Overview
Figma is still the industry standard, but it was built before the AI era and it charges accordingly. Brilliant is a different bet: a free, AI-native design tool where agents work alongside you on the canvas and your files are plain text you can version with git. I tested it against Figma to see how real the alternative is. You can try it here: brilliant.design
This is the written version of my full comparison.
What is Brilliant?
Brilliant is a free, AI-native design tool that covers most of what designers use Figma for day to day. The twist is that AI agents operate directly on the canvas with you, your files are plain-text and git-friendly rather than locked in a proprietary format, and there's no per-seat or Dev Mode paywall to work around.
It's built for how designers work now: with AI in the loop and code never far away.
Where Brilliant wins
The headline is price: it's free, with no seat cost and no separate Dev Mode. Beyond that, it leans into being AI-native and developer-friendly, native GPU shaders, seven export formats, and unlimited MCP so your AI tools can plug straight in. If your workflow already runs through AI agents and code, that combination is hard to ignore.
For solo designers, small teams, and anyone tired of per-seat pricing, the math is compelling: brilliant.design
Where Figma still leads
This isn't a clean sweep. Figma still leads on a few things that matter for bigger teams and complex work: component variants, interactive prototypes, and live multiplayer editing. If your process depends heavily on those, Figma remains the safer choice for now.
The honest read: Brilliant is a real alternative for most everyday design and a clear win on cost and AI-nativeness, while Figma keeps the edge on advanced prototyping and collaboration.
Should you switch?
If you're a solo designer or small team who works with AI and doesn't lean on advanced prototyping or multiplayer, Brilliant is genuinely worth switching to, and it's free to try. If you're on a large team living in component variants and live collaboration, keep Figma for now and watch this space. Either way, an AI-native, git-friendly, free tool is exactly the kind of shift worth paying attention to: brilliant.design
FAQ
Yes. It's free to use, with no per-seat cost and no separate Dev Mode paywall.
For most everyday design work, yes, it covers roughly 95% of what Figma does. Figma still leads on component variants, interactive prototypes, and live multiplayer.
AI agents work directly on the canvas with you, files are plain-text and git-friendly, and it supports unlimited MCP so your AI tools connect straight in.
Solo designers and small AI-focused teams should seriously consider it. Large teams reliant on advanced prototyping and multiplayer should stay on Figma for now.