Figma

Figma is a browser-based design tool for layouts and prototypes. Clients can open a link and comment directly on the design. It suits a freelance designer, a developer who designs their own screens, or a founder who needs mockups. It is not aimed at illustration or print.

The Starter plan is free. On the maker's pricing page, Professional seats are listed at US$16 per month for a Full seat, US$12 for a Dev seat and US$3 for a Collab seat, with higher prices on Organization and Enterprise. The page did not list the free plan's file or history limits clearly, so read them there before you commit. Our price above is converted to Australian dollars, and the billing period is not confirmed, so check it at checkout.

• Starter: enough to learn Figma and design your own projects.
• Professional: for working with clients, with more files and team features.

• Create a file for each client project.
• Set up shared styles for colours and type before you draw screens.
• Build a small component library for buttons, forms and cards.
• Share a view link and ask the client to comment, rather than sending exported images.

Paid seats add up if you bring in help, and the seat type matters: Full, Dev and Collab seats are priced differently. There is a learning curve if you have only used simple graphics tools.

Canva is easier for graphics and social posts. Sketch is Mac-only. Penpot is an open-source option. If you want to build the finished site, see Framer.

Figma is the design layer in the Freelance Web Design Studio stack.