Comparison · UI design tools

Penpot vs ProtoPie: which is better in 2026?

Penpot ranks higher in our list of UI design tools (#2 against #5, score 88.0 against 81.0).

How we rank Share

  • 88.0
    Editorial score
    81.0
  • 2
    Platforms
    2
  • Yes
    Free to use
    Yes
  • Yes
    Open source
    No

Which should you choose?

Choose Penpot if you want

Open-source design you can self-host.

An open-source design platform that runs in the browser or on your own servers, under the MPL-2.0 license. Its feature set and community are smaller than Figma's.

Choose ProtoPie if you want

Interaction-heavy prototypes and developer handoff.

Interaction prototyping app for macOS and Windows with AI-generated interactions, specs for developer handoff and a free start. It goes deeper than Figma on interaction detail, but it is less general for interface design.

The main differences

  • Only ProtoPie runs on Windows.
  • Only ProtoPie runs on macOS.
  • Only Penpot runs on Web.
  • Penpot is open source; ProtoPie is not.

Side by side

PenpotProtoPie
Score88.081.0
Rank in list#2 of 10#5 of 10
PriceFree and open sourceFree to sign up and self-host; open source under MPL-2.0Free plan, paid upgradesFree to start; paid plans on the pricing page
Free to useYesYes
Open sourceYesNo
PlatformsWebSelf-hostedWeb, Self-hostedmacOSWindowsmacOS, Windows
Made byNot statedNot stated
Best forOpen-source design you can self-hostInteraction-heavy prototypes and developer handoff
Strengths
  • Open source under MPL-2.0
  • Can be self-hosted on your own servers
  • Detailed interaction prototyping
  • AI-generated interactions
  • Free to start
Limits
  • Smaller plugin ecosystem than Figma
  • Desktop downloads listed for macOS and Windows only
  • Less general than Figma for interface design
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about Penpot vs ProtoPie

Is Penpot better than ProtoPie?
Penpot ranks higher in our list of UI design tools (#2 against #5, score 88.0 against 81.0). Penpot is best for: open-source design you can self-host. ProtoPie is best for: interaction-heavy prototypes and developer handoff.
Which is cheaper, Penpot or ProtoPie?
Penpot: Free to sign up and self-host; open source under MPL-2.0. ProtoPie: Free to start; paid plans on the pricing page.
Do Penpot and ProtoPie run on the same platforms?
Penpot supports Web, Self-hosted. ProtoPie supports macOS, Windows.