Which Is More Cost-Effective for Teams: A Figma Subscription or Adobe Creative Cloud?

Explore a detailed comparison of Figma subscriptions and Adobe Creative Cloud for teams. Understand features, pricing, collaboration tools, and overall value

Introduction

Choosing the right design software for a team can significantly affect productivity, creativity, and budget management. Two popular options in the design industry are Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud. Both platforms offer powerful tools but differ in pricing models, features, and collaboration capabilities.

This blog post compares Figma subscription or Adobe Creative Cloud to help teams decide which service is more cost-effective based on their unique needs. By examining pricing plans, collaboration features, integrations, and scalability, you’ll gain clarity on which platform provides the best value for your team’s investment.

Understanding Figma Subscription for Teams

Verified site: Figma

Pricing Structure of Figma

Figma offers tiered pricing plans, including a free version with basic tools and paid subscriptions for professional and organizational use. Team plans are priced per editor per month, with discounts for annual billing. The pricing is straightforward, focusing on design collaboration with unlimited cloud storage.

Collaboration Features in Figma

One of Figma’s standout features is real-time collaboration. Multiple team members can design, prototype, and comment simultaneously within the browser or desktop app. This eliminates version control issues and speeds up feedback loops.

Platform Accessibility

Figma operates primarily through the web, allowing users on different operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) to access the same design files seamlessly. This cross-platform flexibility is a major advantage for distributed teams.

Exclusive Business Features

• Centralized Admin Controls – Manage users, assign seats, and control access across multiple teams from a single, intuitive admin dashboard.
• Role-Based Seats – Choose from Collab Seats, Dev Seats, and Full Seats to allocate the right tools and permissions for each team member.
• Advanced Security & Compliance – Includes features like SSO (Single Sign-On), audit logs, and granular permissions to meet enterprise security standards.
• Organization-Wide Design Systems – Maintain brand consistency with shared libraries and component governance across the company.
• Version Control & Audit Trails – Access detailed edit history to track design changes and roll back if needed.

Included Collaboration & Integration Tools

• Real-Time Coediting – Multiple team members can work on the same file simultaneously with instant updates.
• Cross-Platform Access – Work seamlessly on Windows, macOS, Linux, and directly in the browser.
• Developer Handoff Tools – Allow developers to inspect designs, export assets, and access specs without disrupting the design flow.
• Integrated Plugins & Widgets – Extend functionality with a growing marketplace of third-party tools.
• Unlimited Cloud Storage – Keep all design files, prototypes, and assets accessible from anywhere.

Adobe Creative Cloud Subscription for Teams

Verified site: Adobe Creative Cloud

Pricing and Plans for Teams

Adobe Creative Cloud offers several plans, including individual app subscriptions and a full suite plan that includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and more. Team plans typically include volume licensing with centralized administration, priced per user per month.

Features and Tools Included

Adobe Creative Cloud provides a comprehensive set of creative tools for design, video editing, web development, and more. The suite offers desktop applications with powerful capabilities, offline access, and integration across apps.

Collaboration Capabilities

While Adobe has enhanced collaboration through cloud documents and Adobe Creative Cloud Libraries, real-time multi-user editing is limited compared to Figma. Adobe relies more on version control and file sharing workflows.

Exclusive Business Features

• Admin Console for License Management – Centralized control for adding, reassigning, and managing team licenses, making scaling simple and efficient.
• Advanced 24/7 Technical Support – Around-the-clock assistance to resolve issues quickly, ensuring minimal downtime.
• Two 1:1 Expert Sessions per User per Year – Personalized guidance from Adobe-certified experts to help users master tools or workflows.
• 180-Day Version History – Access to an extended archive of file versions, providing peace of mind for projects that evolve over time.
• Unlimited Job Posts via Adobe Talent – Connect with global creative talent by posting unlimited job opportunities through Adobe’s hiring platform.

Included Cloud Services

• Unlimited Standard Creative AI Image Features – Harness AI-driven creativity for faster design generation without usage caps.
• 4,000 Monthly Generative Credits – Access premium AI-powered video and audio creation tools.
• Adobe Fonts – A vast library of high-quality, licensed fonts to elevate designs.
• Step-by-Step Tutorials – Built-in learning resources to enhance skills at any level.
• Behance – Showcase work and discover global creative inspiration.
• Creative Cloud Libraries – Store, share, and access assets seamlessly across teams.
• 1TB Cloud Storage – Secure, high-capacity cloud storage for easy access to projects anywhere.

By combining powerful creative applications with enterprise-level support and cloud capabilities, Adobe Creative Cloud Pro positions itself as a comprehensive solution for teams that require both flexibility and performance.

Figma Organization Plan vs. Adobe Creative Cloud Pro – Team Comparison

Comparing Cost-Effectiveness for Teams

Upfront and Recurring Costs

Figma’s subscription model is simpler and often less expensive for teams focused mainly on UI/UX and web design. Adobe’s full suite subscription is costlier but provides more diverse creative tools, which may be necessary depending on team requirements.

Impact on Productivity

Figma’s browser-based, real-time collaboration reduces delays and miscommunication, potentially increasing productivity. Adobe’s rich feature set suits teams requiring advanced image and video editing but may introduce complexity and steeper learning curves.

Scalability and Flexibility

Figma easily scales with team size due to its per-editor pricing and flexible access. Adobe Creative Cloud’s volume licensing supports large enterprises but might be more rigid for small or medium-sized teams.

Factors Beyond Pricing to Consider

Integration with Existing Workflows

Consider how each platform fits with your team’s existing software. Adobe integrates well with other Adobe apps and services, while Figma offers robust plugins and APIs for popular project management and development tools.

User Experience and Learning Curve

Figma’s interface is generally intuitive and designed for quick onboarding, especially for teams focused on design and prototyping. Adobe’s tools, while powerful, may require more training for less experienced users.

Customer Support and Community

Both platforms provide customer support and active communities. Adobe’s longer presence means extensive resources and tutorials, but Figma’s growing user base offers strong community support tailored to modern design workflows.

Making the Decision: Which Is Right for Your Team?

Deciding between a Figma subscription or Adobe Creative Cloud for your team can significantly impact your workflow efficiency and budget. Both platforms offer excellent tools but cater to different creative needs and team dynamics. Understanding these differences alongside updated pricing can help you make an informed choice that best fits your team’s requirements.

At $1,199 per year per license, Adobe Creative Cloud Pro Standard provides a comprehensive creative suite. This suite includes flagship apps like Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and After Effects, offering a robust toolkit for graphic design, video editing, photography, motion graphics, and more. For teams working across diverse media, Adobe’s all-encompassing approach supports nearly every creative project type. Along with powerful offline desktop applications, Adobe offers enterprise-grade features such as centralized license management, advanced 24/7 technical support, and access to Adobe Talent for unlimited job postings. The platform also includes cloud services with 1TB of storage per user and AI-powered creative tools, enabling innovation at scale.

Conversely, the Figma Organization Plan Full Seat costs $660 annually per user, nearly half the price of Adobe’s subscription. Figma shines in collaborative UI/UX design and prototyping, built around real-time coediting and browser-based accessibility. Its flexibility allows teams to assign different seat types—Collab, Dev, or Full—tailored to each member’s role, which can optimize costs further. Figma’s cloud-native design enables seamless remote collaboration, instant feedback loops, and easy developer handoffs, making it a top choice for product design teams focused on agility and streamlined workflows. Additionally, Figma includes unlimited cloud storage, robust version control, and enterprise-grade security features.

Cost-wise, Figma is more budget-friendly, especially for teams prioritizing design collaboration rather than a broad spectrum of creative tools. The difference in pricing becomes substantial when scaled across large teams. For example, a team of 10 full-seat users would spend $6,600 annually on Figma but $11,990 on Adobe Creative Cloud Pro.

However, price alone shouldn’t drive your decision. Consider the nature of your projects. If your team requires heavy-duty video editing, 3D animation, or print-ready graphic design, Adobe’s extensive app ecosystem is unmatched. On the other hand, if your workflow centers on interface design, prototyping, and cross-functional collaboration, Figma’s specialized tools and real-time collaboration capabilities offer distinct advantages.

Another factor is platform accessibility. Figma’s web-based platform works across Windows, macOS, and Linux without the need for software installation, supporting hybrid and remote teams effortlessly. Adobe relies on powerful desktop applications with offline functionality, suitable for users needing high-performance tools but potentially limiting flexibility for remote collaboration.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice between a Figma subscription or Adobe Creative Cloud depends on your team’s workflow, creative needs, and budget priorities. Many teams find value in using both, leveraging Figma for rapid design and prototyping while employing Adobe tools for final production and multimedia work.

Carefully analyze your team’s current and future project requirements, the percentage of users needing full design access, and collaboration style. This clarity will help you select the solution that maximizes productivity, creativity, and cost-effectiveness for your team’s success.

Also, check the recent article about the best laptop for graphic design here.