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Adobe Photoshop vs Figma: What are the differences?
Introduction
Adobe Photoshop and Figma are two popular graphic editing tools that offer various features and functionalities. While both are used for designing and creating visuals, there are key differences that set them apart.
Integration with Creative Cloud: Adobe Photoshop is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, which offers seamless integration with other Adobe software like Illustrator and InDesign. This allows for easy file sharing and collaboration between different applications. On the other hand, Figma is a web-based design tool that operates entirely in the browser. It allows for real-time collaboration, enabling multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously.
Accessibility and Platform Compatibility: Adobe Photoshop is a desktop application available for Windows and macOS, limiting its accessibility to users who have access to these operating systems. Figma, being a web-based tool, can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection, making it platform-independent and more accessible for users on different operating systems.
Vector Design Capabilities: While both Adobe Photoshop and Figma offer vector editing capabilities, Figma is primarily designed as a vector editing tool. It provides better scalability and is better suited for designing graphics that need to be resized without losing quality. Adobe Photoshop, on the other hand, is more focused on raster editing, making it ideal for photo manipulation and creating pixel-based graphics.
Plugins and Extensions: Adobe Photoshop has a wide range of plugins and extensions available in the Adobe Creative Cloud marketplace. These plugins provide additional functionalities to enhance the creative process and customize the software according to individual needs. Figma also supports plugins, but its plugin ecosystem is not as extensive as Adobe Photoshop's.
Pricing and Licensing: Adobe Photoshop operates on a subscription-based model, requiring users to pay a monthly or annual fee to access the software. It can be quite expensive for individuals or small businesses. Meanwhile, Figma offers a freemium pricing model, allowing users to access limited features for free while providing advanced features and collaboration tools in paid plans. This makes Figma more cost-effective for individuals or teams who need design capabilities without a significant financial commitment.
Offline Editing: Adobe Photoshop is a desktop application, which means it can be used offline. Users can work on their projects even without an internet connection. Figma, being a web-based tool, requires an internet connection to access and use its features. While Figma does have an "Offline mode" that allows users to continue working on their designs when connectivity is lost temporarily, it lacks the flexibility of offline editing that Adobe Photoshop offers.
In summary, Adobe Photoshop offers seamless integration with other Adobe software, while Figma is a web-based design tool accessible from any platform. Figma focuses more on vector design capabilities, while Adobe Photoshop is geared towards raster editing. Adobe Photoshop has a extensive plugin ecosystem, but Figma is more affordable with a freemium pricing model. Lastly, Adobe Photoshop allows offline editing, while Figma requires an internet connection.
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 Adobe Photoshop
- Photo editing14
- Powerful14
- Layers11
- You can use it for anything related to graphics7
- Magic wand4
- Pen Tool2
- Easy to crack2
- Raster-based Image Editing Software2
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 Adobe Photoshop
- Heavyweight4
- Memory hungry3
- Steep learning curve2
Cons of Figma
- Limited Export options6
