow. It aims to bring vector graphics, raster editing, and motion graphics into a unified application.

Its approach is different from traditional design editors. Instead of relying exclusively on layers and conventional tools, Graphite uses a node graph to build and modify visual content.

Key features:

• Vector and raster graphics

• Node-based procedural editing

• Non-destructive workflows

• Browser-based development and desktop-oriented ambitions

Graphite is worth considering for visual design and creative workflows, although it isn't a direct replacement for Figma's collaboration and prototyping features.

4. Pencil Project

GitHub: https://github.com/evolus/pencil

Pencil Project is a free, open-source tool for creating diagrams, wireframes, and GUI prototypes.

It has been around for years and provides a more traditional approach to interface planning. You can use it to sketch application screens, map out layouts, and communicate ideas before implementation.

Key features:

• GUI wireframing and prototyping

• Diagram creation

• Reusable interface elements

• Desktop application workflow

Pencil Project is particularly useful when you need to plan an interface before writing code. Its primary focus is wireframing and mockups rather than modern, collaborative UI design.

5. Open Pencil

GitHub: https://github.com/open-pencil/open-pencil

Open Pencil is an open-source, AI-native design editor positioned as a Figma alternative. It combines visual design workflows with AI-assisted capabilities.

The project is especially interesting for developers and designers exploring how AI can fit into the design process rather than treating design and implementation as entirely separate activities.

Key features:

• AI-assisted design workflows

• Visual design editing

• Support for .fig and .pen files, according to the project

• An open-source codebase for community contributions

Open Pencil is worth watching if you're interested in emerging design tools. Before adopting it for production work, check its current feature coverage and compatibility with your existing design files.

6. Akira

GitHub: https://github.com/akiraux/Akira

Akira is an open-source UI and UX design application developed with Linux users in mind.

Its goal is to provide a native design tool rather than relying entirely on a web-based application. The project focuses on interface design, vector editing, and workflows for creating digital products.

Key features:

• Native Linux application approach

• UI and UX design

• Vector-based editing

• Open-source development

Akira is an interesting project for Linux users who want a dedicated design application. However, check its current development status and usability before choosing it for a production workflow.

7. Quant-UX

GitHub: https://github.com/KlausSchaefers/quant-ux

Quant-UX is an open-source tool for prototyping, user testing, and learning from user interactions.

Its emphasis is on testing how people interact with a design, rather than simply producing static mockups. This makes it particularly relevant to UX designers who want to validate ideas before building the final product.

Key features:

• Interactive prototypes

• User testing

• Collection of interaction data

• Self-hosting options

Quant-UX can complement a design workflow when usability testing is a priority. It's not a complete replacement for Figma's general-purpose design editor, but it covers an important part of the product design process.

Which Open-Source Figma Alternative Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on what you're trying to accomplish.

If you want the closest alternative to Figma for designing websites and applications, start with Penpot.

If you're interested in AI-assisted workflows, explore Open Design and Open Pencil. For wireframing, Pencil Project is another option, while Quant-UX is worth considering for interactive prototypes and user testing.

Explore the Projects on GitHub

One advantage of open-source design software is that you can inspect the source code, follow development activity, report issues, and contribute improvements.

GitHub stars can help you gauge a project's visibility, but they don't necessarily indicate product quality, maintenance, or feature completeness. Check recent commits, releases, open issues, and documentation before committing to a tool.

Have you tried any of these projects? Which open-source design tool would you recommend to someone looking for an alternative to Figma?