Stitch vs Penpot
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
AI tool · Free
Google Labs' tool that generates UI designs and front-end code from prompts or images.
AI tool · Open source
An open-source design and prototyping tool built on web standards, self-hostable as a Figma alternative.
Our verdict
Stitch is a Google Labs experiment that generates UI designs and front-end code from prompts or images, and it is free to use in the browser. Penpot is an open-source design and prototyping tool, a Figma alternative you can self-host, built around vector design and web standards. They overlap in UI design, but Stitch is for quick AI-generated concepts and design-to-code experiments, while Penpot is for hands-on design work and teams that want an open, self-hosted tool.
Pick Stitch if you want to turn a prompt or image into quick UI concepts and HTML/CSS output without designing by hand.
Pick Penpot if you want an open-source, self-hostable design tool for hands-on vector design and prototyping with your team.
| Key difference | Stitch | Penpot |
|---|---|---|
| Core purpose | Generates UI designs and front-end code from prompts or images. | Open-source design and prototyping tool, a Figma alternative. |
| Price | Free. | Open source; no price listed in our notes. |
| Where it runs | Web only. | Web or self-hosted on your own servers. |
| Output | Multiple variants, HTML/CSS output, export to Figma. | Vector designs, CSS-based layouts, design tokens. |
| Maturity | Labs experiment; features and availability may change. | Described as a real open alternative to Figma; plugin ecosystem and AI features are smaller. |
Written with AI from both products' catalogue entries · updated 2026-10-29
Who each one is for
Choose Stitch if you need…
- Fast UI concepts
- Design-to-code experiments
Choose Penpot if you need…
- Teams wanting open-source design tools
- Self-hosted design
Side-by-side
| Stitch | Penpot | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Design · UI & product design | Design · UI & product design |
| Price | Free | Open source |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Self-hosted |
| Works with | Figma | — |
| Hands-on tested by us | Not yet | Not yet |
| Last checked | 2026-10-29 | 2026-10-29 |
What each one is
Stitch
Google Labs' tool that generates UI designs and front-end code from prompts or images. Impressive and free. It is a Labs experiment, so features and availability may change.
Penpot
An open-source design and prototyping tool built on web standards, self-hostable as a Figma alternative. A real open alternative to Figma. Plugin ecosystem and AI features are smaller.
Best for
Stitch
- Fast UI concepts
- Design-to-code experiments
Penpot
- Teams wanting open-source design tools
- Self-hosted design
Strengths
Stitch
- Prompt and image to UI
- Multiple variants
- Export to Figma
- HTML/CSS output
Penpot
- Vector design and prototyping
- CSS-based layouts
- Design tokens
- Self-hosting
Frequently asked questions
Should I use Stitch or Penpot?
Stitch is a Google Labs experiment that generates UI designs and front-end code from prompts or images, and it is free to use in the browser. Penpot is an open-source design and prototyping tool, a Figma alternative you can self-host, built around vector design and web standards. They overlap in UI design, but Stitch is for quick AI-generated concepts and design-to-code experiments, while Penpot is for hands-on design work and teams that want an open, self-hosted tool. Pick Stitch if you want to turn a prompt or image into quick UI concepts and HTML/CSS output without designing by hand. Pick Penpot if you want an open-source, self-hostable design tool for hands-on vector design and prototyping with your team.
What is the difference between Stitch and Penpot?
Stitch: Google Labs' tool that generates UI designs and front-end code from prompts or images. Penpot: An open-source design and prototyping tool built on web standards, self-hostable as a Figma alternative. Stitch suits fast ui concepts, while Penpot suits teams wanting open-source design tools.
Are Stitch and Penpot free?
Stitch: Free. Penpot: Open source.
What are other alternatives to Stitch and Penpot?
Other options people compare them with include Visily, Figma, Uizard.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.