What is Figma?
Figma is one of the most widely used platforms for designing app and website interfaces: it runs in the browser or as a desktop app and lets several people work on the same file in real time. Besides the Figma Design editor, it includes FigJam, Dev Mode and Figma Slides. It has since added Figma AI, a set of AI features, and Figma Make, which turns a prompt into a working prototype or web app.
Compared with app generators such as Lovable, Figma's advantage is that its AI works inside the environment where design teams already do their work: Figma Make can start from existing designs and components, and the result can be brought back into the editor as editable layers. This way AI stays tied to the company's design system.
Main Features
- Figma Make: generates working prototypes and web apps from a prompt, including from existing designs
- Publishing and backend: Make projects can be published at a dedicated address and connected to Supabase for logins and data
- Figma AI in the editor: first drafts of screens, sample copy and automatic layer renaming
- AI image tools: background removal, image generation and editing inside the file
- Dev Mode and MCP server: specs for developers and Figma context for AI agents and coding tools
- Figma Sites and Figma Motion: responsive websites and animation, in beta for Full seat users
How Does Figma Work?
In Figma Design, AI features are called up from the actions menu: you can ask for a first draft of a screen, fill a layout with realistic content or tidy up layer names. In Figma Make you describe the app you want, attach any references, and the AI generates an interactive prototype to refine with further prompts.
Every request to the AI features uses AI credits, in amounts that vary by operation. Credits are included in the plan according to the seat type, and more can be bought; the Full seat gives access to every product, Figma Make included.
Who is Figma for?
- UI and UX designers
- Product managers who want to turn an idea into a prototype
- Developers who receive designs and extract specs from them
- Startups that need to validate an idea before building it
- Product teams sharing a design system
Use Cases
- Designing app and website interfaces collaboratively
- Building a working prototype with Figma Make to show clients
- Generating screen variations and sample content
- Publishing simple landing pages with Figma Sites
- Handing designs off to developers through Dev Mode
Pricing
Figma has a free Starter plan with 150 AI credits per day, up to 500 per month. On the Professional plan, a Full seat costs $16 per month and adds 3,000 AI credits per month, a Dev seat $12 and a Collab seat $3 per month. Organization costs $55 per month per Full seat and Enterprise $90 per month per Full seat, both billed annually. Extra AI credits can be purchased separately.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- AI built into the tool where teams already design
- Figma Make connects prompts, existing designs and working prototypes
- Real-time collaboration and a usable free plan
Cons:
- Free plan AI credits only cover a few tests
- The seat and credit system takes time to understand
- Figma Sites and Figma Motion are still in beta
Final Verdict
Figma remains a benchmark for interface design and, with Figma AI and Figma Make, brings AI into the existing workflow. For anyone designing apps and websites it is one of the most solid choices: the Starter plan is enough to try the AI features, while regular use requires a Full seat on the Professional plan.