TL;DR
Figma and Miro serve distinct purposes in the collaborative workspace.
Figma (with Figjam) excels in interactive design creation and real-time collaboration for digital products, making it ideal for designers focusing on high-fidelity UI/UX components.
Miro, on the other hand, is tailored for real-time collaboration on idea generation, project planning, and visual teamwork, offering an intuitive platform accessible to all team members, including non-designers.
Choosing between the two depends on whether your primary need is detailed design work (Figma) or collaborative brainstorming and planning (Miro).
In today’s fast-paced digital workspace, collaboration and design tools play a crucial role in enhancing team productivity. Figma, FigJam, and Miro are three of the most popular platforms, each catering to different needs within a team’s workflow.
While Figma excels in real-time collaborative design, FigJam offers an intuitive space for brainstorming, and Miro provides an expansive digital whiteboard for broader project planning. In this article, we’ll break down their features, strengths, and best use cases to help you determine which tool aligns best with your team's goals.
Overview of Figma and FigJam
Purpose and Functionality
Figma is a cloud-based design tool that enables teams to create and edit vector-based designs in real-time. Primarily used for UI/UX design, wireframing, and prototyping, it offers a seamless workflow for product designers, developers, and stakeholders collaborating on digital projects.
FigJam, an extension of Figma, is a digital whiteboarding tool designed for brainstorming, diagramming, and mapping out ideas. It allows teams to collaborate visually in an informal setting while maintaining a seamless connection with Figma’s core design functionality.
Key Features
Figma:
- Interactive Prototyping – Build and test interactive user experiences within the platform.
- Real-Time Collaboration – Multiple users can work on a single file simultaneously.
- Vector Editing Tools – Precision design capabilities comparable to Adobe Illustrator.
- Shared Design Libraries – Maintain brand consistency across teams.
- Cross-Platform Accessibility – Accessible via any modern web browser with cloud storage.
FigJam:
- Brainstorming Tools – Sticky notes, freehand drawing, and flowchart capabilities.
- Seamless Figma Integration – Move between FigJam and Figma without losing design consistency.
- Collaboration Features – Live cursors, comments, and voting tools for real-time feedback.
- Templates and Widgets – Pre-built components to speed up brainstorming sessions.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Figma: Ideal for designing high-fidelity UI/UX projects, real-time collaboration, and seamless integration with development tools.
- FigJam: Excellent for brainstorming, lightweight collaboration, and easy transition between ideation and design.
- Strong community support with templates and plugins.
Cons:
- Figma: Steeper learning curve for beginners unfamiliar with design software.
- FigJam: Limited for high-fidelity design work and might require additional structuring for polished outputs.
Overview of Miro
Purpose and Functionality
Miro is an online whiteboard platform designed for remote collaboration, brainstorming, and project planning. It offers an expansive workspace where teams can organize thoughts, create mind maps, and conduct virtual workshops in real-time.
Key Features
- Brainstorming and Ideation Tools – Sticky notes, mind maps, and freehand drawing features.
- Project Planning & Workflow Mapping – Templates for Agile workflows, Kanban boards, and sprint planning.
- Cross-Team Collaboration – Non-designers can easily contribute and participate.
- Extensive Template Library – Ready-made templates for different industries and use cases.
- Enterprise-Level Security – Advanced data governance and compliance features.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- User-friendly interface makes it accessible for non-designers.
- Vast selection of templates for quick workflow setup.
- Integrates seamlessly with Figma, FigJam, and other design/productivity tools.
- Excellent for brainstorming, workshops, and team alignment meetings.
Cons:
- Not designed for detailed, high-fidelity design work.
- May require additional effort to refine brainstorming outputs into structured deliverables.
Direct Comparison
Core Purpose
- Figma: Best for detailed design creation, wireframing, and prototyping.
- FigJam: Lightweight whiteboarding tool ideal for team ideation and quick sketching.
- Miro: Ideal for brainstorming, project planning, and collaboration across diverse teams.
Collaboration Features
- Figma: Enables designers to work simultaneously on designs, providing real-time feedback and shared libraries.
- FigJam: Allows for real-time brainstorming and seamless collaboration with teams.
- Miro: Offers an intuitive interface where all team members can participate in visual collaboration, regardless of design experience.
Integration Capabilities
- Figma: Integrates with design tools like Adobe, Sketch, and development tools such as Zeplin.
- FigJam: Works effortlessly within the Figma ecosystem while supporting integrations with productivity tools.
- Miro: Provides over 150 integrations, including Asana, Jira, Slack, and seamless Figma compatibility.
Security and Data Governance
- Figma & FigJam: Basic security features suited for small to medium teams.
- Miro: Advanced security, compliance options, and enterprise-level governance tools.
Use Cases and Recommendations
Figma
Figma is the go-to solution for teams focusing on UI/UX design, digital product development, and high-fidelity prototyping.
It provides an array of powerful features such as shared libraries, precise vector editing, and advanced collaboration tools that enable seamless workflows.
Design teams benefit from real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously, which reduces iteration cycles. Its cloud-based accessibility eliminates the need for local installations, making projects available from anywhere.
Figma also offers robust prototyping capabilities, enabling users to create interactive designs with transitions and animations that ensure a smooth handoff to developers. Additionally, integration with development tools through plugins and API integrations helps teams connect Figma with their development stack for seamless execution.
FigJam
For teams engaged in brainstorming, quick ideation, and informal workshops, FigJam is an excellent choice.
It fosters an interactive and structured environment for idea generation and planning. Real-time collaborative whiteboarding helps teams capture and refine ideas effortlessly. It simplifies ideation and planning processes with features like sticky notes, diagrams, and mind maps.
FigJam is designed to complement Figma, allowing for an easy transition from brainstorming to wireframing and prototyping. It also includes templates and frameworks that support structured planning for sprint retrospectives, user journey mapping, and product roadmaps.
Miro
For teams that require a comprehensive platform for structured collaboration, project planning, and remote workshops, Miro is the best fit.
Its extensive capabilities make it an essential tool for Agile teams, design thinking workshops, and cross-functional collaboration. Miro includes advanced brainstorming and mapping tools such as an infinite canvas, sticky notes, and diagramming features that accommodate complex workflows.
It supports Agile sprint planning by facilitating backlog refinement, sprint planning, and retrospective boards.
The platform’s extensive integration ecosystem connects with tools like Jira, Trello, Slack, and Asana, enhancing productivity. Designed to be intuitive for non-designers, Miro is particularly useful for engaging broader stakeholders in the ideation process.
Conclusion
Figma, FigJam, and Miro serve essential but distinct roles in a team’s workflow. Figma is the best choice for teams focusing on digital product design, prototyping, and detailed UI/UX workflows. FigJam serves as a bridge between brainstorming and structured design work, while Miro is perfect for broader team collaboration and project planning.
Additional Resources
Looking to enhance your team’s workflow beyond just choosing the right tools? Our experts at Nexus Creative can help you optimize your digital strategy, streamline processes, and build seamless user experiences. Get in touch with us today!
