Figma — free plan, limits and what it is good for
Free plan gives you three collaborative files. Enough for a small project, not enough for a client workflow.
| Pricing | Free; Pro from $12/editor/mo |
|---|---|
| Free tier | 3 collaborative files, unlimited drafts |
| Account required | Email or Google account |
| Watermark on free output | No |
| Limits | 3 files, 30-day version history |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS |
| Best for | UI design, prototypes, design systems |
| Last checked | October 2026 |
What the free plan actually gives you
The free Starter plan is genuinely usable: unlimited personal drafts, three collaborative files, unlimited viewers, and the full editor. For a solo designer working on one product, those three files are the only real constraint.
Version history is capped at 30 days on free, which matters when a client asks to roll back something from last month. Dev Mode, shared libraries and branching are all paid. The moment a second designer joins, you are on a paid seat.
Where it breaks
- Three-file cap hits fast on client work
- 30-day version history only
- Dev Mode and shared libraries are paid
What we would use instead
If the limits above are a problem, the closest free substitutes are Canva and Unsplash. They are not identical — each one trades something different — but all of them let you finish a job without paying.
Free alternatives
Questions people actually ask
How many free files do I get?
Three collaborative files, plus unlimited personal drafts that only you can edit.
Can I use Figma free commercially?
Yes, the free plan permits commercial work. The limits are on file count and collaboration, not usage rights.
What happens when I hit three files?
Existing files keep working but you cannot create another collaborative file until you archive one or upgrade.