Figma vs Shopify: Which One is Better in 2025?

When comparing design and e-commerce platforms, Figma and Shopify often come to mind. Both are powerful but serve different purposes. This article will compare their key features, pricing, limitations, and user reviews to help you make an informed decision.

Figma: Overview and Key Features

Figma is a collaborative interface design tool used by designers and teams to create, prototype, and share designs efficiently.

• Real-Time Collaboration: Figma allows multiple users to work on the same design file simultaneously, making it ideal for team projects and remote work.
• Vector Networks: Figma's vector networks provide more flexibility than traditional vector paths, allowing designers to create complex shapes and designs with ease.
• Prototyping: Figma includes built-in prototyping tools that let users create interactive and animated prototypes directly within the design file, eliminating the need for third-party software.
• Design Systems: Figma supports the creation and management of design systems, enabling teams to maintain consistency across projects with reusable components and styles.
• Plugins: Figma offers a wide range of plugins, such as "Content Reel" for placeholder content and "Autoflow" for creating user flows, enhancing the design process.
• Version History: Figma automatically saves version history, allowing users to track changes and revert to previous versions if needed.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Figma runs in the browser and has desktop applications for both Mac and Windows, ensuring accessibility across different operating systems.
• Integration with Other Tools: Figma integrates with popular tools like Slack, Zeplin, and Jira, facilitating seamless workflow integration and communication.

Figma's Reviews

Overall, user feedback on Figma is highly positive, with many praising its collaborative features and intuitive interface, though some note a learning curve and performance issues.

• G2: 4.7/5
• TrustRadius: 9.2/10
• Capterra: 4.6/5

• "Figma is a very easy to use software. We use it for multiple project design requirements and campaign creative requirements." - Shalom F., 5/5
• "Great functionality for creating a range of designs, but can be slow with large files." - John D., 4.5/5
• "Figma is great for collaborating on all kinds of graphics, from webpages and UX/UI panels to marketing graphics and more." - Jane S., 5/5
• "Figma is very intuitive to use and has a low learning curve. It is efficient and supports complex workflows." - Alex T., 5/5
• "While Figma is powerful, it can be expensive and has a steep learning curve for new users." - Chris M., 4/5

Positive Aspects:

• User-friendly and intuitive interface
• Powerful tools for wireframing, prototyping, and designing
• Real-time collaboration
• Easy sharing and feedback collection
• Cloud-based accessibility

Common Concerns:

• Performance issues with large files
• Dependency on a stable internet connection
• Limited offline access
• Basic prototyping capabilities compared to other tools
• Learning curve for new users

Shopify: Overview and Key Features

Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform designed to help businesses create and manage online stores efficiently.

• Storefront Customization: Shopify offers a wide range of customizable themes and templates, allowing users to create unique storefronts. The drag-and-drop editor simplifies the design process without requiring coding skills.
• Payment Processing: Shopify supports multiple payment gateways, including Shopify Payments, PayPal, and Stripe. This flexibility ensures that businesses can offer various payment options to their customers.
• Inventory Management: Shopify's inventory system tracks stock levels, manages product variants, and automates restock alerts. This helps businesses maintain accurate inventory records and avoid stockouts.
• SEO Tools: Shopify includes built-in SEO features such as customizable title tags, meta descriptions, and alt text for images. These tools help improve search engine rankings and drive organic traffic to the store.
• App Integrations: Shopify's App Store offers thousands of plugins, such as Oberlo for dropshipping, Yotpo for customer reviews, and Mailchimp for email marketing. These integrations enhance the functionality of the online store.
• Mobile Responsiveness: Shopify ensures that all themes are mobile-friendly, providing a seamless shopping experience on smartphones and tablets. This is crucial as mobile commerce continues to grow.
• Analytics and Reporting: Shopify provides detailed analytics and reporting tools, including sales reports, customer insights, and traffic analysis. These features help businesses make data-driven decisions to optimize their operations.

Shopify's Reviews

Overall user feedback on Shopify highlights its ease of use and comprehensive features, though some users find it expensive and limited in customization.

• G2: 4.4/5
• TrustRadius: 8.8/10
• Capterra: 4.5/5

• "Shopify is relatively easy to use and provides a professional look for my business." - Shimonta D., 5/5
• "The only real option to start up an ecommerce site. Scales with the business and relatively easy to set up." - Verified User, 5/5
• "It's fairly easy to use. The page is very easily learned and trained." - Ashley C., 2.5/5
• "Comprehensive Ecom Platform for Small Businesses. The features and built-in functions are just so comprehensive and helpful." - Keyan S., 5/5
• "Ease of use, integrates with everything, and has a huge community." - Eric W., 5/5

Positive Aspects:

• Ease of use
• Comprehensive features and built-in functions
• Quick setup and easy integration
• Professional look for businesses
• Scalability with business growth

Common Concerns:

• Expensive fee structures
• Limited customization options
• Poor customer support experiences
• Issues with data access and transparency
• Some features only available in higher-priced plans

Feature Comparison: Figma vs. Shopify

Similarities

Despite their different primary functions, Figma and Shopify share some important similarities:

• User-Friendly Interfaces: Both platforms offer intuitive, drag-and-drop interfaces, making them accessible to users without extensive technical skills.
• Collaboration Tools: Each platform supports real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to work together seamlessly.
• Extensive Integration Options: Both Figma and Shopify integrate with a wide range of third-party tools and services, enhancing their functionality.
• Customizable Features: Users can customize their experience with various plugins and apps available in each platform's marketplace.
• Cloud-Based Accessibility: Both platforms are cloud-based, ensuring that users can access their projects from anywhere with an internet connection.
• Comprehensive Support Resources: Each platform offers extensive resources, including tutorials, community forums, and customer support, to help users maximize their potential.

Differences

Critical differences between Figma and Shopify will likely influence your choice.

• Primary Focus:
  • Figma: Primarily a collaborative interface design tool for design and development teams.
  • Shopify: Focused on providing a comprehensive e-commerce platform for selling products online and in person.
• Customization and Design Flexibility:
  • Figma: Offers features like Auto Layout, batch editing, and AI tools for significant design customization.
  • Shopify: Provides extensive customization through themes, a customizable checkout process, and the ability to create custom storefronts.
• Collaboration Features:
  • Figma: Supports real-time collaboration in shared files, communication via audio or chat, and feedback tracking with comments.
  • Shopify: Allows multiple team members to manage different aspects of the business through a centralized admin interface and mobile app.
• E-commerce Capabilities:
  • Figma: Does not focus on e-commerce functionalities.
  • Shopify: Provides robust e-commerce capabilities including multichannel integration, international selling, and a high-converting checkout system.
• Third-party Integrations:
  • Figma: Supports various third-party integrations to enhance design and development workflows.
  • Shopify: Offers over 13,000 apps in its App Store and provides APIs for building custom apps and integrations.

Pricing Comparison: Figma vs. Shopify

Figma Pricing

Figma offers a range of pricing plans to cater to different user needs, from individual designers to large enterprises.

• Starter: Free
  • Unlimited drafts
  • UI kits and templates
  • Basic design file inspection
• Professional:
  • Collab seat: $3/month
  • Dev seat: $12/month
  • Full seat: $16/month
  • Unlimited files and projects
  • Team-wide design libraries
  • Advanced Dev Mode inspection
• Organization: (Billed annually)
  • Collab seat: $5/month
  • Dev seat: $25/month
  • Full seat: $55/month
  • Unlimited teams
  • Shared libraries and fonts
  • Centralized admin tools
• Enterprise: (Billed annually)
  • Collab seat: $5/month
  • Dev seat: $35/month
  • Full seat: $90/month
  • Custom team workspaces
  • Design system theming and APIs
  • SCIM seat management

Shopify' Pricing

Shopify offers a variety of pricing plans to accommodate different business needs, from small startups to large enterprises.

• Basic: $29 USD per month (billed yearly)
  • Up to 77% shipping discount
  • 10 inventory locations
  • 24/7 chat support
  • Localized global selling (3 markets)
  • POS Lite
• Shopify: $79 USD per month (billed yearly)
  • Up to 88% shipping discount and insurance
  • 10 inventory locations
  • 24/7 chat support
  • Localized global selling (3 markets)
  • 5 additional staff accounts
  • POS Lite
• Advanced: $299 USD per month (billed yearly)
  • Up to 88% shipping discount, insurance, 3rd-party calculated rates
  • 10 inventory locations
  • Enhanced 24/7 chat support
  • Localized global selling (3 markets) + add markets for $59 USD/mo each
  • 15 additional staff accounts
  • 10x checkout capacity
  • POS Lite
• Plus: Starting at $2,300 USD per month (on a 3-year term)
  • Up to 88% shipping discount, insurance, 3rd-party calculated rates
  • 200 inventory locations
  • Priority 24/7 phone support
  • Localized global selling (50 markets)
  • Unlimited staff accounts
  • Customizable checkout with 40x capacity
  • Up to 200 POS Pro locations
  • Sell wholesale/B2B

Subframe, a Better Alternative to Figma and Shopify

Subframe is a visual UI design tool that syncs with code in real-time. We offer a drag-and-drop editor that uses real components, making it easy to create pixel-perfect, responsive layouts. Our tool generates clean, production-ready React and Tailwind code instantly, eliminating the need for handoff and speeding up your workflow.

Subframe's Features

Subframe is the UI design tool for the AI era.

• Component-Based Design: Create user interfaces with real, reusable components instead of static mockups. The visual editor includes a responsive drag-and-drop canvas for building precise, production-ready layouts.
• Pre-Built UI Templates: Access a library of customizable templates inspired by established design patterns. Each template is built with reusable components to help speed up the design process.
• Code Export: Generate clean, production-quality React and Tailwind code. Designs can be copied directly into a codebase, reducing time spent on handoff and manual CSS adjustments.
• Real-Time Sync: The visual editor syncs with code in real-time, ensuring that your designs are always up-to-date and ready for production.
• Free to Get Started: Enjoy free access to Subframe's visual design tools with no credit card required.

Subframe's Pricing

Subframe offers flexible pricing options to suit different needs:

• Free: $0 per user/month
  • 1 project
  • Up to 3 page designs
  • Up to 3 team members
  • 100s of UI templates
  • Limited AI features
• Pro: $29 per user/month
  • Up to 3 projects
  • Unlimited page designs
  • Unlimited team members
  • Custom components
  • 100s of UI templates
  • Full AI beta access
• Custom: "Let's talk"
  • Unlimited projects
  • Unlimited page designs
  • Integrate your components
  • Dedicated Slack support
  • Figma plugin
  • Unlimited AI

For more details, visit the Subframe Pricing page. Book a demo with us to see how Subframe can transform your design workflow.

Subframe's Reviews

Users have shared positive feedback about Subframe, noting its user-friendly interface, time-saving tools, and the quality of the UI designs it produces. The platform has earned a 5/5 rating on Product Hunt. Customers especially value the visual editor, drag-and-drop functionality, and AI features that help refine designs based on user input.

• "Without Subframe, the frontend build of this tool would've taken a lot longer and a lot more financial resources." - Erin Kim
• "Subframe helped us make a super clean UI for our console without designers." - Carl Peterson
• "Huge shoutout to Subframe guys! Super easy to create UI, and the support is great. Highly recommend!" - Amartya Jha

Figma, Shopify or Subframe? Which is The Best Tool For You

Figma excels in collaborative interface design, making it ideal for design and development teams who need to work together in real-time. Shopify stands out as a comprehensive e-commerce platform, perfect for businesses looking to sell products online and manage their operations efficiently. However, Subframe offers a unique blend of design and code integration, allowing you to create pixel-perfect, responsive layouts with real components and generate production-ready React and Tailwind code instantly.

If you prioritize collaborative design, Figma is a great fit; for comprehensive e-commerce solutions, Shopify may be the better choice. But for those looking for seamless integration of design and code, Subframe stands out. It combines the best of both worlds, offering a visual editor that syncs with code in real-time and AI-powered features to streamline your workflow.

Get started on Subframe for free to see how it can transform your design process and accelerate your project timelines. Explore Subframe today to experience the future of UI design and development.