Meet the European Team Taking on Figma with an Open-Source Alternative

Figma has been the go-to design tool for years, but a small European team is offering something different: Penpot.

Unlike traditional design platforms, Penpot is open-source, free to use, and built with both designers and developers in mind.

The Origins of Penpot

Penpot was created by Kaleidos, a Spanish tech company with a strong focus on open-source innovation.

The team saw a common challenge in digital product development: designers and developers often struggle to collaborate efficiently.

Most design tools cater primarily to designers, leaving developers to navigate complex exports and proprietary file formats.

To solve this, they built Penpot.

Like Figma, it’s a web-based design and prototyping tool, but it operates on open standards such as SVG and CSS, making it easier for developers to work directly with design files.

Several key features differentiate Penpot from its competitors:

• Open-Source and Free – Unlike Figma and Adobe tools, Penpot doesn’t require a subscription. Users can modify the software, contribute to its development, or even host it on their own servers.
• Designed for Developers and Designers – Penpot bridges the gap between teams by using open file formats that integrate seamlessly with code.
• Flexible Layouts – Responsive design tools allow for layouts that automatically adapt to different screen sizes, reducing manual adjustments.
• Privacy and Control – With self-hosting options, businesses and organizations can maintain full control over their design assets.

From Niche Project to Industry Contender

Since its public launch in 2021, Penpot has gained significant traction.

In 2022, the company secured $8 million in funding, reflecting growing demand for open-source alternatives in creative industries.

Discussing the platform's sustainability, CEO of Penpot, Pablo Ruiz-Múzquiz, introduced the "Open Nitrate Model," a unique approach where organizations pay for features that allow them to govern or control the open-source product, while the core features remain free and open-source.

As more companies evaluate their reliance on proprietary software, Penpot offers a compelling option for teams looking for flexibility, transparency, and long-term sustainability.

The Road Ahead

Penpot isn’t just another design tool—it represents a shift toward open, collaborative, and developer-friendly workflows.

Ruiz-Múzquiz highlighted the platform's rapid expansion, stating, "I’m excited to share that since we launched general availability for Penpot in February, our community has grown by 66% to 400,000 strong." He also emphasized the diverse user base, noting that both designers and developers are actively engaging with Penpot.

While Figma remains the industry leader, Penpot is proving that open-source software can compete with, and even surpass, traditional platforms.

As the platform evolves, the team behind Penpot is focused on expanding its feature set and strengthening its community-driven approach.

In response to community suggestions about enhancing collaboration features, Ruiz-Múzquiz acknowledged the importance of stakeholder feedback and expressed a desire to redefine the experience rather than implement quick fixes. These insights reflect Penpot's commitment to growth, innovation, and community collaboration.

For businesses seeking greater control over their tools and data, Penpot may be the design platform of the future.