FigJam

What is FigJam?

FigJam is a collaborative online whiteboard tool created by Figma, designed specifically for brainstorming, diagramming, and early-stage ideation with distributed teams. Launched in 2021 as Figma’s answer to the growing digital whiteboard market, FigJam brings the same collaborative DNA that made Figma successful in design to the broader realm of team thinking and planning. Unlike traditional whiteboard tools that feel like digital versions of physical whiteboards, FigJam was built from the ground up for remote collaboration, featuring playful interactions, delightful animations, and the same multiplayer technology that powers Figma’s real-time design collaboration.

What distinguishes FigJam from other whiteboarding tools is its tight integration with the Figma design ecosystem and its refreshingly approachable, fun interface. The platform removes the intimidation factor often associated with blank canvases through whimsical stamps, reactions, playful cursors, and built-in templates that lower the barrier to participation. Team members can express ideas through sketches, sticky notes, diagrams, and flowcharts without design skills or training. The seamless connection to Figma means design teams can transition fluidly from brainstorming in FigJam to prototyping in Figma, maintaining context and continuity throughout the product development process.

FigJam has rapidly established itself as the whiteboarding tool of choice for design-forward teams and organizations already invested in the Figma ecosystem. Companies worldwide use FigJam for everything from agile retrospectives and user story mapping to workshop facilitation and remote team building. The platform strikes a unique balance between structured diagramming capabilities and freeform creative exploration, making it equally effective for serious product planning sessions and casual team bonding activities. With generous free tier access, continuous feature development, and the backing of Figma’s expertise in collaborative software, FigJam represents the evolution of how distributed teams think together visually.

Key Features

• Real-Time Multiplayer: Unlimited collaborators can work simultaneously with live cursors, instant updates, and smooth performance regardless of how many people join the session.
• Playful Interactions: Delightful stamps, emojis, reactions, and sound effects create an engaging, low-pressure environment that encourages participation from all team members.
• Smart Templates: Extensive template library covering retrospectives, brainstorming sessions, user journey maps, roadmaps, and workshops accelerates productive sessions.
• Widgets and Plugins: Extensible through widgets for voting, timers, ice breakers, and integrations with tools like Jira, Asana, and Google Calendar.
• Freeform Drawing: Pen and marker tools with pressure sensitivity enable natural sketching and annotation, supporting visual thinkers and designers.
• Sticky Notes and Shapes: Digital sticky notes with colors, grouping, and organization capabilities plus shapes and connectors for structured diagramming.
• Audio and Chat: Built-in audio chat enables voice communication during sessions while text chat provides asynchronous collaboration and documentation.
• Figma Integration: Seamlessly embed Figma designs into FigJam boards and transfer FigJam content to Figma for design refinement without context loss.
• Presentation Mode: Transform boards into guided presentations with navigation controls for sharing findings and facilitating workshops.
• Infinite Canvas: Unlimited workspace with zoom and pan enables spreading out ideas spatially without artificial boundaries or page constraints.

What’s New

FigJam continues rapid development with frequent updates that enhance collaboration features, expand creative capabilities, and improve the workshop facilitation experience.

• AI-Powered Features: Machine learning assists with diagram auto-layout, content organization suggestions, and smart templates that adapt to your workflow.
• Enhanced Diagramming: Improved connector routing, shape snapping, and alignment tools make creating flowcharts and diagrams faster and more precise.
• Widget Marketplace: Expanded ecosystem of third-party widgets adds specialized functionality for specific use cases and workflow integrations.
• Advanced Templates: New professionally designed templates for product development, design sprints, user research synthesis, and strategic planning.
• Improved Performance: Faster loading times and smoother interactions with large boards containing thousands of elements and many active participants.
• Mobile Experience: Enhanced mobile and tablet apps provide better viewing, presenting, and light editing capabilities for reviewing work on the go.
• Accessibility Features: Keyboard navigation improvements, screen reader support, and contrast modes make FigJam more accessible to diverse teams.
• Organization Tools: Better file organization, team libraries, and shared components streamline recurring workflows and maintain consistency.

System Requirements

Web Browser (Primary Platform)

• Browser: Chrome 90+, Firefox 88+, Safari 14+, Edge 90+
• Internet: Stable broadband connection required for real-time collaboration
• Memory: 4 GB RAM minimum (8 GB recommended for large boards)
• Display: 1280 x 720 minimum resolution (1920 x 1080 recommended)
• Note: Figma/FigJam account required (free tier available)

Desktop App (Optional)

• Operating System: macOS 10.15 or later, Windows 10/11
• Memory: 4 GB RAM minimum
• Storage: 300 MB available space
• Note: Desktop app provides native integration and offline viewing

Mobile Apps

• iOS: iPhone or iPad with iOS 14.0 or later
• Android: Version 8.0 or later
• Note: Mobile optimized for viewing and presenting, full editing on desktop

How to Install FigJam

Web Browser Access (Recommended)

1. Visit figma.com/figjam in your web browser
2. Click “Get started for free” to create a Figma account
3. Enter email and password or sign up with Google/SSO
4. Verify your email address if required
5. Access FigJam from the Figma dashboard or figjam.new
6. Create your first board from templates or blank canvas

# Access FigJam online
# Navigate to: https://figma.com/figjam

# Quick new board
# Navigate to: https://figjam.new

# Bookmark for quick access
# No installation needed for web version

Desktop App Installation (macOS)

1. Visit figma.com/downloads
2. Download the Figma desktop app for macOS
3. Open the DMG file and drag to Applications
4. Launch Figma from Applications folder
5. Sign in with your Figma account credentials
6. Access FigJam from within the Figma desktop app

# Using Homebrew
brew install --cask figma

# Launch Figma (includes FigJam access)
open -a "Figma"

# FigJam is accessed through Figma desktop app
# No separate FigJam installer needed

Desktop App Installation (Windows)

1. Visit figma.com/downloads
2. Download the Figma installer for Windows
3. Run the installer executable
4. Follow installation wizard to complete setup
5. Launch Figma from Start menu or desktop shortcut
6. Sign in and access FigJam through the Figma interface

# Using Windows Package Manager
winget install Figma.Figma

# Using Chocolatey
choco install figma

# Launch Figma (FigJam included)
# Access FigJam from Figma dashboard

Mobile App Installation

1. Open App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android)
2. Search for “Figma” or “FigJam”
3. Download and install the Figma mobile app
4. Open app and sign in with your account
5. Access FigJam boards from the dashboard
6. Use for viewing, presenting, and light editing on mobile

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Seamless Figma Integration: Perfect connectivity with Figma design files creates smooth workflow from ideation through prototyping for design teams already using Figma.
• Delightful User Experience: Playful interactions, whimsical details, and approachable interface lower participation barriers and make collaboration genuinely enjoyable.
• True Multiplayer: Industry-leading real-time collaboration supports unlimited simultaneous users with smooth performance and live cursor presence that feels magical.
• Generous Free Tier: Free plan includes unlimited FigJam files and collaborators, making it accessible for individuals and small teams without budget constraints.
• Template Excellence: High-quality, professionally designed templates for common workflows accelerate productive sessions and provide structure for facilitators.
• Extensible Platform: Growing widget ecosystem and plugin support enables customization and integration with existing tools and workflows.
• Built-In Audio: Integrated voice chat eliminates need for separate video conferencing tools for many brainstorming and workshop scenarios.

Cons

• Account Required: Unlike some alternatives, FigJam requires creating a Figma account even for free tier usage, adding a barrier to immediate access.
• Internet Dependency: Requires constant connection for full functionality; offline capabilities are limited compared to desktop-native alternatives.
• Figma Ecosystem Lock-In: Tight integration with Figma is both strength and limitation, potentially creating friction for teams not using Figma for design.
• Limited Advanced Diagramming: While capable for basic flowcharts, lacks advanced diagramming features found in specialized tools like Lucidchart or Draw.io.
• Price for Pro Features: Professional tier costs three dollars per editor monthly, which can add up for larger teams compared to unlimited free alternatives.

FigJam vs Alternatives

Who Should Use FigJam?

FigJam is ideal for:

• Design Teams Using Figma: Teams already invested in Figma for design work gain seamless workflow continuity from brainstorming through prototyping without switching platforms.
• Product Teams: Product managers, designers, and engineers collaborating on feature planning, user story mapping, and roadmap development benefit from unified collaborative space.
• Remote-First Organizations: Distributed teams needing engaging virtual collaboration environments find FigJam’s playful interactions create connection despite physical distance.
• Workshop Facilitators: Those running design sprints, brainstorming sessions, and team workshops appreciate the templates, timers, and facilitation features.
• Agile Teams: Scrum teams conducting retrospectives, sprint planning, and daily standups find FigJam templates and sticky notes perfect for agile ceremonies.
• Budget-Conscious Startups: Small teams benefit from the generous free tier with unlimited files and collaborators without cost barriers.

FigJam may not be ideal for:

• Non-Figma Users: Teams not using Figma for design lose much of FigJam’s value proposition and may find alternatives better suited to their workflows.
• Complex Diagramming Needs: Those requiring advanced flowcharting, network diagrams, or technical documentation may need specialized diagramming tools instead.
• Offline-First Workers: Users frequently working without reliable internet will find the browser-based nature limiting despite desktop app availability.
• Privacy-Focused Organizations: Companies requiring on-premises deployment or strict data sovereignty may prefer self-hosted alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is FigJam free to use?

Yes, FigJam offers a generous free tier that many teams find sufficient for their needs. The free plan includes unlimited FigJam files, unlimited collaborators, and access to all core features including templates, widgets, and audio chat. The main limitation is that free users can only have three editable Figma design files (though this does not restrict FigJam files). For teams requiring more Figma design file capacity, advanced version history, or organizational features, the Professional plan costs three dollars per editor monthly when billed annually. Notably, anyone can view and comment on FigJam boards for free, making it accessible for stakeholder collaboration.

What is the difference between FigJam and Figma?

While both are created by Figma and share collaborative technology, they serve different purposes. Figma is a professional design tool for creating high-fidelity user interface designs, prototypes, and design systems with pixel-perfect precision. FigJam is a collaborative whiteboard for early-stage thinking, brainstorming, diagramming, and workshops with a more casual, approachable interface. Think of FigJam as the space where ideas are born and explored, while Figma is where those ideas are refined into polished designs. Teams often use FigJam for initial concept development and planning, then transition to Figma for detailed design work, with seamless integration between the two platforms.

Can I use FigJam for workshops with clients or external stakeholders?

Absolutely. FigJam excels for client workshops and stakeholder collaboration. You can invite external participants to FigJam boards via shareable links, and they can join without needing a Figma account if you provide editor access. The playful, intuitive interface helps non-designers feel comfortable participating, while templates for workshops, brainstorming, and feedback sessions provide structure. The built-in audio chat means you can conduct entire workshops within FigJam without separate video conferencing tools, though many teams combine FigJam with Zoom or similar platforms for video. Presentation mode allows you to guide stakeholders through findings and synthesized insights after collaborative sessions.

How does FigJam handle permissions and access control?

FigJam provides flexible permission controls suitable for various collaboration scenarios. File owners can grant view-only, comment, or edit access to team members and external collaborators. View-only access allows seeing the board without making changes, comment access enables adding feedback and reactions, and edit access provides full creation and modification capabilities. For organizations on paid plans, additional controls include team libraries, organizational SSO, and advanced permission management. Anyone with the link can be granted access levels you specify, making it easy to share with clients or stakeholders while maintaining appropriate boundaries around editing capabilities and sensitive content.

Can FigJam replace dedicated diagramming tools like Lucidchart?

FigJam can handle basic to moderate diagramming needs including flowcharts, simple system diagrams, and process maps, but it is not designed to replace specialized diagramming software. For teams whose primary need is collaborative brainstorming with occasional diagrams, FigJam works wonderfully. However, specialized tools like Lucidchart offer more extensive shape libraries, advanced auto-layout, data linking, and technical diagramming capabilities that FigJam lacks. The decision depends on your primary use case—if diagramming is supplementary to collaborative thinking and design work, FigJam is excellent; if complex technical diagrams are the core need, dedicated tools remain more appropriate.

Final Verdict

FigJam has rapidly established itself as a standout collaborative whiteboard through its combination of delightful user experience, powerful real-time collaboration, and seamless integration with the Figma design ecosystem. The platform succeeds in making virtual collaboration genuinely enjoyable rather than merely functional, with playful interactions and approachable design that encourage participation from team members regardless of their design skills or technical background. For teams already using Figma, FigJam creates natural workflow continuity from early ideation through detailed design without friction or context loss.

The generous free tier removes financial barriers for many teams, while the professional features remain affordable for those requiring advanced capabilities. The template library, widget ecosystem, and built-in facilitation features demonstrate thoughtful consideration for real-world workshop and collaboration scenarios. While FigJam may not replace specialized diagramming tools for technical documentation or match the extensive feature sets of larger platforms like Miro, it excels at its core purpose: helping distributed teams think together visually in an engaging, productive environment.

For design-forward teams, product organizations, and remote-first companies, FigJam represents an excellent choice that balances capability with approachability. The tight Figma integration makes it particularly compelling for existing Figma users, though the standalone value is sufficient to recommend it more broadly. Teams requiring advanced diagramming, offline functionality, or self-hosted deployment should explore alternatives, but for modern product development workflows emphasizing collaboration and creative thinking, FigJam delivers a delightful experience that makes working together genuinely enjoyable. It proves that professional tools need not sacrifice playfulness to be taken seriously.