Webflow vs Figma: Where Should Designers Build Ideas?

Should I start my project in Figma or Webflow? Both platforms have become in-demand in the design and no-code development world, but they serve very different purposes. For today's designers, understanding where to begin can shape not only the workflow but also the project's outcome.

Figma has quickly risen as the go-to tool for UI/UX design, wireframing, and real-time collaboration. Teams love it because it makes brainstorming, prototyping, and gathering feedback seamless. Webflow is revolutionizing how websites are built by empowering designers to create fully functional, responsive websites without needing to write a single line of code.

As both tools continue to gain popularity, the line between designing and building has started to blur, leaving many designers wondering: which one is right for me? In this article, we'll compare Webflow vs Figma to help you decide where to start and when to use both for maximum impact.

Figma is a cloud-based design platform that has quickly become one of the top choices for UI/UX designers, product teams, and digital creators. Unlike classic design software that requires downloading or heavy installation, Figma is browser-based, making it accessible from practically anywhere. Designers use it for wireframing, prototyping, and creating design systems without needing to switch between multiple applications to maintain their work.

Why Designers Love Figma

One of Figma's main virtues is its real-time collaboration feature. Multiple team members can edit the same document simultaneously, similar to Google Docs, which makes brainstorming and feedback sessions very efficient.

Figma also offers easy prototyping and feedback loops, allowing designers to connect screens, test user flows, and gather input without switching tools. Stakeholders can leave comments directly on designs, streamlining communication and reducing endless email threads.

Another positive aspect is its cross-platform accessibility. Projects can be accessed on Windows, Mac, or through a web browser, so compatibility issues are minimal. This ease of use is particularly beneficial for remote teams or cross-department collaborations.

Webflow is a powerful no-code solution that enables designers to create fully functional websites without traditional coding. Essentially, it is a visual drag-and-drop tool that generates clean, production-ready HTML, CSS, and JavaScript based on your design choices, making websites easy to maintain. This allows designers to go from design to development to deployment of responsive websites—all on one platform.

Why Designers Choose Webflow

One of Webflow's biggest appeals is the ability to build live websites without coding. Instead of handing off static mockups to developers, designers can create and publish interactive sites directly, reducing bottlenecks in the workflow.

Webflow also comes with an integrated CMS (Content Management System) and hosting, making it a one-stop solution for both design and deployment. This allows teams and clients to manage content easily, without relying on external tools or developers for updates.

Another standout feature is its SEO-friendly foundation. With clean code, customizable meta tags, fast load speeds, and responsive design built in, Webflow helps websites perform better in search engine rankings. For designers who want both creative freedom and professional-grade results, Webflow bridges the gap between design and development.

The most crucial distinction between Figma and Webflow lies in their core purpose. Figma is a design and prototyping tool, ideal for creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes. It's where ideas are shaped and refined before they ever go live. Webflow is a live website builder. Instead of stopping at prototypes, it allows designers to bring their vision to life by building responsive, production-ready websites directly—no coding required.

Both tools excel in collaboration, but in different ways. Figma thrives in real-time teamwork, letting multiple designers and stakeholders work together on a single file, leave comments, and iterate quickly. Webflow, on the other hand, is designed with client collaboration in mind. Its features support client handoff, content editing through the CMS, and permissions for non-technical team members to update content without touching design or code.

The final output of each tool also highlights their differences. Figma produces static design files and beautiful interactive prototypes that look like real websites but remain non-functional. Webflow delivers fully functional websites, complete with hosting, CMS, and SEO optimization, ready to be launched on the web.

When to Use Figma (Best Scenarios)

Figma is the perfect starting point for designers who want to shape and refine ideas before moving into development. Best scenarios include:

• Brainstorming Ideas: Sketch early concepts, quick wireframes, or mood boards with flexibility to experiment and iterate.
• Building Wireframes & Mockups: Visualize layouts, color schemes, and interactions before committing to a final design.
• Collaborating with Design Teams: Real-time collaboration allows multiple designers and stakeholders to work on the same file and share feedback instantly, valuable for remote teams and large projects.
• Testing UX Flows Before Development: Link screens and simulate user journeys to test and validate experiences before any coding, saving time and resources.

Figma excels during the creative and planning phases, enabling teams to align on vision and design direction.

When to Use Webflow (Best Scenarios)

Webflow becomes invaluable once your designs are ready to move from concept to reality. It's the tool designers turn to when they want to skip lengthy development cycles and bring ideas to life quickly. Best scenarios include:

• Creating Responsive Websites Directly: Build fully responsive websites inside Webflow's visual editor and see layouts adapt across devices in real time.
• Showcasing Design Portfolios: Create custom portfolios that reflect your personal brand without relying on templates.
• Launching Client-Ready Websites Fast: Use the built-in CMS and hosting to go from design to launch without involving a developer.
• Skipping Traditional Coding or Outsourcing: Eliminate handoffs to developers, save time and costs, and retain control over the final product.

Webflow shines when it's time to turn designs into live, interactive websites—all without touching a single line of code.

The short answer: it depends on your workflow and team size. While Webflow is powerful enough to handle design and development in one place, it doesn't fully replace what Figma offers.

Pros

For solo designers or small teams, Webflow can sometimes eliminate the need for Figma. Since you can design directly in Webflow's visual editor and instantly see how everything looks on a live site, there's no need to maintain separate mockups. This makes the process faster and more streamlined, especially for portfolios, small business websites, or client projects that need a quick turnaround.

Cons

For larger teams and complex projects, Figma is still essential. Its strength lies in building detailed UI systems, managing design libraries, and enabling multiple people to collaborate in real-time. Webflow doesn't provide the same level of design system management or early-stage prototyping, which makes Figma hard to replace in collaborative environments.

Webflow can sometimes bypass Figma, but in most cases, the two tools work better together rather than as substitutes.

While Webflow and Figma each serve different purposes, they become most potent when used side by side. Instead of choosing one over the other, many designers integrate both into their workflow for the best results.

Figma = Idea & Prototype

Figma is where brainstorming, wireframing, and prototyping happen. It's the perfect environment to explore ideas, test UX flows, and gather team or client feedback before any development begins.

Webflow = Execution & Live Launch

Once the design is approved, Webflow takes over. Designers can transform those prototypes into fully responsive, functional websites—complete with animations, interactions, and CMS-powered content.

Example Workflow

A typical workflow looks like this: Design in Figma → Build in Webflow. This approach ensures creative freedom in the design phase, followed by seamless execution in Webflow without relying on a developer to translate designs into code.

By merging the advantages of both tools, designers can go from idea to market more quickly, with fewer handoffs and greater control over the final product.

Webflow and Figma are two sides of the same coin: each one is strong alone, but they are more efficient at different stages of the design-to-development journey. Figma is ideal for teamwork, ideation, and prototyping, making it the first choice for teams that need to collaborate on ideas and validate user journeys. Conversely, Webflow gives designers the power to take those concepts and make them real responsive, interactive websites without the need for developers.

Use Figma when you need a collaborative space for design, feedback, and refining UI/UX concepts.

Hire Webflow developer when it's time to bring those designs to life and launch them as real, interactive websites. If you need expert help, our team at Elightwalk can assist with hiring skilled Webflow developers to bring your project to life.