Penpot vs Figma
Considering a switch from Figma to a European alternative? Penpot offers full GDPR compliance and EU-only data hosting without the legal uncertainties that come with US-based services. Here's how they compare on features, pricing, and data protection.
Quick Overview
Penpot
EU- Headquarters
- Madrid, ES
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Figma
USFigma is a collaborative interface design tool that runs in the browser, enabling teams to create, prototype, and hand off UI designs in real time.
The Case for Penpot
- Penpot stores all data exclusively in EU, under European jurisdiction. Unlike Figma, which is subject to the US CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702, Penpot cannot be compelled by foreign governments to hand over your data.
- Penpot offers a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) that is fully aligned with GDPR Article 28. There is no legal ambiguity about data transfers or adequacy decisions — your data processor is European, and the law that governs it is European.
- As an open-source solution, Penpot gives you full code transparency. You can verify that the software does what it claims, audit it for security vulnerabilities, and even self-host it for maximum control — something that is simply not possible with Figma.
- You can try Penpot for free before committing. This makes it easy to evaluate whether it meets your needs alongside — or as a replacement for — Figma, without any financial risk.
Why Switch to Penpot?
Concerns with Figma
- US CLOUD Act jurisdiction
- All design data stored on US-controlled infrastructure
- No self-hosting option available
Penpot Compliance
GDPRDPA
- Headquarters
- Madrid, ES
- Data Centers
- EU
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Penpot vs Figma — FAQ
Is Figma GDPR compliant?
Figma may offer GDPR compliance features and EU data residency options, but as a US-headquartered company, it remains subject to the US CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702. These laws can compel US companies to hand over data regardless of where it is stored. The EU-US Data Privacy Framework provides some safeguards, but its predecessors (Safe Harbor and Privacy Shield) were both invalidated by the European Court of Justice. Penpot, as a European company, is not subject to these US laws at all.
How does Penpot compare to Figma in features?
Penpot offers Real-time collaboration, Interactive prototyping, Component libraries, Design tokens, and 5 more features. While Figma's ecosystem may be larger due to its market position, Penpot covers the core functionality that most teams need. The trade-off is typically between breadth of integrations (Figma) and data sovereignty with regulatory certainty (Penpot).
Can I migrate from Figma to Penpot?
Yes. Most European software providers, including Penpot, offer migration tools or documentation to help you transition from US-based services. Under GDPR Article 20, you have the right to data portability — meaning Figma must provide your data in a machine-readable format. The migration process varies in complexity depending on your data volume and integrations, but for most teams it can be completed within a few days to a few weeks.