Figma Professional vs. Organization: Which Plan is Best? (Compared)

As teams expand their design needs, Figma offers two robust plans — Professional and Organization. While both cater to collaborative design, they differ significantly in features and user management capabilities.

Since 2021, the design collaboration industry has experienced significant growth, with a marked shift toward remote work and digital tools.

According to a report by Statista, the global market for collaborative design tools was valued at approximately $3.2 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $10.9 billion by 2026. This growth highlights how essential these tools have become in streamlining operations, enabling teams to collaborate in real-time, manage projects more effectively, and maintain design consistency across various platforms.

The main difference is that Figma Professional focuses on essential collaboration features suited for smaller teams, while Figma Organization provides advanced user management and security controls tailored for larger organizations, enhancing both project scalability and data protection.

Figma Professional vs Figma Organization: Key Features Comparison Chart

This table walks you through the key features available in both versions of Figma and how they compare side-by-side:

Personal Note:

I recently switched to Figma Professional because, while the Organization plan has fantastic features for larger teams, I found that Professional perfectly suits my needs as a smaller team. The focus on collaboration tools and ease of use helps streamline our design process without the complexities I didn’t need. It feels just right for us, and I love how it fosters creativity without overwhelming us with extra features!

What is Figma Professional and How Does it Work?

Figma Professional is designed for small to medium teams, allowing real-time collaboration and basic version history. Users can share files and access design systems, enhancing teamwork without the need for extensive user management features. It’s perfect for teams focused on design without complex organization needs.

Pros of Figma Professional:

• Easy onboarding for new users.
• Cost-effective for smaller teams.
• Real-time collaboration features.
• Unlimited cloud storage.
• Basic plugins and integrations.

Cons of Figma Professional:

• Limited user management options.
• No centralized team libraries.
• Basic permissions settings.

What is Figma Organization and How Does it Work?

Figma Organization targets larger teams and enterprises with extensive user management capabilities. It provides granular permissions, allowing organizations to control who accesses which files and libraries. Additionally, it offers advanced features for managing design systems and maintaining brand consistency across teams.

Pros of Figma Organization:

• Comprehensive user management tools.
• Granular permissions for security.
• Centralized libraries for teams.
• Advanced analytics and reporting.
• Customizable branding options.

Cons of Figma Organization:

• Higher cost compared to Professional.
• More complex setup process.
• May be overwhelming for small teams.

Figma Professional vs. Organization: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Here’s a detailed side-by-side comparison of the 7 key features of Figma Professional vs. Figma Organization. Each feature is expanded upon to provide a deeper understanding and insights into their functionalities.

1. Real-time Collaboration

Both plans excel in real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to edit designs simultaneously. Figma Professional allows for live feedback and instant updates, which is crucial for small teams that rely heavily on communication and fast-paced design iterations. Users can leave comments directly on the design, making it easy to share feedback in context. This real-time aspect helps streamline the design process, reducing the need for lengthy meetings and back-and-forth emails.

The Organization plan also offers robust real-time collaboration features but includes additional management tools to facilitate larger teams. It allows for up to 1,000 concurrent users per file, which is beneficial for organizations working on large-scale projects with multiple stakeholders. Furthermore, the ability to create separate teams enhances project organization, making it easier for larger teams to manage feedback and contributions.

Verdict:
Winner: Figma Organization – While both plans offer strong collaboration tools, Organization’s capacity for larger teams and enhanced project management makes it the superior choice.

2. Version History

Figma Professional includes version history, allowing users to access past iterations of their designs easily. This feature is essential for tracking changes over time, enabling teams to revert to previous versions if needed. The version history is intuitive, providing a visual representation of changes, which aids in understanding the design evolution. Users can also add comments to specific versions, ensuring that any adjustments made are well-documented.

The Organization plan enhances version history by offering advanced features, such as unlimited version history and the ability to restore any version with a single click. This is especially useful for large teams where multiple users are making changes simultaneously. Additionally, Organization offers features like design snapshots, allowing teams to save important milestones in their design process easily.

Verdict:
Winner: Figma Organization – The advanced version history features in Organization provide better control and flexibility for teams managing complex projects.

3. Advanced User Management

User management in Figma Professional is relatively straightforward, allowing for team creation and basic role assignments. Users can invite others to join projects, but permissions are limited, which can make it challenging for larger teams to maintain control over who can access and edit files. This plan works well for smaller teams where roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and communication is direct.

The Organization plan offers advanced user management capabilities, allowing admins to set up roles and permissions on a more granular level. This includes features like shared team libraries, which restrict access to sensitive assets, and the ability to manage user access to specific files and projects. This feature is crucial for larger organizations where data security and team collaboration need to be carefully managed.

Verdict:
Winner: Figma Organization – The robust user management features in Organization cater well to larger teams and complex projects, making it the better choice.

4. Design Systems

Figma Professional supports design systems by allowing teams to create and use shared styles and components. This makes it easier to maintain consistency across designs, which is particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized teams working on multiple projects. The shared styles enable designers to apply consistent branding elements, improving workflow and ensuring uniformity in design.

Organization takes design systems to the next level by offering centralized management of design assets. Admins can create and manage shared libraries, which can be accessed by all team members, ensuring that everyone is using the latest components and styles. Additionally, it includes versioning for design components, so users can track changes and revert to previous versions as needed, which is crucial for maintaining design integrity across larger teams.

Verdict:
Winner: Figma Organization – With centralized asset management and advanced versioning, Organization provides a more powerful solution for maintaining design systems across larger teams.

5. Permissions Control

In Figma Professional, permission control is relatively basic, allowing users to set file access to either view or edit. This can be sufficient for small teams where trust levels are high and communication is direct. However, the lack of detailed permission settings can lead to potential issues, such as unauthorized edits, especially when collaborating with external stakeholders.

The Organization plan offers granular permissions, enabling admins to define who can access specific files and what actions they can take. This level of control is critical for larger organizations where sensitive projects are involved. Features like view-only links and restricted editing rights help ensure that only authorized users can modify critical designs, enhancing data security.

Verdict:
Winner: Figma Organization – The advanced permission settings in Organization provide better security and control, essential for larger teams and sensitive projects.

6. Shared Libraries

Shared libraries in the Professional plan allow teams to share components and styles, streamlining collaboration. Teams can easily access and use shared assets, which enhances consistency in design. However, the management of these libraries is basic, and there may be challenges in ensuring that all team members are using the most updated versions.

In Organization, shared libraries are more robust, featuring centralized management for all design assets. This ensures that team members are using the latest versions of components and styles, which is crucial for maintaining design consistency across larger teams. Additionally, the Organization plan allows for better organization of libraries, making it easier to manage multiple projects.

Verdict:
Winner: Figma Organization – The enhanced shared library management in Organization ensures better consistency and control for larger teams.

7. Customizable Branding

The Professional plan does not include options for customizable branding, which can be a drawback for teams wanting to maintain brand identity across their design projects. Users may find themselves needing to find workarounds to ensure their designs reflect their branding standards.

The Organization plan offers customizable branding options, allowing teams to incorporate their logos and brand colors into their Figma workspace. This feature not only enhances brand identity but also provides a more cohesive experience for team members and stakeholders, reinforcing brand values throughout the design process.

Verdict:
Winner: Figma Organization – The ability to customize branding is essential for larger teams, making Organization the clear winner in this category.

Use Cases for Figma Professional

1. Small Design Teams: Ideal for small teams working collaboratively on projects without the need for extensive user management.
2. Freelancers: Freelancers who need a cost-effective solution for design projects can leverage Professional’s collaborative features.

Use Cases for Figma Organization

1. Large Enterprises: Organizations with multiple teams needing strict access controls and centralized design systems will benefit greatly.
2. Agencies: Agencies that manage numerous clients and require robust user management will find Organization’s features indispensable.

Figma Professional Pricing

• Monthly Fee: $12 per editor/month
• Annual Fee: $10 per editor/month (billed annually)

Figma Organization Pricing

• Monthly Fee: $45 per editor/month
• Annual Fee: $35 per editor/month (billed annually)

What to Consider When Choosing Between Figma Professional and Organization

When deciding between Figma Professional and Organization, consider these essentials:

1. Team Size: Smaller teams may benefit more from Professional, while larger organizations should consider Organization.
2. Security Needs: If your projects contain sensitive information, the granular permissions in Organization provide added security.
3. Collaboration Style: Both plans support collaboration, but Organization offers more tools for larger teams.
4. Budget: Assess your budget against the features offered; Organization is pricier but may be justified for larger teams.
5. Future Growth: Consider your team’s growth; if you plan to scale, Organization might be the better long-term choice.

FAQs

1. Can I upgrade from Figma Professional to Organization?
   Yes, you can upgrade your plan directly through Figma’s billing settings.
2. Is there a trial for Figma Organization?
   Yes, Figma offers a free trial for the Organization plan, allowing you to explore its features.
3. Can I use plugins with both plans?
   Yes, both plans support plugins, enhancing functionality and workflow.
4. Are there any additional fees for storage?
   No, both plans include unlimited cloud storage as part of their offerings.
5. Is customer support different between the plans?
   Organization users often receive priority support, ensuring quicker responses to inquiries.

Is Figma Professional Better than Organization: Takeaway

Ultimately, whether to choose Figma Professional or Organization depends on your team’s specific needs. If collaboration is your main focus and you’re part of a smaller team, Professional may be all you need.

If you’re part of a larger organization requiring strict security measures and advanced management features, the Organization plan will serve you better. Select the plan that aligns best with your team dynamics and project requirements to maximize your design potential.