Penpot vs Recraft — Pricing, Plans, and Verified Costs (2026)
Penpot starts at $7/mo. Recraft uses custom pricing — request a quote to compare.
Open-source design tool positioned as the alternative to Figma for teams that want self-hosting, on-premise deployment, or vendor-lock-in escape. Distinctive for using open web standards (SVG-native, not proprietary format) so files are portable across tools. Fully free when self-hosted; cloud tier launching. Backed by Kaleidos (Spanish OSS studio). Popular with government agencies, enterprises with data residency needs, and open-source purists.
AI design tool focused on vector graphics and brand-consistent illustrations. Pricing: Free (50 daily credits), Basic $12/mo, Advanced $33/mo, Pro $60/mo. Popular with designers who need vector-first AI output that scales cleanly — SVG icons, brand illustrations, print-ready graphics.
All plans compared
| Tier role | Plan | Penpot monthly | Penpot annual | Recraft monthly | Recraft annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free / starter | Free (Professional) / Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Entry paid | Unlimited / Basic | $7 | $7 | $12 | $10 |
| Mid tier | — / Advanced | — | — | $33 | $27 |
| Pro / power | — / Pro | — | — | $60 | $48 |
| Enterprise | Enterprise / — | $950 | $950 | — | — |
Tier names differ across vendors. Rows are aligned by tier role, not name. Full tier structures on each tool's page.
What each is best for
Penpot is worth it if… open-source-oriented design teams that want Figma-alternative UI/UX design with SVG-native files and full self-host option — particularly if data sovereignty or budget matter. Free forever for hosted use; Enterprise for self-hosted deployments.
Recraft is worth it if… designers who need vector-first AI output (SVG, print-ready graphics) that other AI image tools produce as raster. Basic ($12) suits solo designers; Advanced ($33) suits agencies; Pro ($60) adds API + brand training.
Bottom line: Choose based on how you want to pay — Penpot is freemium, Recraft is tiered.
Choose Penpot over Recraft if…
Choose Penpot if…
- You want fixed-price predictability (freemium, from $7/mo).
- You match the profile Penpot is built for: open-source-oriented design teams that want Figma-alternative UI/UX design with SVG-native files and full self-host option — particularly if data sovereignty or budget matter.
- You need a general-purpose design & creative option rather than a vertical-specific one.
Choose Recraft if…
- You want fixed-price predictability (tiered, custom pricing).
- You match the profile Recraft is built for: designers who need vector-first AI output (SVG, print-ready graphics) that other AI image tools produce as raster.
- You need a general-purpose design & creative option rather than a vertical-specific one.
At a glance
| Penpot | Recraft | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Entry price | $7/mo | Custom |
| Enterprise available | Yes | No |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Tiered |
| Last verified | September 19, 2026 | — |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified September 19, 2026. Tracked daily.
