Penpot

What is Penpot?

Penpot is an open-source design and prototyping platform built by Kaleidos, a Spanish open-source company. It runs entirely in the browser, with no desktop app to install, and it was designed from the start for teams that want their design data to stay under their control.

Because Penpot is open source, you have two ways to use it: the hosted version at penpot.app for convenience, or a self-hosted deployment on your own servers using Docker. That makes it a favorite for companies with strict data policies and for designers who simply prefer open tools.

Penpot targets the whole product team, not just visual designers. Its CSS-based layout engine means developers can read the design in familiar terms, and the platform supports interactive prototypes, design systems and real-time multiplayer editing.

Key Features

• Browser-based design editor with no installation
• Real-time multiplayer collaboration
• Interactive prototyping with flows and transitions
• CSS-native layout tools including Flexbox support
• Design systems with components and libraries
• Self-hosting via Docker for full data control
• Plugins and extensions through a plugin API
• Exports to SVG, PNG, PDF and CSS-ready code

How to get started

The easiest start is to create a free account at penpot.app and open the editor in your browser. You can import an existing Figma file to try it with real work, or start a blank project and explore the tools.

For self-hosting, Penpot provides Docker images and setup guides that get a full instance running on your own infrastructure in an afternoon. The community forum and documentation cover both paths well.

• Create a free account at penpot.app
• Start a new project or import a Figma file
• Explore the editor, components and prototyping tools
• Invite teammates for real-time collaboration
• Export your design as code, SVG or PDF
• Optionally self-host with Docker for full control

Use cases

• Teams that want open-source tooling and data ownership
• Designers collaborating with developers on CSS-native layouts
• Organizations with compliance requirements that block cloud tools
• Prototyping user flows with interactive links
• Building and sharing component libraries across teams
• Educational projects and open-source communities

Pricing and licensing

Penpot is free and open source under the Mozilla Public License 2.0. The hosted version at penpot.app is free to use, and the self-hosted version is also free, which is a rare combination in the design tool world.

Kaleidos funds development through the open-source ecosystem and partnerships rather than per-seat fees. There are no paywalls on core features, though hosted infrastructure costs are covered by the company's other projects and sponsorship.

Pros and cons

Penpot's biggest wins are cost, openness and control. It is genuinely free, the code is public, and self-hosting means your designs never leave your infrastructure. The CSS-based approach also makes handoff to developers unusually smooth.

The trade-offs are maturity and ecosystem. It is younger than Figma, the plugin ecosystem is smaller, and some advanced prototyping or asset features are still catching up. For most standard design work, though, it is more than capable.

Alternatives

• Figma: the industry-standard proprietary design tool
• Inkscape: free and open-source vector editor for illustration
• Lunacy: free design tool with Figma file compatibility
• Sketch: popular Mac-only design tool
• Framer: design tool with built-in website publishing