InVision vs Penpot: Complete Comparison (2026)

Updated: March 12, 20268 min read

Choosing between InVision and Penpot is a common decision for design tools buyers in 2026. InVision has been in the market since 2011, giving it a 9-year head start over Penpot (founded 2020). InVision serves 5M+ users while Penpot has 350K+ users globally. InVision differentiates with prototyping and design handoff, while Penpot leads with vector design and prototyping. In this head-to-head comparison, Penpot earns a higher hiltonsoftware.co score of 90/100 — but the right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and team size.

📱
InVision
Design Tools
84
hiltonsoftware.co Score
VS
🖊️
Penpot
Design Tools
90
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED

Quick Comparison

InVision
Penpot
Starting Price
$7.95/user/mo
Free (cloud)
Free Plan
Yes
Yes
Users
5M+
350K+
Founded
2011
2020
Rating
4.2/5
4.5/5
Best For
Teams needing design handoff and stakeholder revie...
Teams wanting a free, open-source, self-hostable F...

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

InVisionPenpot
89Ease of Use87
85Features97
90Value for Money95
79Customer Support89
82Integrations89
85Scalability91
91Learning Curve97

Pros & Cons at a Glance

InVision
+Great design handoff tools
+Easy stakeholder sharing
-Lost ground to Figma
-Limited free plan
Penpot
+Free and open source
+Full data ownership
-Less polished than Figma
-Smaller plugin ecosystem
AI Verdict

After comparing InVision and Penpot across features, pricing, and user satisfaction, Penpot takes the lead with a score of 90/100 versus InVision's 84/100. Penpot's key advantages include "free and open source" and "full data ownership". That said, InVision has its own strengths — particularly "great design handoff tools" — making it a viable alternative for specific use cases.

Both InVision and Penpot offer free plans, lowering the barrier to entry. InVision's paid plans start at $7.95/user/mo while Penpot begins at Free (cloud). Evaluate which paid features — Freehand whiteboard, User testing (InVision) vs Real-time collaboration, Self-hosting (Penpot) — justify upgrading for your team.

Bottom line: Choose InVision if you need teams needing design handoff and stakeholder review workflows. Go with Penpot if your priority is teams wanting a free, open-source, self-hostable figma alternative. Both are strong design tools tools — we recommend trying the free plan of each before committing.

CHOOSE INVISION IF:

Teams needing design handoff and stakeholder review workflows.

CHOOSE PENPOT IF:

Teams wanting a free, open-source, self-hostable Figma alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is InVision better than Penpot in 2026?
Penpot scores 90/100 on hiltonsoftware.co compared to InVision's 84/100. InVision stands out for "great design handoff tools" and is best for Teams needing design handoff and stakeholder review workflows. Penpot is known for "free and open source" and suits Teams wanting a free, open-source, self-hostable Figma alternative. Your specific workflow and team size should guide the decision.
What is the pricing difference between InVision and Penpot?
Both offer free plans. InVision starts at $7.95/user/mo and Penpot at Free (cloud). When comparing value, consider that InVision (founded 2011, 5M+ users) includes features like Prototyping, Design handoff, Freehand whiteboard. Penpot (founded 2020, 350K+ users) offers Vector design, Prototyping, Real-time collaboration. The right choice depends on which features matter most to your team.
What are the main differences between InVision and Penpot?
The key differences come down to focus and approach. InVision excels at Prototyping, Design handoff, Freehand whiteboard, while Penpot focuses on Vector design, Prototyping, Real-time collaboration. InVision's main advantage is "great design handoff tools", though some users note "lost ground to figma". Penpot's strength is "free and open source", but "less polished than figma" can be a drawback. Both serve the Design Tools market but target different user profiles.
Can I switch from InVision to Penpot?
Switching between InVision and Penpot is possible since both operate in the Design Tools space. Before migrating, export your data from InVision and check Penpot's import capabilities. Key features to verify compatibility: Prototyping, Design handoff, Freehand whiteboard (InVision) vs Vector design, Prototyping, Real-time collaboration (Penpot). Consider running both tools in parallel during a trial period to ensure a smooth transition.
Which is better for small teams: InVision or Penpot?
Both tools offer free plans, so evaluate based on features. InVision is ideal for Teams needing design handoff and stakeholder review workflows, while Penpot fits Teams wanting a free, open-source, self-hostable Figma alternative. Try both during their trial periods to see which fits your team's workflow.

Explore More Comparisons & Tools