Penpot
Penpot is a free, open-source, web-based design platform that enables seamless c...
InVision
A design prototyping and collaboration platform that was shut down in December 2...
Penpot vs InVision: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Penpot and InVision covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Penpot vs InVision: Overview
Choosing between Penpot and InVision is a common dilemma for design users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
Penpot offers a free tier and starts at $0/monthly, while InVision also has a free option and begins at $0/monthly. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
Penpot is best known for completely free open-source core with no feature paywalls, whereas InVision stands out for intuitive prototyping interface. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
Penpot
- Best for: Design-dev collaboration on web/UI projects needing code fidelity, Open-source teams avoiding vendor lock-in or Figma alternatives
- Starting price: Free
- Category: design
- Founded:
InVision
- Best for: UX/UI designers, Design teams needing collaboration
- Starting price: Free
- Category: design
- Founded: 2011
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Penpot and InVision.
| Feature | Pp Penpot | In InVision |
|---|---|---|
| Components | Reusable components for design systems | |
| Flex Layout | CSS-standard flexible interfaces | |
| Grid Layout | Responsive CSS-based designs | |
| Fonts Management | Custom and team-owned fonts | |
| Interactions | Triggers and actions for prototypes | |
| Transitions | Fade, pull, push, and animations | |
| Flows | Multi-starting points for user journeys | |
| Inspect Mode | Code and properties introspection | |
| Multiplayer Collaboration | Real-time team collaboration with roles and permissions | |
| Design Tokens & Variants | For scalable design systems | |
| Plugin System | Community plugins and extensions | |
| Export Production Assets | SVG/HTML/CSS vectors export | |
| Interactive Prototyping | Create clickable prototypes with hotspots and transitions | |
| Design Handoff | Generate specs and assets for developers | |
| Real-time Collaboration | Team commenting and feedback system | |
| Version Control | Track design iterations and changes | |
| User Testing | Built-in usability testing tools | |
| Design System Management | Maintain consistent design libraries | |
| Mobile Preview | Preview prototypes on mobile devices | |
| Animation Tools | Create micro-interactions and transitions | |
| Whiteboarding | Freehand collaborative whiteboard feature | |
| Presentation Mode | Present designs to stakeholders | |
| Asset Management | Organize and share design assets | |
| Password Protection | Secure prototype sharing |
Features Deep Dive
Both Penpot and InVision offer core design functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Core functionality.
Penpot unique strengths: Components, Flex Layout, Grid Layout. This makes it ideal for design-dev collaboration on web/ui projects needing code fidelity.
InVision unique strengths: Interactive Prototyping, Design Handoff, Real-time Collaboration. This makes it better suited for ux/ui designers.
Penpot offers 12 core features with 8 integrations, while InVision provides 12 features and 10 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Penpot edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Penpot offers more features for the price. InVision remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize ux/ui designers.
Penpot
Best for Design-dev collaboration on web/UI projects needing code fidelity and Open-source teams avoiding vendor lock-in or Figma alternatives. Completely free open-source core with no feature paywalls.
Try PenpotInVision
Best for UX/UI designers and Design teams needing collaboration. Intuitive prototyping interface.
Try InVisionPros & Cons
Penpot Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free open-source core with no feature paywalls
- Native CSS/SVG/HTML support bridges design-dev handoff gaps
- Real-time multiplayer collaboration for designers, devs, stakeholders
- Self-hosting option for data ownership and customization
- Vibrant community with libraries, templates, plugins, and events
- Responsive Flex/Grid layouts follow web standards exactly
- Multi-language UI with 30+ languages and RTL support
Cons
- Limited details on Unlimited/Enterprise differentiators beyond storage/history
- Self-hosting requires technical setup
- Web-based only with no explicit mobile/desktop apps
- Community support primary with limited dedicated phone support
- Beta features like MCP server may have instability
InVision Pros & Cons
Pros
- Intuitive prototyping interface
- Strong collaboration features
- Easy stakeholder sharing
- Good animation capabilities
- Comprehensive design handoff
- Mobile app for reviews
- Integration with design tools
Cons
- Service discontinued in 2024
- Limited design creation tools
- Performance issues with large prototypes
- Expensive for small teams
- No offline access
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
Penpot
freemium- Unlimited design files
- Penpot editor
- Flex/Grid Layout
- All Professional features
- More storage
- Longer history
- All Unlimited features
- Custom pricing
- Complex organizational needs
InVision
subscription- 1 prototype
- 3 active screens
- Basic sharing
- Unlimited prototypes
- Advanced animations
- User testing
- Advanced design system
- SSO
- Admin controls
Pricing Comparison Analysis
Penpot Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $0/monthly. 3 plans available: Professional, Unlimited, Enterprise.
InVision Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $0/monthly. 3 plans available: Free, Pro, Team.
Verdict: Penpot is more affordable at the entry level and offers a free tier. However, InVision may offer better value at scale with Strong collaboration features.
For budget-conscious teams, Penpot is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing ux/ui designers, InVision's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose Penpot if you need:
- Design-dev collaboration on web/UI projects needing code fidelity
- Open-source teams avoiding vendor lock-in or Figma alternatives
- Building scalable design systems with tokens and components
- Prototyping interactive flows with CSS-standard layouts
- Self-hosted enterprise design workflows with custom integrations
- Completely free open-source core with no feature paywalls
- Native CSS/SVG/HTML support bridges design-dev handoff gaps
Choose InVision if you need:
- UX/UI designers
- Design teams needing collaboration
- Prototype testing and validation
- Design handoff to developers
- Intuitive prototyping interface
- Strong collaboration features
Final Verdict
Choose Penpot if: You need design-dev collaboration on web/ui projects needing code fidelity or open-source teams avoiding vendor lock-in or figma alternatives. It excels at completely free open-source core with no feature paywalls and native css/svg/html support bridges design-dev handoff gaps.
Choose InVision if: You prioritize ux/ui designers or design teams needing collaboration. It's particularly strong for intuitive prototyping interface and strong collaboration features.
Overall: Penpot has a slight edge with a 4.2/5 rating from our analysis.
Both tools are solid choices in the design space. Your decision should ultimately depend on your specific requirements, team size, and budget.
Penpot vs InVision FAQ
What are the main differences between Penpot and InVision?
Penpot focuses on design-dev collaboration on web/ui projects needing code fidelity with completely free open-source core with no feature paywalls, while InVision excels at ux/ui designers with intuitive prototyping interface. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Penpot or InVision better for small businesses?
Penpot offers a free tier which is great for small businesses starting out. For small businesses with limited budgets, consider starting with the tool that offers Penpot's lower starting price of $0/month.
What is the pricing difference between Penpot and InVision?
Penpot starts at $0/month with a free tier available, while InVision starts at $0/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Penpot integrate with InVision?
While direct integration may vary, both Penpot and InVision support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Penpot integrates with Open API & webhooks, Locofy plugin, MCP server, while InVision works with Sketch, Figma, Adobe XD.
Which tool is easier to use, Penpot or InVision?
Based on user reviews, Penpot generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.2 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. Penpot is known for native css/svg/html support bridges design-dev handoff gaps.
Does Penpot or InVision offer better customer support?
Both Penpot and InVision provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Penpot offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Penpot compared to InVision?
Penpot's main advantages include: Completely free open-source core with no feature paywalls, Native CSS/SVG/HTML support bridges design-dev handoff gaps, Real-time multiplayer collaboration for designers, devs, stakeholders. Compared to InVision, it's particularly strong for design-dev collaboration on web/ui projects needing code fidelity.
What are the cons of Penpot compared to InVision?
Penpot's potential drawbacks include: Limited details on Unlimited/Enterprise differentiators beyond storage/history, Self-hosting requires technical setup. InVision may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Penpot to InVision or vice versa?
Consider switching if your current tool doesn't meet your needs. Key factors include: current pain points, migration complexity, team training, and total cost of ownership. Use our ROI calculator to estimate the potential impact of switching.
Which tool is best for design in 2026?
In 2026, Penpot leads in this comparison with a 4.2 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Penpot excels for design-dev collaboration on web/ui projects needing code fidelity, while InVision is ideal for ux/ui designers.