Icons8 Lunacy vs. Figma: Which One Wins for Offline Work?Designers who work away from reliable internet — on planes, trains, client sites, or in privacy-sensitive environments — need tools that function smoothly offline. Two popular choices are Icons8 Lunacy, a Windows-first vector design app built with offline capability in mind, and Figma, the cloud-native design platform that revolutionized collaborative UI/UX workflows. This article examines both tools across the factors that matter most for offline work and recommends when to pick each.
Quick verdict
- If offline capability is your top priority, Icons8 Lunacy usually wins.
- If real-time collaboration, version history, and a cloud-first workflow are essential, Figma is better — but it expects online access.
1. Core offline capability
Icons8 Lunacy
- Lunacy is a native desktop application (Windows, with macOS and Linux builds available later), designed to run fully offline. You can open, edit, and save .sketch, .psd, .svg, and Lunacy’s native files without a network connection.
- Built-in asset libraries (icons, photos, illustrations) can be cached locally; once downloaded, assets remain available offline.
Figma
- Figma is fundamentally cloud-hosted. Its native strengths are online: real-time collaboration, cloud storage, and cross-platform browser access.
- Figma offers a limited offline mode via the desktop app: files you’ve opened recently may be cached and editable offline, but behavior is less predictable and depends on prior syncing. New files or files not previously loaded won’t be available offline. Some features (plugins, team libraries, and collaboration) will be restricted or unavailable.
Verdict: Lunacy provides a more reliable and complete offline experience than Figma.
2. File formats and compatibility
Icons8 Lunacy
- Strong compatibility with Sketch (.sketch) files — Lunacy opens and saves them natively. Good support for SVG and common raster formats (PNG, JPG).
- Exports to multiple formats without requiring cloud conversion.
Figma
- Uses its own .fig backend stored in the cloud. You can export assets (SVG, PNG, PDF) but opening non-Figma files locally is limited. Figma supports importing Sketch files, but import requires uploading to the cloud or using the desktop app with prior sync.
Verdict: Lunacy has the edge for local file compatibility and direct handling of Sketch files.
3. Asset libraries and offline resources
Icons8 Lunacy
- Ships with a large built-in library of icons, illustrations, photos, and design assets. These libraries are downloadable and stay usable offline once synced.
- Offers an integrated icons and photos panel; great when you can’t reach online asset stores.
Figma
- Relies on cloud libraries (team libraries, Plugin-driven asset fetches). Some assets can be cached through plugins or by opening files while online, but access is not guaranteed offline.
Verdict: Lunacy wins for dependable offline access to assets.
4. Plugins and integrations
Icons8 Lunacy
- Supports extensions and built-in features for icons, illustrations, and AI-assisted tasks. Plugins are fewer than Figma’s ecosystem but many core utilities are native and offline-capable.
Figma
- Huge plugin ecosystem that greatly enhances workflows. Most plugins, however, assume network access — many fetch data from the web or require cloud permissions. Offline plugin use is limited to plugins that don’t rely on external APIs.
Verdict: Figma has more plugins overall; Lunacy’s fewer but offline-capable tools are more reliable without internet.
5. Collaboration & sharing without internet
Icons8 Lunacy
- Primarily single-user local files. You can share files via traditional methods (USB, local network, email) and use version control by saving file revisions locally or on private servers. No built-in real-time multi-user editing.
Figma
- Built for real-time collaboration: multiple users can edit simultaneously, leave comments, and see cursors. Offline, these features are disabled; edits you make offline will sync when you reconnect, but conflicts are possible if collaborators edited the same file while you were offline.
Verdict: If you need real-time collaboration, Figma is superior — but only when online. For strictly offline teamwork, Lunacy’s file-based approach is simpler and more predictable.
6. Performance and system requirements
Icons8 Lunacy
- As a native app, Lunacy typically feels snappy on modern hardware and performs reliably offline. Memory and CPU usage are comparable to other native vector editors.
Figma
- Figma’s desktop app is performant but can consume notable memory if many files/tabs are open. Browser-based use is naturally dependent on browser performance; offline caching in the desktop client can mitigate this but not fully replicate native responsiveness for very large files.
Verdict: Lunacy often has better predictable performance offline.
7. Versioning and backup
Icons8 Lunacy
- Local file versioning depends on your workflow: manual saves, OS-level snapshots, or third-party version control (git LFS, cloud backups). Lunacy does not enforce cloud version history.
Figma
- Figma stores detailed version history in the cloud, accessible anytime online. Offline, you won’t have access to history beyond local cached versions; syncing restores online version history when reconnected.
Verdict: Figma has superior built-in version history, but it’s cloud-dependent.
8. Security and privacy considerations
Icons8 Lunacy
- Local-first model means sensitive designs can remain on-device; suitable for environments that restrict cloud uploads. Security depends on your device and backup practices.
Figma
- Cloud storage requires trusting Figma’s servers and enterprise controls (SSO, access policies). For teams with strict data residency or offline requirements, relying on Figma may be problematic.
Verdict: Lunacy is preferable where keeping files local and private is critical.
9. Cost and licensing for offline use
Icons8 Lunacy
- Offers free and paid tiers; offline features are available in the desktop app. Licensing is straightforward for individuals and teams that prefer perpetual local use.
Figma
- Subscription model centered on cloud collaboration. Offline usage is available but limited; paid tiers unlock collaboration and team features.
Verdict: Lunacy can be more cost-effective if you don’t need Figma’s cloud features.
10. When to pick which
Choose Icons8 Lunacy if:
- You need a reliable, fully offline design app.
- You work frequently with Sketch files or need built-in asset libraries available offline.
- Data residency or privacy requires local file control.
- You prefer a native app with predictable performance.
Choose Figma if:
- Real-time collaboration, cloud version history, and browser-based access are essential.
- You primarily work online and rely on plugins and team libraries.
- Cross-platform consistency and shared cloud workflows are a priority.
Conclusion
For pure offline work, Icons8 Lunacy generally wins thanks to its native desktop design, robust local asset libraries, and reliable file compatibility. Figma remains the leader for collaborative, cloud-first workflows — but its offline mode is a limited, best-effort fallback rather than a full replacement for an offline-first tool. Choose based on whether offline reliability or cloud collaboration is your primary need.
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