Figma AIFigma AI vs Microsoft Designer: Which is Better in 2026?
A comprehensive comparison of Figma AI and Microsoft Designer covering features, pricing, use cases, and which tool is the right choice for your needs.
⚡ Quick Verdict
Choose Figma AI if:
- →You want more affordable paid plans (from $12/mo)
- →You need ai background removal or image upscaling
Choose Microsoft Designer if:
- →You need ai image generation (dall-e) or social media templates
Figma AI vs Microsoft Designer: At a Glance
Pricing Comparison: Figma AI vs Microsoft Designer
Understanding the pricing differences between Figma AI and Microsoft Designer is crucial for making the right choice. Here's how their plans compare side by side.
💡 Pricing takeaway: Both Figma AI and Microsoft Designer offer free tiers, making it easy to try before you buy. Compare the specific plans to find the best value for your use case.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Here's how every feature from Figma AI and Microsoft Designer stacks up.
What Makes Each Tool Unique
🔵 Unique to Figma AI
Features available in Figma AI but not in Microsoft Designer:
- ✓AI background removal
- ✓Image upscaling
- ✓Smart layout
- ✓Design suggestions
- ✓Real-time collaboration
- ✓Dev mode
🟣 Unique to Microsoft Designer
Features available in Microsoft Designer but not in Figma AI:
- ✓AI image generation (DALL-E)
- ✓Social media templates
- ✓Background removal
- ✓Text effects
- ✓Brand kit
- ✓Animation
Use Case Recommendations
Best for: Figma AI
AI features integrated into Figma's collaborative design platform. Figma AI includes background removal, image upscaling, text-to-design, and intelligent layout suggestions for faster UI/UX design.
Ideal use cases:
- •Teams or individuals who need ai background removal
- •Teams or individuals who need image upscaling
- •Teams or individuals who need smart layout
- •Teams or individuals who need design suggestions
- •Anyone focused on design workflows
- •Anyone focused on ui workflows
Best for: Microsoft Designer
Microsoft's AI-powered graphic design tool for creating social media posts, invitations, and marketing materials. Designer uses DALL-E for image generation and offers templates with AI-assisted editing.
Ideal use cases:
- •Teams or individuals who need ai image generation (dall-e)
- •Teams or individuals who need social media templates
- •Teams or individuals who need background removal
- •Teams or individuals who need text effects
- •Anyone focused on design workflows
- •Anyone focused on microsoft workflows
🎯 Other Design & UI/UX Tools to Consider
Figma AI and Microsoft Designer aren't the only options. Here are other popular tools in the same space:
Framer AI
AI website generator with design and publishing
Looka
AI logo maker and brand identity generator
Uizard
Convert sketches and screenshots to UI designs
Galileo AI
Generate high-fidelity UI from text descriptions
Khroma
AI color palette generator that learns your style
Visily
AI wireframing tool for non-designers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Figma AI better than Microsoft Designer?
It depends on your needs. Figma AI offers 6 key features including AI background removal and Image upscaling, while Microsoft Designer provides 6 features including AI image generation (DALL-E) and Social media templates. Figma AI uses a freemium model with a free tier, while Microsoft Designer is freemium with free access available. Choose based on which features and pricing model align with your requirements.
Is Figma AI cheaper than Microsoft Designer?
Figma AI is cheaper, starting at $12/month compared to Microsoft Designer's $20/month. Both tools offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing. Always check the official websites for the most current pricing.
Can I use Figma AI and Microsoft Designer together?
Yes, many users combine Figma AI and Microsoft Designer in their workflow. Figma AI excels at ai background removal, while Microsoft Designer shines with ai image generation (dall-e). Using both allows you to leverage the strengths of each tool, though this means managing two subscriptions — though free tiers can help manage costs.
What's the main difference between Figma AI and Microsoft Designer?
While both are design & ui/ux tools, Figma AI emphasizes ai background removal, whereas Microsoft Designer is known for ai image generation (dall-e). The best choice depends on your specific workflow and feature priorities.