Penpot vs Linearity
Both Penpot and Linearity are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the design tools space. This comparison breaks down their features, pricing, compliance posture, and data residency so you can make an informed choice for your team.
Quick Overview
Penpot
EU- Headquarters
- Madrid, ES
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Linearity
EU- Headquarters
- Berlin, DE
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- No
Key Differences
- Penpot offers a free tier, while linearity offers a free tier. The different pricing models mean you should evaluate which approach better fits your usage pattern.
- Penpot is open source, meaning you can audit the code, self-host, and avoid vendor lock-in. Linearity is proprietary, which often means a more polished out-of-the-box experience and dedicated support, but less flexibility for customisation.
- Data residency differs: Penpot hosts data in EU, while Linearity hosts in Germany, EU. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- Linearity was founded in 2017, giving it a 4-year head start over Penpot (founded 2021). More time in market often means a larger user community and more mature integrations, though newer entrants may offer more modern architectures.
- Each product has unique strengths: Penpot offers Interactive prototyping and Component libraries, while Linearity provides Vector editing and Animation (Linearity Move). Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Penpot | Linearity |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Penpot | Linearity |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Madrid, ES | Berlin, DE |
| Data Centers | EU | DE, EU |
| Real-time collaboration | ||
| Interactive prototyping | ||
| Component libraries | ||
| Design tokens | ||
| Flex and Grid layout | ||
| SVG native format | ||
| CSS inspect panel | ||
| Plugin system | ||
| Self-hosting option | ||
| Vector editing | ||
| Animation (Linearity Move) | ||
| Templates | ||
| Auto Trace | ||
| Icon library | ||
| Font management | ||
| Export to multiple formats |
Pricing Comparison
Penpot
Freefree / enterprise
Linearity
Freefreemium
Compliance Comparison
Penpot
GDPRDPA
Linearity
GDPRDPA
Get Started
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How to Choose
You need code transparency or self-hosting
Choose Penpot
You want a fully managed, turnkey solution
Choose Linearity
You need enterprise-grade support and stability
Choose Linearity
You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support
Choose Penpot
Penpot vs Linearity — FAQ
What is the main difference between Penpot and Linearity?
Both Penpot and Linearity are European design tools solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Penpot is open source while Linearity is proprietary, and Penpot uses free / enterprise pricing while Linearity uses freemium. Penpot is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, while Linearity is based in Berlin, Germany. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Penpot or Linearity?
Both Penpot and Linearity offer free tiers, so you can try either without cost. Pricing models differ (free / enterprise vs. freemium), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.
Are both Penpot and Linearity GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Penpot and Linearity are European companies that store data within the EU/EEA and offer Data Processing Agreements. Neither is subject to the US CLOUD Act or FISA surveillance. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.