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Affinity Designer vs Figma: What are the differences?
Introduction: Affinity Designer and Figma are two popular graphic design software tools that offer a range of features and functionalities. While both can be used to create stunning designs and illustrations, there are some key differences between the two.
Interface and Ease of Use: Affinity Designer provides a more traditional and familiar interface, similar to other graphic design software tools, making it easier for experienced designers to switch to this software. On the other hand, Figma offers a more streamlined and modern interface, with a focus on collaboration and real-time editing, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users.
Collaboration and Real-time Editing: Figma excels in the aspect of collaboration and real-time editing. It allows multiple designers to work on the same project simultaneously, making it ideal for teams working remotely or on collaborative projects. Affinity Designer, on the other hand, does not provide extensive collaboration features and is more suitable for individual designers.
Pricing and Licensing: Affinity Designer is a one-time purchase software, which means you only pay once and get lifetime access to the software. Figma, on the other hand, follows a subscription-based model, where you pay a monthly or annual fee to access the software. This difference in pricing and licensing can be a major factor for individuals or design teams with budget constraints.
Advanced Features and Toolsets: Affinity Designer offers a wide range of advanced features and toolsets, including advanced vector manipulation, non-destructive operations, and extensive color management options. Figma, on the other hand, focuses more on collaboration and prototyping, providing powerful design and prototyping tools but with fewer advanced graphic design features.
Offline vs Online: Affinity Designer is a desktop application, which means you need to install it on your computer and have access to the software offline. Figma, on the other hand, is a web-based application, which means you can access it from any device with an internet connection and collaborate with team members in real-time. This online accessibility of Figma can be beneficial for designers who need to work on multiple devices or collaborate with remote team members.
Platform Compatibility: Affinity Designer is available only for macOS and Windows operating systems. Figma, on the other hand, is platform-independent and can be accessed through web browsers on macOS, Windows, and even Linux operating systems. This platform compatibility of Figma makes it a more versatile option for designers who work across different operating systems.
In Summary, Affinity Designer offers a more traditional interface, advanced graphic design features, and is a one-time purchase software, while Figma excels in collaboration, real-time editing, and accessibility on different platforms and devices.
Hello, I want to start an unlimited graphic design service. (yes, yet another one, but bear with me)
It’s the second week that I’m working on this project, my goal is to test the market as soon as possible.
One element that is missing is the solution to handle communication between the clients and the designers.
• Mandatory: it needs to communicate instructions, progress/status, and design files (exported from Adobe Illustrator or similar). • Optionally it would also display the design inside the app so the files don’t need to be opened. • Optionally it would let the client easily mark the design where he wants revision.
• Mandatory: it needs to have unlimited clients and unlimited projects (I’ll have hundreds of clients and each will have at least one project) • Optionally it would auto-assign a new project to the first available designer, or let the designers choose themselves which project they want to work on • Optionally it would have groups (corresponding to a subscription plan) with different clients and different designers in each • Optionally it would communicate with other apps so that client and designer management tasks (access, payment, etc) can be automated
I’m open to all suggestions, not just the selection above. Ultimately I guess I’ll have a custom app developed on a no-code platform, but to begin with I need something simple and ready.
Reminder: it is only for graphic design, between my designers and my clients
Zeplin is great for Developer handoff and setting as source of truth for Design and Developemt. InViosion is the standard for communicating/testing design ideas and prototypes with stakeholders. Both applications offer unlimited projects. I use them on a daily basis at big enterprises and for small weekend projects.
I have been using Basecamp since 2008 to handle my client communications. I have gone through all of its three iterations.
I'd recommend Basecamp above the others because:
- It is a communication tool through and through. Looking at your description, that seems to be what you need. Zeplin is a developer handoff tool. It isn't designed to cover a more broad use case as you describe. Invision has some features that you want, but it is primarily a tool for building quick low-fidelity prototypes from website mockups. Figma is a great design tool. For the last two, communication is a secondary feature.
- It was designed by a design agency (37 Signals) for their own needs, which were quite similar to yours. (They later closed the agency to focus on Basecamp as a product full-time)
- It has flat pricing that doesn't count the number of projects, clients or team members you have. You don't have to think twice about opening another project or inviting another user. You always pay the same price.
- It can separate team and client communications. The team can talk about something without the client ever seeing it, in the same context.
- It can keep todo lists, which I think you will need anyway.
- Access control is based on projects. Every team member or client will only see the projects they are invited to. They will not even know the existence of others. (Except admins. They can see and join all projects)
- It is easy to understand and use. The design is free of clutter and easy on the eyes. Your clients (especially the tech-averse ones) will appreciate it.
- It has mobile/desktop apps with the full functionality of the web app. You won't have to wait for someone to sit down to get a quick approval.
The only real downside for me was the lack of language support in the user interface. You will be fine if your users understand some very basic written English. Some of my clients did not, so I had to walk them through it.
Pros of Affinity Designer
- Easy of use3
- No subscription2
- Feels like Illustrator2
- Love the UI2
- Export options1
- Customizable layouts1
- Feels like Photoshop0
Pros of Figma
- Web-based application18
- Intuitive interface and perfect collaboration10
- Free software8
- Works on both Mac and Windows7
- Highly Collaborative7
- Great plugins, easy to extend6
- Works on multiple OS's5
- Imports Sketch files5
- Large community, tutorials, documentation5
- Hands done the best design tool for collaboration!5
- Prototyping, design files and comments all in one place4
- Interactive, event-based prototypes4
- No more syncing between Sketch and InVision3
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Cons of Affinity Designer
Cons of Figma
- Limited Export options6
