Lunacy vs Penpot: Complete Comparison (2026)

Updated: March 12, 20268 min read

Choosing between Lunacy and Penpot is a common decision for design tools buyers in 2026. Both Lunacy and Penpot are established players, founded in 2017 and 2020 respectively. Lunacy serves 5M+ users while Penpot has 350K+ users globally. Lunacy differentiates with vector design and built-in assets, while Penpot leads with vector design and prototyping. In this head-to-head comparison, Lunacy earns a higher hiltonsoftware.co score of 90/100 — but the right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and team size.

🌙
Lunacy
Design Tools
90
hiltonsoftware.co Score
VS
🖊️
Penpot
Design Tools
90
hiltonsoftware.co Score

Quick Comparison

Lunacy
Penpot
Starting Price
Free
Free (cloud)
Free Plan
Yes
Yes
Users
5M+
350K+
Founded
2017
2020
Rating
4.5/5
4.5/5
Best For
Designers wanting a free Sketch alternative with b...
Teams wanting a free, open-source, self-hostable F...

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

LunacyPenpot
86Ease of Use87
98Features97
90Value for Money95
91Customer Support89
89Integrations89
88Scalability91
93Learning Curve97

Pros & Cons at a Glance

Lunacy
+Completely free with built-in assets
+Sketch file compatibility
-Smaller community than Figma
-Some features still maturing
Penpot
+Free and open source
+Full data ownership
-Less polished than Figma
-Smaller plugin ecosystem
AI Verdict

After comparing Lunacy and Penpot across features, pricing, and user satisfaction, Lunacy takes the lead with a score of 90/100 versus Penpot's 90/100. Lunacy's key advantages include "completely free with built-in assets" and "sketch file compatibility". That said, Penpot has its own strengths — particularly "free and open source" — making it a viable alternative for specific use cases.

Both Lunacy and Penpot offer free plans, lowering the barrier to entry. Lunacy's paid plans start at Free while Penpot begins at Free (cloud). Evaluate which paid features — AI background removal, Sketch file support (Lunacy) vs Real-time collaboration, Self-hosting (Penpot) — justify upgrading for your team.

Bottom line: Choose Lunacy if you need designers wanting a free sketch alternative with built-in stock assets. 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 LUNACY IF:

Designers wanting a free Sketch alternative with built-in stock assets.

CHOOSE PENPOT IF:

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lunacy better than Penpot in 2026?
Lunacy scores 90/100 on hiltonsoftware.co compared to Penpot's 90/100. Lunacy stands out for "completely free with built-in assets" and is best for Designers wanting a free Sketch alternative with built-in stock assets. 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 Lunacy and Penpot?
Both offer free plans. Lunacy starts at Free and Penpot at Free (cloud). When comparing value, consider that Lunacy (founded 2017, 5M+ users) includes features like Vector design, Built-in assets, AI background removal. 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 Lunacy and Penpot?
The key differences come down to focus and approach. Lunacy excels at Vector design, Built-in assets, AI background removal, while Penpot focuses on Vector design, Prototyping, Real-time collaboration. Lunacy's main advantage is "completely free with built-in assets", though some users note "smaller community than 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 Lunacy to Penpot?
Switching between Lunacy and Penpot is possible since both operate in the Design Tools space. Before migrating, export your data from Lunacy and check Penpot's import capabilities. Key features to verify compatibility: Vector design, Built-in assets, AI background removal (Lunacy) 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: Lunacy or Penpot?
Both tools offer free plans, so evaluate based on features. Lunacy is ideal for Designers wanting a free Sketch alternative with built-in stock assets, 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.

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