Figma vs FigJam: Which Tool is Right for Your Team?

In this guide, we’ll compare Figma vs FigJam, explore their features, differences, similarities, and help you decide which one fits best with your workflow.

Design collaboration tools are essential, as design teams need platforms that help them brainstorm, design, and prototype ideas quickly. Figma and FigJam, both developed by Figma Inc., can help with this.

Both these excellent tools serve different yet complementary purposes in the design process. While Figma focuses on high-fidelity designs and prototyping, FigJam is a digital whiteboard built for team ideation and collaboration. Let’s learn more about these powerful tools below.

Figma vs FigJam: An Overview

Figma and FigJam are both cloud-based collaboration tools designed for design teams. However, they cater to different stages of the design process.

• Figma is a professional design and prototyping tool. It allows you to build interactive prototypes, create UI/UX layouts, and manage design systems.

• FigJam, on the other hand, is an online whiteboard built for ideation. It’s ideal for early brainstorming sessions, diagrams, flowcharts, and team discussions.

Despite their differences, both platforms are built with real-time collaboration at their core. This means multiple users can work together on a single file without any lag or confusion.

Figma for Design and Prototyping

Figma is a design powerhouse widely used by UI/UX designers, product teams, and developers.

Key features of Figma include:

• Vector editing: Easily create precise shapes, icons, and illustrations.
• Design components: Reuse design elements across projects.
• Prototyping tools: Create clickable prototypes without switching tools.
• Version control: Track design changes and collaborate seamlessly.
• Cross-platform: Works on any operating system via the browser.

With Figma, you can design websites, mobile apps, dashboards, and anything in between. It’s great for high-fidelity mockups and final design hand-offs. Because it’s browser-based, there’s no need to install heavy software. Simply open your browser, log in, and start designing. Everything is saved automatically in the cloud.

Related: Is Figma Free for Your Design Needs

FigJam: Collaboration and Communication at Its Best

FigJam is like a virtual sticky-note board that’s built for teams. It’s flexible and great for early-stage planning and team brainstorming.

Key features of FigJam are:

• Sticky notes and stamps: Great for quick ideas and feedback.
• Diagrams and flowcharts: Build simple process maps easily.
• Live collaboration: Teams can brainstorm together in real-time.
• Commenting tools: Add feedback and have discussions on the board.
• Templates: Use ready-made frameworks like mind maps or user journey maps.

Unlike Figma, FigJam isn’t about perfect pixels. It’s about idea generation and discussing them with the team, thereby allowing designers to set the direction of the project before diving into design. Try the Figjam app for free!

Custom Templates in FigJam

FigJam also offers custom templates that help teams get started quickly. These templates are especially useful in workshops and meetings. Some popular templates include:

• Mind maps: Visualize ideas and connections.
• User journey maps: Understand the customer’s experience.
• Flowcharts: Map out user flows and processes.
• Retrospectives: Reflect on what went well and what could be improved.

These templates help teams standardize workflows, save time, and ensure consistent output across sessions. Plus, you can create your own templates to match your team’s style and needs.

Learn about: Best UI/UX Design Trends

Key Differences Between Figma and FigJam

While Figma and FigJam are both built for collaboration, they serve distinctly different purposes in the design process. Understanding their key differences can help your team choose the right tool or better yet, use them together for a more efficient workflow.

Purpose and Core Functionality

To begin with, the most significant difference lies in what each tool is designed to do.

• Figma is built for high-fidelity design and interactive prototyping. It allows teams to craft detailed user interfaces, create wireframes, and hand off designs to developers.

• FigJam, however, focuses on low-fidelity ideation. It serves as a digital whiteboard where teams can brainstorm, map out ideas, and conduct collaborative planning sessions.

Toolset and Features

Next, the advanced features offered by each tool vary based on their intended use.

• Figma offers vector editing, design components, and developer handoff tools, which are perfect for detailed UI/UX work.

• FigJam provides tools like sticky notes, flowchart shapes, emojis, and voting stamps, which are better suited for informal planning and feedback.

Use Cases and Application

Both tools cater to different types of tasks throughout a project lifecycle.

• You’d use Figma to design a mobile app, build a website layout, or create a design system.

• You’d turn to FigJam for activities like team retrospectives, journey mapping, wireframing, or early project discovery sessions.

Level of Design Fidelity

Another notable difference is the level of design detail each tool supports.

• Figma supports pixel-perfect, high-fidelity designs that are close to development-ready.

• FigJam encourages quick sketches and rough concepts that help teams visualize ideas without worrying about precision.

Learning Curve and Accessibility

The learning experience differs between the two tools.

• Figma has a moderate learning curve, especially for beginners who aren’t familiar with design tools.

• FigJam is simple and intuitive, making it easy for anyone, including non-designers, to jump in and collaborate.

Collaboration Features

Although both support real-time collaboration, the style and purpose behind it differ.

• In Figma, collaboration typically happens during the execution phase, such as co-designing or reviewing prototypes.

• In FigJam, collaboration feels more like a team huddle: quick, interactive, and brainstorming-focused.

Know more: Figma-Friendly WordPress AI Website Builders

Integration Between Figma and FigJam

The integration between Figma and FigJam is seamless for design projects. Both tools live under the same platform, share the same workspace, and have a unified interface. With integration, you can:

• Drag FigJam frames into Figma designs.
• Use Figma assets in FigJam brainstorming.
• Collaborate with the same team across both tools.
• Leave feedback and comments from either platform.

This synergy means your team can ideate, design, and prototype without switching between disconnected tools. Let’s look at some other benefits of Figma and FigJam integration.

Figma and FigJam: Supporting Agile Workflows

Both Figma and FigJam are ideal for teams that follow agile or iterative development workflows.

• With FigJam, your team can kick off projects with quick brainstorming, wireframes, and flowcharts.

• Once ideas are solid, switch to Figma to turn those ideas into detailed designs and working prototypes. 

Thanks to tight integration, you can move back and forth between the two tools without losing your work. This makes the workflow smooth and keeps your team aligned.

For example, a web designer might sketch a flow in FigJam during a sprint planning session. Later, they can use that as a reference while building the UI in Figma.

Same-Page Collaboration

Both Figma and FigJam are built for same-page collaboration. Everyone can see updates in real time, whether your team is in the office or working remotely. Real-time collaboration includes:

• Multi-user editing: See who’s doing what as it happens.
• Live cursors: Track other users’ actions on the screen.
• Commenting and tagging: Provide feedback instantly.
• Audio and video integration: Conduct live design sessions.

This real-time interaction helps eliminate back-and-forth, reduces meetings, and gets your team moving faster.

Files and Compatibility

One of the best parts about using FigJam and Figma together is their compatibility.

• FigJam files can be linked or embedded into Figma files.
• You can copy unique elements from FigJam and paste them into Figma designs.
• They both use the same file-sharing and commenting system.

This ensures a smooth transition from ideation sessions to execution without breaking your workflow or switching platforms. So, whether your team is running a remote workshop or preparing for a product launch, you’ll stay in sync.

Know the Difference: JPEG vs JPG in Figma to WordPress Workflow

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Tool for Your Team

When it comes to Figma vs FigJam, the decision depends on what stage of the design process your team is in. 

• Use FigJam for early-stage brainstorming, planning, and collaborative workshops.

• Use Figma for high-fidelity designs, prototypes, and final deliverables.

If your team handles both planning and design, you don’t need to choose between them. Use them together for a complete design collaboration experience.

Both tools offer free plans and paid plans, making them accessible for individuals, startups, and enterprise teams alike. By understanding their unique strengths, you can empower your team to work more efficiently, creatively, and collaboratively, no matter where they are.

Figma vs FigJam FAQs

Regina Patil

Hey there! I'm Regina, an SEO Content Writer, living in Mumbai, India. I've been navigating the web design, Figma, and WordPress industry for 10 years. I have a deep passion for words, encapsulated by the quote, "In every word, there's a universe waiting to be explored." My role involves writing various content formats, including website content, SEO articles, and in-depth blog posts. I also craft social media posts and have a strong affinity for WordPress.

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