Miro vs Figma : Which is Better?
Miro vs. Figma: A Comprehensive Comparison
In the world of digital design and collaboration, Miro and Figma are two powerful tools used by teams worldwide. While both platforms enable collaboration, they serve different purposes. Miro is a visual collaboration tool primarily used for brainstorming, flowcharts, and whiteboarding, whereas Figma is a UI/UX design tool designed for creating interfaces, prototypes, and vector graphics.
This article will compare Miro vs. Figma in terms of functionality, user experience, pricing, collaboration features, and best use cases to help you determine which tool fits your needs.
1. Overview of Miro and Figma
Miro
Miro is a visual collaboration tool designed for remote teams. It serves as an infinite online whiteboard where teams can brainstorm, create flowcharts, organize workflows, and develop wireframes. It’s widely used in product management, agile workflows, and ideation sessions.
Key Features of Miro:
- Infinite canvas for brainstorming
- Sticky notes, mind maps, and flowcharts
- Real-time collaboration
- Pre-built templates for different use cases
- Integration with tools like Jira, Slack, and Notion
Figma
Figma is a UI/UX design tool built for interface design, prototyping, and vector editing. Unlike traditional design software like Adobe XD or Sketch, Figma is cloud-based, allowing real-time collaboration between designers and developers.
Key Features of Figma:
- Cloud-based UI/UX design
- Vector editing and prototyping
- Real-time multi-user collaboration
- Design systems and components for consistency
- Plugins for automation and enhanced design workflows
2. Key Differences: Miro vs. Figma
| Feature | Miro | Figma |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Brainstorming, flowcharts, mind mapping | UI/UX design, prototyping |
| Collaboration | Real-time, multi-user collaboration for planning and discussions | Real-time collaboration for design projects |
| File Types | Diagrams, flowcharts, sticky notes, wireframes | UI components, vector graphics, prototypes |
| Best for | Teams planning workflows and brainstorming | UI/UX designers, product designers, developers |
| Offline Mode | Limited support | Available in the desktop app |
| Templates | Pre-built templates for mind maps, user flows, retrospectives | UI kits, wireframe templates, design systems |
| Code Handoff | No | Yes, developers can inspect designs |
| Pricing | Free plan available, paid plans for teams | Free plan available, paid plans for teams and businesses |
3. Collaboration & Teamwork
Both Miro and Figma excel in collaboration, but their approaches differ.
Miro Collaboration Features:
- Multiple users can edit a board simultaneously
- Sticky notes, voting, and commenting features for ideation
- Voice and video chat for live collaboration
- Integration with tools like Slack, Jira, and Google Drive
Figma Collaboration Features:
- Real-time multi-user editing of UI/UX designs
- Commenting and annotation features
- Design handoff for developers, allowing them to extract CSS and other assets
- Version history for tracking changes
Verdict: If your team needs a collaborative brainstorming tool, Miro is better. If your focus is on design collaboration, then Figma is the winner.
4. Design and Prototyping Capabilities
Miro’s Design Features
Miro allows users to create basic wireframes and user flows, but it lacks advanced UI design tools. Its strength lies in visualizing concepts and mapping ideas, not detailed interface design.
Figma’s Design Features
Figma is built for UI/UX design, offering:
- Vector-based editing tools
- Auto-layout for responsive design
- Prototyping and animation tools
- Design components and reusable styles
- Plugins for extra functionality
Verdict: If you need professional UI/UX design tools, Figma is the clear choice.
5. Ease of Use & Learning Curve
Miro
- Beginner-friendly with a simple drag-and-drop interface
- Requires minimal learning, making it accessible for non-designers
- Ideal for brainstorming, mapping workflows, and planning
Figma
- Requires some design knowledge
- Interface similar to Adobe XD and Sketch, which may take time to master
- More complex due to design-specific tools
Verdict: Miro is easier to learn, while Figma is more powerful for design experts.
6. Pricing Plans
Miro Pricing
- Free Plan: Limited boards
- Starter Plan: $8 per user/month
- Business Plan: $16 per user/month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Figma Pricing
- Free Plan: Up to 3 Figma files
- Professional Plan: $12 per editor/month
- Organization Plan: $45 per editor/month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Verdict: Miro and Figma both offer free plans, but Figma’s free version is more feature-rich.
7. Best Use Cases: When to Use Miro or Figma?
When to Use Miro?
✅ Brainstorming sessions
✅ Mind maps and flowcharts
✅ Agile workflows and sprint planning
✅ Visual collaboration across teams
When to Use Figma?
✅ UI/UX design and prototyping
✅ Website and app wireframing
✅ Collaborative interface design
✅ Developer handoff and design systems
Verdict: Use Miro for planning and ideation, and Figma for design and prototyping.
8. Integrations with Other Tools
Both Miro and Figma integrate with popular tools:
Miro Integrations
- Slack
- Jira
- Notion
- Google Drive
Figma Integrations
- Slack
- Trello
- Zeplin
- Adobe XD
Verdict: Both offer great integrations, but Miro has more workflow-focused integrations.
9. Offline Access
- Miro has limited offline access, mainly for viewing files.
- Figma’s desktop app allows full offline editing.
Verdict: Figma is the better option for offline work.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
| Feature | Miro | Figma |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Brainstorming & collaboration | UI/UX design & prototyping |
| Ease of use | Very easy | Moderate learning curve |
| Collaboration | Ideal for planning | Ideal for real-time design |
| Prototyping | Basic wireframes only | Advanced UI/UX prototyping |
| Pricing | Affordable for teams | More expensive for businesses |
Choose Miro if you need:
✅ A digital whiteboard for brainstorming and planning
✅ A simple tool for flowcharts and visual thinking
✅ A lightweight solution for remote team collaboration
Choose Figma if you need:
✅ A powerful UI/UX design tool
✅ Real-time collaboration for interface design
✅ A complete solution for design systems and prototyping
Conclusion
Both Miro and Figma are excellent tools, but they serve different purposes. If you need a tool for brainstorming and visual collaboration, Miro is the best choice. If you’re a UI/UX designer looking for a powerful design platform, Figma is the clear winner.
💡 Final Tip: Many teams use both tools—Miro for brainstorming and planning, and Figma for UI/UX design.